RN with huge medical debt, looking for high paying work

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

ok one warning to all: political posts will not stay on this forum. the op wanted to know how to work off a huge medical debt. please stay on topic or we will move these posts off the board.

cardiacRN2006, ADN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

But the OP did specifically ask if it was worth it to work in the middle east.

Perhaps people shouldn't post questions if they aren't going to like the answers. I mean, wasn't it obvious that asking about the middle east would generate some of the responses seen?

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Jul 13, 2006

Instead of looking for a high paying job what about making the debt going away. The OP states the truck driver was uninsured. No mention is made of who owned the truck or what the truck was hauling? Has the OP even consulted an attorney?? On the last question one would certainly hope so.

As an example the driver himself may of had no insurance but the truck may have been owned but XYZ company/individual. The truck could have been hauling merchandise for ABC big box store. That makes them liable, this varies from state to state and only an attorney in a particular state can tell you how much.

Another thing the OP needs to look in to is that this sounds like a very serious incident, did you look in to getting retroactive Medicaid. If one has high medical bills , no income and not being physical able to work may make one eligible- again an attorney should be consulted.

RJ

military spouse · Jul 13, 2006

OK, there are too many human beings that like to kill Americans over there.

Love the way you restated it

neophyte · Jul 14, 2006

Hey all, thanks for the replies. If you've read this far down the thread and are considering helping me. . . please feel free to leave out any comments about how dangerous places outside the United States are if you would please. There are plenty of hateful people right here in the good 'ol USA that will mame/kill you just because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . if you'll note the intitial post in this thread: I got run over by a careless (and uninsured) driver in the very "safe" city of Austin. That's life. The Middle East offers challenges, and does seem to have a higher ratio of people that don't appreciate people from the United States. But the haters are still a minority in this world. Showing the same compassion you would give to your own patients to everyone around the world might just slow some of that hatred down a bit. Right now, I just want to work hard, make some cash to get out of debt, and maybe spread some goodwill while I'm at it. Once I'm out of debt, I'll still be on the goodwill path. Putting myself in harms way happens everytime I leave my house, I learned that when I was involved in my accident with a careless driver. Helping people is why I got into nursing however; that fact that it is currently paying so well is a nice benefit. . but still very secondary to why I got in the profession. I don't expect a lot of people to understand this: but I got into nursing to take care of people and for no other reason. I'm not co-dependent, I have no family to care for, and I think that anywhere nursing services are needed is where I belong. Some of those places might be dangerous because of the color (or lack of color) of my skin, but I'm not going to stop helping people in need no matter where they are. . . as long as those in need appreciate my care/services and remember me for that and only that. Thank you. R.

weetziebat · Jul 14, 2006

Hi R.,

Well, I can give you some info on working in the Middle East. I worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Jan. '91 to Jan. '98, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia from Jan. '02 to April '02 (a 3 month locum position) and again in Riyadh from Mar. '05 to Sept. '05.

I returned last September on vacation, and if my dh could have managed to keep things running smoothly at home, I definately would have returned to Riyadh.

Anyway, if you are interested King Faisal Specialty Hospital and Research Center, a very large, modern hospital in Riyadh, is looking for nurses. Western nurses need at least 2 years current experience in the area they wish to work in. Salary was ~$4,800 USD per month. Tax free.

Housing and furnishings are provided. You pay only for your food and long distance telephone. You live on the compound, so work is a short walk across compound. There are all kinds of benefits, like a free trip home after 6 months, 45+ paid vacation days per year.

The hospital compound has things like a small grocery store, bank, post office (I believe - I didn't work at this hospital, but this is the highest paying hospital in the Kingdom).There are hospital buses that take you to various shopping areas daily.

I think the recruiter I went through last time is: SA International, in Houston. You can Google them. Also Helen Zeigler in Canada recruits for both Canada and the U.S.

Good luck whatever you decide to do and I hope you find a way to make enough to pay off all those bills. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

LydiaNN · Jul 14, 2006

Hey all, thanks for the replies. If you've read this far down the thread and are considering helping me. . . please feel free to leave out any comments about how dangerous places outside the United States are if you would please. There are plenty of hateful people right here in the good 'ol USA that will mame/kill you just because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . if you'll note the intitial post in this thread: I got run over by a careless (and uninsured) driver in the very "safe" city of Austin. That's life. The Middle East offers challenges, and does seem to have a higher ratio of people that don't appreciate people from the United States. But the haters are still a minority in this world. Showing the same compassion you would give to your own patients to everyone around the world might just slow some of that hatred down a bit. Right now, I just want to work hard, make some cash to get out of debt, and maybe spread some goodwill while I'm at it. Once I'm out of debt, I'll still be on the goodwill path. Putting myself in harms way happens everytime I leave my house, I learned that when I was involved in my accident with a careless driver. Helping people is why I got into nursing however; that fact that it is currently paying so well is a nice benefit. . but still very secondary to why I got in the profession. I don't expect a lot of people to understand this: but I got into nursing to take care of people and for no other reason. I'm not co-dependent, I have no family to care for, and I think that anywhere nursing services are needed is where I belong. Some of those places might be dangerous because of the color (or lack of color) of my skin, but I'm not going to stop helping people in need no matter where they are. . . as long as those in need appreciate my care/services and remember me for that and only that. Thank you. R.

Okay then. Please free not to specifically ask a question about an area of the world that is currently embroiled in turmoil and of which a significant portion is either at war with or close allies of a country at war with the United States and then cry foul when that fact is addressed in assessing whether it is still ''worth it'' to travel there. Your claim that you wish only to ''help people in need no matter where they are'' is in total contradiction of your original post in which you emphasized your need to make immediate cash, and plenty of it.

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Hi R.,
Well, I can give you some info on working in the Middle East. I worked in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Jan. '91 to Jan. '98, in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia from Jan. '02 to April '02 (a 3 month locum position) and again in Riyadh from Mar. '05 to Sept. '05.
I returned last September on vacation, and if my dh could have managed to keep things running smoothly at home, I definately would have returned to Riyadh.
Anyway, if you are interested King Faisal Specialty Hospital and Research Center, a very large, modern hospital in Riyadh, is looking for nurses. Western nurses need at least 2 years current experience in the area they wish to work in. Salary was ~$4,800 USD per month. Tax free.
Housing and furnishings are provided. You pay only for your food and long distance telephone. You live on the compound, so work is a short walk across compound. There are all kinds of benefits, like a free trip home after 6 months, 45+ paid vacation days per year.
The hospital compound has things like a small grocery store, bank, post office (I believe - I didn't work at this hospital, but this is the highest paying hospital in the Kingdom).There are hospital buses that take you to various shopping areas daily.
I think the recruiter I went through last time is: SA International, in Houston. You can Google them. Also Helen Zeigler in Canada recruits for both Canada and the U.S.
Good luck whatever you decide to do and I hope you find a way to make enough to pay off all those bills. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you for this great information. Do you feel safe when you are there? How did you pass the time during your time off? How many hours per week? What language is spoken in the hospitals? I'm wondering about the communication woes. Did you have to wear a burqa or head covering in the hospital? You couldn't drive could you?

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

Hey all, thanks for the replies. If you've read this far down the thread and are considering helping me. . . please feel free to leave out any comments about how dangerous places outside the United States are if you would please. There are plenty of hateful people right here in the good 'ol USA that will mame/kill you just because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. . . if you'll note the intitial post in this thread: I got run over by a careless (and uninsured) driver in the very "safe" city of Austin. That's life. The Middle East offers challenges, and does seem to have a higher ratio of people that don't appreciate people from the United States. But the haters are still a minority in this world. Showing the same compassion you would give to your own patients to everyone around the world might just slow some of that hatred down a bit. Right now, I just want to work hard, make some cash to get out of debt, and maybe spread some goodwill while I'm at it. Once I'm out of debt, I'll still be on the goodwill path. Putting myself in harms way happens everytime I leave my house, I learned that when I was involved in my accident with a careless driver. Helping people is why I got into nursing however; that fact that it is currently paying so well is a nice benefit. . but still very secondary to why I got in the profession. I don't expect a lot of people to understand this: but I got into nursing to take care of people and for no other reason. I'm not co-dependent, I have no family to care for, and I think that anywhere nursing services are needed is where I belong. Some of those places might be dangerous because of the color (or lack of color) of my skin, but I'm not going to stop helping people in need no matter where they are. . . as long as those in need appreciate my care/services and remember me for that and only that. Thank you. R.

I think it's great that you are so compassionate and this is to be admired. I do hope that you will consider that those like me who have strong words for killers and acknowledge them specifically by name and tactic - also can and do act with compassion towards all patients. We are capable of seeing killers exactly for what they are, and at the same time treating all patients with compassion. It's about maintaining complexity and seeing matters for what they are, while fulfilling the mission and role of a nurse. I think compassion v. hate has been oversimplified a bit here.

weetziebat · Jul 14, 2006

Thank you for this great information. Do you feel safe when you are there? How did you pass the time during your time off? How many hours per week? What language is spoken in the hospitals? I'm wondering about the communication woes. Did you have to wear a burqa or head covering in the hospital? You couldn't drive could you?

You're welcome. :) Yes, I felt totally safe there. The Saudi people are as dead set against terrorists as we are, and once the terrorists started killing Saudi's, and made their hatred of the Royal Family very well known, the government really cracked down. I had many Saudi's tell me "Welcome. We love Americans, and know that the people are not the same as your government. Please stay and feel at home". They are extrememly gracious, kind and caring people.

Worked 44 hrs. a week, but very laid back. The doctors will bring in goodies to eat or the patients will invite you to join them in a feast at work. It's a lot of fun. Arabic is spoken in the hospitals, but even now, with few westerners there, you can get an interpreter to help you out. A little Arabic and lots of sign language work just great. Besides all the docs and most of the other staff, along with quite a few patients speak English.

Time off was spent shopping!! I'm a shopaholic. Gold, carpets, all kinds of goodies. And breaking up vacation time meant I had 10 weeks a year, so lots of travel all over. Otherwise, reading, watching T.V., relaxing at the pool, working out at the gym, or just visiting with friends.

No, women are not allowed to drive, and I wouldn't want to anyway. They are lunatic drivers - left turns from right hand lanes, not paying attention to lanes, no lights at night etc. Though it really has improved greatly since I first arrived in '91.

You wear an 'abaya' - long black polyester or silk 'coat' on top on whatever when you go outside the compound. Oft times I'd have a thin little nightgown underneath, sometimes just underwear- depending on the weather. And you wear a black head scarf - not anything over your face. On compound it differs - some are more strict than others. At the worst it would be long loose slacks and a baggy shirt, at best shorts and a tank top. When its 130 degrees in the shade, nothing keeps you cool!

Multicollinearity, BSN, RN · Jul 14, 2006

You're welcome. :) Yes, I felt totally safe there. The Saudi people are as dead set against terrorists as we are, and once the terrorists started killing Saudi's, and made their hatred of the Royal Family very well known, the government really cracked down. I had many Saudi's tell me "Welcome. We love Americans, and know that the people are not the same as your government. Please stay and feel at home". They are extrememly gracious, kind and caring people.
Worked 44 hrs. a week, but very laid back. The doctors will bring in goodies to eat or the patients will invite you to join them in a feast at work. It's a lot of fun. Arabic is spoken in the hospitals, but even now, with few westerners there, you can get an interpreter to help you out. A little Arabic and lots of sign language work just great. Besides all the docs and most of the other staff, along with quite a few patients speak English.
Time off was spent shopping!! I'm a shopaholic. Gold, carpets, all kinds of goodies. And breaking up vacation time meant I had 10 weeks a year, so lots of travel all over. Otherwise, reading, watching T.V., relaxing at the pool, working out at the gym, or just visiting with friends.
No, women are not allowed to drive, and I wouldn't want to anyway. They are lunatic drivers - left turns from right hand lanes, not paying attention to lanes, no lights at night etc. Though it really has improved greatly since I first arrived in '91.
You wear an 'abaya' - long black polyester or silk 'coat' on top on whatever when you go outside the compound. Oft times I'd have a thin little nightgown underneath, sometimes just underwear- depending on the weather. And you wear a black head scarf - not anything over your face. On compound it differs - some are more strict than others. At the worst it would be long loose slacks and a baggy shirt, at best shorts and a tank top. When its 130 degrees in the shade, nothing keeps you cool!

Thank you for taking the time to tell us about this. Very interesting! It sounds like this has worked well for you.

NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 14, 2006

My coworker has just graduated with a Masters in Nurse Administration. She had hired a Head Hunter to help her look for the best paying jobs in the area. I asked her how she found a Head Hunter, she said she just searched the Web. She had to pay them a fee, but now she is making over $100.000/year.