Nursing Opportunities Globally
Opportunities for nurses continue to grow in line with the increased global healthcare demand. This represents unprecedented choices for people wishing to make a career out of nursing. Nursing demand continues to increase world wide.
Generally, the U.S. is experiencing a moderate shortage of RNs with more severe shortages in certain areas. The Registered Nurse deficit will continue to increase if current trends continue, including:
• a constantly growing and aging U.S. population
• great demand for only the best aid
• an aging RN workforce at or approaching retirement age
• high turnover of the nursing workforce.
The nursing employment situation in Canada is improving after several years of health care restructuring and hospital downsizing. Nurses with skills, training and experience in certain areas (e.g., emergency, critical care and operating room) and those wishing to work in smaller residential areas or detached communities are in the high demand. The Canadian Nurses Association is predicting a continued shortage of nurses for the future.
Nurses from poorer countries find nursing jobs in more affluent countries more and more attractive.This places them in a position to much more compared to possible remuneration in their home countries. Saved earnings transfered back has a positive affect on the living standards of their family at home. Nurses can get onto the property ladder in their home countries much easier by earning a deposit much quicker.
Nurses have a choice of two different employment routes to work in other countries. Requirement 1 is the application for a working visa. Working visas requirements differ from country to country, however due to the demand for nurses, priority is often given to expedite a quick decision on your application. Note that some countries require you to have an offer of employment before a working visa will be issued. Here you will have to apply for employment at suitable institutions in your chosen country. Fortunately the internet makes this application fairly simple.
A further option is to relocate to the US, Canada or Australia. Some countries like Canada have a very long waiting time for visa processing. It is common to wait longer than 4 years when applying for permanent residence from certain countries. Fortunately for nurses and other medical practitioners, Canada has a list of preferred occupations which allows applicants in certain professions to have their applications streamlined. Applications in these skill classes could be completed within 6 months.
US employers may employ nurses using the U.S. Department of Labor Permanent Program or the H-1B Program. The H-1B program requires that foreign nurses have a bachelor’s degree and the job that the nurse is hired to do demands a bachelor’s degree.
Immigration to Australia is rather demanding as illustration, the prerequisites to commence practising nursing in Western Australia is:
• professional registration with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Western Australia (NMBWA)
• criminal record screening
• a visa that permits you to do work in Australia – for all foreign employees
• private health insurance – for all sponsored foreign employees.
Following is some details on salary and wage rates:
US Median Pay Rates per hour:
• Registered nurse $25.67
• Licensed Practical Nurse $17.17
• Certified Nurse assistant $10.55
• Registered nurse- Emergency Room $27.11
• Registered nurse- Operating Room $27.86
• Charge nurse $28.35
• Family Nurse Practitioner $ 37.06
In comparison: the Canada Median Hourly Pay for Registered Nurses based on Experience: Less than 1 year C$ 26.13; 1 to 4 years C$27.29; 5 to 9 years C$31.84; 10 to 19 years C$32.45; More than 20 years C$ 33.07.
Immigration requirements may be difficult but the rewards could be well worth the effort of working in a foreign country.
The www.TravelingNurseGuide.com provides information and resources for Nurses, its Nursing Career and Healthcare Blog provides an interactive forum for current healthcare issues.
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