Apr 20, 2008 01:37 PM - hay i am saudi nurse

and i just want to know from where you got this idea about my country

did you ask saudi people? i mean outside the hosp.

did someone attack you?

and about the al-shriah law

do you which the most secure country in the world?

and for me i have non-muslims friends

sorry but you have the wrong idea about saudia arabia

Apr 20, 2008 11:27 PM - Msaaaz, are your questions directed at the poster of the article or at another poster?

May 20, 2008 09:18 PM - I would be interested to know what the salary/pay is over there for a RN and for an LVN.

Thank you.

May 20, 2008 11:07 PM - i am sorry i dont have the wrong idea about saudi you have.Wake up and smell the coffee. What is the use of being secure but not free. Their treatment of non-white, non-arab expatriates is well known. For the same jobs, based on race and nationality, workers are paid differently. And you would be lying if you said thats untrue. Islam teaches equality. I have seen everywhere except in saudi. If a non-arab is killed in an accident, his death compensation is far less than an arab one. Better to be a slave in heaven than a king in hell.

Jun 03, 2008 01:30 PM - Thanks for the article,

It helps me to better understand the behavior of a patient I looked after a few months ago who was from Saudia Arabia. As you say in your article, although only 40 she had suffered from out of control diabetes for years leading to blindness and frequent collapses among many other problems. Her family and servant were constantly in the room and it seemed very crowded. Despite her diabetes she ate an enormous amount of inappropriate food and kicked the nutritionist out when they tried to speak to her about her diet. She would sleep until lunch and then complain about missing breakfast. As you said in your article she had the attitude that she would decide when to go for a test or treatment and when to have or not to have her medications. It was a real shock for those of us who were looking after her. Anyway, your article helps to put her behavior into context and explains the kind of care she was used to in her own country and why our requests seemed so outrageous to her. Thanks!

Jun 03, 2008 01:46 PM -

Originally Posted by ExpatHopeful

Thanks for the article,

It helps me to better understand the behavior of a patient I looked after a few months ago who was from Saudia Arabia. As you say in your article, although only 40 she had suffered from out of control diabetes for years leading to blindness and frequent collapses among many other problems. Her family and servant were constantly in the room and it seemed very crowded. Despite her diabetes she ate an enormous amount of inappropriate food and kicked the nutritionist out when they tried to speak to her about her diet. She would sleep until lunch and then complain about missing breakfast. As you said in your article she had the attitude that she would decide when to go for a test or treatment and when to have or not to have her medications. It was a real shock for those of us who were looking after her. Anyway, your article helps to put her behavior into context and explains the kind of care she was used to in her own country and why our requests seemed so outrageous to her. Thanks!

I never thought of it that way! Of coarse this patient's behavior in one of our American hospitals would not be understood. Neither would she ever understand how puzzling her actions would appear to our hospital nurses. I'm glad you passed on your observations.

Jun 12, 2008 09:12 AM - I'd like to hear how they treat male nurses

Michael

Jun 18, 2008 06:42 AM - Having lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for 4.5 years, my experience was of great learning and appreciation.

I must admit that I worked for the 'best' company in KSA (this is my biased opinion!) and I have the greatest respect for the culture, the history and the traditions and beliefs. I am not there to judge others, and if a person does not agree with something, feel free to move on - without treading on other's beliefs, dreams or culture.

As you mentioned, it can be a great learning curve, which is not exciting for everyone. There are so many things that I was unaware of prior to working there.
I must admit that I have had a hard time with the expats most of the time, not the local population! As long as the laws and customs are respected and adhered to, this is a great experience. I also know that my experience was a total eclipse to the nurses working 10 min down the road from my place of work, so there are MANY stories to tell, with many different edges to the same story.
At any given time or place I respect myself, my colleagues and friends, my patients, parents and my children - no matter where I live, work or whom I come into contact with. For the rest, I am always cautious not to assume anything - EVER.

There are (as anywhere in the world) language barriers, or a misinterpreted 'defiance' of regular rules regarding customer services.... but I have no illusions about that, as I have lived and worked in many different countries, all unique and wonderful in their own way.
Saudi is one of them.
Greatly recommended.
(PS: I do not have an American passport and my contract and privileges were treated differently.. so that is no illusion)

Jun 20, 2008 05:21 PM - Wow what an interesting thread. I am American but very respectful of others cultures- my parents and family are immigrants and I have traveled to Asia while in the military. I gave some thought about doing contract work in the Middle East after my military service time was up- but I wanted to go back to school. Being a nurse and working in SA seems to be an very interesting experience. I would like to save money and have some Giorgio Armani suits ;-).

I am worried about the danger though, I certainly won't break any laws but that doesn't mean I can't become a victim.

Someone earlier in the thread asked about how female African-American nurses were treated....maybe someone can PM me if they don't want to write it in the thread. Of course there is discrimination everywhere including the lovely USA, but if it is out of hand or people ordering me out of their room, doing something bad like hitting or spitting I'd rather just stay stateside.

Jun 29, 2008 02:17 PM - I lived in Saudi for six months. My DH was stationed in Riyadh for a year. I wouldn't want to go back, as my mother says "all money ain't good money" I enjoy my freedoms. As others have said the Saudi's version of Islam is not the Islam of my Muslim friends. It's a WHOLE different ball game over there. The religious police scared the crap out of me. I carried my documents(they were in arabic and stated the man I was with was my DH) every where and I was still scared. The shopping was out of this world, but I'll pass. Now I'd go to Dubai...