Post War Nursing in the Gulf

RockieSis · Apr 25, 2003

I have heard a rumor about post war nursing in the Middle East. I was told that there is a possibility to make a great deal of $$$ in a very short time. Does any one know of a reliable source of information on this topic?

Thanks K

live4today, RN · Apr 25, 2003

Traveling nurses have gone to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia) for years now...long before the 1990-1991 Conflict there. The pay is good, but for a woman, there are major restrictions. You will live 100% of your life on a compound where shops, apartments, grocery stores, etc. are available to you. If you are not married, you are not allowed to date the entire time you are there as a traveler, and you cannot go off the living compound designated for you. During the year you travel there as a nurse, you get one leave per that year to come to the states to visit. It's tax free money, but way too restrictive for my lifestyle. :)

live4today, RN · Apr 25, 2003

Traveling nurses have gone to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia) for years now...long before the 1990-1991 Conflict there. The pay is good, but for a woman, there are major restrictions. You will live 100% of your life on a compound where shops, apartments, grocery stores, etc. are available to you. If you are not married, you are not allowed to date the entire time you are there as a traveler, and you cannot go off the living compound designated for you. During the year you travel there as a nurse, you get one leave per that year to come to the states to visit. It's tax free money, but way too restrictive for my lifestyle. :)

steven44121 · Apr 25, 2003

I was in Saudi a few years ago when I was young and single and despite my name (Steven), yes a woman.

I had a great experience, saved money, travelled the world, scuba dived in the red sea, met worked and played with people from all over the world.

The social life is great, you are ALWAYS off your compound at other compounds for social gatherings etc, shopping in the gold markets. You do different things than at home, social gatherings are usually home functions, dinner parties etc.

Everyone dates there , I almost married a Scottish fellow myself.

There are definite restrictions, woman cannot drive for example and after about midnight you would not drive with a man , so you tend to take cabs or just not come home!! You wear a black head to toe covering called an abaya when out on the public streets or getting from point A to point B, but once you arrive at say a party at another compound you take it off and have on whatever you would wear here on underneath. You have to be careful not to do anything stupid, but I never had any problems nor did any of my friends while we were there.

I have friends who remained thru the war and had no problems.

Their is lots of recruiters out there, in the past when they were very short staffed they would allow 3 month locums, I have no idea if they are doing this now.

If you really want to go, you need to talk to people that have been there, I can give you only a short blurb here. But I loved it, had a great experience and if I was single would consider it again in a heartbeat.

steven44121 · Apr 25, 2003