Deciding to work overseas as a nurse can be exciting time as well as a challenging time. The process of not only find the right job but getting it and getting over there can seem daunting. Trust us, we know how daunting it can look (

) but we also know how straight forward it can be. We’ve been placing nurses overseas in the Middle East for 25+ years, we’ve the process down to a fine art.

So, first things first before I list the how’s, the what’s and the things to do, a checklist of sorts, remember this “

The doors we open and close each day decide the lives we live.”

OK, great, so we’ve decided to work overseas as a nurse. YAY!!

Submission Of CV and Inquiry of Interest- The first stage is submitting your up to date cv or applying to one of our job postings through the website 

 You can also register your interest, this way you are added to our database and when we have jobs that are suited to you, we’ll get in touch with all the details. Once your cv is received, we’ll send you application forms to be completed. The forms vary by the hospital but won’t take long to complete.

Submission of Completed Application Forms- This next step varies in length. The quicker you fill out the forms the quicker we get them and can proceed to the next step, the submission to client. So, our advice once you get them fill them in, if there’s something you’re not sure about drop your recruiter an email or call they’ll be happy to explain.

Submission of Application To Client- Yes, you’ve completed the forms, now we can begin to the search for the right job for you. With Clients all over the Middle East, we’ll find the hospital and suited to you. We have recruited thousands of nurses and healthcare professionals to all over the Middle East. Our recruiters are experienced nurses who have worked in the Middle East, they know what it takes to work in the Middle East.

Interview with Client (Telephone/Skype)- Congratulations, the Hospital wishes to interview you. This is done either through skype or phone. You can find our hints and tips for a successful telephone or skype interview in job seekers advice section on the website.

Approval & Signing of Offer Letter- Congratulations on your new job. Time to celebrate!! Once you’ve finished celebrating its time to get the rest of the paperwork. Don’t worry, it won’t be too bad. (Your processor will send you a list of what is needed) This includes signing your offer letter.

Obtain References- Reference details are provided for at least two direct supervisors. We don’t contact your referees until you give us permission.

Commencement of Visa Processing & Pre-Employment Medical- Once all your documents have been received, we start applying for your visa. This process may take a couple of weeks. It also at this time you have your pre-employment medical, the requirements for medicals differ from hospital to hospital but your processor will advise you.

Visa issued- Your visa has been issued and stamped on your passport; we can now start arranging a date for travel.

Notice to your current employer.- It is only after your passport has been stamped that we advise candidates to hand in their notice. Once the notice is handed in we can request a travel date from the client.

Travel, your paperwork is sorted, your visa stamped and flights ready to go. Now all you have to do is step on to the plane and be ready to start your new adventure.

So, there it is, 10 easy step guide to getting a job in the Middle East. Being a nurse means, you can work anywhere you want. It’s a passport to the world, so why not start your journey now.

10 Easy Steps To Understand the Middle East Recruitment Process

I had always known I wanted to be a Nurse!

As a child I spent a few stints in hospital and despite feeling ill or in pain, I followed the Nurses on their rounds, fascinated by the Pumps, Needles (I know…born to be a Nurse right??!!) and everything else going on around me. The other thing I’ve always known is that I wanted to travel! …………and travel I did!!!

Nursing may be one of the best professions in the world to travel with and I can definitely attest to that. I have worked as a Nurse in Australia, Scotland, Ireland, England, Portugal, Abu Dhabi and of course…Saudi Arabia.

Saudi was on my radar for a very long time, maybe even before I started my Nurse training. As luck would have it, one of my managers had spent quite a few years working as a Nurse in Saudi and was able to give me a great insight into life in Saudi before I decided to take the plunge. A quick phone call to CCM Recruitment and 3 months later I was on a flight to the Magic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia!

Saudi intrigued me! The Arabian Peninsula holds a sort of mystery and excitement like no place else and I wanted to explore it! (

Salary paid tax free also has a nice ring to it, let’s be honest!

And why choose King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre?

I attended a workshop at CCM Recruitment’s office in Dublin and the presentation given by the Director of Recruitment from the King Faisal bowled me over. KFSHRC is a tertiary medical and research facility in the capital city if Riyadh. It is the national referral centre for Oncology, Organ Transplantation, Cardiovascular Disease and Genetic Diseases.

During my interview I was offered the opportunity for further training and development in a new specialty, Paediatrics, due to my previous experience working with children with complex care needs.

The benefits package offered along with the additional training was just too good to turn down. My decision to accept was a “No Brainer”

So what’s it really like to work there?

Working in Saudi is so different to anywhere I’ve ever worked. I worked alongside people from over 50 different countries. One of my favourite things that we used to do on the ward was pot luck dinners to welcome new staff or for Masalamas (

). Everyone would bring a meal and usually there would be a vast array of Pancit from the Philippines, Curry from India, Irish stew from Ireland (that was my dish) to name just a few.

Workwise, the basic nursing principles are the same. However, the model used is based on the American system so accreditation with JCI and Magnet are a major focus. I got some great experience working on the Unit Based Council monitoring KPIs and Quality initiatives.

Orientation is in depth and incorporates everything from IT systems to up skilling in the High Tech Simulation Lab. You are mentored until you have completed all competencies and are comfortable with taking your own patient load.

Nurse/Patient ratio is 1:3 on days and 1:4 on nights. A BIG difference to the workload I was used to at home!

You don’t have to speak Arabic to work at the King Faisal. It is an English speaking hospital which means all notes, medications, signs etc. are in English and all Medical Personnel communicate through English. If a patient or a relative doesn’t speak English there is always someone around to help translate. I picked up quite a bit of Arabic during my two years there and could happily hold a conversation in basic Arabic. Just another string to add to my bow!

The Saudi culture is very different to my own so I had to learn a lot about their beliefs and customs. A little education goes a long way and spending a little time learning about their culture helped me to be more patient and understanding in my daily practice and life.

Not being allowed to drive was initially a minor inconvenience but the hospital provide an excellent taxi service for its employees and once I had established a good rapport with one of the drivers, I could rely him to collect me at any time of the day or night so I was never stuck.

I could honestly say I had a better social life in Saudi than I do now back here in Ireland. Life in Saudi is what you make it and I made the most of every opportunity to get out and about and meet people from every walk of life.

I played Gaelic Football, attended events at embassies and other compounds, went for spectacular walks through the desert, spent time by the pool on my days off, hit a few balls at the driving range around the corner from the hospital and with 54 days annual leave every year, I globe trotted to my heart’s content!

There are some fantastic restaurants in Riyadh with a choice of any type of cuisine you fancy. Arabic, Lebanese, Turkish, Chinese, Thai, Indian, Sushi, American plus there is even a Chocolate Café that does the most amazing CHOCOLATE PIZZA!!!

This is a major misconception people have of Saudi Arabia. Ex-pat women do not have to cover their faces. When you go out to the malls or wherever, you are expected to wear an Abaya (long black dress like garment) and I always carried a scarf in my bag in case I was asked to cover my hair (which happened very rarely). I was in their country after all so it was important to respect their culture.

Let’s clear up a few other misconceptions while we’re at it:

except when your visa is being renewed which takes 3-5 days

What ways has living and working in Saudi Arabia enriched your life?

I made some great friends that I’ll have for life

I gained professional experience that has opened doors for me in ways that I never thought possible

I got to travel to exotic destinations such as the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Petra…………..

Living and working with so many different nationalities was a fantastic experience

What are the top 5 highlights of your time in Saudi?

Playing Football with Naomh Alee GAA Club

Travelling to the Farzan Islands off the coast of Saudi Arabia

Snorkelling in the Red Sea off the coast of Jeddah

Saudi Breakfast on a Friday morning at work with our Saudi colleagues

Moving to Saudi Arabia was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I made some great memories with some amazing people. Both my personal and professional life have taken a turn for the better as a result of working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

If you are a nurse and the thought of sampling the exotic delights of the Saudi Arabia is something, which interests you 

 today. If career progression, travel opportunities, or earning some extra cash is top of your agenda, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre can offer all of this and more.

Behind the Veil, Life in Saudi Arabia

Living and working in Saudi Arabia is a once in a life time experience. It is a land of opportunity with more than 2 million expats, one in six of the population. Job openings attract people from Ireland, the UK, Europe, the USA, Australia and the Far East. Yes, it can be challenging & frustrating at times in regards cultural differences. Yet, if you have a sense of adventure and want to experience culture at its rawest, this is the place for you.

Saudi Arabia is a country everyone likes to comment on, often leading to mixed reviews. Before you travel to Saudi Arabia like anywhere else, you need to do your research. Take on board as much information as possible from as many sources as you can. It may surprise you, often the majority, if not all who have been there, tend to really enjoy their experience. It is often people who have not been there and experienced it for themselves that are the most negative. Naturally, this negativity can lead to people feeling apprehensive before travelling. CCM will be there to support you through the process. Our Recruiters have all lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and have great insight to what this is really like.

 we broke down the process for getting a job overseas into a ten-step guide. If you want to refresh your memory or read it in full for the first time, you can read it 

 We went through the 10 stages of your application from when you first get in touch to when you travel.

Some of the steps in the process can seem daunting or confusing, and you may wonder what is expected or what if any cost is involved. To make things clearer CCM have compiled a breakdown below of what you can expect when getting ready to start your new position.

Will CCM guide me on what needs to be done once I have accepted my employment offer?

Yes, CCM will work closely with you on each step of the process. Our Processing team are highly skilled and experienced in the application process and will guide you step by step along the way. We strive to ensure the process is as stress-free as possible for you.

, you don’t pay CCM anything! However, there is some cost involved with different aspects of your application which are listed below.

Any translations of degree certificates (if not issued in English)

Registration with the Saudi Council for Health Specialities (on arrival to Saudi Arabia)

Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Current Professional Status from your Nursing licencing authority.

Attestation of qualification if not issued in UK/Ireland

*may be reimbursable depending on the hospital hired for

A full breakdown of the costs will be given to you by your recruiter once you have been successful in your interview. 

Translation of Degree Certificates/Transcripts/High School Certificate

If your documents are not in English, you will need to obtain translated copies. The price of this may vary so it’s best to shop around.

 is an exam to assess your knowledge, skills and ability in your chosen medical specialty. CCM will inform you when the time comes to book your Prometric Exam. The approx. cost $220 USD

Registration with the Saudi Council for Health Specialities

There are a few steps required to obtaining your Saudi Council licence. They are

 (to confirm you meet SCHS Requirements for licensing),

Dataflow (this company verifies the education, employment & license documents that you have provided).

Once the above steps have been completed, you will be able to proceed with the final step which is issuance of SCHS license. This stage is completed in Saudi Arabia and costs approx. $224 USD

Certificate of Good Standing/Certificate of Current Professional Status

This is required towards the end of your processing. You will be informed by CCM when you need to apply for this. The cost will be £34 for 

. Other nursing authorities may have different prices.

Your ORIGINAL Nursing Qualification will need to be attested by the Saudi Embassy in your home country as part of the visa application. A small stamp (like a postage stamp) will be affixed to the back of your original qualification. 

Before you can apply for your visa, a police certificate is required from your country of residence. In the UK, this costs approx. £60, while in Ireland it is free. Prices may vary in other countries.

So, there it is; our guide to the costs you can expect when applying for a position in the Middle East. Being a Healthcare professional means you can work anywhere you want.

 passport tell? Why not start your journey today! Register your details with us by clicking 

To stay up to date we update our social media every day so by becoming a fan on 

 you can make sure that you hear about the latest opportunities first. Connect with us to get the latest info, job vacancies, interview and workshop dates.

CCM’s Guide to Nursing in the Middle East Costs

The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all” – Josiyah Martin

Living and working in Saudi Arabia is a once in a lifetime experience. Yes, with all the cultural differences it can be challenging & frustrating at times. however, if you have a sense of adventure and want to experience culture at its rawest, this is the place for you. There are expats from all over the world living in Saudi Arabia. Working in some of the larger hospitals there are up to 50 different nationalities, so one thing is for sure you are guaranteed to make friends for life.

Saudi Arabia is a country everyone likes to comment about often leading to mixed reviews. This can lead to people feeling apprehensive before travelling. Before you travel to Saudi Arabia/Jeddah like anywhere else, you need to do your research. Take on board as much information as possible from as many sources as you can. It may surprise you, often the majority, if not all who have been there, tend to enjoy their experience. Jeddah is the city with the beaches and the Red Sea does not fail to delight, even the most experienced of divers. The East coast is close to Bahrain. Many people living there will head to Bahrain on their weekends off to enjoy some of the more western lifestyle.

The size of modern-day Jeddah is more than a thousand times the size of its ancient counterpart. It’s believed the mother of humanity “Eve”, was laid to rest in ancient Jeddah.

Jeddah has always played an prominent role in Saudi Arabia’s history. For centuries, it was the converging point for pilgrims and traders. Some consider Jeddah the biggest cultural melting pot in the world. It is widely recognised as the mot cosmopolitan of all the cities in Saudi Arabia and the shopping capital.

While Jeddah happily moves towards the cosmopolitan and modern world, it does so while bringing the beauty of the past with it. At the heart of Old Jeddah stands the Al-Balad district, it is a wistful testament to the bygone days of Old Jeddah, with beautiful coral architecture casting some welcome shade over the bustling souqs beneath. Souqs filled with aromatic spices, beautiful rugs, fine jewellery, and clothes. Jeddah is often the first Saudi city foreigners like to visit. (

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/saudi-arabia/hejaz/jeddah#ixzz1odURiDZz

: Jeddah Ghair – “Jeddah is different”

Summers are warm! Hitting 43 degrees while winters remain warm at 15-28 degrees. Giving you all the more reason to hit the beach and do some diving.

Jeddah has always been a port for trade and as such is a very multicultural city. The cuisines reflect this – you’ll be able to find anything from Eastern, Western, African you name it! Being a coastal city, it is of course famous for its seafood. You’ll find a lot of beautiful restaurants located right along the Corniche by the waterfront so you can enjoy those cooling sea breezes while you watch the sunset.

There’s a number of beaches you can hit on your days off or take a day trip out to the Red Sea to do some snorkelling, diving, fishing or swimming!

Jeddah as always been quite modern for its time. In the 1970s and 80s there was a big push to bring art into all public areas of Jeddah making the city one of the largest open-air galleries in the world. It’s home to the worlds tallest fountain and most recently they’ve hosted a variety of events including by Mariah Carey and Sean Paul.

Jeddah has something for everyone, whether it’s shopping or sunning yourself; losing yourself in the past in the cities many beautiful museums or strolling along Jeddah’s Corniche and gazing in awe at the sculptures and fountains that line the 30km pedestrian area near the port. (

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/saudi-arabia/hejaz/jeddah/things-to-do

Fall In Love With Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – A Brief Overview

Can you give us a snapshot of your nursing career prior to traveling overseas? 

I gained my Bachelor of Nursing from NMIT in New Zealand in 2013, after interviewing within New Zealand and Australia I chose to complete my New Graduate Program at the Gold Coast University Hospital in Acute Paediatrics but soon moved into Emergency Nursing. I spent two years working in ED on the Gold Coast before leaving for Ireland, where I worked in adult Emergency at The Mater Private Hospital in Dublin.

When and why did you decide it was time to take your nursing career abroad? 

My husband, James, is from Dublin, with the majority of his family members living there and in New York, we wanted to locate ourselves geographically to spend time with them and see Europe and America in the process. In addition to James’s connection to the country, Ireland offered a lower cost of living compared to the UK and a more straight forward registration process.

In June 2016 we set off on our adventure, we allocated 3 months to travel Europe before we settled in Dublin, arriving at the end of summer.

Marvellous, I learnt so much about my family history. I was invited to see my ancestors portrait hanging in Trinity College, visit the shire of Yelverton in Plymouth and truly understand the very roots of my European heritage. Something about England felt so very familiar to me, so we visited many times, and why not when flights are 9 euro! Ireland was an amazing base for the UK as well as the rest of Europe, working 12 hour shifts allowed me to have 6 days off, see two or three countries and then fly home before my next work day, it really is an amazing lifestyle.

What part of your new life did you find the most surprising? 

I think I was surprised by the laid back nature of the Irish, sometimes frustrating. For example: when having to register at the Immigration Bureau, I waited for an entire day to get my visa re-approved and seeing them all just having a chat while hundreds of frustrated immigrants stand around waiting was irritating. But once they finally got to your number, it was nice to have a long-winded chat about where you’re from and their relative (almost always called Paddy or James) who once visited New Zealand and/or Australia.

What were some of the challenges you faced and how did you manage them? 

We happened to move to Ireland during the peak of the housing crisis, the day university started back and the year a record number of Europeans migrated to Dublin from Eastern Europe so it was tough finding a place to live. As part of my relocation agreement, the hospital allowed as much time as was required during work hours to arrange inspections, organise government issued numbers, cards and set up back accounts etc. which really helped ease the process.

What were the positives of living in Ireland? 

The Irish are incredibly sociable, it’s ridiculously easy to make friends as long as you like going to the pub, hurling, football and are able to stomach jokes about the English in the same sense that Kiwis suffer mockery from Australians. When the sun comes out, the city is an instant street party, bags of cans are being had on the canals, everyone is so friendly, even the homeless want to talk your ear off. That TV show Father Ted suddenly made so much more sense! It was great fun.

How did you find nursing in another country? 

Some drug names would trip me up, but for the most part it was like riding a bike. The patients loved me because they found my accent adorable, as mentioned before, the Irish love to chat so my patients could talk to me for hours about “why ever did I move here” and how beautiful New Zealand is (information usually based on their cousin Paddy’s or James’s recent trip to the region).

What career opportunities or professional development did you find there? 

Irish nurses are highly autonomous. Much like New Zealand there are no plaster techs, so I attended complete casting workshops and spent time in the fracture clinics at The Mater Public Hospital. Emergency Trauma courses were held by Dublin tertiary hospitals in conjunction with Trinity College, and post graduate education was always encouraged. There were plenty of opportunities to progress into Senior Nursing roles within The Mater Private.

Dublin is a party town constantly drawing people from all over the continent in for their world class night life scene. Poised as the stag and hen capital of Europe, there is always something to see or do. The nurses at The Mater Private ED would organise a night out at least once a month, but anyone’s birthday, graduation, holy communion or baptism, is an excuse to celebrate!

My husband and I got married in Dublin in 2017, we had a horse drawn carriage take us through the cobble stone streets of Temple Bar to our ceremony, where we and our closest friends celebrated a very nontraditional wedding. We held our reception on the rooftop of my husband’s hotel and being mid-summer the sun never went down the whole night. A beautiful friend of ours from New Zealand took our photographs throughout the city, which framed the most amazing memories of a time and place we will always have in our hearts.

My father went into palliative care and I could not stand to be 26 hours away. It was heartbreaking leaving Ireland, particularly due to the circumstances surrounding our leaving. We still miss it every day, and all the amazing friends and family we have there.

What do you miss the most about your life in

The people, my friends, my work colleagues, even my overpriced apartment. I miss the traveller kids trying to sell me illegal fireworks in the streets, the ‘trad-sesh’, the lock-in’s, the satire websites that poke fun at the health care crisis, the €1 blueberries and 75p avocados all year round. I miss the sense of community that come with living in the city as diverse as Dublin, where new faces land every day to look for a better life or just come to party.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of travelling to the Ireland? 

The registration process can be slow, allow up to a year to get everything perfect, you can call NMBI and get updates over the phone which can be faster than waiting for this information in the post. This is no slower than getting registered in Australia. For me there was no exam but I know for others there might be. They need nurses and treat them well, but the private health sector can be lot kinder with more flexibility and better conditions.

Looking for accommodation can be challenging, try to be first in best dressed at the inspections, and if you can find a place that is close to a Tesco (grocery chain), you will spare yourself lugging groceries across town.

Europe in summer has an amazing vibe, if you plan to land in the warmer months it will be good for morale (and spare you a vitamin D deficiency).

I found the team at CCM very helpful and approachable throughout the two-year contract, we were always keeping in contact and it was great to have advice from someone who had worked in the same place you were going.

Here to There A Nurse’s Journey – Lisa’s Story

Whether it’s moving intercity, interstate or overseas – what’s the first thing we do? Research the location! This is what you need to know about the sunshine-filled coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Size: Second largest city in Saudi Arabia

There’s a reason Jeddah is known as the most open city in the Kingdom. Everyone knows that those who live on the beach live a very relaxed life and that’s exactly what Jeddah promotes: relaxation! There’s a number of beaches you can hit on your days off or take a day trip out to the red sea to do some snorkelling, diving, fishing or swimming!

Jeddah has always been quite modern for its time. In the 1970s and 80s there was a big push to bring art into all public areas of Jeddah making the city one of the largest open-air galleries in the world. It’s home to the world’s tallest fountain and most recently they’ve hosted a variety of events including concerts by Mariah Carey and Sean Paul.

You can’t live in Jeddah and not visit the UNESCO listed heritage site of Al Balad which dates back to the 7th Century AD. Wander down narrow alleyways, meet the friendly locals, smell the vibrant spices and hauntingly beautiful calls to prayer.

Jeddah has always been a port for trade and as such is a very multicultural city. The cuisine reflects this – you’ll be able to find anything from Eastern, Western, African you name it! Being a coastal city it is of course famous for its seafood! A lot of these beautiful restaurants are located right long the Corniche by the waterfront so you can enjoy those cooing sea breezes while you watch that Western sunset.

It’s a coastal city so think tropical Queensland. Summers are steamy hitting 43 degrees while winters remain warm at 15-28 degrees. All the more reason to hit the beach and do some diving!

Living on the Coast of the Red Sea

We spoke with an Australian Trained Registered Nurse about her recent move to London. Here is what Rachel had to say about her experience:

How has working in London affected your clinical experience?

Relocated to London (from Australia) has proven perfect to increase my clinical exposure to a new variety of patient populations, conditions and nursing standards. The hospital I now work in has great facilities and an advanced approach to diagnostics and treatment compared to back home. I take advantage of every opportunity to further my skills and expand my professional scope.

London offer something for everything and I’m trying to make the most of every opportunity. I’m heavily involved in some great social sports clubs with lots of other Aussies and Kiwis to keep active. It was a great way to meet people when I first arrived and we have stayed great friends. The causal ‘pub lifestyle’ has rubbed off on me, I tend to go out more than I would back home. I also love exploring the local food and craft markets on the weekends.

What is your favorite aspect of living and working in London?

Being part of an expat community, I have met people from all over the globe, giving me even more reasons to travel! I love my social network – keeping me busy on days off. I’m always doing something fun like visiting museums and art galleries, going out to pub and gigs and travelling either day trips to the countryside or sea or further afield into Europe. I’m building amazing memories from all my adventures which I would never have achieved if I hadn’t moved to this side of the world.

What have you found the most challenging aspect of living and working in London?

It took me some time to settle in and become accustomed to a new hospital system. When I first started working, I found all the policies so different and wished I could just do things that way I knew how. I found that remembering why I moved, helped overcome this challenge, changing my perspective to take every opportunity as a learning curve and focus on the positives.

Would you encourage others to make the move to London (from Australia or New Zealand)?

YES! I would highly recommend it! The NMC registration process can seem daunting, but it is well worth the effort. You can gain great clinical and professional skills as well as exploring the world. Seeking professional guidance with your nursing registration would be my best tip. It is a long process and I appreciated having somebody checking in on me along the way. Being able to pick up the phone and gain assistance really helped and made the process smoother.

My London Nursing Experience

I did my nurse training in New Zealand back in the 1990’s where we practised giving injections to Oranges!

I always wanted to travel with my job so as soon as I was able, I signed up with an agency and jumped on a plane. The UK was exactly what I wanted. It was the perfect base for my travels through Europe and the Middle East and I took advantage! Nursing gave me the ability to earn good money AND fund my (travel) habit.

 is so busy and heavily populated that it was initially a bit overwhelming. I had to put myself out there but once I did, I met lots of fellow expats who turned into close friends and travel buddies!

There was a vibrant nightlife in London and the shopping was awesome, much more so than what I had grown up with in little old New Zealand. So, for me it was a case of work hard and enjoy the rewards.

The most frustrating part was the registration. It was quite lengthy but a necessary evil. It was important that I didn’t lose my nursing skills so early on in my career or, take a pay cut by working in a job outside of nursing so, I knuckled down and got registered.

I did the application with a friend, we kept each other motivated and checked in regularly so that neither was lagging behind. More recently nurses no longer have to sit the English exam and everything is available on line so it is much more streamlined. Back when I was applying it was all hard copy! The postage took forever and was expensive!

Patient care in the UK was same but different. A patient is a patient wherever you go and you nurse with the utmost compassion and care where ever you are. That said the hospital system took some getting used to. I naively thought it would be fairly similar to New Zealand but soon learnt that every country and every hospital has a different system. I adapted and hit the floor running in no time though. Learning this was a great stepping stone for future countries that I worked in such as 

Keeping it real, I knew that the UK was not the place to go for money however, the experiences I had were priceless and unique to the UK. To this day I am still friends with some of the nurses I met and its 20 years later! The travel that I did – well nothing can compare to that and, the memories that I hold are some of my most precious ….

New Zealand To London, A Nurse’s Journey

 Charlene Hollingworth – Senior Staff Nurse

Can you give us a snapshot of your nursing/allied healthcare career thus far? I started nursing in 2011 in Emergency and then in 2017 I moved to the UAE to become a charge nurse in a busy trauma centre. After nearly three years in the UAE I took the leap to move to the beautiful island of Guernsey where I am a senior staff nurse in Emergency.

Which country are you working in through CCM?

Why did you choose this country as your destination?

 The way of life, the beautiful island and also speaking to my manager I knew this was the place I wanted to move to.

When you first arrived, what supports did the hospital have in place to help you adjust?

 When I arrived I had to isolate for two weeks due to Covid-19. I was picked up at the airport and taken to a hotel. I received many emails from HR and my manager called and dropped off supplies to the hotel for me. I never felt alone due to the support. Once I started work I was allocated a buddy, this has been great, coffee catch ups and regular messages makes me feel part of the team and helps settle me in.

What kind of facilities do you have in your accommodation and local area? 

The accommodation is fully equipped and there is an onsite free laundry available. Outside there is a shared bbq and seating area. Town is not far from the accommodation which has lots of coffee shops, bars and high street stores.

How do you spend your days/evenings/weekends off?

 There is so much to do in Guernsey! I have spent hours walking the cliffs, out in the sea paddle boarding, kayaking and also a high speed rib to see the puffins and seals. The beaches are amazing and great if you fancy a lazy day.

What is nursing/allied healthcare like in your new country?

 (How is it different to home and how do you adapt to the differences?) The nursing is great, they have a very supportive team who all want the same outcome. It is so laid back and the support has been fantastic.

What professional development opportunities were offered to you?

 I have completed my mandatory training, given dates to complete advanced courses and I will be teaching on a course in October and I would have only been here 6 months.

 The friendliness of the team, so welcoming and nothing is too much bother. Also the island is beautiful, every corner I turn I smile! I have found my happy place.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of travelling to your chosen destination?

 Make sure that island life is what you want. Outdoors is the way of life here, sand is always in the car and the sea is just around the corner.

To Register your interest in nursing overseas, click here

Nursing In Guernsey – A British Nurse’s Experiences

 I came from Manila, the capital of Philippines



Can you give us a snapshot of your nursing career thus far?

 I started my nursing career in Makati Medical Centre from December 2010 to January 2011, then I worked in Saudi Arabia from December 2010 to December 2019 and at present in Dublin working at the Blackrock Clinic, one of the finest private hospital here in Ireland.



When and why did you decide it was time to take your nursing career abroad?

 After almost ten years of working in Saudi Arabia, I decided to have a change of environment and expand my nursing career.



Why did you choose Ireland as your destination?

 I have worked with Irish colleagues before and they encouraged me to try to work in Ireland.



You’re undertaking adaptation to complete your registration – what is that like? I applied to Nursing and Midwifery Board of Nursing in Ireland and it took 3 months before I received my Decision letter. I took the RCSI exam last 16 February 2020. I was very pressured. Though I have an idea on the topics, the mere fact that it’s time pressured is really something to consider.



How long have you been in Ireland? And how are you settling in? Are there a lot of differences between your home country and Ireland? What are you doing in order to adapt to your new environment?

 I’m here in Ireland for 2 1/2 months now. I’m still trying to adjust with the weather and the culture that is totally different to what I got used to. There are a lot of difference between working in Philippines and Saudi Arabia compared to Ireland. People here are more independent and the way the Nurses are empowered and being treated fairly. The weather is unpredictable but I asked my colleagues on recommendations on how to adjust with the weather. But for now, heater is my “best-friend”.



What is your social life like? What do you do on your days off? 

There are a lot of pubs and café around the area. We like to roam around the City centre trying to familiarise with the different areas and just have a stroll. I love mostly are nature especially now it’s spring.



What part of your new life have you found the most surprising?

 I find it challenging at first to start in a new environment and with 10 years experienced working abroad, I was surprised that I started to feel homesick but everyone are so warm and welcoming it really means a lot to me.



What are the positives of living in Ireland?

 People in Ireland are very warm and easy to talk to. I find them very polite as well. The environment/nature is very uplifting.



What is your most memorable moment so far?

 The most memorable for the meantime was before the RCSI. It took me weeks of sleepless nights and stress and finally paid off after passing my exam.



What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have you manage them?

First the RCSI exam. I studied and prayed hard.

Homesickness, I’m still trying to overcome it for now.

At work: having a new environment, I always observe and ask if needed and I noticed in Ireland they are more than willing to answer questions.

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