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Working
Abroad as a Nurse
A Great Demand for Nurses Worldwide
By
Caroline A. Polt, RN (an American nurse) In
college I dreamed of having an international career. Several years after my sister
ventured off to foreign lands to teach English, I decided to pursue the same route—not
as an English teacher but as a nurse. Now it's my sister who is visiting me in
a foreign land!
Since the skills and knowledge that U.S.-educated nurses possess are highly regarded
internationally, the profession can open doors to a wide array of possibilities
for working abroad. The call for nurses is a cry heard from all corners of the
globe, from developed nations to the developing world. According to the World
Health Organization (WHO), "Nurses are the largest category of health workers.
Nursing personnel make up over 50 percent of the health workforce in every country
of the world. In many countries in the developing world, more than 80 percent
of health workers are nurses. (www.wpro.who.int/public/policy/50TH/Ch_09.html).
Because of a global nursing shortage and a higher demand for nursing services,
healthcare organizations are faced with staffing dilemmas that are reaching crisis
levels in certain places. The Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International,
reports that "Canada, the Philippines, Australia, and Western Europe are
reporting significant nursing shortages. Reports of shortages are also coming
from Africa and South America (www.nursesource.org/facts_shortage.html#faq).
Faced with the spiraling labor shortages, healthcare organizations worldwide are
scrambling to recruit nurses to fill positions through enticing advertisements
in nursing journals as well as on nursing web sites (see sidebar). Just as the
range of opportunities vary from place to place, so do salaries. The
most lucrative packages tend to be offered in Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia
and the United Arab Emirates. In some countries benefits may outweigh salary.
The seven weeks annual leave offered by many hospitals in England means the chance
to travel and may be more important than salary in determining which job is most
desirable. How to Land
an International Nursing Job
The decision to work abroad as a nurse requires intense consideration. While motivation
is important, the more informed you are the more rewarding your experience is
likely to be. A review
of your reasons for wanting to work abroad will help you narrow your focus and
assist you in determining which nursing job will meet your objectives. Here are
some other considerations to keep in mind when pursuing an overseas nursing job.
Your Nursing Experience
You will most likely be offered a job based on your previous career history. Later,
once you have spent time working in an organization, you can expand your nursing
skills and knowledge by pursuing another type of nursing job. Maria Eis, a Canadian
nurse who has worked in the U.S. and most recently in Saudi Arabia, was hired
to work on a renal transplant unit in a Riyadh hospital. She soon landed a job
as a private-duty nurse providing care to a member of the Saudi royal family at
home and even traveling with the family abroad. Your
Knowledge of the Language Communication
plays a key role in the provision of healthcare. In order to effectively care
for patients and practice safely, you should acquire a basic knowledge of the
language of the country where you will be working.
As native speakers of English, American nurses may restrict their search for jobs
in countries where English is the primary language. However, do not rule out other
locations where healthcare organizations may also use English as their official
language. Certain hospitals in the Middle East require that English be spoken
among the staff, and all documentation is completed in English. A
basic knowledge of the language of the country is helpful when providing care
to non-English speaking patients and interacting with local staff. At least learn
conversational expressions and a list of common medical terms. While the hospital
may offer language classes and provide translators to aid in communication you
should make every attempt to learn the language before and during your time overseas
in order to fully appreciate the experience both personally and professionally.
Also keep in mind that while English may be spoken in other countries, terminology
may vary. For example, in the U.K. head nurses are referred to as “sisters,”
the operating room is called “the theater,” and the emergency room
is known as “the accident and casualty department.”
Using Healthcare Recruiters
Intermediaries, generally known as healthcare recruiters, specialize in the recruitment
of healthcare professionals on behalf of employers. They can be found in advertisements
in nursing journals and on the Internet. Recruiters can not only assist you with
all the details that will enable you to work abroad as a nurse, they can also
provide you with advice regarding banking, housing, and other relevant issues
in preparation for your move overseas. You can also
answer advertisements and approach potential employers directly once you have
obtained the necessary documentation regarding nursing registration from the country
where you would like to work. While recruiters play a vital part in certain situations,
such as finding jobs in developing nations or in major cities, keep in mind that
many healthcare facilities in smaller locations outside metropolitan areas may
not always utilize the services of recruiters. Whichever
route you take in your job search, doing your own homework is the best policy. Nursing
Registration You will need an appropriate work
visa for the country where you are planning to work. In most cases, visas are
obtained for nurses by the hiring organization. The issuance of visas can take
days to months depending on the country, so plan to wait in some cases.
Nurses also must provide proof of licensure to practice their profession. Where
you are planning to work will determine whether you will need to register your
nursing qualifications before being able to look for a job.
In countries with a licensing body that registers nurses you will need to contact
the country's registration authority to learn what is required to work as a nurse
in that country. To practice nursing in the U.K., for example, an overseas nurse
must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for a British nursing license
(see below). From the initial request to the final outcome, the process may take
from weeks to several months depending on the licensing board.
In countries where a system of nurse registration has not yet been established
you will need to provide proof of your nursing licensure from the U.S. The healthcare
facilities in these countries will honor your nursing license from the state issuing
your license, thus it is imperative to maintain your American nursing registration.
The code of professional conduct which you follow in the state where you are licensed
must continue to be followed while you are working overseas.
If you want to work abroad as a nurse, there is no better time than the present.
With thorough research, an open mind, and a sense of adventure, you can easily
have your own international career. CAROLINE A. POLT,
RN, whose home is in Philadelphia, PA, currently works as a nurse in
York, England. Contact her at Cpolt@hotmail.com.
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