Nursing in Saudi Arabia

LadyTiger44 · Jun 14, 2014

I do not know of anyone who has taken an assignment over there. But, I do hear you can make up to $100,000 a year. What company are you going with? I also hear it's dangerous, but for that much money may be worth it.

yajaira21 · Jun 14, 2014

I saw a special about it on TV IM sure you can look it up on YouTube it was by dateline NBC they pretty much lied about everything the pay where they would be living she was treated very poorly because she was American

The worst part was when her mother died and they refused to let her leave the country she had to get the us embassy. Involved

BluntForceTrauma · Jun 21, 2014

I would be afraid to go to those parts of the world right now. Had a former army nurse tell me somethings about the different culture there for women...you had to be fully clothed and cover all of your face except your eyes.

Traveldee · Jun 23, 2014

I've been talking to recruiters from Helen Ziegler and Associates (hziegler dot com). I asked them if they could put me in touch with someone who is working on the unit I'd be working on. They said absolutely, and now I've been in contact with another RN who is currently working in Riyadh, via email and her facebook page. She's gone on some amazing trips during her vacation time, that's for sure! So I would try that route - ask a recruiter to connect you with someone already working there.

rxis · Jun 29, 2014

I tried to find positions in the UAE and I have been unsuccessful in finding a position that will pay more than what can be found in many staff position in the US. You have to figure out the whole benefits package such as housing, transportation, and taxation to obtain an accurate assessment of total compensation.12000-15000 AED a month is what I've found the pay range offered. That comes out to $3400-4100usd a month. I have yet to find a position worth leaving the USA for. There are simply far too many international nurses willing to work for a fraction of what US nurses cost without having to deal with "Westerner complaints". However, management is an area that may be more financially rewarding. I've spoken to many expatriates and have been told it is much easier to seek opportunities once you actually get settled in. In the end, the increase in income potentially derives from the absence of taxation.

emadore · Jul 3, 2014

I live in Canada and I know a lot of Nurses who have gone to Saudi Arabia and loved it +++. They did make a lot of money because it was not taxed here or there. Enough money to come back here and pay cash for their houses which start at $500,000 plus. I've known Nurses who came back home - bought their homes for their eventual retirement and headed right back. The travel opportunities are outstanding - Africa/Australia especially. You have to accept that you are not in North America and things are different in different parts of the world. They got a kick out of dressing in the local clothing. It's not like they were going to have to wear it at home. You just have to choose carefully. You want to live in the compounds with all the other expats. with the pools and the parties and not the hospital apartment buildings. That's when you feel trapped. You also have to make very certain that you will not be working at a military hospital. One Nurse I know got stuck in one of those. It was not a good experience especially when she wore a star necklace and was harassed for what they believed was a "star of David". They eventually kicked her out of the country. That is the only negative comment I have ever heard. Helen Ziegler and Assoc. are a great company to go through.

NedRN · Jul 3, 2014

Besides the cultural issues, the money is not as good as the US in my opinion, tax savings included. Ordinary travelers with tax homes do better. Of course, any job you just hunker down and don't spend money can land you with good savings. It is not even slightly tempting to me and I was born in Beruit and the favored gender (driving privileges in Saudi).

The nurses it does work well for come in two main groups, ones fascinated by the mideast or who just want to get out of their comfort zone, and those who love the convenient international travel outside of the Mideast. In fact it has become extra convenient in the last few years, Dubai is the largest international airport now, and in a few years may become the busiest airport in the world period.