WHY WORK ABROAD
Nursing abroad can be a very rewarding and valuable experience, offering challenges and a new outlook on health care. Many nurses find that the experience enhances their development and increases their confidence both in a personal and a professional capacity.
Opportunities for nurses to work overseas are varied, ranging from working with development organisations in remote, rural conditions, to working in developed countries in highly technical environments.
Whatever type of work is undertaken there are many issues to consider before taking a position overseas. The first is perhaps exploring the reasons for wanting to work abroad.
There will be many positive reasons for wanting to nurse overseas, including the challenges of working and living in another country with a different culture. Nurses from the UK who are looking to work in other developed countries may be attracted by higher salaries and a better standard of living or a warmer climate. However, nursing abroad may not be as glamorous as it first appears, and the reality of overseas work may be very different from that expected. It is worth noting that leaving the UK to work overseas because of personal difficulties at work or at home may not be the easy option it first appears.