Advice for a new RN grad wishing toTravel Nurse to Germany

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Hi All =)

I am looking for advice! I will graduate with my RN in May of 2010 and I am extremely interested in traveling abroad to Germany. I am young with no attachments and I believe this is the perfect time to carry out this journey! I have done a lot of research online but come up with little results regarding US Nurses working in Germany. I was wondering if anyone could give Me some advice or information on this. I know little German but I have been trying to teach myself a little more each day, in between classes and clinicals of course =) I have found some information regarding the American hospital, Landsthul Medical Center located near Kaiserslautern and would love any feedback/knowledge about it. I particularly enjoy Mental Health but would love all/any information about US Nurses working in Germany.

Thanks =)

Specializes in Addiction Nursing.

Thank you. I really appreciate your input and time. I COMPLETELY agree with you on patient safety and safety of my liscence. I will keep my goals in sight and work hard to be recognized.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I don't know much about EU. The middle east assignments generally require 2-5 years experience in a preferred specialty. But the EU countries (from what I hear) have a surplus of nurses. Competition to get a position there outside of the military would probably be high.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Mostly for the EU I think you will find that you need at least 12 months experience. I know that is a requirement for the UK (NMC) and unless you meet the shortage occupation list will find it very hard to get a work permit in the UK. Requirements for the EU is employ from own country first, then EU before rest of the world

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Does the Army hire civilian nurses? Thanks

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I think that would be awesome. My wife and I met while in the Army there and would love to go back. Some day......

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Yes, the military hires civilian nurses all the time. There are numerous military clinics as well as Landstuhl in Germany that are US run and need nurses. There are small NATO bases that you are not even aware of but these bases are solely military personnel and civilians and a small medical clinic; this is very common. On usajobs.com you can see the posting and apply. You can then interview for the job without needing to actually move there. It never hurts to apply, even if they are preferring someone with experience. They may PREFER it but there is not alot of civilian competition for oversea nursing jobs in these small med. clinics.

I worked in Germany for a few years. You can get hired as a civilian and live in the German community, as many of the military personnel do. Germany is VERY safe and you should have zero problems. About 95% of Europeans are bi and trilingual so you will learn as you go. All the military bases have college classes you can take (University of Maryland is big there) and learn German. You will find that civilian Americans working on bases are a dime a dozen. Don't listen to everyone's negativity, it's easier than you think. GOOD LUCK!:yeah:

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Specializes in Addiction Nursing.

Thanks for your encouragement chulada77, I really appreciate the positive feedback. I am taking boards this Saturday and have been looking day in and day out for international jobs. Thanks everyone for all the responses.

God Bless :nurse:

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KatieIowaMinnesotaRN, I will mentally send you lucky thoughts this Saturday!! You are going to do well! No problem, You Got This!

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Specializes in Addiction Nursing.

Thank you so much, That's very sweet of you :o I will take all the thoughts and prayers I can get!

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Specializes in ICU.

Katie, the program you went through or your GPA means nothing when getting a job. This is because when you pass the NCLEX that tells a prospective employer you have the most basic of knowledge. You will learn to be a nurse when you start working as one.

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KatieIowaMinnesotaRN, I will mentally send you lucky thoughts this Saturday!! You are going to do well! No problem, You Got This!

Chulada77:

I am a Senior in Nursing School (18 month BSN program) and am interested in international nursing. I am very interested in your comments about working in Germany. Would they hire new grads on these bases in Germany? Which base did you work out of? Is there a time commitment that you must promise upon taking a job at the base? Are you paid as a US citizen in dollars? What skills would you preform on the base (was it a clinic, or a hospital)? Thank you so much, I hope that you read this post.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.

factors to consider

Germany is part of the EU this means two things

1. 4600 hour pre-reg programs - which i suspect will rule out anyone from the USA without a BSN - as Diploma and ADN Rns attempting to come to the UK are finding

2. i don't know what the current work permit scenario in Germany for none EU staff is, but they will be obliged to appoint EU nationals first, then people who don't require work permits (i.e. people who have residency but not necessarily citizen ship ) before appointing people who require work permits having demonstrated that they can't find a suitably skilled person ...

3. i'm not sure what the requirements for knowledge of German will be ...

4. this is before any differences in the historical culture and relationship between provider groups in german Healthcare ... ( germany historically was quite physician centric in the hands on way)

alternatively if you want Europe without the hassles associated with going on the local net what's the picture in civilian jobs working for the US forces in Europe

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