International career opportunities can be a watershed moment in anyone's career. International jobs are generally on professionals' wish lists for career or personal development.
And when it comes to international jobs, we cannot escape nursing or healthcare jobs. We must accept that healthcare is an industry that will always stay in trend. The international healthcare market is a thriving one. But, there is a global need for more healthcare workers. There is a significant shortage of healthcare experts in some major countries. For example, the NHS is facing a catastrophic shortage of qualified nurses in the U.K. As a result, it has been projected that NHS will need to hire at least 5,000 more foreign nurses annually by the end of 2024.
Thus, there are benefits to having international career opportunities in the healthcare sector. And it is just this topic that we will focus on in this post. So, if you want to be a nurse or a healthcare professional, stay with us until the end.
We will go through the "global healthcare industry boom and the career opportunities it provides."
Global Healthcare Boom And Employee Shortage
A significant increase in healthcare development, growth, and spending is a global healthcare boom.
This can include medical technological improvements, increased access to healthcare for underserved communities, and so on. In addition, population growth and aging, increased emphasis on preventative care, and breakthroughs in medical research and technology are all factors that contribute to a global healthcare boom.
The global healthcare industry is growing. Worldwide healthcare expenditure has escalated recently, with North America and Europe paying the most. Before COVID-19, for example, healthcare spending in the United States surpassed US$3.8 trillion. This is further predicted to grow at a 5.3% annual rate, reaching roughly US$6.2 trillion by 2028. Yet, despite the growth, there are still global inequities in health spending, which will persist over the next 25 years. For example, according to studies, low- and lower-middle-income countries would spend $164 to $1,935 per person on healthcare by 2040, while developed countries will spend $9,019 per person.
Apart from the spending on the healthcare industry, the COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the need for medical supplies. But, the irony is that there has been a global lack of healthcare workers. In this regard, before COVID-19, WHO estimated an 18 million-person deficit in healthcare personnel by 2030.
That said, nursing is one of the fields in the health and social care industry experiencing a severe shortage. In fact, by 2030, 40 million new employment will be created in the health sector worldwide. A circumstance like this will provide ex-pat job opportunities in the healthcare sector.
Global Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals
There are several scopes for healthcare professionals across the globe. One can work for international organizations such as WHO or Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or in private healthcare corporations and NGOs. Medical professionals may also choose to work in overseas research or training.
As stated before, many developed countries need more healthcare personnel and may seek to hire them from abroad. That said, nations like the U.K., the US, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada face high demand for nurses. This is due to factors such as an aging population, early retirement, a nursing shortage, increased demand for medical services, etc. So, if you are a licensed nurse seeking an international career in healthcare, the world is your stage!
You must note that certain countries have tougher regulations and standards for international healthcare professionals. So, knowing the requirements and qualifications for nursing jobs abroad is critical. IndieTalent aims to help applicants locate relevant healthcare jobs (including nursing) in their chosen country and settle there.
Countries that Provide the Best Nursing Job Scopes for International Candidates
Are you eager to discover more about nursing jobs in other countries? Do you want to pursue an international career in nursing or healthcare? If so, proceed to the following section. This section will explore the top countries that offer the best nursing career possibilities for foreign professionals. Along with nursing, we will also cast light on other healthcare jobs in these countries.
The U.K.
There is now a nursing shortage in the United Kingdom. This is due to several causes, including an aging population, rising demand for health services, and a lack of funds for education and training.
Also, many experienced nurses are approaching retirement age, and there is a need for more young nurses to enter the industry to replace them. As per the Guardian, the NHS is facing a rising workforce crisis. This includes 8,158 physicians and 39,652 nurses. The situation is dire in some fields, such as mental health and community nursing. This provides a fantastic opportunity for international professionals to apply for healthcare jobs in the U.K. and launch careers in this field.
Some great nursing jobs you can apply for in the U.K. include the following:
- Staff nurse
- Mental health nurse
- Palliative care nurse
- Community nurse
- School nurse, etc.
Germany
Germany, like the United Kingdom, is experiencing a nursing and healthcare workforce deficit. The aging population is a significant contributor to this deficit. In 2021, there will be roughly 14,000 registered nursing vacancies in German clinics, with an extra 8,000 vacancies in ICUs. As a result, as the COVID-19 restriction is lifted, the German Federal Employment Agency's International Placement Services (ZAV) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH have established a joint program to recruit trained nurses from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Philippines, Tunisia, Indonesia, and India.
Fair work conditions, advanced training programs, better career growth, and a good salary package (33,000 EUR/ gross/ approx.) are benefits of working German nursing jobs. But, pay is governed by location, expertise, qualifications, and working hours. Furthermore, German law governs nursing jobs in Germany. Also, nurses must be registered with the proper regulatory organization. Additionally, to work in Germany, you must be fluent in German.
USA
The shortage of nurses in the U.S. has been a long-standing issue. According to Healthline, an aging population, the retirement of experienced nurses, a shortage of fresh nurses, nurse burnout, etc., are causing the shortage. To fill the gap, over 1 million new registered nurses (RNs) will be needed to meet healthcare demands by 2030. Besides, as per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in healthcare occupations is expected to expand by 13% from 2021 to 2031. This is substantially quicker than the average for all occupations. Over the next decade, this will result in around 2 million new jobs. This offers a great opportunity to build a nursing career in the U.S.
New Zealand
New Zealand has an advanced and stable healthcare industry. Here, the public sector provides more than 80% of healthcare services. Working as a nurse in New Zealand has various advantages, such as a fair work environment, a decent wage (average $60,000), paid yearly holidays, and so on. But, to work as a professional nurse in New Zealand, Indian nurses must be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ).
Australia
The Australian government contributes significantly to the country's healthcare system. So, healthcare workers and nurses enjoy a cutting-edge working environment and a competitive salary (about $60,000 to $75,000). In addition, aside from nursing, the Australian midwifery workforce is rising. This provides enormous opportunities for international jobs in the healthcare sector.
To be a nurse in Australia, one must meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) standards. In addition, the candidate must be a member of the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA). Furthermore, to meet NMBA and AHPRA criteria, Indian nurses must finish a Bridging program, commonly known as IRON (International Registration for Overseas Nurses) or EPIQ (Entry Program for Internationally Qualified Nurses).
Things to Consider while Applying for Nursing Jobs Abroad
The global expansion of the healthcare industry has created enormous opportunities for international candidates to pursue their careers abroad. However, applying for overseas healthcare jobs becomes easier if you follow simple procedures.
Nursing Degree
First, get a nursing degree recognized in the country where you are looking for a job. This is required to be hired as a registered nurse in your chosen country. Besides, to get hired as a professional nurse, you may also need to finish a bridging course. For example, you must complete the IRON (International Registration for Overseas Nurses) or EPIQ (Entry Program for Internationally Qualified Nurses) to work in Australia.
Registration
To work as a registered nurse in another country, you must first obtain a nursing degree and then register with the appropriate agency. For example, to operate as a registered nurse in Australia, one must be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
Language
Since English is the generally accepted official language in most countries, you must pass an English skill test to seek healthcare employment abroad. Some of the recognized tests include the IELTS, TOEFL, etc. This is required to obtain a work visa in your desired nation. However, sometimes, you may also need to be proficient in the native language of a nation to work there. For instance, to work in Germany, you must learn German.
Visa
To travel and work abroad, job visas are required. As a result, you must learn about the type of work visa required to stay and work in your country of choice. You can contact IndieTalent to make the process of visa application easier.
Funding
When considering practicing nursing abroad, you should consider the cost of living in your chosen nation. In some countries, such as the U.K., you must also show proof of enough personal savings to support yourself. Aside from the cost of living, aspiring nurses may need extra medical training before registering. All these factors can result in added financial costs. So, consider all the potential costs and their impact on your future earnings before applying for nursing jobs abroad.
Work Environment
You must recognize that working abroad is not the same as working in your own nation. Different countries' customs, policies, and regulations are in place. You will also meet people from various origins, communities, etc. As a result, if you want to do healthcare jobs abroad, you must accept diversity and exhibit flexibility.
To Summarize
The expansion of the global healthcare system, combined with a shortage of specialists, is increasing the demand for international healthcare workers. As a result, looking for nurse jobs abroad is a lucrative alternative these days. But, applying for work and settling into a new country may seem daunting. Here, contacting IndieTalent can be helpful. Healthcare is one of the main industries we serve in nations such as the U.K., the U.S., Dubai, Germany, Australia, Malaysia, and New Zealand. So, contact us if you wish to pursue a rewarding international career opportunity in healthcare or nursing!
