International Nursing Jobs?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 7, 2007

Anybody travel abroad to do nursing having schooled in the US? If so, what was that like? I want to do some traveling abroad when I am done with school and was wondering if there is a possibility of doing travel nursing abroad...thx!

where ever you go you have to meet that countries requirements as a RN which may even mean sitting their exams. The process can/will take several months and if looking to go to the EU be prepared that currently very hard to get a job if you are not from the EU which in turn makes it hard to get a work permit, the only except I would say is whether you have a EU passport but trained in the US

suzanne4, RN · Jun 7, 2007

Anybody travel abroad to do nursing having schooled in the US? If so, what was that like? I want to do some traveling abroad when I am done with school and was wondering if there is a possibility of doing travel nursing abroad...thx!

Please be aware that most countries will not accept a two year degree from the US for licensure as an RN. You need to have at least as much schooling that their nurses are required to have. Most countries will require that you sit for their licensing exam, as well as language exams if their native language is not English.

And then you have immigration to deal with. Most countries will take more than a year to get thru the entire process, and as mentioned above, it will be hard to work in Europe if you do not have a EU passport. Many hiring freezes there.

truejewel82 · Jun 7, 2007

Hmm...ok, that puts a damper on that. What about working with an organization similar to Doctors Beyond Borders? more like a volunteer group that goes abroad...ever heard of that?

scattycarrot, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2007

Anybody travel abroad to do nursing having schooled in the US? If so, what was that like? I want to do some traveling abroad when I am done with school and was wondering if there is a possibility of doing travel nursing abroad...thx!

Have you thought about the middle east, eg..Saudi, bahrain, UAE, Oman, etc... You do not need to take licence exams in these countries and they generally pay well. And don't believe all the hype that these places are dangerous as they aren't (well, no more than anywhere these days, just look at New York, London, Madrid, etc..) and the expat lifestyle is a good one. I have worked over there and have lots of friends over there and as long as you just plan to do it for a year or so , it can be fun(saying tha, I know lots of people who went for a year and never left!). That region is located perfectly for travel. Saudi is the only area that is restrictive but if you work for a company like Saudi Aramco, then you live on a huge compound and within those walls, you are not restricted and the money is good and vacation time, excellent. Hong Kong also hires nurses with foreign licenceses in some hospitals and is a fun place to be(according to a friend of mine who worked there for 2 years).

Don't give up as there are lots of places to work around the world!

Also, look at the mercy ship organisations

http://www.mercyships.org/site/c.agLOI4OFKrF/b.1676795/k.2408/Flash_Main.htm

truejewel82 · Jun 7, 2007

Don't give up as there are lots of places to work around the world!

Does that include Dubai? Have you heard of any nurses going over there?

scattycarrot, BSN, RN · Jun 7, 2007

There is actually a thread on the first international page asking about Dubai!

The standard of hospitals in Dubai and around the middle east are usually excellent. The doctors are usually western educated and as there is no shortage of money in that region, facilities and equipment are often top-notch and care is delivered according to US standards so its all AHA approved courses. I did my ACLS for the first time over there and it is one of the best run courses that I have done. The western trained nurses are usually in more senior postions and tend to work in the more specialised areas such as ER, NICU, ICU,etc..they tend not to do 'ward work'. Hope this helps.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 8, 2007

Hmm...ok, that puts a damper on that. What about working with an organization similar to Doctors Beyond Borders? more like a volunteer group that goes abroad...ever heard of that?

I know it quite well as well as many of the other NGOs. That stands for non-government organization.

All of them require at least two years of experience before they will accept you.

truejewel82 · Jun 8, 2007

Ok interesting on all the above...I was thinking more along the lines of working in Europe, but I just want to just live there for a bit and have the option of working there if I wanted....but I guess that might be difficult with an RN career.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 9, 2007

Most European countries will require at least a three year degree, not sure what degree that you are going for in school now.

If you have a EU passport, then it is easy to get work in Europe at this time. Without that, most also want several years of experience. The other issue is that you will need to pass a language exam for the country, if English is not their primary language as well as take their licensing exam in their language. Then immigration procession, just an opposite of what a foreign nurse goes thru to work here. It can be done, but it will not be anything instantaneous.

Best of luck to you.:balloons:

truejewel82 · Jun 10, 2007

scatty,

What exactly is ACLS? do you speak different languages?

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2007

scatty,
What exactly is ACLS? do you speak different languages?

I believe that S is referring to ACLS as Advanced Cardiac Life Support, same course that is required by ICU/ER here.

As far as NGOs in developing areas, preference is for ER/ICU, L&D, Women's care and ID from what I have seen. It is best to be able to "do it all".