RN looking for job overseas (Europe) -- Advice Needed!

[v.wolf, BSN]

I am a nurse currently working in Northern Ontario, but am looking to relocate to Europe for 1-2 years. I was wondering if there are any nursing agency's or programs that help line up Canadian trained RN's for jobs in specifically, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, or Malta. I have family in these regions and am looking to be a little bit closer, but am open to almost anywhere in that region at this point. Does anyone have any advice about how to go about this? Has anyone taken an RN position in Europe before? How did you do it? I have been contacting hospitals directly, but am having a very difficult time finding out information. Any more information about this process would be very much appreciated!

Thank you for your help!

[Fiona59]

Do you have EU citizenship?

Are you fluent in the local language for Spain and Malta? The exams are in the local language.

Reading the international forum gives the impression that nursing jobs are hard to find over there and the European economy is in worse shape than ours.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the International forum

May be hard to get a work permit in the UK but starting point would be the NMC and meeting the UK requirements for RN, NMC covers Scotland and Northern Ireland and if Ireland you will have to meet Irish Nursing Board, An Bord Altranais requirements. Spain and Malta will also require you to meet their requirements and we have had a few threads regarding Spain although a while ago and didn't look good job wise.

Jobs I have seen advertised in the UK either state if sponsorship for work permit required they are unable to help or state this

Applications from job seekers who require Tier 2 sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, non-EEA candidates may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled EU/EEA candidate is available to take up the post as the employing body is unlikely, in these circumstances, to satisfy the Resident Labour Market Test. The UK Border Agency requires employers to complete this test to show that no suitably qualified EEA or EU worker can fill the post.