Working in Europe?

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Oct 26, 2006

Lets say I wanted to go move to Europe (lets say Spain or Germany) and I'm an RN here... what would I have to do to work as an RN there? Would it vary from country to country? I have no clue... and have always wondered if it were possible for me to work as a nurse in Europe.

Yes it would be possible for you to work in Europe. However, of course it would vary from country to country. Why on earth do you think it wouldn't?

Jesskanurse · Oct 26, 2006

Yes it would be possible for you to work in Europe. However, of course it would vary from country to country. Why on earth do you think it wouldn't?

Wow, simmer down there... no need to be rude to me.

Shoot, they all have the same currency dont they? Thats why I asked the question. And no, I dont think currency has anything to do with nursing licenses. I'm not an idiot. If you dont have something nice to say, please dont say it at all. I'm sick of getting rude responses to my honest questions/responses on this forum.

Jesskanurse · Oct 26, 2006

Ok so I feel like I have to edit my original post since I dont want to look like an idiot.

I have never been to Europe, nor do I have any european nurse friends. I am assuming that licensure would vary from country to country, but I honestly dont know. If this makes me an idiot, then so be it... but I'd still like to know from someone who has had experience with this because I am curious about it. geez...

ann945n, RN · Oct 26, 2006

Hi there! Hope i can help. I used to live in Germany and I do think you could transfer there to work. Some things to know though, i have a friend who is a nurse in Germany and it isnt as of a nice job as it is here. Anywhere with socialized medicine will equal lesser pay, just from the system. Also remember the language barrier, all new names for drugs, different standards ect. Not only will you need to speak German but understand medical terms, im not even sure i would be cut out for that and i speak german! I would say if you really want to move to europe go somewhere where they speak english, i guess that only leaves the UK! Having that said, Germany is a great place to live and i miss the life style! I was 15 pounds lighter there just becuase of the life style differance.... boy do i miss their bread. Maybe looking into being a nurse at a US Military facility over seas would be the best choice... just my thoughts! Oh and even though they now have the same currency, thats really the only thing they have in common still completely different countries with different laws borders ect...

Jesskanurse · Oct 26, 2006

Hi there! Hope i can help. I used to live in Germany and I do think you could transfer there to work. Some things to know though, i have a friend who is a nurse in Germany and it isnt as of a nice job as it is here. Anywhere with socialized medicine will equal lesser pay, just from the system. Also remember the language barrier, all new names for drugs, different standards ect. Not only will you need to speak German but understand medical terms, im not even sure i would be cut out for that and i speak german! I would say if you really want to move to europe go somewhere where they speak english, i guess that only leaves the UK! Having that said, Germany is a great place to live and i miss the life style! I was 15 pounds lighter there just becuase of the life style differance.... boy do i miss their bread. Maybe looking into being a nurse at a US Military facility over seas would be the best choice... just my thoughts! Oh and even though they now have the same currency, thats really the only thing they have in common still completely different countries with different laws borders ect...

Thank you for the nice answer. :)

ann945n, RN · Oct 26, 2006

Thank you for the nice answer. :)

Anytime

Trauma Columnist · Oct 26, 2006

Another option might be working on one of the US military bases. Then there is no language issue nor those problems.

LKG6 · Oct 26, 2006

Hi there! Hope i can help. I used to live in Germany and I do think you could transfer there to work. Some things to know though, i have a friend who is a nurse in Germany and it isnt as of a nice job as it is here. Anywhere with socialized medicine will equal lesser pay, just from the system. Also remember the language barrier, all new names for drugs, different standards ect. Not only will you need to speak German but understand medical terms, im not even sure i would be cut out for that and i speak german! I would say if you really want to move to europe go somewhere where they speak english, i guess that only leaves the UK! Having that said, Germany is a great place to live and i miss the life style! I was 15 pounds lighter there just becuase of the life style differance.... boy do i miss their bread. Maybe looking into being a nurse at a US Military facility over seas would be the best choice... just my thoughts! Oh and even though they now have the same currency, thats really the only thing they have in common still completely different countries with different laws borders ect...

Great info.

I used to live in Europe, too. In my opinion nurses are not as respected there than here in the U.S. They also make much less money. I think you would be able to find some place (outpatient services) that uses English only but you would still need to know their culture if you wanted to work there.

Just for the record, not every European country has the same currency. And I have a tip for the bread issue. I could find some Polish/Russian stores here in the metroplex that bake their own bread.:yelclap: Look for them in your city.

Katie

bargainhound, RN · Oct 26, 2006

In England, you have to take their nursing exam.

Terms are used differently.

You also have to pass their English usuage and spelling tests.

It is different for sure and not easy to transfer over to their nurse roles.

military spouse · Oct 26, 2006

Hello!

I worked at an American DoDDs in Wuerzburg, Germany (middle school). Because it was a US facility, I simply had to have a license from any state. I don't know how difficult it would be to get a job like that at this point, but I enjoyed living there. I had a friend who was a German doctor and she had mentioned that German nurses don't hang blood and do other such procedures. I have no way of knowing if that is true or not, but I do believe American nurses are generally allowed a broader scope of practice. I think it would be quite challenging to just move to a European country and work. I think you would be presented with many challenges involving VISAs, language barriers, and just general acceptance of foreigners. However, there are several American military hospitals in Great Britain and Germany, possibly other countries as well, that might be much easier for an American. You might try googling things such as "Department of Defense Dependent's Schools" and "Civilian Personnel Online." Good luck!

dino-nurseUK · Oct 26, 2006

Hello there

Have you thought about coming to the UK?

Its true that you will have to apply via the overseas nursing programme (take a look at the NMC website for more information at www.nmc-uk.org) and it can be a bit of a lengthy process. Working for the NHS is very different to working in the US. I trained in the UK and although I am working here again now, I did work in the US for a few years. One of the biggest differences in the UK (and the rest of the EU) is the use of metric rather than imperial. Thats one of the things I struggled with to begin with in the US- drug doses in cc rather than ml. Its also true that salaries are alot poorer over here. On the plus side, if you feel that everyone has an equal right to free healthcare, we are the only country that still tries to provide this. Its one of the reasons I came back- that and the lack of a proper cup of tea :lol2:

Good luck!