Saudi Arabia

whirlwind · Jan 8, 2008

yes, its true that western nurses are being paid more than nurses coming from asian countries (filipinos, indians, indonesians, chinese), but at present nurses who are bsn degree holder and having more experience are getting more benefits and incentives than that of a gn or nurse associate even if this particular nurse has more experience.

in the country(ME) where i am at present, being a nurse is very demanding and needs a lot of hardwork and patience. here, we are "all around" meaning we do all the stuff from being a rn, nursing aide, plebotomist, respiratory therapist, physiotherapist, even being a porter...

we handle difficult patients and at times very demanding doctors..and one barrier is communication.. not all patients and their relatives speak english...arabic is the main language and if you are not well versed with their language then problems occur... sometimes doctors or even co workers had difficulty in expressing in english thats why at times, there are mis communication related problems. and not all arabic is understandable... arabic in certain middle east countries are different from the way of pronounciation and meaning..

anyhow, working in this kind of atmosphere is a promising experience that eventhough the work is way much difficult and different from what we are accustomed to, it gives me a good feeling that where ever i may be in the future, i can handle any nurse job that comes my way...

nowhere · Jan 11, 2008

Hello. This may be off-topic, but... Is it true that Saudi does not accept male nurses as they used to? My friend came to the Saudi embassy here in the Philippines last December. The officer in-charge told him that they don't accept male nurses anymore since they can't handle female patients as compared to female nurses who are allowed to handle both.

snowbiggie · Jan 14, 2008

As a guy nurse interested in the middle east, would dubai be a better choice than KSA? I am also wondering if guy nurses are still accepted in KSA like the post above me.

Also, with a BSN and 2 years Heart and Medical ICU experience, what would be average pay in the KSA or other regions of the middle east like UAE??

Darn, I hope being a guy doesn't dash my hopes. The big hospital in the capital of KSA sounds appealing.

Is there any restrictions on activities for males in KSA? From reading, there are multiple issues that females deal with in the KSA.

whirlwind · Jan 15, 2008

from hearsays around here(ME), most applicant male nurses are opting to work in dubai or UAE or neighboring ME countries, the least is KSA.

pay scale is also more beneficial in these areas and the environment is more open to new changes..

just abide with the rules than you are off trouble....

Geena, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2008

as a guy nurse interested in the middle east, would dubai be a better choice than ksa? i am also wondering if guy nurses are still accepted in ksa like the post above me.
also, with a bsn and 2 years heart and medical icu experience, what would be average pay in the ksa or other regions of the middle east like uae??
darn, i hope being a guy doesn't dash my hopes. the big hospital in the capital of ksa sounds appealing.
is there any restrictions on activities for males in ksa? from reading, there are multiple issues that females deal with in the ksa.

riyadh kfsh rn earns sar 14200/ month. with critical care certification sar 15200.

clare123 · Jan 19, 2008

Hi there,

Great to see an up-to-date discussion on saudi. It seems difficult to access current information. I am currently looking at this option for a year.....

laney1982 · Jan 22, 2008

Hi im currently thinking about working in saudi.

My husband works for BAE and so can get a good job there. we would apparently live in their complex and they would look after our 2 children 6 and 2 years, either private school or nursery (both boys). what is it like in saudi honestly??? i dont mind respecting their culture for 2 years so i can pay my student loans etc etc off but i dont hava clue about salaries or really what its like... will i be able to go shopping on my own???? I am 4 years fully trained in renal.... does that usually make a difference? Do we get a translator.. although would like to try to learn language. Thanks. Also i have an interview with national guard hospitals set up by geneva health..... how are they in general?

Geena, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Is the hospital in Riyadh or Jeddah?

Foreign staff are generally housed on *western compounds* where you can maintain your western lifestyle. You will be able to do your own shopping, you just cannot drive there yourself. Women don't drive in Saudi. Hospitals have regular bus routes set up for major shopping centers and souqs. Getting places was always easy.

At work you have translators and you'll quickly be used to using them. You'll pick up spoken Arabic and will be able to talk to your patients in no time!

I have a great jog at a UC hospital and I'm really itching to go back to Saudi for a year or two!

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

As a woman, do you have to cover up when you go outside? Do Westerners stick out like a sore thumb? Do others stare at you? (I have to ask this. I had a friend who lived in Japan for a bit and said everywhere he went people stared at him LOL)

Can a woman touch a man to care for him? A nursing instructor of mine said she took care of a Saudi Prince while he was in the United States who was very offended by her touching him. He said in his country her hands would be cut off. She returned well good thing I live here and I can do what I want! She ended up developing a rapport with him because she was such a smart alec but her story gives me pause.

pisceanbabe74, LPN, LVN · Jan 26, 2008

As a woman, do you have to cover up when you go outside? Do Westerners stick out like a sore thumb? Do others stare at you? (I have to ask this. I had a friend who lived in Japan for a bit and said everywhere he went people stared at him LOL)
Can a woman touch a man to care for him? A nursing instructor of mine said she took care of a Saudi Prince while he was in the United States who was very offended by her touching him. He said in his country her hands would be cut off. She returned well good thing I live here and I can do what I want! She ended up developing a rapport with him because she was such a smart alec but her story gives me pause.

Yes, woman has to cover themselves with Tarja and Abaya, only face and hands can be seen. And yessssss, female nurses can touch male patients, as a matter of fact, we nurses are the ones who cleans their butt when they defecated. Their family would not do that but nurses does. Athough, there are also males that don't wanna be touched by woman especially if they have already cleansed their hands or body and about to take "sala" (prayer) because they consider themselves unclean if touched by a woman and has to wash again.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

Yes, woman has to cover themselves with Tarja and Abaya, only face and hands can be seen. And yessssss, female nurses can touch male patients, as a matter of fact, we nurses are the ones who cleans their butt when they defecated. Their family would not do that but nurses does. Athough, there are also males that don't wanna be touched by woman especially if they have already cleansed their hands or body and about to take "sala" (prayer) because they consider themselves unclean if touched by a woman and has to wash again.

Very interesting thank you for your reply! I wouldn't mind covering up when I go outside. I always try to avoid the sun anyway :wink2: I guess you have to buy some new clothes to cover up then and try to blend in.

During my last rotation I was assigned a patient who was a muslim and he only wanted the male nurse to take care of him so that's why I asked if women can take care of men.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Jan 26, 2008

How come Saudi women don't become nurses? Or do they? Why do they have such a shortage that they have to hire Westerners for big bucks?