Nursing in Ireland

[Dara-mfon]

Hi everyone,

My question is with regards finding nursing jobs in Ireland. I'll give a little background story on myself. I'm a Nigerian who obtained her Bsc in Nursing from Hungary therefore my qualifications are recognized within the EU. I wanted to start my nursing career in Ireland, so shortly after graduation I began the process of applying to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

I recently received my license and active PIN this past July and I've been actively job haunting with no luck. The problem isn't that there aren't any jobs. It's just that for some reason, nobody is willing to hire a non-EU nurse.

It's really frustrating mostly because I seem to have done every thing right. I took the IELTS exam and got an overall band score of 7.0. I have a year of acute hospital experience and I have familarised myself with the HIQA standards.

I seems like I have done everything right but I haven't gotten a single call back for an interview so far. I'm getting very desperate seeing as after college,I moved back in with my parents. Anyone who has gone through a similar situation understands how challenging that can be.

I'm wondering if anyone here can help me with information on what I need to do in order to secure a job interview. I'm eager to start working, training and developing new nursing skills. Thanks

[Lee_Ryan]

Hi Dara,

I'm more or less in the same position with you, only different country. Graduated, got NMBI pin, except that I don't have 1year experience (so you have more to offer!). Anyway, have you tried applying via recruiters? Just type nursing recruiters in Ireland, there are plenty of them. Send them email and call them if they don't reply. Also try private hospitals, nursing homes, long term care.

And btw, no I haven't succeeded yet because most of them are looking for experienced nurse, which you are! For now, I am still working in the country where I live because I speak the language. If you speak Hungarian, perhaps you can also look for a job there. Good luck & big hugs! -Lee

[Dara-mfon]

Hi Lee!

Thanks for replying. It's been a rough couple of months. I've sent out applications to multiple recruitment agencies and private hospitals. As you said, they are mostly looking for experienced nurses and my experience isn't from Ireland. Another hurdle I'm facing is that i'm a Non-EU citizen, so I would require a visa and work permit and for some reason that's a disadvantage. I really want to start my nursing career is Ireland because i'm eager to learn. If you want, we can share information on agencies and hospitals we've both applied to, to help each other out.

I came across some jobs that asked for new graduates. I sent out applications to those. We can brainstorm if you want.

[Fiona59]

What you are both missing is the point that EU nationals will be hired first. Preference goes to the Irish and then the EU.

No hospital is going to go to the expense of importing staff when there are those readily available.

[Lee_Ryan]

Hi Dara,

Sorry for the late reply. Yes, one of the first things they asked was whether or not we need working permit, and that put things off. I did call agencies & hospitals and ask them directly if they will provide permits, I won't bother if they don't.

It's end of year, i just started working in a local hospital. I'm going to start applying again in Jan/Feb.

@Fiona59, we are well aware of that. However there are employers out there who provide working permits for non-EU nationals, so I think they still need extra hands. We just have to try harder.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

From what I could tell it is an unfortunate job situation ,in Scotland Edingbourough there was a program showing an Estonian nurse working as a stripper,and even the other strippers where having a hard time getting enough work.