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Why work abroad?
Nursing abroad can be a very rewarding and valuable
experience, offering challenges and a new outlook on health care.
Many nurses find that the experience enhances their development
and increases their confidence both in a personal and a professional
capacity.
Opportunities for nurses
to work overseas are varied, ranging from working with development
organisations in remote, rural conditions, to working in developed
countries in highly technical environments.
Whatever type of work is undertaken there are many
issues to consider before taking a position overseas. The first
is perhaps exploring the reasons for wanting to work abroad.
There will be many positive reasons for wanting to
nurse overseas, including the challenges of working and living in
another country with a different culture. Nurses from the UK who
are looking to work in other developed countries may be attracted
by higher salaries and a better standard of living or a warmer climate.
However, nursing abroad may not be as glamorous as it first appears,
and the reality of overseas work may be very different from that
expected. It is worth noting that leaving the UK to work overseas
because of personal difficulties at work or at home may not be the
easy option it first appears.
Preparing to work abroad
It is important to understand how the health sector
in a country is organised. There may be very different working practices
for nurses, even in developed countries. Learning the language of
the country will be important as it will be difficult to practice
safely and completely without a good command of the host language.
It will also make the work more interesting and enjoyable.
Preparing to work overseas needs careful organisation.
Information on registration and issues surrounding nursing practice
can be found in Practising as a nurse
abroad. Before you leave
provides practical details on employment conditions, visas and work
permits, income tax, NHS pensions, National Insurance, medical insurance
and personal health abroad.
Returning to the UK after working overseas should
also be considered before travel, in terms of personal circumstances
and professionally.
If you trained as a nurse outside the UK, click
here for details on how to register as a nurse in the UK plus
other useful information.
Royal College of Nursing International Office
The Royal
College of Nursing (RCN) provides an information service for
its members on working abroad and for overseas electives as part
of pre-registration nursing courses. They have a comprehensive information
pack containing details on general topics on nursing overseas, and
can also provide information on nursing in specific countries in
terms of employment contracts, work permits, nurse registration
requirements and useful addresses.
Members can contact the RCN International office at:
Royal College of Nursing
20 Cavendish Square
London W1G 0RN
Tel: 020 7647 3597 (office hours)
Fax: 020 7647 4313
e-mail: international.office@rcn.org.uk
Members can also contact RCN Direct on 0845 7726 100.
Members should inform the RCN of their intention to
work abroad (mainly for mailing purposes).
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