Five countries in need of foreign nurses

Nursing is an integral part of the healthcare system, making it unsurprising why there are plenty of jobs for nurse practitioners being offered abroad, both for local and foreign talents.

Despite being the backbone of healthcare, their role gained increased attention when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Recently, a shortage of nurses in several countries has been a major cause of concern in the healthcare profession. The American Nurses Association (ANA) predicts that by 2022, more than 500,000 seasoned registered nurses (RNs) will have retired. The US Bureau Labour of Statistics projects that the employment of registered nurses is expected to grow by nine percent between 2020 and 2030.

Whether you’re a trained nurse or a nursing student, working outside of your home country could be a lucrative gig. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), nurses who work abroad can receive an average of 25% more than those who remain in their home country.

Here are five countries that offer jobs for nurse practitioners:

Jobs for nurse practitioners: 5 countries worth exploring

UK

There are plenty of jobs for nurse practitioners in the UK as it is facing a nursing shortage crisis. According to the latest quarterly data for health service vacancies published by NHS Digital, there are 39,652 unfilled nursing posts across health services in England.

The UK has opened up recruitment for overseas nurse practitioners which serves as a vital staffing strategy to fill in the skills gap in the country’s healthcare industry. Aside from a flexible work schedule, pension scheme and a high level of job security — the salaries offered for nurse practitioners in the UK are just as attractive.

Salaries will vary depending on factors such as your level of experience — click here to view a pay guide.

Dear overseas Trained nurses looking to relocate to the United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Here is another NHS job opportunity : International Nursehttps://t.co/tEbOLUmdPp
application closing date: 03/07/2022

Good luck#DIYrelocationfornurses

1 of 8

— Overseas Trained Nurses (@overseanurses) May 4, 2022

Ireland

According to career hub TrueProfile.io, opportunities abound for nurses in the country’s healthcare industry, with multiple vacancies available in both the private and public sectors.

The best part about working in Ireland? Foreign nurses can apply for citizenship, which also means that they can bring family members over to live with them. You may even be entitled to a pension scheme in the country if you have gained citizenship, too.

A staff nurse’s salary could range between 31,109 and 46,521 euros, while a senior staff nurse could earn €50,211.

Nurses and midwives from all over the country are gathered at #INMO22.

Over the next few days we are discussing:
🏥Safe working environment for nurses and midwives and other staff
💶The increasing cost of living
🧑‍⚕️Recruitment and Retention of nurses and midwives pic.twitter.com/RUADWUJYyU

— Irish Nurses & Midwives Organisation (@INMO_IRL) May 4, 2022

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia offers multiple perks and benefits for nurse practitioners, which include:

• Paid leave
• Accommodation
• Transportation allowance
• Experience allowance
• Medical insurance
• Tax-free income
• Airfare
• Training and support
• The option to bring your spouse and children with you

International Hospitals Recruitment Inc reports that foreign nurses in the Middle East can earn a salary of 3,500 to 15,000 US dollars, depending on their experience.

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The UAE has recently undergone a major reform in hiring trained foreign nurses — they have made nursing degrees a compulsory minimum requirement to work in the Gulf nation.

It also offers many incentives for foreign nurses, including:

• Free accommodation or housing allowance
• Return flight tickets
• Tax-free income
• Food allowance
• Medical insurance and education allowance if you have children.
• Transportation to and from work
• 30 days of annual leave per year
• Gratuity pay at the end of your term

Australia

Health Workforce Australia (HWA) estimates that there will be a shortage of over 100,000 nurses by 2025 and more than 123,000 nurses by 2030.

According to reports, Australia will allow 2,000 overseas nurses and doctors to enter the country for work under a plan being finalised by the Commonwealth and states to ease a healthcare staffing crisis.

Separately, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation notes that nurses and midwives are in high demand in Australia, adding that there are excellent career opportunities with permanent and temporary work available.

For years, Australia has attracted plenty of overseas nurses from India and Asian countries to its shores. The salaries of registered nurses vary depending on factors such as experience, location and seniority, but registered nurses in the country earn an average of 73,000 Australian dollars per year.

Ultimately, nursing can be a popular career for migration, but some countries may require incoming nurses to have some work experience and a recognised overseas qualification, among other requirements, so be sure to do your homework before making a decision.