Going Saudi first

World Immigration

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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?:uhoh3:

Help...I am just confused

Guys.....

I am back to the Philippines...remember? I left December..I just resigned form the Saudi Hospital...particularly Taif. I just wanna tell you that the accomodation was really good. The place was so cold..it looked like it would snow anytime..the job? wow! It was a very nice experience...working on the floor with different doctors coming from Syria, Britain, Jordan, KSA and many others. They have a big hospital...with good equipmetns...but listen to this...I have many FILIPINA co nurses on the floor...same with other units..THESE are the problem. They just think they don't want to teach you things like..how to find things on where..and that was more of the problem. They don't suggest rest time and most of the time...they feel they want you to work more and more without thinking that you need to sit for even 10 seconds...or eat and rest. Night duty? 12 hours shift with no rest at all. You have to practice walking with eyes closed and have to put a lot of chocolates ofr finer foods in your pocket to survive the 12 hours...what is more???

you even extend to 13 or 14 hours with no ADD pay...you go home...half dead half alive. I resigned...used all my effort to have it approved...

Now, I got a little freaked out thinking of this experience...am now in the Philippines...PRAISE GOD!!!!

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to the people who answered my messages here...wow!!! thank you sooooo much...I love this website

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Specializes in OR,Hemodialysis.

welcome home barbie! the good thing abt going to saudi is that, you got now an idea how it was like being in saudi. see it for yourself and see what youd like to say. ksa has a different culture, fil nurses could be indifferent too. i do not know why some are that way, but it is truly an eye openning , a lesson and an opportunity to reflect on how to be a good colleague, a worker and a friend. talking abt being starved, lol, did u lose weight? im also pretty sure that you did have a great deal of bathing everyday a sweet water, the mineral water of sooodi arabeeya !:coollook: it's a proven fact that your complexion would glow when you live there.

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Barbie, I worked in Saudi for eight years. Most of that in Riyadh. I absolutely loved it. The last time I was there was in Sept. '05

Taif is a lovely city - much cooler than say Jeddah. True, the Filippino nurses are not treated as well as western nurse, which somehow includes South Africans, but all the Filippinos I spoke with said it was much better conditions than they'd expected and the pay was far more than they'd make at home.

The only thing to keep in mind about the money is that, while it is a lot more than at home, and your rent, utilities, meals, transportation, uniforms etc. are paid for, the groceries you buy will be considered expensive. Same price for everyone. Also any clothes you buy, though some places, like the souqs have tiered prices. Westerners pay most, Filippinos in the middle, and Saudi's the least. Helps if you bargain.

I would say to go. It's only a year contract, which is very unusual for Filippinos, and you'll have an entirely different experience to add to your life. Also, since there are so many Filippinos there, it is a very social time. Unlike now for westerners, since so many have left.

I never felt afraid, and the Saudi people are lovely. The press plays up problems and it may scare you, but it is really lovely there, and you'll get to spend your time waiting for your U.S. visa learning new things. The Saudi hospitals tend to have the latest equipment and techniques and the doctors are happy to explain and teach. Military hospitals are good as well.

Good luck with your decision!

Can I ask your opinion also regarding this: POEA in our locality have openings for nurses for KSA-Ministry of health with or without experience..I am interested and I would like to apply but seems I am afraid..Is it safe to work there? usually if under the Ministry of Health were do they assign their recruits if you have an idea? tnx alot!

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I WOULD RATHER WORK HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES AS A NURSE!- these words came from those CIs who have worked in Saudi before that ive met from my school. They didn't speak much about it. dont know why..morover, i met one CI from a hospital i was assigned. she claimed she enjoyed Saudi because of higher salary and dated a married filipino guy for fun while she was there bcoz maybe she felt alone until her husband and children here in the Phil found out that she's been dating a married filipino guy in Saudi. hehehe!

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I just want to add some important experiences that come flashing into my mind. Well..it is indeed very true that we need to wear our abayas( black long suit with a head cover) and this would allow you to walk in the streets or go malling with your friends..but there was an event that really scared me. One time, we were looking or shopping for cellular phones when we were being trailed by a disturbed saudi man. Gosh!! he was always behind us, that we have to stop in a store and get help from the owner.

Another scary experience was when we were walking in the side walk .as we were about to enter the bank, a Saudi man who was about 6 feet tall walked passed us but left his palm on my forehead. Like a slap that hit my forehead...I was soo surprised that I could not move. The motion that he did was so fast or quick..that almost no one in my group witnessed it.

One of my friends also had an experience of being poked on her butt..in between her upper legs..well..you know what this anatomical feature would be....It happened when we were about to board a bus going back to our work...

you definitely are not allowed to stroll around the malls or to the market alone...never ever do that...

In looking for a taxi, you cannot just ride into any taxi..but you have to ask a friend in the area if he/she has a Trustful taxicab driver...Even if you are in a hurry and there are about twenty taxis on queue, Forget it...

About my Saudi patients, they are impatient..veryyyy impatient. They seem not to understand the word "Shuweya---" wait... BUT..i would say..if you are kind to them...they are real friendly to you...caring and become lambs ..They would give gifts and they would offer foods and even put money in your pocket.

They are sensitive and they know a good nurse when they see one.....

I just hope FILIPINAS(YES...FILIPINAS) would do their job well and treat them kindly even in a very tiresome duty schedule... because I think the problem stems here too.

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Specializes in EMERGENCY.

Going to Saudi will be a good stepping stone if you are planning to work in Western countries such as US or UK in the future. You will get advantage in terms of experience in international settings. I used to work in Saudi and I really enjoyed it. I found it easier to adjust when I moved here in the Uk because of my Saudi experience. Good Luck!

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Well currently am a nigerian residing in saudi arabia jeddah to be precise with my husband working as an engineer.This is my 3rd year here and most of the problems or rather some restricting listed here used to be true but not presently.I would say that they re more linient now than what they used to be,except for the fact that women doesnt drive.coming to religion christians are allowed to practise but that could be done indoors.I have been fellowshiping with a group of christians every sunday evening which i heard started about 7yrs ago.Some of my husband's filipino's friends has invited us on one occasion to their fellowship xmas party.But masses re not said yet. Again one of my friend's previously working with a military hospital just moved to US but she really liked it here too.For taif i ve never been there but those that have lived there said that the cost of living there is good to compare with other cities and the weather condition there is the best ,not too hot ,but can be too especially during winter period.Well wish you luck in whatever you decides.I can not contribute much in terms of their working condition cos am a nursing mum and yet to work after i have written my NCLEX.

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This is an excellent job opportunity for all PI nurses, now that the US market and demand for nurses has ended, probably for good. So, all Pinoy nurses should troop to KSA asap. Hooray!

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Barbie, I worked in Saudi for eight years. Most of that in Riyadh. I absolutely loved it. The last time I was there was in Sept. '05

hi weetziebat i am 23 year old female rn from the philippines and would like to ask you (because you have the most positive experience here and i am really happy with that) if the u.s embassy is in riyadh? because i might work there and be leaving this coming march and i would like to process my u.s visa there. i would also like to know about your work experience in ksa, about the lows and ups of it. i would really like to hear about your stories. it is my first time leaving the philippines (i would be working in one of the hospitals in riyadh) and i am really scared especially for the bad reputation of that country. i really want to be positive about my perception about that country and be prepared emotionally and mentally about the negatives of that country so that i would not be shocked and i can expect those things. i really really like to know about your experiences there. thank you for the help and reply. sorry for the long note. i think i just feel anxious for the things i don't know. thank you very much.:)

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I've read the posts about the pros and cons in working in KSA...My dad wants me to work there since he is also working in KSA. He said that I can earn and save up since it's tax free...free food, accomodation, the like. I'm still kind of hesitant but I don't want to pay for a VOLUNTEER program here in the Philippines just to gain experience since Saudi is not requiring nurses to have relevant experience..I'm not that rich to pay for programs like that. I think that it's time for me to "repay" my parents' effort since my course is sooo expensive...

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Hi everyone,

i am also considering going to saudi for nursing and have found a lot of useful information on the forums.... just wondering exactly what the money is like... besides being "good" money? i am a canadian citizen, canadian trained nurse, currently working in miami. i was making $28 / hr in canada with my 4 years experience and making $23 / hr in miami. does anyone know exact dollar figures for areas in saudi?

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