New Grad Jobs Outside the US

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 7, 2015

Hello! I'm going to be graduating from a BSN program in December 2015. I'm really interested in moving to Ireland after I graduate, but I'm nervous about finding a job over there and I have no idea who to talk to about it. I've been to Ireland before and absolutely fell in love with it. I'm just scared I'll get there and won't be able to find a job (especially being a new grad with no experience as an RN). Any advice/words of wisdom/comments would be much appreciated!

There is no shortage of nurses in Ireland. Unlike the generalist trained nurses in the US, Irish and UK nurses are specialist trained in adult, pediatric, learning disabled (developmental disabilities), psych. Obstetrics is left to midwives. Most US programs do not offer sufficient clinical training to meet their standards. Do you have Irish, UK or EU citizenship? Jobs in that area of the world must first go to local than EU citizens before other nationalities. Do you have work rights/visa? Generally speaking if not a shortage area (nursing is not a shortage career) only highly qualified experienced professionals are considered.

Something to think about

WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 7, 2015

Did you fall in love with Ireland while on vacation there, or while living there? There is a huge difference between vacationing somewhere and actually living there. Also, as stated by PP, in the EU preference must go to EU citizens before they even look at other nationalities.

suzy12 · Apr 7, 2015

Hi, it depends on which part of Ireland that you are interested in , Northern Ireland is part of the uk so therefore will have the national health service , Southern Ireland is not part of the uk,

You first step is to contact the NMC if its Northern Ireland , am sorry I don't know who you contact for Southern Ireland and as far as jobs are concerned there is always jobs in nursing! Am from the uk

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 7, 2015

The nursing authority for Ireland is Bord Altranais

Irish Nursing Board, An Bord Altranais

RNMA15 · Apr 7, 2015

Hello! I'm going to be graduating from a BSN program in December 2015. I'm really interested in moving to Ireland after I graduate, but I'm nervous about finding a job over there and I have no idea who to talk to about it. I've been to Ireland before and absolutely fell in love with it. I'm just scared I'll get there and won't be able to find a job (especially being a new grad with no experience as an RN). Any advice/words of wisdom/comments would be much appreciated!

I am glad Suzy12 and silverdragon102 have great answers for you! I have never worked in the UK, but have friends with training like mine that have. There's nothing to fear concerning your US training- most nurse training is basically similar in content around the world. That citizens are considered before foreigners should not scare you, either. Every country has that clause, including the USA. I am an RN licensed in 2 African countries as well as the USA and Canada. I was initially African trained as a diploma RN, and my education and experience was sufficient. An RN can work anywhere they want in the world. However, I would get some experience before I venture out. Usually, the process of moving to another country is lengthy- take time learning more about nursing in the country, go to their website, call them, and google as much info as you can, to make sure you know what you are getting into. There is a whole lot of differences in practice and health care cultures around the world. You will be better served to expect that! Best wishes!

em_j11 · Apr 8, 2015

Thanks everyone for your help! @JustBeachyNurse, I only have US citizenship. I would definitely have to get a work visa, but at this point it's all just an idea/dream. I have to wait almost a year until I can do anything since I don't graduate until December and then will have to take my NCLEX first. @BeachRN2Be I was on vacation there and I do realize that living somewhere and being on vacation somewhere is completely different, but I've lived a few different places and I'm pretty easygoing and love adventure so that's not really a concern of mine. @RNMA15 Thank you for your insight! I was starting to get discouraged from the previous posts, but your post really encouraged me :)

suzy12 · Apr 8, 2015

The NMC does request that you have a BSN and there is a stipulation about hours in training , however that is not set in stone , now there is the NMC exam as well, there is courses with placements as well for foreign trained nurses, these are worth considering as if you get this , you are placed in a hospital , you then apply to work there bank, which is like what you call pool,

The nurse bank is full of nursing hours, am in contract but my shifts were more in advance with the bank than contract, i also worked more,

This is all Depending on what part of ireland you are going to? As this info will only represent northern Ireland.

If the thought is , can it be done? Can i be a nurse in Ireland and work there, the answer is dependent on you, it will be a stressful process but totally achievable,

I know american nurses working here in the UK and remember that the UK is 4 countries combined , Scotland, England, northern Ireland and wales!

The first process is to become a nurse here first then apply for work, some NHS hospitals in the UK are in nursing crisis , Aberdeen in Scotland being one of them.

em_j11 · Apr 8, 2015

I was thinking more of the Republic of Ireland, but I would be open to the UK as well, especially if there is more of a need there so your information has been very helpful! Thank you

suzy12 · Apr 8, 2015

I only know of Aberdeen as i was offered Â£8000 to take a job there, and that was last week, they have hired nurses from abroad so i was told, here is a sample from our news just a few months ago

Crisis-hit health board given extra Â£50m to deal with shortages

12 January 2015 15:02 GMT

Hospital: Shortages at the hospital have led to delays in treatment. Pic: SWNS

A crisis-hit health board is being given an extra Â£50m to deal with a shortage of staff, beds and "significant deficiencies in leadership and management".

NHS Grampian has been criticised over the past few months for a series of failures.

The chairman resigned at the end of last year over the problems, and a report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland in December highlighted "considerable medical and nursing staffing difficulties" at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

Just last week it emerged the hospital were turning patients away due to a lack of staff.

I don't think you will have a difficulty getting a job no matter where you work, the process for southern Ireland seems easier than Uk , if you go on the link that silverdragon sent it explains it, you would fall under a category 3 , trained outside the EU , southern ireland healthcare is closer to yours as they have a privatised system too i believe ,

Good luck and dont give up if its what you really want :)

K+MgSO4, BSN · Apr 10, 2015

The moratorium on public service recruitment in the Republic of Ireland was lifted 3 weeks ago (Most health care delivered via the public health system as opposed to private hospitals, however there are some private hospitals) However I am not running home. Wages have been slashed, conditions are tough due to the clack of funding, and taxes are high.