Saudi Arabia...

expatrn · Mar 15, 2003

I haven't nursed in Saudi but did live there for two years. I found the culture very restrictive. You must wear an habia (cloak) and be accompanied by a male at all times. Restaurants have male only areas, women must sit in the family area. Saudi males have a low opinion of foreign women so be prepared to be followed, ogled and recieve obscene phone calls. It never went further than that and I always felt 'safe'. I did work in Baghdad for five years, initially in a private hospital for the Ba'ath party. It was very well equipped and run, the medical staff were from UK who took sabbaticals to go and earn some big bucks. I also worked at the public hospital which was a nightmare. Pts who were dying were removed from their beds and put on the floor, the theory being, why did they need a bed to die in, when others needed the bed. Family members camped around, in and under the bed, often with little prima stoves to cook on. When a pt died the family came, rolled the body in a rug and took it home for burial. On the reverse side I found the whole experience fascinating, saw diseases that I would never have seen in UK/US. It challenged every nursing skill I had, other skills too. If you're tough, you'll make it, just don't expect it to be like a US hospital, it's a whole different world. The money is excellent and it's an experience you won't forget. Yes I did work for Sada'am but I don't use him as a reference.

Sarah, RNBScN · Mar 29, 2003

Belated reply thanks so much for the information. I am thinking of this to pay for my daughters university. Where you single or married? I wonder if a spouse may accompany. Lots of things to look at.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2003

I think Zoe has but I could be wrong. If she sees this post I am sure she will respond.

renerian

fergus51 · Mar 30, 2003

From what I understand spouses can only accompany nurses who are in management positions in Saudi Arabia.

SnowymtnRN · Mar 30, 2003

My DH and i want to do this, but i don't think we will now with the war and all. But maybe in a few years....we'll see.

renerian, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2003

Very subserviant type roll in SA. Could be just hearsay since I have never been there. I got this information from people who worked there.

renerian

Sandbox Nurse · May 9, 2003

If you're looking to make tax free cash-try the United Arab Emirates. Same weather, much more freedom to travel, to walk the streets(very safe), go to bars, beaches, movies, great place to travel from etc. I work in a Cdn run hospital in Abu Dhabi (the capital city). My coworkers that have worked in Saudi tell me it's much, much better here. This being my first overseas, I don't have a frame of reference. This is a GENERALIZED statement: Bear in mind this is a very wealthy place and your status in it is low. Having moved from Canada, where I personally did not experience racism, this was a SHOCK!! The heirarchy is as follows: The National Arabs, the Gulf Arabs, western expats (Cdn, US, UK, Aust, NZ), then every other nationality...I could go on ad nauseam about this place but I have to go to work in the a.m. My statement was not meant to cause offense but is a reflection of my work here in the UAE. My advice is to talk to others before you make a decision.

naina · Jul 22, 2003

dear sara if u read this please don't think that i love to restective u or something! the life in the SA is not the life in other middle east countaries!

realy,believe me.

about the unknwon diseases there, the AIDS started in the US or not!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2003

Actually, I believe AIDs started in Africa, where the epidemic is much more prevalent than the USA.

Patient Zero, that initiated the wide spread start of the AIDs epidemic in the USA, was a male flight attendant from outside the USA (French or Canadian, I believe).

So sorry to have derailed from the topic.

debbie4u86 · Oct 7, 2003

i worked in saudi for 2 years as a charge nurse in the er,money goodmesp better for americans,working conditions vary from hosp to hosp.i did have a grand time there tho,it is restrictive,but there is a way around it all. i did not drink alcohol prior to going to saudi,but started there.yes it is true,only peolpe in mx positions may take spouse

travis_lane · Dec 1, 2003

I'm an American paramedic presently living/ working in Riyahd, Saudi Arabia. I really like it here and it's not near as bad as what you'd expect! The benefits far out-weigh the bad!

However, I absoutely do not reccommend using Helen Ziegler recruiter based out of Toronto. They caused me heaps of problems!

If you have any questions about Saudi... I be happy to answer them or help put you in contact with nurses that I know that work here.

Travis Lane

[email protected]

http://www.travislane30.com/ems.htm