Working as a nurse provides you with the opportunity to save people’s lives and make a positive impact on society. The best part about being a nurse is that you’re not limited to your local state or country. Working as a nurse abroad enables you to explore your sense of adventure while providing care to communities and growing in your career. It is essential to understand what the process entails and some of the job options available, as it will help you determine whether this career path is right for you. Our comprehensive guide explores why you should consider a nursing career abroad. We also outline several international nursing career options and give you some practical tips on how to navigate and secure a nursing job in another country.
Why should you consider pursuing an international nursing career?
Pursuing a nursing career abroad has several benefits, including the following.
An opportunity to advance your career
Working abroad as a nurse allows you to expand your nursing skills and technical expertise, as each country has a different healthcare system. You get to understand how to work in various settings, the type of patient diagnosis techniques they use, and their overall medical practices.
In certain instances, you can take advantage of these nursing travel opportunities while pursuing your bachelor’s degree in nursing. In some cases, you may already be qualified and looking for employment. Pursuing a travel opportunity allows you to grow in your career as it shows your willingness to learn different systems, challenge yourself, and work hard. Furthermore, being a nurse abroad increases your cross-cultural awareness, which enables you to be more confident and communicate with people from different cultures.
An avenue for unique networking opportunities
As a nurse, building your network is an excellent way to meet new people. By working with people from a foreign country, you get professional networks with contacts abroad. This exposes you to more employment opportunities.
With these networks, you’ll have an easier time moving into other jobs in the healthcare system, such as supervisory or senior nursing roles. Expanding your network can lead to career growth in the long run.
A chance to gain a fresh perspective on nursing
Traveling abroad as a nurse exposes you to different people, cultures, foods, experiences, and more. You get to learn about the country’s history, geography, politics, and arts while interacting with new people and exploring different places.
This allows you to gain a fresh perspective on nursing and enables you to view things from different perspectives. Over time, you’ll grow as a professional nurse.
An opportunity to earn more in your nursing career
Nurses abroad are in demand, especially in countries with nursing shortages. Given the increasing demand for nursing professionals, you have more leverage in negotiating with employers to earn more. Furthermore, working overseas exposes you to different experiences, and you get a unique skill set, which makes you an asset in the healthcare industry and exposes you to competitive salaries and benefits.
A chance to gain overseas experience
Working as a nurse abroad exposes you to different people, experiences, and cultures. You get to understand various customs and beliefs of another healthcare system and learn a new language. All of these interactions allow you to gain overseas experience. Some universities, such as Texas Woman’s University, provide students with vital skills related to this career path through nurse practitioner clinical placement programs. The university’s MSN-FNP program includes a focus on health promotion and disease prevention in diverse populations. This increases students’ cultural competency and provides them with awareness of national health problems, making them sensitive to underserved populations.
International nursing career options
Some of the nursing career options abroad include the following.
International traveling nurse
Travel nursing is a fantastic career option if you have a sense of adventure and a desire to explore different cultures and regions. As a travel nurse, you get work assignments for several months in other locations. With this, you get to combine work with adventure.
Travel nurses may fill temporary positions in healthcare facilities. This means that you need to adapt to new environments and teams quickly.
Research by the World Health Organization shows that there is considerable demand for nurses in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa. Healthcare recruiters are always looking for nurses, and you must sign a contract for a specific period. The best part about working as an international traveling nurse is that some countries offer tax-free salaries, ample vacation time, and various opportunities for cultural immersion.
Nurse educator
Nurses who are passionate about education and who prefer to teach can work as nurse educators in a foreign country. Taking up the job of a nursing instructor or educator exposes you to different experiences, as the topics you will be teaching can vary.
You will be able to share your skills and expertise with the next generation of nurses in schools, colleges or healthcare institutions that provide clinical training. Working at a hospital or clinic would mean educating those who are already nurses, while at school, you would be teaching nursing students.
Nurse informaticist
A nurse informaticist is a registered nurse who uses data and advanced technology to provide patients with quality care. Working as a nurse informaticist allows you to combine your expertise in nursing with your IT skills to guide patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals through the decision-making process. Furthermore, you get to develop new solutions for better patient care delivery.
Some roles and responsibilities include using information systems to maintain accurate patient data, participating in project planning, researching the latest ways to improve patient care, evaluating clinical statistics, establishing electronic information systems, and serving as the interface across nursing and information services.
You can work in a clinic, university, hospital, or long-term care facility.
Public health advisor for the CDC
Nurses can also work as public health advisors for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect and analyze critical health data in the country in which they’re stationed. You can influence policymaking by assessing policy guidelines and collaborating with other international organizations.
Public health advisors for global health also develop comprehensive plans that address foreign health problems. These jobs are open as needed, and the contract may vary from two to four years. To be eligible for this job, you must pass a background check, qualify for a top-secret or secret clearance, and have at least one year of specialized experience.
Licensed vocational nurse/licensed practical nurse
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) provide patients with primary basic care. Both LPNs and LVNs perform the same role. The terms are used interchangeably, depending on the state.
These nursing professionals monitor a patient’s health by checking for vital signs, recording patient history, monitoring catheters, preparing patients for treatment, and more. Sometimes, LVNs can assist patients with daily tasks such as bathing or dressing. A registered nurse or physician supervises LVNs.
An LVN can work in hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, doctor’s offices, or extended care facilities. Additionally, LPNs can work as travel nurses to meet the nursing shortage in a foreign country.
International nurse anesthetist
Being an international nurse anesthetist is another career option you can consider. In this role, you get to travel and provide anesthesiology services before and as patients undergo surgery. Your duties mainly revolve around administering anesthesia to patients and monitoring their condition as they undergo a procedure. Additionally, you may need to teach local nurses the basics of anesthesiology.
While the opportunity to work as an international nurse anesthetist is rare, you can find these jobs through the disaster relief teams of NGOs, where people travel to war zones to treat patients.
Military nurse
You can also work as a military nurse on a US military base. Most military bases hire civilian nurse practitioners to work in hospitals and clinics. You’ll need to use clinical judgment to provide care to patients. Additionally, you get to work with physicians and other care providers.
To work as a military nurse, you need to have a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). You must also have a current unencumbered license, at least six months of full-time work experience in a nurse practitioner specialty, and 12 months of experience as a full-time registered nurse. You must also be between 18 and 47 years, depending on where you apply. Additionally, you must complete commissioned officer training and be eligible for secret security clearance.
International nurse practitioner
An international nurse practitioner travels abroad to provide patients with medical care. Your work location will vary as you can be assigned to one place to support a medical program or travel with patients. However, most international nurse practitioners work at medical facilities, consulates, or military bases.
Some of the responsibilities in this position include performing physical exams, prescribing medications, and consulting with other care providers.
Consultant nurse
You can also work as an international consultant nurse in a foreign country. You get to use your medical and nursing skills to help medical technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, or medical supply companies develop more effective products.
Working as a consultant for a medical company or a pharmaceutical company gives you the flexibility to schedule your work and grow in your career. Furthermore, it gives you the chance to earn more and travel internationally.
Camp nurse
There are seasonal and church camps that hire nurses to handle any medical emergencies or injuries of their guests. These seasonal camps are held in forests, mountain ranges, lakes, and other locations.
Working as a camp nurse is ideal if you love adventure and are passionate about the outdoors. This job is also suitable if you have a college or school nursing position, as it can provide an income during your summers off.
Nurse health coach
Being an international nurse health coach is an excellent job for a growing nurse entrepreneur. You get to work with clients to help them achieve overall health and wellness. You’ll also guide and educate clients to make behavioral changes in physical activity, diet, and nutrition. The job also includes handling their emotional, mental and psychological wellness.
To be eligible for this position, you must have the IAHC certification to show that you’re a recognized health coach and a registered nurse.
International nurse manager
Nurse managers are responsible for making sure that a team of nurses and other staff work well together. You get to work behind the scenes managing a clinic, creating work schedules, and conducting performance reviews of the nursing staff. You also ensure patient and staff satisfaction and maintain a safe environment for patients, staff and visitors. It’s an excellent career for someone who enjoys uniting and managing people.
As a nurse manager, you need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership, depending on where you apply.
Insurance assessment nurse
A registered nurse insurance assessment job provides another opportunity to travel abroad. An insurance assessment nurse uses verbal questions and non-verbal cues to assess a patient’s current health condition and communicate insurance plan options based on their analysis.
While traditional nurses work alongside physicians, insurance assessment nurses work with insurance agencies to analyze the patient’s status. Other titles may include Medicare wellness specialist, long-term care assessor, or registered nurse UAS assessor.
Typical responsibilities include helping patients understand the available healthcare plans and treatment options, determining the type of treatment a patient needs or is eligible for, and reviewing any loss claims in place of the insurance company.
To qualify for this position, you must be a registered nurse with good technical skills. You also need experience with insurance claims such as Medicare or federal healthcare. Knowledge of digital medicine tools is also a requirement.
Risk management nurse
Risk management is a career worth exploring if you’re an experienced nurse looking for a mixture of healthcare management, patient care, and communication. As a risk management nurse, your main goal is to reduce the risk of injury to patients, staff, and visitors and the risk of loss to your organization.
Typical responsibilities include identifying potential risks of injury, accident, or financial loss; reviewing monitoring systems; analyzing the frequency and severity of specific incidents that contribute to damage; evaluating safety aspects of patient care; and overseeing laws related to patient care. You are also responsible for eliminating or minimizing risks and reporting them to concerned stakeholders.
You can get a risk management position in insurance companies, government agencies, financial companies, or pharmaceutical agencies.
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in nursing, though some jobs may require a master’s degree. You also need to be a registered nurse and have other qualifications, such as healthcare risk management, which provides interdisciplinary training in nursing, management, and law.
Practical tips for nurses planning to work abroad
Applying for a nursing role abroad can be daunting, especially if this is your first time. Fortunately, we’ve done the research and have some advice to help you navigate the application process. Here are some essential tips to get you started.
Researching and finding suitable positions
There are different international job boards, nursing organizations, and healthcare institution websites that post international nursing opportunities. It is also possible to find work opportunities through a travel nurse staffing agency.
By applying through a staffing agency, you get to understand the requirements of a particular country. Some agencies will cover your travel and housing expenses during your work trips. They will also match you with a job that fits your personality and qualifications. Some countries require an international nursing license, and the agency can guide you on how to apply for it.
When researching the job market, find out about the salaries and benefits in the country to which you plan to apply. Consider healthcare benefits, retirement plans, paid-off days, and more.
Visa and work authorization requirements
Take time to familiarize yourself with the visa and work authorization requirements of the country you plan to travel to for work. Understand the type of visa you need and the category you fall under to ensure that you apply for the one that matches your job and duration of stay. Get your documents ready, including education certificates, passports, licenses, and other certifications.
You can also consult an attorney specializing in healthcare immigration to get guidance in the necessary documents and application process.
Interview preparation and assessment
After finding a suitable position and during the visa application process, you must prepare for interviews. Hiring agencies or institutions can conduct interviews through phone calls or video conferencing. Ensure that you know about healthcare practices, the position’s expectations and the cultural beliefs. Describe your experiences and qualifications to the interviewer to highlight your enthusiasm for the nursing role.
Some countries may require an English language proficiency certification if you’re from a non-native country. Furthermore, a few countries may require you to sit for an NCLEX-RN exam to prove your competency.
The application process for an international nursing role may be lengthy and frustrating. You need to submit all the required documents, apply for a visa, and go through interviews. It’s essential to be patient through the whole process and keep track of your application in case you need to provide additional information or documentation.
William Joseph Reynold: A Rising Musician Nurse Foe In The Musical World(Opens in a new browser tab)
Conclusion
We hope that you found this guide useful. If you are thinking about pursuing a nursing career abroad, why not look into enrolling in a course?