Germany or UK? Which country offers a better nursing opportunity?

nutella, MSN, RN · Jun 27, 2016

As far as I know there is a special agreement between Germany and the Philippines because of the nursing shortage in Germany. Perhaps check out this page, also in English available

Als Pflegekraft in Deutschland - Make it in Germany

Nursing is not highly regarded in Germany. I worked critical care / ICU and most MDs treated me with respect but the general public thinks that nurses only deal with bedpans and poop....

There is also the idea that nurses become nurses because they were not "good enough" to study medicine.

They do have a bunch of special nursing courses you can take and depending on the hospital or place you work you might have chances to switch to other areas.

I worked mostly in large university hospitals and liked it better as opposed to small places. There were no nursing assistants, nurses do "everything" from assistance with bathing to dressing and iv.

You are not going to be rich as a nurse in Germany but the larger hospitals offer a solid income. You do have to pay a lot of taxes and mandatory insurance as well as retirement. A lot of hospitals offer cheaper apartments for their employees or rooms in dorms especially when you have to move.

I have been to the UK but never worked there as a nurse so I can not speak to it.

With all the commotion in the UK it might be easier to go to Germany especially since there is a special agreement (not sure how long you could stay with that). But I would caution you to look for hospitals and if possible specialty area as the staffing is better and you see more interesting stuff....

ceejayf · Oct 15, 2018

Hi, ms joyceph,

i know this post is already old, but, I got to your post as I have the same exact question. so, what did you choose? are you in the UK or Germany?