Anyone ever lived and/or worked as an RN in Ecuador?

[klone]

I'll try this again - I asked about a month ago about living in Mexico (and of course, the overwhelming response was how dangerous Mexico is).

We've since done more research and have revised our plans (not because of the putative dangerousness of Mexico, but because Ecuador suits our plans better). Husband and I plan to relocate to Ecuador in 8-10 years, after two older children graduate from high school. Our plan is such that we will take a (very) early retirement, but I would like the option of continuing to work part-time as an advanced practice nurse (midwife).

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about American nurses working in Ecuador?

[phoenixrn]

I spent a summer shadowing physicians in Quito. I had a stint at the Military hospital, La Maternidad and at a family clinic.

The most striking difference was the availability of supplies, which you should be prepared for. Ecuador is a very poor country which pays out a majority of its income to pay IMF/World Bank debts, and little is left for health care. I worked with a hematologist who had one latex glove that he carried around that he would use for a tourniquet (no prepacked, sterile IV supplies!). A pediatrician I shadowed had a pen blow up in his hand, and he had to hunt for a bar of soap to try and clean it off. At the Maternity hospital, savvy nurses saved empty water containers and strung them to their med carts to use as sharps containers.

Interestingly enough, the sex worker clinic was the most modern and had the best service. Prostitution is legal and highly regulated, and they had a young female doctor with a private entrance and waiting room. They were required to have an exam and have their license "stamped" every couple of weeks.

One fascinating element is the strong influence of native traditions... I can't remember the name, many but Quechua use faith healers for their care, especially maternity care. I was able to witness the examination of a pregnant woman by one of these healers and it was very interesting... seemed more like a ritual than an exam.

So that was the big city.... Ecuador is such a magical place. I never went to Vilcambamba, which I where I imagine most expats go to retire! I saw the Lonely Planet version of Ecuador.

[jillpr]

I lived in Ecuador for a year working as an English teacher. I've lived all over the world and this is the only place I dream of moving back to one day, but as a nurse next time. I just started working in a nicu in Puerto Rico for the time being. As for nursing in Ecuador, I do know that nurses and doctors had to dedicate a year of working in a rural community before obtaining licensure. You'd probably be able to find a clinic that you could 'work' for, though once you get there. I was paid cash and did visa runs to Peru every 3 months. Pretty standard. In 2005, I believe I was making about $400 a month. Whatever I made is all I had to live on, and it was enough for a very modest lifestyle. And for those who replied, discouraging the poster to move because of the dangers, perhaps you should consider offering advice on topics you have experience in. Just sayin, it makes sense.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Hey, I had forgotten about this thread. Thanks for the feedback, JillPR, PhoenixRN and Antmarching! Ecuador in 8-9 years is still in our plans (although we're now also considering Nicaragua). I do speak Spanish - I wouldn't call myself fluent, but I think I could be fluent after a few months of immersion.

[Nccity2002, MSN, RN]

Love Ecuator...:heartbeat

It is a great place to retire and it is also one of the safest countries in South America. The only problem I see with your future plan is that Ecuator (or any Latin American country for that matter...) do not have anything equivalent to an Advanced Nurse Practitioner....but if it is of any help, check the links below.

1) http://www.cfhi.org/web/index.php

2) https://allnurses.com/nursing-articles/experiences-in-ecuador-368733-page2.html

[lkohlmann]

Hello,

I am currently in nursing school and we are doing a global health project. My assigned country is Ecuador, and I have been researching forever for the answers to my questions and all I can find on google is information about mission trips. Below I have pasted my questions. Do you know of any websites or any place that I can find this information? Please let me know if you do

What is the role of nursing in Ecuador? What is the scope of practice for nursing? Do people generally seek nursing care or is traditional medicine more common?

2. What types of educational requirements are there for nurses to practice?

Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about American nurses working in Ecuador?

[GeorgiaGinger]

Did the original poster of this thread ever find out anymore about nursing in Ecuador? If so I'm interested to find out....I googled the topic and your post came up in the search.

[Eru Ilúvatar]

Hello there,

I cannot give you information regarding nursing specifically in Ecuador, but as someone that lived there for 2 years i can give you some sound advise.

Before moving to any country asses the current politico-social situation of that country. Ecuador currently is governed under a democratic dictatorship. The economic changes implemented by the government have had a profound change in the situation of the country and the people, and as a result, necessity has incremented, unemployment is high and private property is disrespected and confiscated by the government institutions. Many companies have abandoned the country and as a result certain products are hard to find and others have high prices. Crime and drug related crime has increased, and safety is a real concern, kidnapping Mexico style is common on the streets of the main cities.

My humble opinion is look closely into the situation of the country and dont be based on previous reports, stories or articles... One place may be paradise one day but the next it can become an inferno... Ecuador is a beautiful country and full of marvelous and wonderful people. If your plan is to bring healthcare to these individuals in need then be part of the force of change, but before jumping ship and planting roots on a foreign country, make sure the social situation is the most optimal for it...

As a last note, as part of the South American social changes, Ecuador's government has planted an anti-american seed on the mind of its people... So beware.

[cuencaalicia]

This is a late answer to your question, but as I live in Cuenca, Ecuador my information and response is much more knowledgeable than others. First, you will have to get a permit to work or residency. I am working as a volunteer RN.

Despite being ranked as top places to retire by international living, Cuenca is a very young community. Census information for 2010 shows that 66% of the population is under age 29. Pregnancy rates are an astonishing rate of 91 per 1000 females ages 10-19 and OB care is very much needed. The rate of c-section here hovers near 80%! I volunteer at an OB-GYN clinic and can give you ideas of what you would get for pay. The pay for an nurse here is about $5-8 dollars an hour depending on your degree (I have a MSN). If I had a doctorate, and had registered my degrees, obtained licensing from the Ecuadorian government.... I could command $30 dollars per office visit or $800 for natural birth or $1200 for water birth for my OB patients. The price includes all prenatal care and labs (covered by office). You would also have to consider that many patients (due to age and sex) are not covered by insurance or have the money for delivery, thus are delivered at the "security" hospital and public clinics for their prenatal care.

You might want to consider a telecommute position in the US that you can do from here....at least you get paid for what you are worth. If you are an interested in starting a business, the only assisted living facility closed here last month. I think that might work well, you could collect social security from residents. Since healthcare here costs pennies on the dollar, you could really make it work.

Best of Luck. Alicia

ps- Ecuador is so safe! I feel safer here than I did living in Minnesota! The constitution here provides equal rights for residents and foreigners alike. Ecuadorians in Cuenca are very positive about expats and very welcoming. None of the above mentioned anti-american things mentioned above, although politically the President doesn't bend to the US like other South American Countries (but Ecuador receives less funding, etc and doesn't have the financial obligations to always align its stand with the US). Also, I have never heard of a kidnapping in Cuenca. I guess if you lived on the Columbian boarder or were involved in drugs, you might find this (same as the boarder between texas and mexico).

[rochaavi]

Hello,

Thank you to all who have posted about your experiences living, volunteering and practicing nursing in Central and South America, your stories and resources have been very informative.

I have been researching the process to legally work as an RN in Ecuador and how to initiate it. It has been challenging to find the information on the internet. I have contacted

Ecuador's Ministerio de Salud & Ministerio de Education without a reply back. Could anyone speak to the process of getting connected with healthcare settings to establish a volunteer site and what agency issues RN licensing?

My partner moved to Quito to work for a restaurant chain couple of months ago, our plans are to live there for a couple of years, I plan to move there early next year. I would like to be able to volunteer as an RN and who knows, perhaps work as an RN some day.

Any information will be much appreciated it!!!

[Raquel703]

You do not need to "be careful." If you have never been there, I would save the comment. My family lives thee and there are people from all over the world there, including other South American countries. I live in Houston; talk about drugs and crime. Either way, that is a moot point.

I would be interested in commenters answering the question about nursing in different parts of Ecuador, if anyone has any experience in that.

[DrPablo]

Ecuador Nurses?

Hello and thanks fr the question, Exuadoris a great place to work and learn. Spanish is important.

So yes, you could not choose a better country.

Costs of living is low. and also note wages are also low...

We are on the beach, and it has the best all year weather for people retiring.

I hope this helps.

Dr Pablo