I've always dreamed of working abroad

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When I was still a student nurse, I've always told everyone that I'm going to be a nurse abroad. I had my hopes up that once I graduate and pass the Nursing Licensure Exam (NLE) I would finally be able to fulfill my dreams.

Unfortunately, after I graduated and became a professional nurse I found out that it was not actually that easy. To be able to work abroad I had to have the following:

1. 2 or more years working experience in the hospital

2. Be at least 22 or above of age

3. Various trainings, and

4. The most important thing is
MONEY

So why am I unfortunate? Well it's obvious. I don't have any of the above. Or should I say "D. NONE OF THE ABOVE" which we always choose in the exam when there is no answer. I just passed the NLE last year and I still don't have a permanent job in a hospital to gain the required experience. Although I am working right now under the DOH Program "RNHEALS", I have learned recently that RNHEALS is not actually considered as work but just a training. I was so disappointed when I learned this because I was going to use this as part of my experience. Now I'm back to zero. Another problem is to be able to have trainings I'll need money which I have said that I don't have.

Now I'm losing hope of becoming a nurse in another country. I hope that somehow I would still be able to fulfill my dreams even though I still have "D. NONE OF THE ABOVE".

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

I am an international nurse working in U.S. When I was in school I only have one dream and that is to work in U.S. Even after getting in U.S. it was a struggle to find a job. I had no job for some time and I was also going to school, fortunately I am working in a good position now. We have nurses always complain including myself about how difficult the job is, computer charting etc. Then there are many nurses in the world looking for a nursing job. I think if you have a determination you will get where you like to be even though some times it take time. Good Luck

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Thanks Sam_Nurse. Your right about that. Right now I'm planning on applying as volunteer nurse at various hospitals near my place. So that after my contract with the RNHEALS I won't have to waste time doing nothing. That way at least I'll be one step closer to my dream.

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I am an international nurse working in U.S. When I was in school I only have one dream and that is to work in U.S. Even after getting in U.S. it was a struggle to find a job. I had no job for some time and I was also going to school, fortunately I am working in a good position now. We have nurses always complain including myself about how difficult the job is, computer charting etc. Then there are many nurses in the world looking for a nursing job. I think if you have a determination you will get where you like to be even though some times it take time. Good Luck

If the OP wants to work in the USA, I think maybe you entered the RN working field much much earlier than most of us recent PH grads or nurses, as the job market has truly changed in that the demand for foreign nurses has dramatically been on a steep decline, as in the USA.

We are now facing many hospitals abandoning their petitioners, cancelling contracts, etc as there's no more need for foreign nurses since they are now being replaced with the more local and US educated nurses and grads since the schools and colleges have mor than met the demand.

No more offers or very very little in the way of any hospital sponsorships, as the hospitals don't need to wait several years for a foreign nurse when they can simply hire someone in a day or a week with literally 100's of potential applicants to fill the spot.

Yes, they are probably many many jobs if one foreign grad or nurse wants to take a job in a LTC, SNF, be a private caretaker, etc, but if one aspires (like me from PH) to work in a hospital, with a pediatrics unit or many of my friends who don't care for the nursing homes, but want to work in ER, ICU, Pedi's, cancer units, etc., the job market and hiring possibilities are near impossible. Many US hospitals today hire locals or from those that did their clinicals in that hospital or US degree holders, getting top priority.

Mind you, there are hundreds if not thousands in certain States that many local applicants are trying to get into only very few selected openings as a new grad.

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Thanks Sam_Nurse. Your right about that. Right now I'm planning on applying as volunteer nurse at various hospitals near my place. So that after my contract with the RNHEALS I won't have to waste time doing nothing. That way at least I'll be one step closer to my dream.

Here's a recent link if you plan to come in the States within the next several years, not a pretty picture:

Click her: https://allnurses.com/nurse-registration/us-labor-market-779683.html

If you don't plan to come to the States, best try AU or NZ, but even now, the job market in those two countries are getting tougher, AU recently implemented new hiring requirements, suggest you read threads covering those topics in more details.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

Hi, you are 100% correct. I fact I came to USA not as nurse. I came to U.S. on H1B visa as a computer consultant. While I was working in the computer field I got laid off. I could not find a job in computer and I decided to go back to school because I don't want to go back home. It was hard but I successfully finished my nursing program and while in my last semester I was hired in a big hospital. There were lots of students doing clinical in our hospital. It is hard to get job as new-grad but I think lot of jobs for experienced nurses. This is a fact but we cannot be discouraged by the situation. Getting visa/sponsorship is the difficult part. I think there are jobs even for new-grads if they are willing to work at any facility or have recommendations.

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One of my co-nurse in my workplace recently received her VISA as a student in London. She is about to leave tomorrow. I'm so envious of her but also happy for her at the same time. Knowing that she's already going to leave tomorrow saddens me but since that was her decision then we'll support her until the end. I wish her good luck, taker care and see you soon! I hope that she'll be okay there.

If only I also had the same money amount of money that she has maybe I might have been with her in going there. Well I guess God has other plans for me. I'll leave everything to God to decide and design my future, I know that He'll do whats right for me.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Going as a student doesn't mean she will be able to stay. The UK is going through a lot at the moment and many UK nurses are being made redundant or not replaced if they retire. News article in the BBC commented on over 60000 jobs lost or in peril

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Specializes in Med-Surg, ICU.

Going as a student does not get you a job unless you change your visa status. At least in US getting a job is tough, but not impossible. Even for a new grad it is still possible to find a job if the persons visa status allows them to work. When I was in school, I always want to work in US. Even though it was a little struggle I was able to fulfill my dream. So my way of thinking is if you have the will there is a way.

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Native nurses who are new grads are having difficulty finding jobs. I dream of many things, but not all dreams happen. Sam nurse I believe you came to the US when the economy was better, a visa for. new grad is he gain rxperience and return to their home country. Could you share where all these jobs are for new nurses, I know many with excellent recomendations and willing to work anywhere.

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I realized finding a job here in the US is hard. Im a licensed nurse, have bls, acls training but still i cant find a nursing job. I dont know what to do.. im a foreign graduate and don't know anyone here in the US in the same field so i can't ask where will i start. Im so confused and frustrated. All i want is to be a nurse and now i can't. i need a mentor.

Dont lose hope lay, we worked hard to earn our degree, we must stay focused and dont stop till we reach our dream

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Hi nursedan28, you know what your not the only one experiencing that kind of scenario. Me too i'm also a nurse i have 2-3 years experience but still i can't find a stable job where i can save money for my future family. I want to go abroad but the thing is theres a lot of opportunities awaits us but they are so expensive. I'm planning to apply in Norway but i'm hearing lots of bad comments especially for us nurses who wants to earn and use our profession and now i can't decide weather i should go or not .. huh!! lets help each other dude/.

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