Advice on working in Middle East

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Specializes in Critical Care, AeroMedical, Management.

Hello all,

New to allnurses.com so perhaps this topic has already been addressed.

Looking at working in Middle East, specifically Saudia or UAE. Would greatly appreciate feedback on others experience working there, and what sort of things to look out for. Any "heads up" would be gratefully received.

My specialities are Critical Care (ICU & ED) and Retrieval Nursing (HEMS and Ground Critical Care).

Are salaries as good as they make out, or does the cost of living suck away your money?

Have a couple of telephone interviews coming up next week.

OK, look forward to your replies.

Thanks.:smiley_ab

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Specializes in ICU, EMS.

Avoid this part of the world at all costs. It just isn't worth it.

CC

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Ortho/HH/Radiology-Now Retired.
Avoid this part of the world at all costs. It just isn't worth it.

CC

Firstly, WELCOME to allnurses my fellow Aussie! :) :welcome:

Secondly, I second the above post!

Stay away! The money is not worth what you have to deal with and the culture is SO far removed from what us Aussie's are accustomed to.

I was all set to go there many years ago until I did some research and read a couple of books written by nurses who had been there.

I promptly cancelled any plans I had! I've never regretted NOT going.

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Can't tell you about nursing there but many international teachers are avoiding Kuwait. One powerful family had a teacher "held" in country because she had their child put in after school detention. Created a flap you wouldn't believe among the teacher community.

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Hello all,

New to allnurses.com so perhaps this topic has already been addressed.

Looking at working in Middle East, specifically Saudia or UAE. Would greatly appreciate feedback on others experience working there, and what sort of things to look out for. Any "heads up" would be gratefully received.

My specialities are Critical Care (ICU & ED) and Retrieval Nursing (HEMS and Ground Critical Care).

Are salaries as good as they make out, or does the cost of living suck away your money?

Have a couple of telephone interviews coming up next week.

OK, look forward to your replies.

Thanks.:smiley_ab

I lived in Saudi Arabia for three years and have friends who were sisters there - both at private and at the military hospital. I can say that they left the Kingdom not too long after I did, five years ago.

I agree. It's not worth it. It was a lot different pre-9/11, and I wouldn't live there now for any amount of money. The whole region's gone crazy.

Sorry to disappoint you - I had some great times in Saudi, and there are actually things about it I miss, but it's all changed now.

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Specializes in DOU.

I'd work in Israel... don't know about anywhere else except perhaps Jordan or Turkey...

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Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, Home Health, Oncology.

I do not have Personal experience; I do have several friends.

One worked there years ago & really liked it then---now she said she would NOT go back as things have changed.

Another friend was there for several years & did like it very much. Recently she went back; she was there for less then a year, came home & then said she would never go back because of all the political problems & that it just wasn't a "friendly" place to be any more.

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Specializes in ER.
Avoid this part of the world at all costs. It just isn't worth it.

CC

Having worked in both Saudi and UAE - I might consider going back to Saudi Arabia.

UAE experience was bad because of a very bad hospital/ nursing management.

It would be good to talk to someone who actually works there at the moment. In that particular hospital.

You'll have tons of people accessing ED for all kinds of ridiculous reasons. Ability to self care is nonexistent. Then again - people come to the ED for stupid reasons here, too and expect to have top service and no waiting.

Monthly pay approx 14500 riyals/ 3800 USD per month. Tax free. Usually you don't pay for housing and utilities.

Just PM if you want details.

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Specializes in ER.

One more thing I did not like about the Saudi/ UAE. They pay the nurses according to the colour of passport. If you come from India or the Philippines the pay is so much less. I'm a nordic and this kind of thing is just a red flag. Bad policy.

BTW. Which company do you interview with?

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Specializes in Critical Care, AeroMedical, Management.

Appreciate all the replies,

OK, most of the comments make it sound a little bit "dodgey brothers" kind of set-up. But why, what are the things that are turning people off.

Being up front, it would simply be a finanicial incentive for me. Want to cane the morgage as fast as possible.

Any different being a male RN? And (not sure how to put this) is any of the difficulties or experiences related to one's nationality? You know - Canadian, Australian, Kiwi, Pommie, American, Springbok (S.A), or whatever. Or in fact does one's accent & point of origin have bugger all to do with it?

Anyone undertaken up a married status position recently? Recommendations of particular facilities to look at or avoid? :biere:

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Specializes in DOU.

In addition to religion and nationality, I think gender is a HUGE factor, especially for Saudi Arabia. (I don't know about UAE.) Many Arab countries are not particularly friendly to women.

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