Questions about South Africa

[jbwozny]

I am a nurse who is just about a year and a half out of school and have been thinking about working in South Africa, in a couple of years, and would like ot ask a couple of questions to some folks (either natives or transplants) who live/work there.

First a bit about my experience.... I have been working in the MICU of a level 1 Trauma Center (also the city/county hospital) since graduation and will probably be going to our ED in another 8 months or so. I will probably stay there for a year and a haf- two years...giving me 2 years icu and 1.5 years ED exp. I have experience living outside of the US (2 years in West Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer).

Questions....

1) How does the scope of practice for nurses in SA compare to the US in the critical care/trauma settings? I have been told that the scope of practice for South African nurses is greatly expanded compared to the US role. Is this really the case? Do nurses do minor procedures (such as central lines)? How does the amount of autonomy compare? This is really my biggest question.

2) What is the pay like? Comparable to the US? Better? Worse? IS it enough to live on in some degree of comfort?

3) What is the ratio of male nurses in SA? Would I be an absolute anomally being a male nurse?

4) I have found an agency (PHP) that specializes in bringing nurses into SA. Does anyone have any exp with them? Would I be better off trying to use such an agency or trying to work directly with hospitals?

5) Is SA experiencing the same type of shortage as the US? How difficult is it finding positions in the ER or ICU?

6) kind of a tangent, but does SA use paramedics similar in training to the US? I will be working part time as a Paramedic and would like to be able to continue this after moving.

7) How difficult is it to emigrate to SA?

thanks for the info,

jay

[suzanne4, RN]

I can't give you any info on what you are asking, but do know that US salaries are some of the highest in the world for nursing.

And welcome to Allnurses.com.................... :balloons:

[99_99africa]

They call it sunny South Africa, and a land full of potential. We have two systems of health care. One is private nursing where the people of the country pay a certain fee every month and are able to enjoy medical benefits, clean linen and medical supplies are in abudance. Two is the state hospitals and some are in terrible conditions, minimal supplies and care. The Scope of Practice allows you as the nurse practitioner, Registered with the South African Nursing Council to freely practice your profession safely, you are enabled by these laws to perform many procedures within the state hospital and not in private practice. Male RN'S are not in abudance in South Africa, but we do have some. As for a teaching post there are many, the staff that are teaching are not qualified and the students battle to understand the outcome based learning, the salary depends on your qualification and each area may pay less or more. The cost of living here is not as high as in the USA, if you have U.S dollars you life will be made much easier, to settle.The crime rate is also extremely high in certain areas, but once you know the country and the people it would be a great experience, the people are trying to adjust to past apartheid errors which are many. It is my country and I love it.