Saudi council: nursing techincian vs specialist

[Springfellow]

I'm an icu-ccu nurse here in saudi arabia. However, my saudi council states that I am classified under nursing technician. In this case, should I worry about future conflicts regarding my papers? I have a friend who's also working as an icu nurse in a different hospital here in saudi but she's under nursing specialist. Any insight?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I am not sure if I understand what you are asking, but if you are asking if you are potentially working beyond the scope of practice of a nurse technician, than suggest you look up the Saudi council's description of the scope of practices for a nurse technician and a nurse specialist. Determine the main duties, roles and responsibilities for both the lower qualification (technician) and higher qualification (specialist). Look at your employer's icu-ccu nurse job description for the position you are hired in, does it fall within the scope of practice of a nurse technician? or nurse specialist?

If a nurse is working beyond the scope of their licensed practice, it is something to be concerned about and should be discussed with the employer to make a plan so that the nurse can work within the scope of their license.

[Springfellow]

Hi dishes, thanks for ur response. Actually all of us, icu nurses, working here have technician category. Only a few locals have specialist license but we actually have higher scope of practice compared to them. With regards to the employer, hr staff are not as helpful that's why I am confuse.

To be clear, my actual question is when I decide to apply in UK or US, is there any possibility that they would question my papers?

[dishes, BSN, RN]

I'm a Canadian nurse and don't know if an American board of nursing (BON) or UK will question your papers. In Canada, a foreign license as a nurse technician is not considered equivalent to that of a registered nurse. Also, Canadian regulatory bodies require proof of recent practice in the category in which a nurse is applying to be licensed (practical nurse or registered nurse).

[dishes, BSN, RN]

To try and determine if it will be problem to become licensed in the UK or US, suggest you look at the application requirements for foreign/internationally educated nurses on the UK's NMC and at a state's BON websites (chose a state that you would like to live in).

[Springfellow]

Yup, that is the plan. Once I get a decent ielts score, I'll be able to start a more comprehensive step. Thanks a lot dishes, really appreciate it.

[Ellabau]

Don't worry. It really doesnt matter. Cause in the evaluation of cgfns for my ces, it is classified as rn level1 in usa

[Springfellow]

Thanks a lot!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Actually all of us, icu nurses, working here have technician category. Only a few locals have specialist license but we actually have higher scope of practice compared to them.

How come only the locals have specialist licenses? Is it because they are able to communicate fluently in Arabic?

Do nurse specialists make more money than nurse technicians?

[Springfellow]

Im afraid, I can't answer those questions dishes. It might get me in trouble while I'm here :). I am really aiming to transfer :)

[Pril921]

Hi. I was a nurse in saudi arabia and planning to work in the UK. However, my professional accreditation certificate was not returned to me by the employer when i exit the kingdom. How can I request for this certificate? My license already expired last year. Please help me.

[Shazab]

If you are still working in Saudi, usually after 3 years you can apply for a Nurse specialist without need to retake the exam. My friend was updated from Nurse technichian to Specialist. She is in Saudi Arabia working since 2010.