New RN wants to move to Nicaragua

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Hey everyone, I'm a new nurse and have been looking into moving to Central America, possibly Nicaragua or Costa Rica. However, I know there is a huge difference in salaries.

Also I understand that new nurses need one to two years of experience before they will be considered for more specialized fields; however I'd like to move within 6 months to year.

Are there jobs available that pay US type salaries available in Nicaragua/Costa Rica or possibly contracts that will allow me to work in the country but with pay comparable to the US? Or even the route of working as a nurse in an embassy??

Help!!!! :)

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There would be jobs for US based companies and government agencies or US military. They are difficult to get, and would require mastery of a specialty, something that cannot be obtained in one year. You are dreaming out loud my friend.

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lol I know the "in a year" is more fantasy than reality, but my main problem is just finding information on RN salaries in these countries. I've found a few forums like this one, but the info isn't very in depth.

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Look at average pay rates in those countries. Consider that nurses in those countries do not make above average pay rates, and have less training and autonomy than US nurses. If you must know, visit or call a hospital and inquire. But you will not be able to live with the answer or the prevailing wages, or probably the working conditions. A quick Google found a Nicaraguan nurse who said she was lucky to work for an NGO for $35 a month. Second hit showed local pay of 6,000 Cordobas a month or about $340 a month for two hospitals that catered to American medical tourism. You would be far ahead to work a couple months here and volunteer in Nicaragua the rest of the year.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Do you speak Spanish?

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Perhaps you could work two travel contracts per year here in the US, then return to Central America the other six months of the year. Three months working, three months in CR, etc. You need probably two years solid experience to be dependably employable as a traveler first.

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Perhaps you could work two travel contracts per year here in the US, then return to Central America the other six months of the year. Three months working, three months in CR, etc. You need probably two years solid experience to be dependably employable as a traveler first.

That's kinda what I was thinking would be best for the OP. Even if you just worked 13 weeks you would probably make way than a local making local wages year around.

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Specializes in ER.

My husband and I fell in love with Costa Rica when we honeymooned there and actually considered moving. I did some research and found that Costa Rica does not routinely employ foreign nurses. Bummer

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Specializes in ER.

Costa Rica does not seem to have a need for foreign nurses which SUCKS because I love it there!!!

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