Graduate RN--How do I work abroad? Any info needed!

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Specializes in Taking one day at a time....

Hello all,

So a friend recently traveled to Bermuda, and was told that RN's are in demand over there... You can get a 3 year working contract, plus they pay for your apt right next to the hospital, etc. I understand that many places do this, not just Bermuda... As a graduate nurse waiting patiently to take my :eek:NCLEX:eek: (::FINGERS CROSSED::), how does one even get started working abroad? Do any of these places even consider graduate nurses, or do you need experience as an RN first?? And if not, where do I even begin...?

I'm young, and I want to travel--Working abroad as an RN would really satisfy me on so many levels... And any information on this topic is greatly appreciated. Thanks!:)

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Hey, thanks for posting this thread. I'm a new grad in the same boat. No job in the states, I love to travel and don't have any obligations...I'd love to get my start in another country. Funny that we're recruiting foreign nurses to fill positions here, but US citizens are being forced to look abroad for opportunities. I was in Australia and NZ last year and they were actively recruiting nurses...don't know about new grads, though.

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Specializes in Home Care.

From what I've read on the International Forum, both the US and Canada are not actively recruiting nurses from overseas.

The International Forum has the answers you're both looking for.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

What you do, is you look up the requirements for where you want to work and start fulfilling.

Really the question that you are asking is of too broad a stroke. Virtually every nation has different requirements for nurses coming from outside their nation and some are so strict as to be impossible.

Add in a world wide recession coupled with a surplus of nurses in the first and second world nations, makes trying to get financially viable employment in them very difficult, with few exceptions.

You will also find that the agencies that supply staff for those few exceptions (the middle east comes to mind), prefer several years of experience.

Most nations have more than enough unemployed nurses (barring the third world) that they cannot authorize work papers for employing a noncitizen, especially one without experience or special skills.

Please contact the specific place that you wish to work and find out the requirements for best info.

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There was an add in Nursing2010 a couple of months back for nursing in the Caribbean, but they wanted 4 years experience for specialty areas. Can't remember if it was Bermuda or another island.

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Im a new grad working in australia...im in a new grad program and am sponsored by a hospital here. took some work but it's possible. If you want to work here than I suggest you look in the private sector because the public wont even look at you and honestly it's a waste of time (i wish someone would have told me that earlier, so im passing on some knowledge). If you have experience you can go into public but private is good if you dont have any experience. Im in a new graduate program and there are about 20 people in our program. we all started together and we have study days and staff support with clinical rotations. my pay is about 28 dollars an hour plus shift differentials which can be BIG. i get an extra 75% for working sundays and 50% for working sarturdays. and double time and a half for holidays. Also I get 6 weeks annual leave (paid). So it's pretty good. thank god for the australia long holidays. woah! and staff to patient ratios aren't too bad where i work. I've heard some horror stories like 1:14 so make sure you know what you're getting into before signing a contract! :-). And a lot of people will tell you that it isn't possible to travel as a new grad BUT it is. it does take extra work though. But, Im on a neuro unit and I get to change units and pick what ward i want to be on next. And I get to choose what days and shifts I work- my work kind of sounds like a joke some days. And australians are great to work with, lovely people. go aussies!

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I know you are aware of the retrogression in US that produces a long queue for NCLEX holders. Before taking NCLEX, I suggest you look around first for opportunities in other country.

Australia (as testified by Lammy01) is another good option. Nevertheless, you can't jump to work there out once. They have a process to go through and the most important of which is the IRON program or some call it 'gap" program. You have to take the 12 weeks course in Australia after receiving approval from their nursing board.

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Sierraproff- I didn't have to take a 12 week gap course. Australia nursing board just issued me a registration and off to work I went. And this was 2 months ago so I doubt anything has changed but I guess you never know with nursing councils haha.

And you'll have to take the nclex and get registration in the USA before getiing registration here. Good luck!

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Hi Lammy01. Thank you for your response...Actually I was referring to whiteoleander suggesting avenues to practice nursing profession other US, which will entail indefinite time of waiting for visa processing. I wanted him to know that there are a lot of options. And to be able to work in Australia, an overseas nurse needs to take the 12 wks course both academic and clinical base.

Australia has a good offer for overseas nurses, that majority of nurses may have overlooked. That's why they're trying to squeeze themselves in the US... I have been in your country for a schooling, and I have witnessed how great it is to have an opportunity to settle and work :cheers:

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Sierra- Maybe I am totally confused- ha. wouldn't doubt it after working all day. But, I still don't think whileoleander would have to do the bridging program. I NEVER worked before austalia and came over here. So if you are trained in the USA you dont have to do the program. does that make sense?

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Sierra- Maybe I am totally confused- ha. wouldn't doubt it after working all day. But, I still don't think whileoleander would have to do the bridging program. I NEVER worked before austalia and came over here. So if you are trained in the USA you dont have to do the program. does that make sense?

Did you work at least a year in the USA?

As after looking at the website briefly it says that one also has to have had a year of experience in the last 6 months.

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Specializes in Education.

The rules are changing with the formation of the national nursing board in Australia. Previously, nurses who are registered in some countries such as UK, IR, US etc where English is the primary language they were able to get registration without having to do any courses.

From my understanding of the draft guidelines, that is all changing. Nurses from these countries now have to do a four week course but without the clinicals. Will have to wait to see what the finalised rules state though.

I think what Sierra is talking about is for nurses coming out of countries such as Philippines, India, China etc where different systems and language requries them to undertake the short 3 month course.

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