Besides being open-minded with a sense of adventure, nurses who have gained qualification, experience and registration in the UK may consider applying their nursing skills abroad. If you are thinking about having opportunities to nurse internationally, a starting point may be to contact the International Council of Nurses or a National Nursing Association, such as the Royal College of Nursing in the UK.
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
Organisations, such as the Royal College of Nursing, become members of the International Council of Nurses that was founded in 1899 and form part of an approximate 130 national nurse associations (NNAs).
The mission of ICN aims to allow nurses international collaboration, advance nursing careers, science and health policy worldwide. Joining a National Nursing Association (NNA) may help you meet other nursing professionals who have knowledge or experience of nursing overseas. Information may also be available about nursing jobs in other countries.
Depending on the country, nurses are sometimes faced with tough ethical choices. Support is available through ICN ad NNAs with a guide to Nursing Code of Ethics.
Being informed about nursing abroad
Although the ICN and NNAs are options to increase your knowledge about nursing abroad, people interested in a nursing career overseas often think about their reasons for wanting to do so and wonder how to get involved. Some options to consider are:
l Your Nursing Qualification and Experience
l Your Nursing Registration
l Your Foreign Language Skills
l Using Healthcare Recruiters or Nursing Agencies
Having initial career experience as a registered nurse is an important starting point. Being able to communicate with patients and understand, and use, a language to talk with patients, to practice nursing skills safely and to progress in nursing is vital for international work. Having knowledge about the country you wish to nurse in and their healthcare systems, terminologies and regulations means that research is key.