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As more countries report nursing shortages, the inability to fulfill the demand for nurses has become a global issue. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most member countries have reported some nursing shortages, with the demand projected to continue increasing substantially .

Three factors drive the international migration of nurses: globalization, supply-demand, and push-pull factors.

Needs-based nursing shortages are almost nonexistent in high-income countries. Still, an aging population, a shrinking labor force, a shift in prevalence from acute to chronic illnesses, and the increased professional responsibility of nurses mean the skills and education of nurses from the U.S. are highly desirable in other parts of the world.

How Do I Become an International Travel Nurse?

Each state in the U.S. is responsible for the licensure of nurses within that state. Therefore, variations exist among the states. State-specific licensure information is available on the board of nursing websites. You will need the following to practice abroad as a nurse:

  • ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing) or a (BSN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
  • For Registered Nurses, you will also need to pass your National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-RN); for Practical Nurses, you will need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN).
  • At least one year of experience working as a nurse in the U.S.
  • State board certification with the state boards of nursing where you work in the U.S.
  • You may also need to be able to speak the local language in whatever region you are working in. Practicing medicine safely will depend on your ability to communicate with your patients. Having a basic knowledge of the local language will go a long way toward helping you practice effectively in a foreign country.
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Legal Aspects of International Travel Nursing

Every country has its own foreign nurses’ licensure requirements, so be sure you thoroughly understand and are familiar with a potential position.

You will earn an international nurse’s salary according to that country’s labor laws and regulations, and in most cases, a U.S. nurse working abroad will need a visa or green card to work legally. Typically, the hospital or other facility that hires you will assist you in onboarding and prove that you are licensed. Some countries with open international nursing jobs might have a separate registration authority you will need to contact. This is more common in countries like Canada and the United Kingdom than in developing nations. Some examples include:

Work for the U.S. Government Abroad

The simplest way to enter international travel nursing is to sign up with an agency with international nursing programs worldwide. They help refine your travel search based on your skills and work experience.

Provided you have the correct license and visa, the U.S. government also offers opportunities for nursing abroad. This could be through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Department of Defense (DOD). The CDC, in particular, hires people for several different subtypes of employment:

  • Career civil service. These workers are federal employees hired through the U.S. government’s official job site. These hires are mostly health scientists, epidemiologists, medical officers, and public health advisors.
  • Non-personal service contracts. These are private-industry contractors to the U.S. government and the CDC and serve in a similar capacity as government employees worldwide.
  • Fellowships and internships. If you are a recent graduate or a nursing student, you may be able to find training programs through the CDC related to public health.
  • U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. This uniformed non-military service offers competitive pay, benefits, and retirement packages. They hire nurses and other medical professionals like physicians and dentists.
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Travel can enrich you, especially when you live in another country for an extended period. However, whether you are from the U.S. or not, nursing holds certain universal truths.

Disease, injury, and trauma don’t recognize borders. So the science you learn in one country will be applicable worldwide.

And most importantly, empathy is universal. No matter where you are or to whom you provide care, you will still need to draw upon the ideals that drove you to begin your nursing journey in the first place. There are opportunities for nurses abroad that you can consider if you want to expand your horizons and help people throughout the world.

Renee Hewitt
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