Going Saudi first

Depends how badly you want to get out of where you're at now. The retrogression probably won't last that long, but if you need to leave, and you're offered a good job, any experience is a good thing! It's really a personal decision.

How much do you know about the Saudi Arabian culture? Can you live happily with the restrictions they put on women? Do you already have friends working there? Do you know a good immigration lawyer in your home country who has contacts in Saudi Arabia to get you back home again if hostilities break out? Is there an escape clause in your contract if you decide that the job is not what is was advertised to be?

Will you be allowed to keep your passport, or will you employer demand that you surrender it while you are employed?

How do you cope with people who claim they do not speak your language?

Think long and hard, and don't be blinded by what looks like a large paycheck when you have no idea of the actual cost of living where you will be.

hello everyone..

I kinda need to know if my step in the process of my career is okey. I am going to accept an offer in Taif, Saudi Arabia on the same field that I am exposed in the Philippines. The truth is , I also have a pending visa application to the U.S.A. but with the retrogression, I think I could be trained much better there.

Would this just be fine? considering that I only have a 1 year contract there in Medical surgical... do any of you think this is not a good step?

Help...I am just confused

Hello,

I wish you well in the decision you choose.

In the 1990's a British Nurse I knew took an assignment in Saudi Arabia and she absolutely loved it.

Currently I am just beginning to study the Arabic language and am learning that I really REALLY had some misperceptions about the Arab league and the Muslim world. Only 18% of Muslims live in the Arab league of states and not all of them have the tight restrictions upon women, only some.

I recommend that you study up on the specific culture of where you are considering going, as I see you are trying to do by posting here. Possibly check the international nursing forum here. Maybe you could also ask to talk to other nurses at that hospital via the phone through the recruiter or ask to seek a sponsor?

Here is a quick link--

The role of woman

Role of Women in Saudi Arabian Society (1) - The Saudi Arabia Information Resource

comes from:

Saudi Arabia Information Resource

Maybe that could help some and...

bi-t-tawfiq insha allah!

[may your efforts be successful!]

Gen

I worked as a nurse in the KSA, or Magic Kingdom as commonly called by the Ex-pat community & the Filipino nurses I worked with were not well treated & very restricted on where they could go & when, unless they were married & their husbands were in country with them too.

I would wait for the US visa to come through, as you will have to surrender your passport & get an igama & possibly your Saudi employer could give you a hard time getting it back to go onto the US later. This is based on what I observed & also the Saudi's pay scale & treatment scale is based on what country you come from & your ethnicity. Those of European background, meaning "white" were paid more $$ & those from countries like the Philipines, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, etc, were not paid or treated as well.

Good luck with all your endeavors & be aware that as a Filipino woman you will face many restrictions living in the "Magic Kingdom."

Repeat after me: " Retrogression will NOT last forever!"

A new Congress will be sworn in January. We should get major news on nurse immigration (and indeed all immigration to the US) by the end of 2007.

Is this definite? No one can promise anything with regards to Congress and US immigration. Still, if your goal is to come to the US be patient.

I have always wanted to work in Dubai or SA and thought it would be cool. Carefully consider your option and your final goal.

My brother has lived all throughout the middle east and the only place he hated was Saudi Arabia. He felt vulnerable there. As a woman, I would certainly reconsider. You will be trapped between your compund and facility for the year.

I knew a Kenyan nurse who worked as a midwife in Saudi Arabia before coming to the United States. She did not speak highly of her experience in Saudi Arabia.

wow!! thanks..to all who answered my question...actually, i hav'nt mentioned it yet, but this hospital is a military hospital. It is a government hospital and is linked with the Ministry of Defense. The pay is not as big as the other countries which recruit Philippine nurses but...the food and lodging is free... 2 nurses in a room, airconditioned, free uniforms, free meals and free scheduled trips to Jeddah ( 2 hours away) for any shopping and leisure. they also offer leisure sports activities. I hope water utility would also be free.

Honestly, i am hesitant but I hope one year contract would be enough waiting time for the U.S. visa processing.

I am so happy with all the suggestions and experiences you guys gave....I really picked up a lot. This is my second year of waiting for a U.S. visa. The first one just got stagnant, denied on packet 1 , due to the fault of the hospital staff and change of admin.

I was frustrated, but I still want to go the U.S. .....like I said...you guys are a great help... I just love this site

My late husband worked in Saudi for a year and hated it. He did it for the taxfree money. It's a very oppressive society. The reason they recruit nurses is that they don't allow their own women to be nurses, how hypocritical is that? If you are Christian, you cannot bring in any Bible or other Christian artifact. A priest cannot say Mass in Saudi, nor do they allow any other type of Christian service. I don't think they tolerate other non-Muslim religions either.

I would steer clear, esp as a woman alone. I've heard some horror stories about nurses who've gone into the ultra-conservative Muslim countries.

uh ooh...you got me nervous there..but the medical director said the hospital has 99% nurse population...do you think the director coud have not adopted the Filipno nurse complaints or character yet?

I mean...dont you think they have not adopted westernized characteristics of Filipinas? so, they would not be that stern and strict anymore?

Don't bet for a moment that the Saudis have loosened up their perceptions and treatment of women, period.

As a little girl, I have had the dream of working as a nurse in Saudi Arabia and riding my horse to work. LOL. I am not sure if it will come true, but if it does, I would only work there for about a month. I don't know if I could take the oppression for any longer than that. :) Let me know if you do go. I want to hear about your experiences.