Return to Nursing to Saudi for the money

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Specializes in General Medical/Cardiology.

Hi everyone and greetings from Ireland

I'm looking for advice about going to work in Saudi Arabia. I qualified as an RN in 1989 in the UK and continued to work in general medical/cardiology until 1998 when I changed career to work in electronics. I do like working in electronics (Monday to Friday 8 - 4:30) but my salary is low (no pay rise in the past 4 years) and there is zero promotional prospects.

I'm now 38, single and have a 25 year mortgage EUR€140,000 ahead of me to pay on my house.

Recently I have been thinking of going back to Nursing with the intension of going to the Saudi Arabia for 3 or 4 years to save to pay off my mortgage.

I contacted a Nurse Recruitment Agency here in Ireland and they informed me that I would first need to complete the 'Back to Nursing' Course and then get a minimum of 12 months experience here again before i'd be considered for a job in Saudi Arabia.

Salary, I was told would be EUR€37,200 (US$54,500) per year tax-free plus some end of year bonuses etc. Is this a normal salary? How much could i save per year?

I discussed it with a friend and they thought I was crazy to contemplate going to work in the middle east for such a small salary.

I would love to know what your views are on my idea!!

Best regards

Joe

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Specializes in SICU.

I don't know much about how much money you can make at home, but *I* wouldn't be going to work in Saudi for that amount. I can make much more here in the States.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

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Specializes in Hospice, ALF, Prison.

Consider the tax advantages, if there are any from your location. Also the imposition of their social customs (no liqour etc etc.). The money does seem a bit thin.

People I know who have done that, have retired on their two year salaries.

In the states I believe you need 13 months to make it take free.

You also have to balance that against the money you can make at home, and the pleasures from getting a bit tipsy on the weekend.

Then again you may also be concerned about scudd missiles and the such.

Best!

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

I don't know. From what I heard, nurses can make good money over in Saudi Arabia, it's tax free. Depending on what agency you work for, they provide housing. Their customs are, well you know, I don't even think women can drive let alone be out in public without a male chaperone. How safe would it be there? Would you be working at an American hospital? I've been wondering about international nursing. I've heard that nurses can go to places like Germany and work.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I have heard from some friends on my unit that working in Saudi is deffinately tax free, but the customs are hard to deal with.

If you want to work in the Middle East, maybe Dubai is a better option. They are less regimented in their customs. I think they may pay better as well.

$45,000 isn't that great to work in Saudi. I make way more than that here in the states.

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In the US, it is only tax free if you are out of the US for a full calendar year working. And then it would be the same if you worked in other countries as well. And it is limited to the first $75,000 so not all is tax-free for the US.

Example: If you depart the US in February, that year is not going to be tax deductible for any of the pay.

There are specific requirements in place for every country, suggest that you check it out more closely with your tax professional where you are at.

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that is average salary rate for westerners. westerners are usually given higher salaries than asians. depending on the hospital, you also get a yearly increment in salary, plus a monthly re-contracting bonus. salary is tax-free, housing is free, you get paid vacation every 6mos or yearly. a lot of westerners do enjoy working there. it will all depend on the hospital where you'll be working and how well you an adjust to their customs. a lot of limitations on your freedom though.

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Again, the salary is not automatically tax-free for all. Depends 100% on the country where the nurse is from and what the requirements are of their country. It is not tax-free for the US. Specific requirements need to be met, and there is a limit on the salary that can be considered tax free as well.

One can actually make much more money in CA than going over there to work at this time as well.

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Specializes in General Medical/Cardiology.

Thank you all very much for your replies. It was really nice to hear all your views. I'm still undecided but clearly need to do some more research regarding tax status and other things.

Will probably wait until New Year before deciding.

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Specializes in RN ENT/SURGICAL/MAX-FAX.

Hi Joe,

Have you tried Profco? or Professional Connections as it is known. I have just signed a 2yr contract for The King Faisal in Riyadh and I am really excited. The person that interviewed me was a Nurse who actually lives in Ireland. She was lovely and made me feel at ease, also answered any questions I had. So give them a try if you are still interested.

Regards Marisa

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Specializes in General Medical/Cardiology.

Hi Marisa

Thanks for your reply. Just been looking up Profco and they seem to be a good company. I guess, overall for me, I am disappointed with the salary on offer from the company I enquired from here in Dublin.

Would you mind me asking what the money is like from Profco? The company I enquired from told me they offer a salary of EUR€3,100 (UK£2,465) per month tax-free in The King Faisal in Riyadh.

My email address is if you prefer not to say on here. Who knows, maybe will meet you some day in the corridors of The King Faisal...

Thanks Marissa

Regards

Joe

Hi Joe,

Have you tried Profco? or Professional Connections as it is known. I have just signed a 2yr contract for The King Faisal in Riyadh and I am really excited. The person that interviewed me was a Nurse who actually lives in Ireland. She was lovely and made me feel at ease, also answered any questions I had. So give them a try if you are still interested.

Regards Marisa

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Specializes in General Medical/Cardiology.

Hi Marisa

Thanks for your reply. Just been looking up Profco and they seem to be a good company. I guess, overall for me, I am disappointed with the salary on offer from the company I enquired from here in Dublin.

Would you mind me asking what the money is like from Profco? The company I enquired from told me they offer a salary of EUR€3,100 (UK£2,465) per month tax-free in The King Faisal in Riyadh.

My email address is if you prefer not to say on here. Who knows, maybe will meet you some day in the corridors of The King Faisal...

Thanks Marissa

Regards

Joe

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