US nurses working abroad

KatieBell · Jan 7, 2006

I think you need to clarify which countries and what type of work. I know that some agencies recruit US nurses to work in countries such as UK, Ireland, Australia. If you speak languages other than English you could easily have a shot in France, (If you are fluent- not passable- in French) as they are importing Nurses from Spain). I don't know much about other European countries, outside of France.

You have ot pass and qualify through their nursing boards, as well as have your education verified as Equivalent etc etc etc. Many accelerated type programs are not acceptable overseas. And It can be quite a nightmare getting qualified for a Visa/work permit.

You can also apply to work on the US base hospitals overseas, though I don't know much about htat.

Or, you could apply through the variety of Humanitarian Aid organizations out there to do nursing in developing world, of course the pay isn't that great expecially when compared to the stress level and living conditions...

Suzanne- one of the Mods, has done some nursing overseas in several capacities (I think). She will probably have more options for you.

kukukajoo, LPN · Jan 7, 2006

Thanks for the reply. For myself, I would like to find out about working in other English speaking countries. I think it would be interesting and if I am to be licensed differently I may as well do if fresh out of school while the book learning is still fresh in my head. I want to see other cultures and help people at the same time.

For my daughter, she is thinking of getting her RN to go on humanitarian missions. Her best friend is helping start an orphanage in Kiev which is very noble. She wanted to go on missions straight out of high school but I convinced her to get at least a bachelors so she will be better equipped to help others with her knowledge. She is studying foreign language now- fluent in French, learning Italian and Spanish, too. Me, I barely spit out proper English, lol!

weetziebat · Jan 7, 2006

You could also check out places like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emiriates and even Brunei. English is spoken at work and many natives speak it as well. Pay is O.K., furnished housing is provided, great benefits, free round trip airfare paid yearly, uniforms provided, tax-free income, and much safer living conditions than the U.S. Embassy would have you believe. If interested check out sainternational for details.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 7, 2006

Thanks for the reply. For myself, I would like to find out about working in other English speaking countries. I think it would be interesting and if I am to be licensed differently I may as well do if fresh out of school while the book learning is still fresh in my head. I want to see other cultures and help people at the same time.
For my daughter, she is thinking of getting her RN to go on humanitarian missions. Her best friend is helping start an orphanage in Kiev which is very noble. She wanted to go on missions straight out of high school but I convinced her to get at least a bachelors so she will be better equipped to help others with her knowledge. She is studying foreign language now- fluent in French, learning Italian and Spanish, too. Me, I barely spit out proper English, lol!

The UK is going to require that you have experience before you can even apply. It is also going to depend on type of program that you went thru. If you have a four year BSN, then there should not be a problem, but be aware that a two year degree is not accepted 100% in other countries, same thing for foreign nurses wishing to work in the US.

Not sure where you are in the scheme of things as far as having passed NCLEX or not yet for the US. But I highly recommend that you get that done first, before you begin preparing for any of the other exams. You will need to learn a new set of names of drugs, the trade names can be very different, the drug can be offered in a different form than what you are used to, etc.

You will find out information about working overseas to other countires, in the International forum, as well. Come visit us there.:)

AvondaleGrad · Jan 7, 2006

I am an RN from Australia. There is a lot of info online. Look up travel nurse or nursing and the country you interested in. If its Australia your interested in, you have a couple of options.

Apply through the appropriate Registration board before you travel over. Go on a work visa and find employment there. Easy enough to do, but you have to change jobs every few months. Best bet is using an Agency. If you know any foreign nurses working with you, ask who their agency is. The big agencies that place nurses here in the US also place them overseas.