US nurse want to travel international

[MistyDawnRN06, BSN, RN]

Hey!

I'm looking for some advice/information. I'm interested in possibly traveling as an RN to an international location in another year. I would love the experience. By then, I'll have had two years SICU experience in a trauma/teaching facility. I was educated and have worked here in the US.

Does anyone know anything about US nurses traveling internationally? Any agencies recommended? Any thoughts on the subject? Anyone know where I can find more information?

Thanks!

Misty Dawn

[Christie RN2006]

I know in Kenya in order to practice as a RN, you have to complete 6 months of their training. I'm not sure how it is in other places though.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

All depends on where you want to work as each country will have their own requirements on licensure

[UKPedsRN]

In the UK you would need to register with the NMC, Nurse Midwifery Council, and complete an adaptation course. There is a group of American Hospitals (HCA) in London. I am sure they would love to have you work at one of their 6 london based hospitals. I am sure that they would offer an adapation course also.

London would give you a good base to visit the rest of Europe with the train going from London to Paris and into Belgium, and air travel is pretty reasonable to Europe, as long as you book it 2 months in advance.

I worked for an NGO in Peru for a couple years, doing Public Health - great experience and I would encourage every nurse to work elsewhere in the world.

I am a British trained nurse who worked int he US for years before I went off to Peru

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

In the UK you would need to register with the NMC, Nurse Midwifery Council, and complete an adaptation course. There is a group of American Hospitals (HCA) in London. I am sure they would love to have you work at one of their 6 london based hospitals. I am sure that they would offer an adapation course also.

London would give you a good base to visit the rest of Europe with the train going from London to Paris and into Belgium, and air travel is pretty reasonable to Europe, as long as you book it 2 months in advance.

I worked for an NGO in Peru for a couple years, doing Public Health - great experience and I would encourage every nurse to work elsewhere in the world.

I am a British trained nurse who worked int he US for years before I went off to Peru

the problem will be getting a work permit, That at the moment is not possible unless you have something really desireable. Work permits at the moment have to be given UK, EU then the rest of the world.

[MistyDawnRN06, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the advice!

All other comments are welcome!

Thanks!

Misty Dawn

[KurtNIN]

I'm actually hoping to be in a similar situation someday... I'm an International Studies major doing my pre-reqs for nursing school. I've done some research (probably not enough) on world health and such.

Here's a few organizations you could look into:

Peace Corps

International Committee of the Red Cross

Doctors Without Borders

It takes time to apply to all of them, and most need a Bachelor's. You also won't be sent to the prettiest places on earth, and in some cases not the safest. Most are between 6 months to a year being outside the country, and in some cases you won't be paid because it's all volunteer work (you'll probably get a stipend).

But if you're committed to making a global impact, and gaining great experience go for it.

Good luck.

[Selke]

If you have trauma/ICU/PACU experience there are medical mission, surgical missions, of for example teams that do plastic and reconstructive surgery in other countries. They go for a few weeks then leave. Can't think of any names offhand. This might be a way to start doing international work, get your feet wet, get to know others doing this. I would have done this a long time ago if I was PACU trained.