There are many reasons to become an international travel nurse.
Travel nurses are in demand and they can make good money. If you are a registered nurse, you can get paid significantly more than if you were to work in your local community. And the benefits of being an international travel nurse are plentiful, including:
• A chance to see the world! You’ll be able to explore different countries and cultures while earning a living.
• You get to meet new people and make connections all over the world.
• You have access to specialized training that many hospitals can’t offer locally, like neonatal care or pediatric critical care units. You also get access to cutting-edge medical technology that is not available in some countries where you may be traveling from or going to.
• In many cases, travel nursing positions provide housing and transportation for their employees which can save you thousands of dollars over time as well as give you more flexibility when it comes down to planning trips around your schedule rather than having someone else do it for them every time they need something done on time or within budget.
How To Become An International Travel Nurse
As with travel nursing in the U.S., international nursing jobs are typically found through agencies within their home countries. You must first be licensed to work as a nurse in the U.S. Then you must meet any requirements in the country or countries in which you’d like to work. Each country will have its own guidelines, so it’s up to you to do the research.
Where Are Travel Nurses Needed Overseas?
You can find opportunities for travel nursing abroad in destinations across the world. Some of the areas with the highest need for nurses include Australia, New Zealand, China, and the Middle East. Areas prone to high rates of disease and natural disasters may also have a demand for rapid response nurses who can provide critical care in the aftermath of these events.
It’s important to note, however, that it’s not common to find an agency that will send you to a country where you don’t speak the language. You’ll be expected to have at least a working knowledge of the local language before you’ll be considered for a nursing role in a foreign country.
What Kind of Jobs Are Available?
Jobs for travel nurses are available in a wide variety of areas. You’ll find patient populations ranging from the very young to the very old, and any number of conditions or diseases. You may find yourself working in a range of medical settings, from low-income clinics to state-of-the-art facilities.
International travel nursing is common. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that, “one in every eight nurses practices in a country other than the one where they were born or trained.” This is largely due to nursing shortages around the world. While you might have a heard a lot about the nursing shortage in the United States, there are areas around the globe facing even greater shortages.
A recent report by the WHO and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) found that despite recent increases in trained nurses there is still a large need: There are just under 28 million nurses worldwide, the report states. Between 2013 and 2018, nursing numbers increased by 4.7 million, but this still leaves a global shortfall of 5.9 million. The greatest gaps are found in countries in Africa; Southeast Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions; and some parts of Latin America, according to the report.
You can tailor your job more specifically by earning a specialty certification. In-demand specialties include emergency room, medical-surgical, pediatric nursing, intensive care, anesthesia, and labor and delivery. You can gain these credentials through organizations like the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, though you may need to gain additional certification in the country where you work.
How Long Are the Assignments?
While travel nursing assignments in the U.S. typically last between eight and 26 weeks, nursing jobs abroad are often longer. You’ll likely work for at least a year in destinations like Australia and Europe, while it’s common to commit to at least two years while working in the Middle East.
If you’re curious about international travel nursing but not ready to make a long commitment, there are numerous volunteer opportunities. Non-profit and charity organizations all over the country have opportunities for nurses to volunteer overseas. These trips generally last anywhere from three to six weeks. While you won’t earn a salary for this work, it can be a great way to make a difference while seeing if international travel nursing is a good fit for you.
Who Handles Travel Arrangements and Expenses?
Within the U.S., travel arrangements and expenses for travel nurses are typically handled by your agency. However, every agency works differently, so it’s important to ask questions to understand exactly how they operate. Like in the U.S., an international travel nurse agency may handle setting up your travel and housing, or it may provide you with stipends to do so on your own.
Benefits of International Travel Nursing
Not only does international travel nursing allow you to experience other cultures in new parts of the world, it can expand your own skills as a nurse as well. You’ll likely be exposed to different types of medical procedures and learn how to better communicate with a variety of patients. You’ll get to expand your own abilities while also lending your talents to a likely underserved area.
After completing an assignment, you also have the option to take time off. Some agencies allow you to take as much time off between assignments as you choose, while others put a cap on the number of days you can take in a row. However, taking an extended amount of time off could affect any benefits you might have, so make sure you fully understand the way your agency works.
The nonprofit National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO) touts international travel nursing’s flexibility and potential for cultural enrichment as invaluable benefits. A travel healthcare professional gets to see many different places around the world while earning a significant income. Plus, the travel nurse gets to decide the distance and time frame of each assignment.
Perks of Working as an International Travel Nurse
- Housing stipends
- Covered travel expenses
- Stipends for food and other living expenses
- The opportunity to experience life in a new country
- Exposure to new medical technique and ideas
- The chance to expand your communication and language skills
- The opportunity to experience diverse cultures
How Much Do International Travel Nurses Make?
Most countries around the world pay nurses significantly less than you’ll find for travel nursing jobs across the United States, although your pay will vary depending on your location and specialty. But even in places where compensation doesn’t reach U.S. salary levels, there are other benefits that can make overseas nursing a rewarding job in many ways. For example, some countries in need of travel nurses have a lower cost of living. You’ll be paying less for things like housing, food, taxes, and utilities, so your paycheck might go a lot further than it would in the U.S.
You might expect to earn more if you specialize in high-paying areas such as cardiac catheterization, oncology, anesthesia, and pediatric and neonatal intensive care.
Where Will I Make the Most Money?
There are some locations that are known to pay more than others. Outside the U.S. and Canada, Europe is where you’re likely to make the highest salary. According to Word Atlas, you’ll make the most in these European countries:
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Ireland
- Norway
- The Netherlands
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t earn an impressive salary in other countries. For example, while your salary in the Middle East might look lower on paper than back home in America, you won’t pay taxes on the income you make there. If you also have basics like housing and food covered, you could be looking at high take-home pay.
How Do Compensation and Benefits Work Overseas?
Compensation and benefits work differently depending on your city, your country, and your agency. The only way to know exactly how your package will break down is to ask the agency for which you work.
Usually, you’ll receive an hourly wage that might seem somewhat low, but your pay is supplemented with additional benefits. Most agencies provide furnished housing for the duration of your contract, along with stipends for meals and additional travel. Your agency might also offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as paid time off, reimbursement for licensing, and end-of-assignment bonuses.
What Are the Educational Requirements for International Travel Nurses?
You’ll generally be able to find international assignments as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), or advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), but it will depend on the location you’re hoping to work in. No matter what, your license will need to be in good standing and your degree will need to be from an accredited school. You’ll need to meet the requirements of licensing in the country you’re assigned to. Your first step will be to earn a degree and a nursing license.
