Congratulations, you’ve finally decided to move abroad and continue practicing your nursing career. Being a qualified and certified nurse, coupled with the global shortage of nurses, opens up endless opportunities for nurses to move abroad and work and secure a good job. Some nurses are motivated to enjoy travel and adventure as they work, while others want to improve their lifestyle to earn more money or expand their skill base.
While most nurses have found working overseas to be an enriching and enjoyable experience, others have regretted making that decision—especially when reality doesn’t meet their expectations. That’s why you need to do a lot of research to avoid such disappointments. Doing research allows you to find out whether your character and personality fit the culture and language of the country you want to work in and the job requirements and terms of that country.
With that said, let’s look at the comprehensive guide on how you can move abroad as a nurse.
Do Your Research
The first step in moving abroad as a nurse is to do your research. This might seem like an obvious statement, but you’d be surprised at how many nurses decide to move without doing any research whatsoever.
Consider Your Qualifications and Experience
One of the most important factors to consider when moving abroad as a nurse is your qualifications and experience. Different countries have different requirements for nurses, so it’s important to ensure that you meet the minimum requirements for the role you want.
For example, to work as a registered nurse in America, you must complete an accredited nursing program. You must also take and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Consider the Cost of Living and Working in the Country
Another important factor to consider is the cost of living and working in the country you want to move to. Different countries have different costs of living, so it’s important to make sure that you’re aware of the cost of living in the country you want to move to. The U.S. has a relatively high cost of living, especially in major cities such as New York and Miami. The average monthly salary for a registered nurse in America is around $6,129, but this will vary depending on your qualifications and experience. On the other hand, the average monthly expenses of a single person are around $3,000. So, it’s important to keep this in mind before planning to work abroad as a nurse.
Consider the Culture and Language of the Country
According to the international nursing recruitment agency, Connetics USA, it’s important to consider is the culture and language of the country you want to move to. Different countries have different cultures, so it’s important to make sure that you’re familiar with the culture of the country you want to move to.
The U.S. is a culturally diverse country with a population of over 100 million people. The majority of the population speaks English, but there are also many other languages spoken, such as Mandarin, Arabic, and Spanish. If you’re not familiar with the culture or language of the country you want to move to, you may not be able to work as a nurse.
Consider the Employment Process in the Country
The final factor to consider is the employment process in the country you want to move to. Different countries have different employment processes, so it’s important to make sure you’re familiar with the process before relocating. Generally, there are two main ways to find nursing jobs in America: private healthcare companies and public hospitals. Private healthcare companies usually advertise their nursing vacancies on their websites, while public hospitals usually advertise their nursing vacancies on job boards such as Seek or Indeed.
Conclusion
If you want to move abroad as a nurse, then there are a few important factors that you need to consider. You need to make sure that you meet the minimum requirements for the role you want, that you’re familiar with the healthcare system of the country you want to move to, and that you’re aware of the cost of living and working in the country. You also need to make sure that you’re familiar with the culture and language of the country and that you’re aware of the employment process. If you consider all of these factors before moving, you’ll be more likely to find a job as a nurse in the country you want to move to.
Also Read: Why BSN-Prepared Nurses are Essential for Meeting the Complex Needs of Modern Healthcare
