Have you been considering taking your nursing talents internationally? Working abroad allows you to share the knowledge and skills from your nation and culture with equally passionate nurses abroad.
By understanding different people and their unique lifestyles, nurses can be more effective in helping patients power through their illnesses and improve their health. In addition, during your time abroad, you will learn innovative techniques that will enhance your overall skillset. This article discusses several international opportunities you can take advantage of to make a global impact.
Why should nurses work internationally?
Let’s first examine the advantages nurses can reap by working internationally.
- It expands your skillset
Professional growth is an important part of nursing. As the healthcare industry evolves, nurses must learn innovative skills to stay updated and keep up with the changing times. Nursing practitioners can broaden their professional skills and expertise by working overseas since every nation has a different healthcare structure. This allows them to learn various patient diagnosis methodologies and nursing practices.
- It boosts your resume
Standing out is invaluable in a field as saturated as nursing. Working as an international nurse can help boost your resume and signal future employers that you are willing to take on new challenges, learn innovative systems and methods, and have cross-cultural awareness.
- It builds your professional network
If you’ve been considering advancing your nursing career, you won’t want to pass on an opportunity to work abroad. By working abroad, you can build connections and gain unique networking opportunities. In doing so, you will learn new treatment approaches for people from different communities.
Global opportunities for nurses
This section covers the international opportunities nurses can sign up for to make a worldwide impact.
Volunteer abroad
Working as a volunteer is perhaps the most popular way for nurses to jumpstart their international careers. Nurse volunteers contribute to addressing significant concerns around the world by aiding those in poorer areas and helping with relief efforts. They can also gain knowledge, skills and experience while making a big difference in other people’s lives. Since volunteer opportunities can run anywhere from a few months to a year, nurses can easily select one that fits their objectives and availability.
Volunteer nurses can make a difference in several ways, from offering general medical attention to putting their specialized skills to use. For instance, if you have already decided on a specialty, you can hone your skills while providing medical attention in several remote areas. Volunteer nurses may work in one of many specialist clinics ranging from obstetrics and pediatrics to physiotherapy and podiatry. Some might even focus on internal medicine or supporting those with HIV/AIDS.
Depending on the program, several types of duties that nurses can perform while volunteering on a mission trip may be available. For example, some nurses might devote their time to providing necessary medical care in locations with a high need. They might take vital signs, tend to injuries and set up tools. Moreover, volunteer nurses may provide psychotherapy, reproductive services or urgent care.
Volunteering overseas also empowers nurses to gain significant autonomy, essential in building critical decision-making skills in fast-paced environments. Whether you call it independence or self-direction, having the capacity to make choices within the parameters of your nursing expertise enables you to find job happiness.
Become a travel nurse
Becoming a travel nurse is another way to work outside the country. Travel nurses are registered nurses with various clinical specialties who work for independent healthcare institutions. They are often temporarily assigned to different care areas to fill employment gaps.
In short, they are found anywhere with a nursing shortage. What makes travel nursing attractive to healthcare professionals are the benefits that come with it. This includes professional development, job security and higher-than-average pay.
Travel nurses often earn more money than they would in full-time permanent positions since they go where the need is greatest. While some travel nursing jobs pay a specific salary, others provide accommodation and board or an additional stipend. Regardless, data reveals travel nurses can earn nearly $3,000 weekly.
Nevertheless, travel nurse salary ranges are influenced by demand, local cost of living, experience and nursing specialty. Generally, shorter-term contracts pay substantially more than longer-term ones. Not only does travel nursing pay handsomely, but it also lets you experience new cultures and better communicate with different patients.
So, what are the available jobs for travel nurses? Travel nursing positions are open in various areas. You will also work in multiple work environments, from low-income hospitals to cutting-edge clinics.
Although the nursing shortage in the US may have received much attention, other parts of the world are experiencing even worse workforce issues. By obtaining a specialized certification, you can tailor your job more specifically. Emergency departments, medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, intensive care, anesthesia, and labor and delivery are in-demand specializations you can focus on.
US government employment services
Taking advantage of US government employment services is another way for nurses to work internationally and make a global impact. US government agencies such as the US Public Health Service Corps, the State Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention often look for nurses to care for Americans living and working abroad.
Although their roles and responsibilities differ depending on the institution, the work typically revolves around evaluating the patient’s health issues, setting a treatment plan, mental health counseling and providing vital care.
The common thread within these circles is nurses provide a patient-centered emphasis to the global health team. Through their work, nurses can develop and apply unique care models that contribute to the establishment of quality and sustainable primary care.
This is especially essential considering that taking care of Americans living abroad is daunting and comes with different obstacles. By meeting the challenges and dealing with the increasing complexity of nursing, working with federal organizations empowers nurses to create sustainable welfare systems and face the nursing shortage head-on.
Join short-term global immersions
Many of the world’s finest educational institutions now offer nursing programs that allow students to learn about various cultures while also preparing them to tackle the new medical issues that may arise due to globalization. By participating in these courses, students can enhance their cultural understanding, compassion for underserved communities and knowledge of national health issues.
These courses can also teach students to think about healthcare from a global perspective and provide services sensitive to different cultures. Best of all, participating nursing students can learn about the worldwide response to culturally specific healthcare issues and the effects of globalization on healthcare and healthcare planning.
By joining these global immersion programs, nurses can learn more about global healthcare and find ways to shape policies and improve healthcare delivery. In doing so, they can bridge the healthcare gap worldwide, engage with complex interconnected global issues and gain life-long medical skills.
Global nursing: Finding opportunities, tips and how to become a nurse abroad
Nurses looking to work abroad can find the perfect job opportunities through various online platforms. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is an excellent example of a group that provides resources like access to other international groups and global networking events to help nurses on their way.
Travel nursing agencies are another excellent source of information. Whatever the case, nurses should familiarize themselves with the legal requirements for obtaining the appropriate visas and certifications in the nation they are looking to work in. They should also consider the registration and employment process.
The requirements vary from one nation to the next. Some may recognize your credentials and registration from your home country without further action on your part, while in other nations, you may need to take an additional exam or attend some extra classes to take the exam. Taking the test in your own country is an option in some cases.
In addition, asking the right questions, performing comprehensive research and contacting your chosen country’s registration authority are necessary to clarify the position you are trying to apply for. This way, you avoid miscommunication and ensure that you are employed in your area of expertise.
With all the technicalities now out of the way, let’s proceed to the most important thing – how to work as a nurse abroad. Participating in a nursing abroad program for school or charity will likely be less difficult than looking for work once you get there. However, you will still need the proper travel documents to leave the country. The following are the steps for prospective nurses who wish to work abroad.
- Earn your nursing degree
Obtaining a nursing degree is perhaps the most crucial step to working internationally. At a minimum, you will need an associate degree, although full-fledged four-year coursework will open more opportunities. Regardless, picking a specialization is crucial when working outside of the country.
Nurses working abroad are usually assigned to remote and far-flung regions where primary care and treatment still need to be improved. Enrolling in a comprehensive program designed to train those seeking to become a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner will help prepare you for this challenging work. Spring Arbor University offers a flexible MSN Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program that can be completed online.
By becoming a pediatric nurse, you can provide care for children in these remote areas from childbirth through young adulthood. This way, you can help meet their psychological and physiologic requirements to ensure the child’s optimal health.
- Pass the licensure exam
Nursing graduates must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) before practicing internationally. You have six hours to complete the exam, which is divided into four sections, and must answer a minimum of 75 questions correctly in order to pass.
Upon passing the exam, your state may have additional requirements before you can practice legally. The conditions are relatively easy to fulfill, such as giving academic references and completing a screening. Once done, you are licensed to practice as a nurse internationally.
- Determine candidate locations and research each option
Once you’ve earned your degree and passed the licensure examination, the next step is to identify possible countries in which you would like to work. If you have a list of potential nations you are interested in, you can explore the steps necessary to relocate there and begin looking for a job.
Keep in mind that employer endorsement and visa laws vary significantly from country to country. You’ll also want to find out what the average salary is in various countries. The difference can be significant when looking at the world from different perspectives. In addition, think about your tax situation on a global scale as you explore earning a salary abroad.
Considering the living expenses in each potential location is helpful as you cut down your selection of nations and focus on specific sites. It’s essential to be sure the possible lodging options can accommodate your unique requirements and are within your price range. You can look up information online about how other professionals have transitioned to the locations you’re thinking about relocating to.
Make a global change by working as an international nurse
You can help those in need the most by pursuing a career as an international nurse practitioner. Because of this, working as a nurse in a foreign country can be extremely rewarding. Start your journey toward this fulfilling career path by enrolling in a nursing program today.
