How to get a nursing job in another country

Nursing can be an incredibly rewarding career. Daily, you have the opportunity to work with the people who need help the most, ensuring that they are cared for and comfortable. However, if you have a love of travel and are looking for a way to combine your nursing skills with the opportunities travelling provides, you may have considered nursing abroad. Carry on reading to find out how to get a nursing job in another country and the paths you need to take.

Why should you nurse abroad?

If you're thinking about a nursing career or are already a trained nurse, there are many reasons why you might consider a career in international nursing. Here are some of the main benefits of getting a job in another country:

• It allows you to experience new cultures: No matter where you choose to travel, each country will offer you opportunities to experience new ways of living, new cultures and new experiences.
• It can expand your own skills: By working in a different country, where patients may have different needs and hospitals have different ways of working, you will be able to expand your knowledge and skills.
• There is a potential for higher salaries: Nurses who have received training in the UK are in high demand in a number of different countries and salaries usually reflect this.

How to get a nursing job in another country

If you are interested in becoming an international nurse or moving countries to pursue a nursing career, there are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself for the move. While it might be an exciting possibility, it takes a lot of preparation to make a career switch, especially when you're locating to a different country with its own regulations and rules.

Here are some things you need to do in order to get a nursing job in another country:

Have a bachelor's degree in nursing

The very first step for any nursing career is to achieve a bachelor's degree in nursing. There are over 30 universities in the UK that offer specially designed nursing courses, and there are many which offer specialised nursing degrees, such as paediatric nursing. If you want to be a nurse in the UK or any other country, you need a bachelor's degree at a minimum.

Once you have received your bachelor’s degree, you will also need to complete an exam that will license you to practice in your home country (https://www.allnursingschools.com/how-to-become-a-nurse/). Some universities may offer the option to take these exams while you are at university.

Gain experience in your home country

Once you have gained a bachelor's degree, you should consider gaining experience in your home country before getting a nursing job in another one. This is because you may need to build up your skills and knowledge of nursing practices to give you a better chance of being hired abroad. Moreover, it will also give you a chance to ensure that a career in nursing is the right choice for you.

Choose the country you want to work in

If you have completed your bachelor’s degree, have become licensed and have gained experience in nursing, or have been a nurse for a significant amount of time, the next step to getting a nursing job in another country is to choose the country, or countries, that you want to work in. There are many ways to do this. For some people, salary might be the most important factor, while for others, the location is the most important element. Others may want the opportunity to help people in countries that are less fortunate.

Do your research

Once you have decided on the area, or areas, that you want to work in, it is important that you do a significant amount of research on the country and its medical practices. You should research the necessary qualifications, the average salary and what it is like to work in hospitals in the country of your choice. Make sure you have a deep understanding of the medical system, required qualifications and potential salaries so you aren't caught off guard once you arrive.

You also need to spend some time researching the country itself, such as living experiences and culture, to ensure that you could comfortably move.

Complete any necessary qualifications

Most countries in the world have their own unique qualifications that you may need to pass in order to become a registered nurse. For example, in Australia, you will need to be put on a nursing register in order to work as a nurse. In the US, you will need to pass a national council licensing examination and obtain a credential evaluation to become a nurse. (https://nurse.org/articles/work-in-us-as-foreign-educated-nurse/).

Luckily, if you have received your qualifications in the UK, most countries see this as an acceptable qualification and you may be able to apply to be put directly on the nursing register.

Get the correct visas

If you are planning a long or short-term move to a different country, you will need a work visa in order to practice nursing. Some visas can be relatively easy to get, especially if you are applying to a country that is in low supply of nurses. However, for some countries, the process can be long and tedious, so start your application as soon as possible. We cover the entry requirements for Aussie healthcare workers in our working holiday guide.

Consider working as a locum nurse

If you want to know more about how to get a nursing job in another country, our team at Globe Locums can help. We are experts at helping medical professionals find their dream careers abroad by pairing them with practices and hospitals that need support. Whether you are looking for a short-term or long-term contract, we have the expertise to help you get a nursing job. To learn more about our locum nursing jobs as well as our nursing locum agency, get in touch with us today.