Countries Worth Considering for Nurses Who Want to Relocate

Wherever you go in the world, nurses are always needed on the front line and in many other areas of health and medical care to provide care to sick and injured patients and offer support to people who need it the most. Because nursing is such a universal profession and needed everywhere that you will find people, getting into nursing can also be an excellent opportunity to see more of the world while you work and help more people from all backgrounds, countries, cultures and walks of life in the process. Whether you are interested in taking your skills as a nurse to different areas around the world to help the people who need your compassion and care the most or are thinking about moving to another country once you have trained as a nurse, some countries offer better options for nurses than others. Here are some of the top countries around the world for nurses to consider going to work in. 

Australia

Australia’s healthcare system has a combination of both private and public healthcare. Some medical appointments are paid for by the patient while others are free of charge for those who use the public healthcare system. Australia is a country that is dedicated to investing in good healthcare, which means that nurses and other healthcare professionals who work here get to enjoy state-of-the-art equipment and facilities in super-modern healthcare working environments. The country has a high demand for nurses and is actively recruiting both Australian nurses and nurses from around the world. The government even ‘scouts’ good nurses to come from abroad including advanced nurses with a qualification like the FNP programs online from Baylor University. Registered nurses and advanced nurses like nurse practitioners are needed. To work as a nurse in Australia, you will need to take an International English Language Test and pass to qualify. You may find it easier to get a work visa if you have a nursing qualification that is recognized by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board, although this is not always a requirement and training can be provided to get your qualifications up to scratch.

New Zealand

Similar to Australia, New Zealand has both private and public healthcare systems in place. There are opportunities for nurses to work in both public and private healthcare in this country. Around 80% of New Zealand’s healthcare providers are in the public healthcare system while the remaining are private hospitals and clinics. The healthcare industry here is well supported by the government and plenty of investment into modern working environments with the latest technology and equipment. Over the next decade, New Zealand wants to increase their nursing workforce with an additional twenty-five thousand nurses, making it a great time for nurses from around the world to consider going to work here. If you have the skills necessary to fill one of the various roles that they need nurses for, there’s a high chance that your work visa application will be accepted. Nurses here enjoy generous salaries and a great work-life balance with at least four weeks paid annual leave per year. 

Canada

With their modern public healthcare system, Canada is an ideal choice for nurses who are considering working outside of the US but do not want to go too far from home. There isn’t a lot of a culture shock since the country is next door to the US and speaks the same language. To work as a nurse in Canada, you will need to start the documentation process by submitting an online application form. Depending on your personal circumstances, this can take between three and eighteen months to complete, so it’s best to do it as early as possible. You will need to get a board certification from the College of Nurses of Ontario by taking and passing the exam required before you will be able to legally work here as a nurse. For US nurses, the visa application process is fairly easy. Nurses in Canada enjoy modern working environments with the latest technology on hand, and a generous average salary of $CAD 51k per year.

Denmark

If you are considering moving to Europe to start a new chapter in your career as a nurse, Denmark is a great option. Working in this country gives you an option to experience something different as a US nurse as the healthcare system here is completely funded by the state. And it is one of the best countries in Europe when it comes to healthcare provision. The healthcare industry here is exceptionally modern and has a very well-organized system with high levels of job satisfaction among Danish nurses and nurses who come to Denmark to work from aboard. EU nationals do not need to apply for a work visa to work as a nurse in Denmark. Nurses from the US, on the other hand, will need to get a visa before they will have the right to work here. Before your application is accepted, you will need to get authorization from the healthcare governing body. You will also need to be proficient in Danish and may be required to take a language test before you can start in your new job. 

The UK

Working as a nurse for the NHS in the UK can be an ideal choice for nurses who are interested in moving to England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland and want to be able to work somewhere without a language barrier. Although the majority of healthcare in the UK is publicly funded, there is a growing number of private clinics and hospitals that you can find work at too. Experienced nurses can earn as much as $43k per year in the UK, while entry-level nurses start on around $30k per year. You will need to register with the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council and complete an assessment to demonstrate your skills before you can begin working. 

With nurses in higher demand around the world, there are plenty of options for qualified nurses who want to move away from the US.