which-country-nurses

A lot of nurses are planning to work outside their country to gain a better salary, receive better benefits, and have more experience. Since there are still a lot of shortages of nurses all over the world, we as nurses want to grab any opportunities that may knock on our door to improve our way of living. Here are list countries to give you some idea on which place do you want to work next.

Australia

australia-kanggaro
image @bajiroo

Here are the requirement to work as a nurse in Australia; you must have an education institution and curriculum approved by the Australian State Nursing Board, a Bachelor’s degree, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), undertake a Competency-Based Assessment Program (CBAP) State Nursing Boards have approved courses which assess the competency of nurses to practice (“Pre-Registration Programed” or “Bridging Courses”).

Pros:

  • Unlike the USA, approval is quick and uncomplicated. Once you have passed the assessment program you are able to work within 3-6 months.
  • Eligibility for Permanent Residence after 2-3 years
  • Nurses are given priority due to the shortage of nurses in Australia
  • Enhance your Nursing Skills in worlds “Best Practice” health facilities
  • High minimum wage with the great standard of living
  • Great climate

Cons:

  • The high cost of living
  • High tax rate

Saudi Arabia

saudi-arabia
image @smeadvisor

Do you wonder why a lot of ex-pat nurses (Philippine, Lebanese, Indian, Jordanian etc.) go to this country in spite of being a close, conservative, and strict country? Well, as my experience I guess Saudi Arabia is one of the easy access countries to go if you really want to leave your country and have a better salary. In spite of having strict policies in Saudi Arabia, it is still one of the best place to start your nursing career, some nurses work here as a stepping stone to gain some experience while waiting for their petition to go to western countries. To emphasize more, here are some pros and cons that may help you if you are planning to choose this country.

Pros:

  • Limited requirements: Prometric ( Saudi Council), MOH, Nursing Licensure in your own country.
  • No tax
  • Low cost of living
  • Average to high rate salary( If you compare to your cost of living)
  • You are entitled to receive an extra allowance for housing and transportation ( if you are married here).
  • For singles housing and bus is provided.
  • You are entitled to have yearly paid vacation with Plane Ticket( it depends on your hospital policy)

Cons:

  • Restricted country
  • Muslim country( for non-muslim)
  • No nightlife

No Night life

  • Weather is extremely hot on summer (in some places)
  • You need to wear “Abaya”( for females)

abaya

  • Display of affection is extremely illegal (or else mutawa will catch you and hit you!)

no-pda

In my own opinion, working here in Saudi Arabia as a nurse has some cons but it depends on the management of each hospital, some hospitals have good management and some are not so good. Like in some small clinics, they provide lesser salary, lesser benefits (Some Insurance are not fully covered all your expenses if hospitalized).

UAE

uae-place
image @slideshare

Qualifications to work in UAE are a Nursing license in your own country, at least 2 years of working experience, HAAD for Abu Dhabi, DHA for Dubai, and MOH.

Pros:

  • Payed annual leave yearly
  • Tax-free salary
  • A housing allowance offered
  • Transportation allowances
  • Free Plane ticket annually for vacation
  • Free medical care and emergency dental
  • High salary rate if government
  • Middle rate salary private
  • Plenty of outdoor activities that you may enjoy (Nightlife Yeah!)

Cons:

  • The high cost of living
  • Muslim country (for non-muslim, but more open than Saudi Arabia)
  • Renting a house is expensive (if you are live out you need to pay the rent yearly)
  • The temperature is extremely hot except November to March.

UAE is a tax free country but the cost of living is high, some people want to work here especially singles because they can enjoy the lifestyle compared to other close countries.

Oman

oman
image @hindustantimes

Like in other Middle East countries, most of Oman benefits for nurses are almost the same. The requirements for nurses to work here are at least 2 years’ experience, a Nursing license in your own country, a Prometric exam and MOH.

Pros:

  • Annual payed vacation
  • An annual plane ticket package for vacation
  • Housing allowance and transportation allowance
  • Open country compared to Saudi Arabia ( Clubs, malls, and Bars are available)
  • Safe country with a low crime rate
  • Beautiful beaches and mountain is available to help you unwind after a stressful shift.

Cons:

  • Muslim country ( for non-muslim)
  • The high cost of living
  • Some western goods and brands are more expensive than usual.

Qatar

qatar
image @chile-qatar

Pros:

  • Tax-free
  • Housing and furniture allowance
  • Transportation allowance
  • 35-50 days of annual leave
  • Round trip ticket annually
  • Open Country( Less conservative than Saudi Arabia)
  • Low crime rate
  • Salary is high

Cons:

  • Cost of Living is high
  • Muslim country( for non-muslim)
  • Many government facilities are close after 1 pm

 

New Zealand

new-zealand
image @quickmeme

In order for ex-pat nurses to work in New Zealand the applicant must have experience at least 5 years as a nurse. You must pass either CGNFS, IELTS, OET. Registered nurses who have gained their registration outside New Zealand must apply to the Nursing Council of New Zealand to obtain a practicing certificate. The applicant has undertaken a nursing program that is similar in all specified content and length to the equivalent program in New Zealand.

Pros:

  • Safe, low crime rate
  • Beautiful place ( Beaches and Mountains to unwind)
  • Easy-going lifestyle
  • Pollution Free

Cons:

  • Everything is expensive
  • Housing is expensive( Renting an apartment can almost take all your salary)
  • No city life
  • High tax rate

USA

usa
image @businessinsider

In my time 10 years ago, a lot of students took nursing for their dream to work in the USA because of the opportunities to migrate and experience the benefits of working in one of the progressive countries in the world. I guess that’s the first reason why most of the student shifts to nursing courses and even some doctors on my time study nursing just for them to go and work in the USA. But processing and waiting too long for their petition to migrate in the U.S. takes a lot of time and effort that’s why when other countries open up for nurses, people start to change their direction and grab the other opportunities.

The usual requirements for you to apply in the USA are Diploma from a nursing school in your country, Nursing Licensure in your own country, NCLEX, CGFNS, IELTS( depending on each state), Visa screening certificate, recent job offer letter (or employment contract) and government filing fees

Pros:

  • Freedom
  • Permanent resident visa
  • Medical benefits (including dental benefits, vision benefits like eyeglasses)
  • High salary

Cons:

  • Longer waiting to approve your petition
  • Needs a lot of money for processing
  • Tax is high
  • No housing and Transportation allowance
  • The high cost of living.

We can say that in every country there are a lot of pros and cons that we may encounter; of course, not all countries are perfect. I included here some of the environments that we may expect because I think this may affect your decision from choosing which country that may fit you.

This article is based on my friends’ information, my own research and experience, if there are some points that I didn’t mention here, or some statement that is wrong, you may comment in the box and share us your own experience.

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