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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

Nursing Overview Saudi Arabia – Nursing Registration

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So you’ve done your research, talked to your family and friends & have decided to take your career to Saudi Arabia.  What’s the process? The ultimate question…. All international nursing, whether it be Europe, America or the Middle East, takes time. This is due to overseas nurse licensing & work visa/permit applications.  Saudi Arabia is our most popular location with Aussies and Kiwi nurses travelling there for work every month! To work in Saudi Arabia there are 4 main steps. The entire process can take minimum of 4-6 months so it’s good to plan ahead. Don’t worry, we will help you through it all!

Applying for Employment

The benefit of Nursing in Saudi Arabia is that you can secure employment before you have to apply for nursing registration and work visa permits. To apply you’ll need an updated CV and completed application forms. You’ll then be asked to complete an interview via an online platform such as WhatsApp, Zoom or Skype. If you’re successful, you’ll receive an official job offer letter and we can help you complete the necessary paperwork!

Apply for Nursing Registration

The registration board for Saudi Arabia is the Saudi Commission for Health Specialities (SCFHS). The registration process can be quite complex, so at CCM, we do this for you!

There are 4 main steps for nurse registration:

  • Dataflow

    Dataflow is a company hired by SCFHS to verify your qualifications. You’ll just need to send us scanned copies of these documents. We then send them to dataflow for verification. The process takes approximately 6 weeks. The documents you’ll need to provide are:

    • Bachelor Degree
    • Academic Transcript
    • Current Nurse License
    • Statement of Service
    • Passport Copy

  • Mumaris Plus

Mumaris plus is the SCFHS online portal for nurse registration. Once Dataflow has verified all your documents, we will upload the required information to the Mumaris plus portal for you. The SCFHS will then assess and determine if you meet their criteria to be a Registered Nurse in their country. If you do, you’ll receive an eligibility number. You need this number to progress to the next step.

  • Prometric Exam

You’ll find that most overseas registration boards require you to take an exam. For Ireland it’s the RCSI exam, for the UK it’s the OSCE exam, for Saudi it’s the Prometric Exam. Our best advice for the exam – don’t stress! The Prometric Exam is multiple choice & based on the different specialities of nursing. You have 3 hours to complete it. Most nurses have it done within an hour. You only need 45% to pass and you have 3 attempts to complete it. We haven’t had any nurses fail this exam and you won’t be the first!

  • Professional Classification

Once you’ve passed the Prometric Exam, the results are automatically sent to the SCFHS. After approximately 2 weeks, they’ll issue you with your “Professional Classification”. With this, you can travel to Saudi where you complete the final stage through the hospital, as they will be your work sponsor. You’ll then be fully licensed!

Work Visa/Permits

The process takes approximately 8 – 12 weeks* and is done in conjunction with your nursing registration. There is some paperwork required including: Nursing degree authentication, Police check & Medical. Don’t worry, we have a dedicated team to help you with all the required paperwork & apply for this visa on your behalf.

*processing time frames vary, this is just a guide

Travel

Once you have your nurse registration and work visa/permit you’re ready to hop on the plane! All of our Recruitment Consultants have lived and worked in Saudi Arabia and remember how daunting that first step on the plane can be. We are dedicated to compiling resource materials about the culture, work and life in Saudi Arabia so that you can be better prepared for when you arrive. We’re all happy to answer any questions you have, the challenge is getting us to stop talking about it! Once we go down memory lane, we may never stop!

Nursing Overview Saudi Arabia – Cost Of Living

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Cost of living is a major factor in the decision making process when relocating overseas. If your goal for overseas nursing is solely financial and you endeavour to save for a mortgage or similar, then Saudi Is prefect for you. With salary paid tax free to you in Saudi and free accommodation provided, this country offers fantastic saving potential to help you achieve your financial goals.  

Below is a basic breakdown of some of the common costs of living. The below is a guide only. We have listed a few websites to help you conduct further research so you can assess your individual needs.

Food

Grocery prices vary depending on which supermarket you choose to shop at. HyperPanda is a local grocery store with local produce. Danube is a more upscale grocery store stocking both local and imported goods. Many grocery stores have home delivery services.

2 Litre milk 8 SAR $3.09AUD $3.30NZD
15 large eggs 7.75 SAR $2.99AUD $3.22NZD
1kg Tomatoes 9.95 SAR $3.84AUD $4.13NZD
1kg potatoes 1.95 SAR $3.80AUD $4.13NZD
500g boneless chicken 6.95 SAR $2.68AUD $2.88NZD
Bread 4.25 SAR $1.60AUD $1.70NZD

Housing 

Housing will be you’re biggest savings. All of our hospitals provide free, fully furnished accommodation for staff including utilities & electricity. Males have the option to move out of hospital provided accommodation and source their own housing, this is often covered by a housing allowance.  For a more detailed breakdown of housing please visit out Accommodation blog. 

Internet

Unlimited 5G internet 280 SAR/month $108AUD/month $116NZD/month

 Transport

Petrol 0.82 SAR/L $0.30 AUD/L $0.34 NZD/L
Taxi 10 min ride 12.32 SAR $4.76AUD $5.12 NZD
Intercity train 80 SAR $30.90 AUD $33.23 NZD

 Entertainment

Dinner for two 69 SAR $26AUD $28NZD
Movie tickets 60 SAR $23AUD $24NZD
Best available theatre tickets 100 SAR $38AUD $41NZD

 Further resources

https://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/country/saudi-arabia

https://www.expatica.com/sa/moving/about/cost-of-living-in-saudi-arabia-71066/#:~:text=The%20general%20cost%20of%20living%20and%20standards%20of%20living%20in,to%20cover%20basic%20living%20expenses.

Nursing Overview Saudi Arabia – Expat Life

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Expat Life in Saudi Arabia

It’s a common misconception that there is no social life for expats in Saudi Arabia. Like any country, life is what you make of it. If you’re open to invitations, trying new things & meeting new people, you’ll be amazed at what’s on offer. Behind the veiled curtain the media portrays, Saudi Arabia has an incredibly active social scene where one can be as active or as quiet as one likes.

Expat activities

One of the best ways to make new friends when you arrive in a new country, is to join a sporting team. Depending on what suits you there’s a number of clubs and associations around the country available to new arrivals.

The Gaelic Football club is located in Riyadh & runs across the Middle East with teams travelling to neighbouring Middle Eastern countries for championship matches.

The club also has a Hurling and Camogie base for those wanting to branch out from football.

The athletic club has been running since 1978 with branches in the coastal cities of Dharhan & Jeddah. The club focuses on marathons, cycling and 

triathlons and hosts races with approximately 250 -300 participants.

If you live in Jeddah or love to dive you can’t go past the dive scene on the Red Sea. There’s an array of clubs available with people going out each weekend to explore what the relatively untouched coastline has to offer. Once you arrive in the country, you’ll soon find a club that suits you, just ask around.

Latin dancing is surprisingly popular in the Middle East with many festivals being held around the region. Saudi itself has a growing dance scene with many compounds hosting classes and salsa clubs popping up across the region. Ask around and you’ll find a club or dance school near you. Great way to meet people and get the endorphins pumping.

If you’re just looking for a bit of fun, try BOUNCE, a theme park filled with wall to wall trampolines. Embrace your inner child and jump around. Its good exercise and most importantly will have you laughing with joy.

Yoga, Pilates, hiking, hockey, rock climbing, badminton, tennis, volleyball and other sports are all available in the Kingdom along with a multitude of other sporting activities. Just ask around and you’ll soon discover what you’re looking for.

Local Events

With the country slowly opening up, you’ll find there’s a lot more locally run festivals available providing you with the opportunity to appreciate the local culture.

Arguably the largest cultural festival in Saudi, it takes place over two weeks in February each year. Expect to see traditional sword dances, horse and camel races, local arts and crafts, songs and poetry, falconry & delicious food – it’s the best way to learn more about the Saudi culture and experience what the country you’ve chosen to live in has to offer.

Riyadh Season was a 3 month festival covering a variety of themes to celebrate the social life of Saudi. 31 restaurants had pop up stalls to satisfy the culinary tastes of foodies. Concerts were held across the city, including local Arabian stars as well as famous Korean pop band BTS. Winter Wonderland from London was created with spouting ice-skating rinks, Ferris wheels and fairground rides. Theatre lovers could enjoy plays such as The Wizard of Oz & King Lear. The festival had something for everyone and is sure to be back again this year.

As part of the major car racing event E-Prix, a massive music festival was held in Saudi. Stars included Enrique Iglesias, Amr Diab, David Guetta, One Republic and the Black Eyed Peas all performing to a sold out crowd.

It’s a fantastic time to be on the ground in Saudi as you watch the country change before your eyes. A lot has been invested with a string of cultural events planned for the coming months and years.

Embassy Events

Many embassies will have events which expats are welcome to join. You’ll need to contact the embassy and be on their event mailing list. Some embassies are open to all expats, others will require you to be the “plus one” to someone from their country.  Europe month is one of the more popular events held by the Embassies in Saudi with concerts ad different cultural events being held throughout the month of July.  Ladies, when packing your bags, make sure you bring at least 1-2 ball gowns, embassy balls are held throughout the year. You’ll also find the Australian and New Zealand embassies hosting their own events. If you’re from one of these countries, reach out and ask to be on the mailing list.

Art, Food & Entertainment

A decade ago, Saudi had almost no art galleries. Fast forward to now and local artists are flourishing. From traditional, to abstract, to graffiti more and more art is popping up across the city. Check out where to find the best art galleries here. If you’re interested in more textile forms of art, take a look at Saudi Design week where modern design meets traditional Islamic craft.

If you’re living in one of the major cities – Riyadh or Jeddah, there is an array of restaurants and dining options for you. From local street food,  food trucks and fine dining there’s plenty of opportunity to explore the culinary delights of Saudi. A popular place is The Boulevard where many expats go for a night out and to experience the local atmosphere.

There’s all forms of entertainment popping up across Saudi as it begins to diversify and become more tourist friendly. One of the more popular forms of entertainment – Escape Rooms. Put your mind to the test and figure out this puzzle to reach the end of the maze.

Travel

There’s so much to explore in the country itself, too much to list in this article. For more info on domestic travel check out our Domestic Travel blog here.

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 Saudi Arabia – Accommodation

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One of the biggest benefits of living in Saudi is that, for most people, the accommodation is free, fully furnished and includes electricity/utilities. There are a few different options available depending on the hospital that has employed you and the type of contract you have taken. 

For the most part, nurses and AHPs are housed in hospital housing. This can be either a high rise apartment complex, or a western styled compound. All our hospitals provide accommodation for single female employees. For male employees, most hospitals provide accommodation or alternatively are allocate a housing allowance for those who wish to find their own. For families or couples, depending on the contract type you’ll either have a housing allowance or accommodation provided. So let’s look at the different types of accommodation….

Compounds

Expat compounds were first established in the early 1980’s in an effort to allow foreign expats to feel a little more at home in their living environment. Generally, compounds consist of a number of 2-4 bedroom villas to create almost a small village or gated suburb within the city, similar to a university campus. Within the compound are a range of amenities including pools, spas, saunas, gyms, tennis courts, basketball courts, squash courts, restaurants, small grocery stores, movie theatres, bowling alleys and other such amenities. Compounds vary in size and can rate between 3-5 stars. This will determine the types and number of amenities available on your compound if you are placed here.

Compound life is a great way to meet fellow expats and build friendships. If you’re not housed on a compound, don’t worry! These compounds quite often hold social events & gatherings and you’ll still get a chance to meet people. For those who prefer a more private or quieter social life, the compounds are big enough to provide people with their own space too.

For our hospitals, some compounds are on the same grounds as the hospital. However, most are located approximately 20-30 minutes away from the hospital. Shuttle buses are provided free of charge to transport staff to and from the hospital and allows staff to have that separation of work and home life.

High rise apartments

Apartment complexes are either on the hospital grounds or 10 – 30 minutes away from the hospital. Shuttle buses are provided if housing is not on hospital grounds. Apartment types consist of either studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedroom apartments. Nurses who travel with CCM will always have their own bedroom and rarely have to share a bathroom. Depending on the hospital, some apartments will be older but more spacious apartments, others will be new but smaller. Apartment complexes will have large shared laundry facilities along with shared amenities such as swimming pools, gyms and computer rooms.

Off-site living

For males, if you choose to live off hospital housing you will need to calculate your housing allowance based on your contract type, and use this to determine which type of housing you can afford. Compounds with a large number of amenities for example, will naturally be more expensive. Apartments may suit your budget but may not have the amenities you want. Quite often a group of colleagues will rent a large share house together allowing for social connections and shared costs. Do your research and ask your colleagues who have lived in the country for their advice. There are also many expat groups that you can utilise for further information.

Furnishings

All hospital provided accommodation is fully furnished. Furnishings include beds, couches, linen, kitchen cutlery, pots, pans, towels, TV, landline phone etc. Everyone’s taste is different & so while the furnishings may not be to your exact liking you will have everything you need. There are plenty of great home-ware shops in Saudi Arabia including IKEA so once you get settled you will be able to go shopping for nick knacks, cushions & plants to make your new place feel like home.

 

You can find out more about our client hospitals accommodation here

Further resources

https://www.expatarrivals.com/middle-east/saudi-arabia/accommodation-saudi-arabia

http://www.kingpininternational.com/news/article/guide-finding-apartment-saudi-arabia/

https://www.expatica.com/sa/housing/renting/renting-in-saudi-arabia-70915/#Renting

https://www.expat.com/en/guide/middle-east/saudi-arabia/7_accommodation.html

https://www.zaahib.com/home/en

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