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Nursing In Saudi – UK to Australia To Saudi Arabia

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Rayna King is a British nurse who has worked in the UK, Australia and Saudi Arabia. She first travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2012 to work at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital. She then returned to Saudi in 2018 and is now working in the King Abdulaziz Medical City.

Given that I’ve worked at both the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSH&RC) and the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) I feel I can really compare the two. Although I didn’t work in ICU at KFSH so I can’t really comment on that. however from my understanding of talking to friends at KFSH, the ICU nurses regularly have more than one patient per shift whereas at KAMC it is very rare for us to have more than one patient, even during the peak of COVID.

I currently work on a Trauma ICU however we don’t actually receive as much trauma as I was originally hoping for. My unit is actually doubling in size and therefore staff, in the next few months, we are moving to a brand new unit that has been designed for us and as staff we have had input as to what we would like in the unit and we are now going to be the Respiratory ICU.

Regards to support, I have always felt 100% supported at work from everyone I work with, the whole team and management. Since the pandemic this has been more so, and the support I have had from my manager and director has been unbelievable. Although there has been some pretty terrible days (which has been experienced globally), I have never gone into work dreading what was to come as I know that we’re well supported. This has included working as a unit to create solutions to ensure we didn’t run out of PPE. We also changed the way we looked after our patients, including moving as much equipment outside the room (eg IV infusion pumps) to reduce the amount of times we actually go into patient rooms. This also minimised direct contact with COVID patients (which was what our manager wanted to reduce our personal risks). 

We also held regular team meetings, including with our director, so we can voice our concerns. My manager even set up a “de-stress room” for us with a massage chair, relaxing music, lighting and scented air humidifier so we could take some time out during our shift to get off the unit for a while. Although work is good, you know yourself, it’s only really a small part of life in Saudi.

Now the housing. That was a massive improvement on the KFSH accommodation. It has everything that you need in the villa, but a little trip to IKEA will have it looking more homely. I live in a two bedroomed villa and I’ve been living alone for the last year as I have a colleague from home who was hoping to come out before the pandemic struck, so I was able to contact housing and have the spare room reserved for her. I have the master suite which is massive. I have a big kitchen, massive dining room and 2 living rooms. The second bedroom is also big and has a bathroom next to it. There is also what they call a maids room which has a shower room attached (this room will never be used as staff accommodation so makes great for a storage room) and another guest toilet.

I also have a really good garden, which I’ve decorated really well, so it’s great for having BBQ’s. I currently seem to be the head of hosting amongst my group of friends and had a BBQ with about 20 friends at the weekend. Also in the accommodation we can have both male and female guests visit, we do have a curfew of midnight during the week and 2am at weekends but it tends to be not too much of an issue. The rest of the compound is good, we have a basic but decent gym. It has everything that we need in it and we have 2 decent swimming pools and the kids shaded pool. There’s tennis courts and squash courts also. It’s nice to be able to live on a mixed compound I think, as sometimes when it’s all girls it can be just a bit too much!

Life in Saudi has changed so much since I was here the first time in 2012. I don’t usually wear an abaya (traditional Saudi dress) when I go places now. Obviously I know some places that are a bit more traditional and out of respect, and to avoid glares, I pop one on. There’s no issues with going out with people of the opposite sex for dinner and coffee, no one even gives you a second look these days. Pre COVID there was concerts on, sporting events etc, so hopefully we will get back to that again sometime.

One thing that certainly hasn’t changed is the crazy driving, however, I took the plunge and I actually got my driving license which was relatively easy for how things work in Saudi. Although I’m not going to buy a car, it’s nice to be able to hire one every now and then and get out of the city, or simply just do all my running around without having to use a driver. The rental prices are so cheap, from my experience it’s been 75-100SAR/day ($27AUD-$36AUD/day*) and a full tank of petrol is about 60SAR ($60AUD*). It’s just nice to have the freedom to get out and about when I want.

I can honestly say I’m having a great time here, obviously I can’t wait for international flights to resume for holidays and to see my loved ones, but life is pretty good here and I have such a great group of friends who are like a second family. With anything in life, you only get out what you put in, but the rewards can be great if you put the effort in.

*prices subject to exchange rates as of 21/09/2020

If you would like to register your interest in nursing opportunities in Saudi Arabia, please email CCM on info@ccmrecruitment.com

Top 10 things to do on a Day Off in London

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London is a magical city, always hustling and bustling with life day and night, it is a great city to spend hours on your day off exploring, shopping until you drop or dancing the night away. With great travel links such buses, traditional London Black Cabs or the extensive underground tube you will never be stuck in one place for too long. Use contactless payments or 

Big Ben and London Eye

oyster cards for getting about central London, or rent a bicycle and get some exercise while you tour. We have listed our top ten favourites to explore in the city of London.

 

  1. Big Ben and London Eye – Big Ben is an iconic landmark for London, situated at the Buildings of parliament, grab a coffee and enjoy the short walk from both Westminster Abbey and the London Eye with plenty of photo opportunities in between. The London eye – best booked online in advance offers you the opportunity for spectacular views of London city and its landmarks.
  1. The British Museum – London has copious museums throughout the city however the British Museum provides free entry with the opportunity to attend regular paid exhibitions if you choose. Show casing over two million years of human history, you can certainly spend several hours getting lost in the history within this beautiful building.

    Tower of London

  1. Tower of London and Tower Bridge – the Tower of London is situation at London Bridge on the north bank of the River Thames. The tower of London is an incredibly popular tourist attraction, experience centuries of history with a guided tour from the Queens’ Guard, spend some time walking around the grounds or marvel at the crown jewels. Following you visit to the tower, perhaps grab sometime to eat with a view of the famous Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge is a well-recognised London landmark, why not spend some time walking along the river and witness the ‘bridge lift’ to allow vessels through, this can occur several times in one day and mostly in the evening. The Bridge also offers the opportunity to climb its 200+ steps up to the top and you can walk across the bridge glass walkway. 
  1. Body Worlds London – Body Worlds is a great learning tool for anybody in the medical field, since touring the world in 1995 Dr Gunther van Hagens exhibition is now a permanent addition to Piccadilly Circus. Spend a few hours on a rainy day in London to enjoy a guided tour around the ground-breaking museum which shows a series of preserved corpses and internal organs, while it sounds gruesome and not for the squeamish it shows a fascinating insight into the human body. You can see the physical affect that diseases, lifestyle, and the diet’s impact on the body and its organs. Piccadilly Circus itself is a bustling hub of attraction, get a photo of the world-famous Billboard or wander towards Leicester Square. There you will discover several restaurants, shops, a cinema and even the M&M store – or sit and relax and watch the hustle and bustle of the city.

    Buckingham Palace

  1. Buckingham Palace – What visit to London could be complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace. Get there early to witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony or take a tour of the palace itself! Green park is a beautiful park situated behind the palace, a quite and relaxed space within London and a great place to sit and take a break from sightseeing for the day.

    Hyde Park

  1. Hyde Park – one of the largest parks within central London, divided by two lakes. The park is the perfect place to sit and enjoy an ice-cream during a summer day or a great area to get some exercise outside away from the busy London streets. Walk about the scenic park, alongside the lake or visit some of the nearby attractions. During the winter Hyde Park transforms into a spectacular Christmas destination, walk along the brightly lit paths and peruse the numerous Christmas markets, try some ice-skating at the magical outdoor skating rink or jump on one of the numerous funfair rides. Entry to Winter Wonderland is free, avoid the queues for admission and plan to get there earlier in the day, there is plenty to eat, drink and see – you will be sure to return again and again.

    The Shard

  1. The Shard – London’s 95 story tall skyscraper, the Shard offers a unique experience. Book yourself in for a breath-taking day or night view of the city. If it’s a special occasion why not book in for dinner at their premium dining experience or spend some time sampling cocktails at the bar, nowhere else will offer such stunning views while you dine.
  1. Oxford Street – Oxford Street offers you a shopping experience like no other in London, with approximately 300 shops, this bustling street is sure to have something for everyone.

    Camden Town

  1. Camden Town – Camden Town is a district in the northwest of London, famed for its eclectic mix of markets, the are is popular with visitors of all ages. Camden Town hosts a large range of open-air markers: pick up some crafts and books to keep you busy during downtime, clothes, jewellery or spend the day sampling a wide range of different cuisines. For those looking for the nightlife scene, Camden Town certainly is the place to be with lives music, pubs and clubs.
  2. Theatre District – Often referred to as London’s West End, the Theatre district hosts numerous musicals, comedies and much more. Titles regularly change however there is a regular list of long running shows such as Mamma Mia, The Lion King, Les Misérables or if you want to watch some of the shorter running programmes there is a multitude of theatres to choose from. You can buy tickets from street ticket booths within the West End or book online. Shows can run for several hours so why not choose from a set pre-theatre menu at any number of the West Ends Restaurants.

If you have a few days off why not spent some time outside of the city, London has excellent transport links to the rest of the UK or indeed Europe. 

Nursing Overview Saudi Arabia – Domestic Travel

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Saudi Arabia has been described as the “final frontier” of tourism by Lonely Planet. Previously shrouded in mystery, there was not a lot known about the domestic wonders hidden with this vast desert country. However, it has recently opened up to tourism and as a result, the opportunities for exploration & discovery have grown. From the coastline of the Red Sea, to the mountainous ranges of Hijaz, the ancient archaeology of Mada’in Saleh, the religious birthplace of Mecca or the cosmopolitan city of Riyadh – there is so much to see and explore in this beautiful country.

Cosmopolitan City Life

Look no further than the capital city of Riyadh, located in the heart of the country. The city is comprised of soaring architectural stunning towers in the centre of a sweeping desert. Here you’ll find 5 star Michelin restaurants, designer shopping malls, lively festivals and a thriving cosmopolitan atmosphere. Our top pics

  • High tea at the Globe: you’ll be served the finest of foods with sweeping views of the city.
  • Sky Bridge: be rocketed to the 99th floor of Kingdom tower and take the perfect selfie
  • Masmak Fortress: delve into the history or modern Saudi
  • Al Diraiyah: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, an oasis within the city

Beach Life

The city of Jeddah is located on the coast of the Red Sea. Home to fantastic dive sites, bustling souq’s and stunning coastline it’s often the first city that travellers visit upon arrival in the country. Our top picks:

  • The Corniche: take a walk along the coastline. There’s children’s parks, cafes, a pulsing local atmosphere not to be missed.
  • Al Balad: A UNESCO listed heritage site where the old world meets the new
  • Diving day trips: Relatively untouched by tourism, Jeddah is the perfect place to explore what’s under the sea. Be amazed by the variety of sea life and colorful corals as you explore the natural beauty of the Red Sea. Don’t miss the Farasan Islands
  • Al Wahba Crater: a day trip from Jeddah, the crater is believed to have been caused by a meteorite and is perfect for those up for an adventure

Ancient Wonders

Madain Saleh is not to be missed. Full of history and archaeological wonders, the area dates back to ancient civilization of the Nabatean. Beautifully carved stone tombs with ancient texts invaluable to historians. Unlike its sister city of Petra, Jordan, Madain Saleh is relatively untouched by tourism allowing its ancient and fragile beauty to remain intact. Do not miss Madain Saleh!

For more ancient wonders, the Jubbah rock carvings located in Central Najd date back to 5500BC. Here you’ll find some of the most impressive petroglyphs you’ll ever see.

Mountain Ranges

Popular with campers and hikers, the Asir National Park encompasses mountain ranges nearly 3000m above sea level. Mt Soudah is famous for misty cold weather and boasts stunning views. It’s not for the faint-hearted though, there are no marked hiking or trekking trails, the routes can be tricky and mist or thick fog is common. Having said that, if you want to go off the beaten track, where better than the mountains.

Our top pic:

  • The Hanging Village of Habala: An ancient village accessible only by ropes and situated half way down a cliff face.
  • Paraglide down form the mountain tops: what better place for stunning views than from the sky itself?
  • The City of Abha: located in the Asir province there’s a lot to explore in this region and so much local wonder to discover

The above is just a taste of what Saudi has to offer. There’s so much to explore and discover in this unknown part of the world. We encourage you to take full advantage of your item there, hit the road and explore!

Further Resources:

https://againstthecompass.com/en/places-visit-saudi-arabia-itinerary/#3

https://www.blueabaya.com/2012/01/ten-amazing-places-to-visit-in-saudi.html

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20170418-saudi-arabias-silent-desert-city

http://www.saudiarabiatourismguide.com/why-exploring-saudi-arabia/

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293995-Riyadh_Riyadh_Province-Vacations.html

Nursing Overview – Ireland Adaptation and Aptitude test

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You’ve now received your decision letter, however the NMBI has stated, before you can be fully licensed, you’ll need to undertake a period of adaptation & assessment also known as the Adaptation Program or Aptitude Test. So what is the Adaptation Program & Aptitude Test? Why do you need to take this & how do you organise it?

Why do I need to complete an additional Assessment Program or Test?

NMBI requirements are based off the amount of theoretical and clinical hours that are completed in an undergraduate nursing/midwifery program in Ireland. When you submitted your documents in the application pack for assessment, these documents would have outlined the number of theoretical and clinical hours you completed in your own undergraduate degree. For Australian and New Zealand degrees, this is often less than what is completed in Ireland. As such you are required to undertake a practical assessment in order to compensate for this difference.  There are two pathways to do this – the adaptation program or the aptitude test. You have 12 months from the date of your decision letter to travel to Ireland and complete this part of the registration process.

How do I organise the Adaptation Program or Aptitude Test?

During the 90 day assessment period with NMBI, CCM can assist you with your employment applications. If you’re successful in securing employment, the hospitals we work with will assist you in organising your adaptation program or aptitude test. Some hospitals will offer the adaptation program, some will require you to sit the aptitude test through the RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons for Ireland).

Either way, the majority of our hospitals will:

– Assist with your flight to Ireland

– Assist with initial accommodation

– Pay you as a student/assistant nurse during the adaptation period/ aptitude test period

– Provide financial assistance towards the cost of the aptitude test if you take this option

– Employ you full time as a Registered Nurse upon completion of the adaption period/ aptitude test

What is Adaptation?

Adaptation is similar to a preceptorship program. The hospital will assign you a Registered Nurse/midwife to shadow you for 6 weeks. During this time, you’ll complete various theoretical and clinical competencies which fall under 6 domains:

  • Professional values & conduct of the nurse
  • Nursing practice & clinical decision making
  • Knowledge & cognitive competencies
  • Communication & interpersonal competencies
  • Management & team competencies
  • Leadership & professional scholarship competencies

Some of the content that will be covered includes but is not limited to:

  • Cultural and social issues
  • Values for nurses
  • Organisational policies & procedures
  • Basic life support
  • Sepsis
  • Infection control, hand hygiene & waste management
  • Principles of effective communication
  • Reflective Practice

Your assessor will have an assessment tool to complete. Upon completion of the 6 week program the assessment tool will then be submitted to your Director of Nursing and then the NMBI board. You’ll then proceed to work with that hospital as a fully licensed Registered Nurse.

For more information on Adaptation and a full copy of the assessment tool please visit the NMBI website.

What is the Aptitude Test?

For hospitals that do not offer the adaptation program, you will need to sit the aptitude test. This a 2 day exam conducted in Dublin through the Royal College of Surgeons for Ireland (RCSI). The test is based on what a newly qualified general nurse in Ireland should be able to demonstrate.

Day 1 – Theoretical components.

The exam is a supervised online assessment consisting of 150 MCQ. You’ll have 3 hours to complete the exam and a minimum of 50% must be achieved in order to pass. The option to repeat the exam in full is available for those who do not achieve a pass mark.

Day 2 – Practical components

There will be a number of stations set up in the exam hall each covering a different clinical competency pertaining to that of a general registered nurse. A minimum of 14 stations up to 20 stations must be complete.

Each station will have a description of the clinical scenario at hand. You will then have 10 minutes to complete the task of that station before you proceed to the next station. There will be two assessors, both qualified nurses, at each station. Stations will either have a mannequin or one of the assessor acting in a role for the purpose of the clinical station. When the allotted time is complete the assessment ends, regardless of if you have finished or not. Each station is pass or fail. You must be successful in 75% of all stations in order to pass the clinical exam overall. The option to repeat any failed stations on a second day is available to those who do not achieve a minimum of 75% in total. You do not need to repeat the stations that you have passed successfully.

Content that is covered may include but is not limited to:

  • Blood product administration
  • Infection control policies & waste management
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Chest pain management
  • Medication preparation
  • Blood glucose monitoring

Preparation is necessary to achieve a successful result with the aptitude test. The RCSI website has an extensive range of additional study materials. CCM will also provide you with study materials.

What happens once I’ve completed the Adaptation Program/Aptitude Test?

Upon successful completion of the adaptation/aptitude test you will proceed to be licensed as a Registered Nurse and commence work.

Nursing Overview – Irish Registration Breakdown Part 2

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Completing the Overseas Registration Application Pack

So, you’ve received the Overseas Registration Application Pack – now you need to complete it! If you haven’t applied for this pack yet – go back to our previous blog and find out how to apply.

Before you start the pack there’s a few main points we’d like to highlight:

  • You have 6 months from the date of receiving the pack to complete it.
  • The time you take to complete this is dependent on how fast you are with your own paperwork, but on average, we estimate its takes approximately 4-8 weeks for people to complete.
  • You can download the Guide for Overseas Applicants directly from the NMBI website
  • You can track your progress via your own online account. To set one up, visit the Online Account page at the NMBI website. Just be mindful that sometimes it takes some time for the NMBI to update your progress online, so you may need to email them from time to time, or we can have our Dublin office place a call for you.

Right, let’s get started!

The Pack is divided into two sections. The first section is completed by you while the second section is completed by various organizations/authorities. Your personal reference number is located in the top right hand corner of each page.

Section 1

Section 1 consists of Part A – J. This section is required to be completed by you, the applicant. Before you start this section we recommend you have access to your Bachelor Degree, Academic Transcript & Employment Statements of Service.

Part A, B & C  relate to personal details, identity documents & contact details
 Part D  relates to your undergraduate degree and any post graduate degrees you have completed.
Part E & F refers to your nursing registration  along with some compulsory questions you’ll need to answer
Part G & H refers to your employment history  and explanations of any gaps or overlaps within that history
Part I & J  are a simple declarations and checklists.

Important notes for Section 1:

  • When referring to dates, always list the Date/Month/Year. Just the Month/Year is not acceptable
  • Ensure theses dates are accurate. You may need to check your statements of service, academic transcript or contact the relevant authority directly before completing the form.
  • Don’t use abbreviations eg AHPRA should be Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Always ensure the names and titles are written exactly the same as the correlating documents eg title of your degree & name of institute should be the same as what’s listed on your certificate, name of employer should be the same as your statement of service etc.
  • Don’t leave any unanswered section blank – put N/A instead.
  • If you run out of room, simply photocopy another page of the form needed and use that.

Section 2

Consists of a number of forms you’ll need to send to relevant authorities it complete. These authorities must then return the forms back directly to the NMBI. They cannot be accepted from you, the applicant.

You will find that these authorities take time to complete these forms, so you will need to follow them up in order to complete this section. When a form is complete and sent, make sure you get written confirmation that this has been done so you have a record. It may be a good idea to provide the institute with prepaid tracking envelopes so you can track postage yourself.

There are four forms that will need to be complete.

Verification (CCPS) – The Nursing Board you are currently licensed with. We recommend you contact your relevant nursing board to find out their current policy on completing this form.
Unlike most nursing boards, AHPRA will not complete this form, instead you’ll need to login into the AHPRA website and request a Certificate of Registration Status also known as Certificate of Good Standing.
For NCNZ, you’ll need to send the form to them for completion. Visit the NCNZ website for their current policy.
Transcript of Training Form – The institute where you completed your undergraduate degree.
Employee’s Reference Form – Your current employer. This will need to cover 12 months. If you have not been employed for 12 months you’ll also need to contact your previous employer.
Graduate Program – If applicable, the institute from which you completed a graduate program.

The Graduate Program form is particularly important for Australian and New Zealand nurses. The amount of clinical hours we complete during our undergraduate degrees does not correlate to the amount of hours that are completed in Irish universities. As a result, Australian and New Zealand nurses are often asked by the NMBI to complete a practical exam, or preceptorship, before they can be fully licensed. This can sometimes be avoided by completing the Graduate Program Form in Section 2 of the pack.

To do this, we recommend contacting the hospital where you completed your first year of nursing and asking your Nurse Educator (or equivalent), to clearly list the clinical hours and any theoretical courses/competencies you completed. If you did not complete a formal graduate program, it is still worth asking your Nurse Educator to write a letter stating that you were supported during your first year of nursing and underwent various supervised theoretical and practical competencies.

Once both Sections 1 & 2 have been completed and sent into the NMBI you will be in Step 4 – the Assessment stage. The NMBI will take 90 days to review the documents you have sent in. During this assessment period, CCM can begin to submit your CV to Irish hospitals for review. Contact us for more details on current vacancies & which hospitals will suit your speciality and skill set.  

Once assessment is complete you will receive a Decision Letter stating whether or not you meet the requirements to work as a Registered Nurse or Midwife in Ireland

For more detailed information on how to complete the Application Pack you can contact info@ccmrecruitment.com.au.

Nursing In Ireland – An Indian Nurse’s Experience

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Q&A – Ireland

Where are you from? I’m from India (Chennai).

Can you give us a snapshot of your nursing career thus far? I gained my nursing degree from Dr. MGR medical university India in 2011, started to work as a staff nurse in MMM hospital Chennai and moved to Riyadh King Faisal hospital and research centre in 2014 and worked there till 2019 September in coronary care unit. Currently, I’m working in BlackRock clinic, Dublin in cardiac department.

When did you travel to Ireland? I came to Ireland on 4th October 2019.

When and why did you decide it was time to take your nursing career abroad? I thought to have some changes in my personal life, to develop my professional knowledge, to increase my financial stability and to make a new life style changes. I took my OET exam and started my Ireland processing from January 2019.

Why did you choose Ireland as your destination? I choose Ireland because it is a quiet country and also there is lot of opportunities for nurses especially in the workplace to built our nursing career with the support of  hospital management.

What was the registration process like? You’re undertaking adaptation to complete your registration – what is that like? The registration process has various steps like completing the overseas application pack, forms to be filled by the relevant authorities like nursing college, past and current working experience  and the nursing license , assessment  of our application from the NMBI and issuing the decision letter. The registration process is quiet hard but less procedures and frustrating compared to other European countries.

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 in Ireland for the past 6 months, I had my aptitude and OSCE exam, had my hospital orientation and ward orientation in my  first month. I completed my probationary period and well settled in my work.

There are lot of differences from my home country. The hospitals are well developed with new equipment, increased quality of care and well supportive management and colleagues.

What is your social life like? What do you do on your days off? We do have friends gathering occasionally especially on public holidays and birthday parties and also going out for shopping and dinner.

What part of your new life have you found the most surprising? I found the climatic changes are the most surprising in Ireland as there is four different climate everyday.

What are the positives of living in Ireland? Very good salary, easy to work and the kind-hearted people. The Irish people are so social and they like to talk more about us and more interested to know about our country and culture.

What is your most memorable moment so far? My memorable moment so far is the first Christmas celebration in Ireland with my new colleagues and Irish friends.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced and how have you manage them? The most challenging part is the OSCE  exam but we can achieve this with our hardworking and prayers.

You’re currently working for the Blackrock Clinic – How did the hospital help with the transition from your old life to your new life? BlackRock clinic is one of the best hospital in Dublin. The hospital management and the supervisors are so friendly and supportive which helped me a lot to adapt and manage the new life changes.

How are you finding nursing in another country in general? What differences are there & how are you adapting to the differences? Nursing is a challenging career and the nursing care is same in all the country but the people’s approach to the nurses are different in some countries but here I feel much respected and homely atmosphere so adapting to this is more easy.

How are you finding your department in particular? What support is there and what are you colleagues like? I had some difficulties in the beginning  to learn the routines work but the management and the colleagues are more supportive and helpful. The managers are so flexible and approachable, we are allowed to request duties and leaves are permitted as we wish.

What career opportunities or professional development have you found there? There are lot of speciality courses available here and we can choose from our own interest. And also the we are encouraged to attend continuous nursing education programmes in different hospitals.

How are you finding the cost of living in Dublin – is it very different to home? Yes, the cost is living in Ireland is much much expensive than home country especially the rent in Dublin is very much high. But the lifestyle, salary and working experience is much better than the home. So I feel more safe and satisfied here.

What were your goals before travelling to Ireland? Are you achieving what you set out to do or have these changed? My goals are to meet new people, see new places, career passion, personal satisfaction, financial stability and family support. I hope these things will happen in the coming days.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of travelling to Ireland? I would like to tell them that the registration process will be quiet slow but you can land within a year once you started your NMBI process. Prepare very well for the RCSI exams because it is quiet challenging for someone with minimum experience but everyone can go through this with great hard-work.

What is your overall opinion to date? I feel so happy and I’m very much thankful to Cathee and the overall CCM Recruitment team for helping and supporting me to achieve my goal. I’m also very much delighted to live and work in Ireland.

Nursing Overview – Irish Nursing Registration

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Irish Nursing Registration – A General Overview

One of the joys of being a nurse is that we can use our job to travel anywhere in the world. In order for us to practice overseas though, we need to be registered with the Nursing Board of that particular country. You’ll find that overseas registration can be a lengthy process. But we’re here to help! Over the next two weeks we’ll be breaking down the Irish registration process in detail. But to start with, below is a basic overview of the process & what you need to know before you start applying.

What to know before you apply

The nursing boards need to adequately assess if you are qualified enough to practice in their country and ensure the safety of their patients. Before applying for registration you should:

  • Plan for a minimum of 6 months  for the registration to be complete. This does not include the work permit/visa process  which can be an additional 3-6 months. 
  • You will need to secure your nursing registration before  you can apply for a job in Ireland. This means you will need to pay the registration application fee to NMBI before knowing you have a job secured.
  • CCM can assist you in securing nursing employment in Ireland however nursing registration must be obtained first before applying for a job.
  • Most of the hospitals, where CCM have positions available, will reimburse various costs of the registration process. Remember to keep receipts of all payments.

 Who is the Nursing Authority in Ireland?

The Nursing authority in Ireland is the NMBI – Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Any nurse or midwife wishing to practice in Ireland must be registered and approved by NMBI , similar to AHPRA for Australia or NZNC for New Zealand.

What is the structure of the NMBI?

The NMBI has ten divisions.  The division you are allocated is a reflection of how your undergraduate university course was structured. Because of the way universities courses in Australia and New Zealand are structured, the majority of applicants will fall under the General Division or Midwifery Division.  We’ll be going into more detail on this in our next blog.

Who is eligible to apply for registration?

To be eligible to apply for nursing registration you must:

  • Hold a  valid nursing license/registration, without restrictions, in the country in which you qualified or are currently practising in.
  • Have a minimum of 12 months current Registered Nurse/Midwifery experience within the last 5 years.
  • Meet the English Language requirements. 

How do I know if I’ve met the English Language Requirements?

You  WILL NOT need to take an English Competence Exam if:

  • Your nursing or midwifery qualification was completed in a recognised English speaking country 
  • For at least 3 years  out of the last 5 years, you have practised in an recognised English speaking country 

If you do not meet the above criteria, you WILL be required to take an English competence exam. This can be done through the International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET). 

What is the application process?

The Application Process is a 5 step process. Over the next two weeks we’ll go through this in detail but for now in a nutshell:

  • Step 1: Apply for the Overseas Registration Pack
  • Step 2: Receive said pack – approximately 1-2 weeks. 
  • Step 3: Complete relevant forms – approximately 1 month. 

This involves you gathering evidence of your education, current registration and employment, to show the NMBI you meet the requirements of a Registered Nurse/Midwife. Your university, current nursing board and employer/s will also need to submit evidence to support this.

  • Step 4: Assessment – approximately 90 days.

The NMBI will assess and evaluate all the evidence submitted

  • Step 5: Decision Letter 

Once assessment has been completed you will receive your Decision Letter with your outcome. This will be either:

  • Full eligibility and successful registration
  • Partial Eligibility – the applicant will need to sit a subsequent practical exam (Aptitude Test – RCSI)  or a clinical assessment/placement (Adaptation)
  • Further information required
  • Refused Entry – does not meet the requirements

Australian and New Zealand applicants will mostly fall into one of the first two categories. For those who need to take a subsequent practical exam – we will be going into further detail on this in our subsequent blogs.

The above timelines are a guide only. In our experience you will need to plan for a minimum of 6 months for the registration and an additional 3-6 months  for the work permit/visa application process.  

What are the costs involved?

Overseas registration applications can be expensive, so it’s important to do your research before-hand and make sure this is the country you wish to practice in. Should you gain subsequent employment through CCM Recruitment, the majority of hospitals we work with will provide financial assistance, or reimburse various costs of the registration process.

The below is subject to exchange rates as off 22/4/2020. For up to date exchange rates please visit https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

Fee Euro AUD NZD Comments
Overseas Application Pack €350 $603AUD $637NZD covered by the majority of hospitals CCM works with
Overseas Registration Fee €145 $250AUD $264NZD If application is successful this is the cost of your annual nursing registration
Overseas Additional Division Fee €80 $138AUD $145NZD If applicable
Adaptation n/a n/a n/a Usually completed through your prospective Irish employer and is free of charge. If your prospective employer does not offer this then you’ll need to take the Aptitude test
Aptitude test/RCSI €2500-2800 $4313 – $4828AUD $4550 – $5,093NZD Should you have a successful interview and be required to take this, the hospitals CCM work with provide reimbursement of this fee or financial assistance

 

For further detailing on costs please visit the NMBI website or contact CCM Recruitment directly.

When can I start applying for jobs?

You can start applying for jobs when you have received your decision letter  from the NMBI. Having said this, some hospitals will accept applications during the assessment phase of your registration application, which can aid in speeding up the timelines of your relocation to Ireland.

Over the next two weeks we will be going into further details on each of the registration steps. For any specific questions contact us at info@ccmrecruitment.com.au

 

Further resources:

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/the-Register-and-Divisions

https://www.nmbi.ie/Registration/Trained-outside-Ireland/Application-Process

Nursing In Ireland – A Filipino Nurse’s Experience

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Q&A – Ireland

Where are you from? 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 did you travel to Ireland? I came to Ireland on 12 February 2020

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.

What was the registration process like? 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.

You’re currently working for the Blackrock Clinic – How did the hospital help with the transition from your old life to your new life? The hospital and the staffs are very supportive. We always have a free ride when we had to apply for GNIB, PPS and RCSI. It’s a big help budget wise. The management always see to it that staff are well taken cared of by providing information may it be work or how to adjust in the country.

How are you finding nursing in another country in general? What differences are there & how are you adapting to the differences? I find Nursing in Ireland challenging. Starting from a new place again and it really makes me strive and learn more about the culture and protocols in my new environment.

It differs in a way that it is not the culture that I got used to. I need to adjust when it comes to asking questions to a patient or how to approach a certain situation. My colleagues are very supportive giving me tips on how adapt.

How are you finding your department in particular? What support is there and what are you colleagues like? My new department is challenging being assigned in a different specialised Intensive care. My colleagues are incredibly supportive since day 1 and giving chance for learning.

What career opportunities or professional development have you found there?  BlackRock Clinic is funding an entry class for those who are interested, and anyone can have an opportunity to take Master’s degree. New exposure to Cardio-thoracic Intensive care is highly specialised and I’m more than happy to learn about it.

How are you finding the cost of living in Dublin – is it very different to home? Cost of living is quite expensive in Dublin but it’s a good way to learn how to properly budget.

What were your goals before travelling to Ireland? Are you achieving what you set out to do or have these changed? My goal is to advance my career and travel Europe. I am starting to achieve my goal step by step starting from my new area which is Cardio-thoracic from General intensive care. Travel might be delayed for few months but it is really something I look for.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of travelling to Ireland? I would advice that an applicant must research and know what they really want before deciding to work in Ireland starting the registration to employment until the way of living and weather. One should have an open mind and ready to be flexible with the new culture.

What is your overall opinion to date? I was hired under CCM recruitment under the care of Cathee. CCM is very reputable agency. I can’t say enough how professional Cathee is. When I send an email during office hours, I can guarantee to get a response within 5 minutes once urgent, I can easily send her a message on messenger for faster response even off hours. I cannot complain where I am right now. I am more than satisfied to be deployed in BlackRock Clinic.

Nursing In Saudi Arabia & Abu Dhabi – Grace’s Story

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Q & A Nursing Overseas With Grace Hung 

Where are you from? 

Hong Kong is my hometown, while I have been in Australia since 2006.

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

I completed by Bachelor of Nursing in University of Wollongong. I have been working as a registered nurse for ten years in Wollongong, Sydney Metro, NSW Rural, Riyadh – Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi – UAE.

When & where did you travel to the Middle East?  

I spent a year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2014-2015 & 2.5 years in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2016-2019.

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

I love travelling. Hong Kong is an international city that is so easy to travel around, but unless I work there for a year and take the exams I am unable to practice nursing there. So I went elsewhere.  I was inspired by my colleagues that were working in the Middle East. It allowed me to have a stable income, with travel at my fingertips. Within 4-8 hours I can visit Africa and Europe! If I continued to work in Australia, to make the long haul flight and flight tickets worth the money, I have to take a month or two off to see those countries.

After you finished your one year in Saudi, you moved to Abu Dhabi to work in the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi? How was the culture & lifestyle of Abu Dhabi? 

Saudi was definitely a culture shock but the community there was so welcoming that it was a great way to experience something different. Abu Dhabi was a lot more western & an incredible mix of foreign cultures. Being a Muslim country there is still an Islamic theme but it’s very multicultural with everyone’s cultures being celebrated.  The UAE is often where expats across the Middle East go to for a long weekend and a bit of a break. 

How did the Cleveland Clinic help you transition into your new life in the UAE? What was the accommodation like? 

CCAD conducts a holistic orientation for everyone. They have hospital tour, city tour, and general orientation for all new comers. They also have specialised orientations for doctors, nurses, allied health, porters and even kitchen staff. CCAD has a high standard of practice. All nurses have to pass American competencies prior to working on the ward (but they provide intensive courses to help you pass the exam if you have failed the first one). They also had a lot of skills to be accredited once or annually. But, despite this, I never got stressed as the educators are always helpful and happy to assist.

The accommodation? My friends who came to visit me, they described it as a 5 star hotel. I was once living on level 56, with the clouds on the same level outside the windows. Prior to this, I was living on a 10-storey high building, which is 30mins drive/bus ride away from the hospital. They have different accommodations that suit different people with different preferences. And now, they even provide “opt-out” options for people to rent their own places with housing allowances.

What were the highlights of your time in the UAE? 

Should I stop mentioning the ease of travel? Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are now the popular transiting airports people travelling from the east to the west or vice versa. Other than that, travel within the UAE is another kind of experience. I could be camping in the desert but an hour later I can reach the world tallest building with the biggest shopping mall in the Middle East.

I don’t tend to visit religious place while travelling, but the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is something that you should never miss out on. It’s absolutely stunning, but I do often wonder “how do they keep it so pristine & white after so many years?”

What were the challenges of working in the UAE and how did you manage these? 

The challenges would be around working in the multicultural environment. We, the Aussie or Kiwi nurse, always claim that we’re used to working in the multi-cultural environment, but I would say it’s different to what we experiencing the Middle East. In Aus/NZ we have an established medical/healthcare system, people from overseas have to adapt to our way and cope with the challenges of that themselves. In the Middle East, they are relying on overseas medical professionals bringing their medical knowledge into the country to improve and build up their system. With health professionals coming in from all over the world, bringing in their own ideas and knowledges, trying to fit into a Middle Eastern Culture that dates back to Bedouin times, cultural shock and clashes are inevitable.

How did you find nursing in another country? 

Nursing in another country can be challenging. Especially, when the practices in the country/facility are different from what I’m used to in Australia. Some practices, I found were more beneficial and evidence based so I would follow them. Other times, this was not the case. But I never hesitated to speak up when I had concerns or I thought there was a better way to get things done.

What career opportunities or professional development did you find there?  

When I was in Saudi, I was lucky to be nominated into the paediatric course for a month and become a paediatric nurse there. There were also Unit Based Councils in every unit where nurses could advocate for themselves and on behalf of the patients to improve the treatment and relationship as a whole.

When I was in Abu Dhabi, I had the opportunity to be trained for peri-transplants for both liver and kidney surgeries and also for bariatric surgery.

Both hospitals always had good elective courses that I could take on my own desire, like wound care, peritoneal dialysis etc.

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

No matter where we live or work, there are always challenges. Working in the Middle East itself can be a shocking one, but if you go in with an open mind and learn to just chill from time to time, it will allow you to see beyond the culture shock and appreciate the many benefits the region has to offer.

Grace Hung: Saudi Arabia 2014-2015, Abu Dhabi 2016 -2019.

grace@ccmrecruitment.com.au

Nursing In Saudi Arabia – Kaitlyn’s Story

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Q&A – Saudi

Where are you from? 

Australia

When did you travel to the Middle East? 

May 2019

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

January 2019 I decided to travel abroad, I enjoyed my nursing career in Australia but many nursing colleagues had suggested I should experience nursing outside of home.

Why did you choose Saudi Arabia as your destination? 

King Faisal Hospital. It is Magnet accredited and to achieve that standard outside of the U.S is an achievement of pro-active nursing professionals

What was the reaction of your parents and friends when you told them and how did you manage that? 

Surprise but then very supportive

What was your first week like in Saudi? 

Very exciting but nervous

When you move to another country, there’s so many factors in play – culture shock, making friends, adjusting to a new job, the list goes on….How did you find the transition from you’re home country to the Middle East? 

A challenge but thankfully I made friends with the new arrivals and I was given a lot of support by my colleagues in the unit I was assigned too.

Was there a big culture shock? What affected you the most and how did you adapt to this? 

The culture shock was not as big as I thought, some aspects I was new too, but again the friends I made supported me through it.

You’re currently working for the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre I Riyadh – How did the hospital help with the transition? 

Very supportive team in King Faisal who guided me every step of the way.

What was the accommodation like? 

Very Modern and comfortable.

There’s a lot in the media about Saudi at the moment– do you feel safe? What has been your personal experience as a woman there? 

As a woman in Saudi Arabia I feel the same as I do in any country. There are the same dangers for women here as anywhere else. 

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

 How easy it is to start thinking of Saudi as home.

What are the positives of living in Saudi Arabia? 

Good weather, it is a very good location to travel the world from.

What is your most memorable moment so far? 

Seeing the different sites of Saudi Arabia eg the red sands and the desert camping sites 

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

 Trying to communicate with people who don’t speak English or English is not their first language, but the hospital provides Arabic classes and staff are supportive in translation. 

How are you find nursing in another country? How are you adapting to the differences? 

Staff are very supported on the floor by their peers. Head and Assistant Head Nurse are also there and we have very helpful Clinical Instructors.

What career opportunities or professional development have you found there? 

They run many classes and courses to improve your career

How did you make friends? What is your social life like? What do you do on your days off? 

Sight see, travel, shop sports all the same as back home.

What were your goals before travelling to Saudi? Are you achieving what you set out to do or have these changed? 

To improve my nursing ability, learn new procedures, Travel, see the culture of the region.

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

To come with an open mind. Be aware of current events but judge on your own assessment.

What is your overall opinion to date? 

So far very enjoyable, I would recommend this opportunity to anyone who is up for a challenge.

Kaitlyn Besso, Riyadh 2019 – current

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