US Nurses Wishing to Work Overseas

Does anyone have advice on working in Japan? I'm trying to think of ways to find something in the field.. International school nurses, teaching medical english, etc. I taught English in public school for a year there, and I'd really like to make it back. I know I'd have to learn some more japanese before I could do something really career oriented.

- Sarah

I will be moving to Oz at the end of November finally! :hatparty: I will be in a suburb outside of Melbourne. I was originally supposed to be in Queensland but lost my offer because the QNC took over 7 mos to issue my RN license. No matter where you go, be sure to read all the fine details, if you don't understand what they are asking for, call. Make copies of everything, and be persistant, but not pesky. I worked with an agency but they had no pull when it came to the government. Bottom line, be organized and make sure you have done/submitted EXACTLY what they ask for. It was a taxing process, but from what I have heard from foreign travelers to the US, it was nothing compared to what the US govt puts overseas travelers through.

Hi Windtraveler! I am an RN from the Philippines. I am interested to work as a nurse in Oz,what advice can you give? I am done with IELTS (english test) already.

Hi I am extremely interested in working Western Europe. I am studying French, and I also have considered applying to the nursing board in Ireland. If any one has gone through the process recently please give me some info. Thanks

I worked in Australia as an ADN with ICU experience. The process to get there is a bit lengthy - you had to have an interview at the Australian Consulate (San Francisco or NY), along with lots of paperwork. It took a little over a year to get it all done, but that was quite a while ago. Computer age may have helped the process? At that time I was working in ICU and was surprised to see I had more clinical skills than a lot of the Aussie nurses. They were not allowed to do venipunctures, or draw their own blood gases, not able to do basic EKG interpretation, etc. This was in a Sydney suburb hospital, and was about 15 years ago, and things may have changed a lot. Check with the Australian consulate and see about current requirements. Because at that time there were so many nursing vacancies, I did not have to have a specific job lined up, just had to have most of the RN license stuff worked out first. Also, FYI, I was doing this on my own and not through an agency. Don't know if that was a plus or minus - I was issued the equivalent of a green card, though, and considered a resident. Do keep organized records of everything,, though, as the OP mentioned! Also, you could see if New Zealand has any possibilities, they are similar in how they do things. My brother is currently residing in Oz and says they are quite desparate for nurses, so you might have a good shot at it. Actually, my cousin in England says they are short too and advertise for nurses a lot. DO HOMEWORK - meds there are a bit different, etc. (Never heard of Panadol before I got there....)
Good Luck!!!