By Christina Bravata
As a nurse, you know the skills you have acquired throughout your career are crucial to the healing process of your patients. But do you realize just how important they are? A recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine concluded that there is a direct correlation between heightened patient mortality and inadequate nurse staffing and care (New England Journal of Medicine, March 2011). Your education, talents, and training are not just crucial to patient care here in the United States, they are also a coveted asset in countries around the globe, including the Middle East.
The nursing industry of Saudi Arabia is actively recruiting American trained nurses to temporarily work in their country in order to improve patient outcome, enhance the quality of nursing culture, and increase the didactic training offered to hospital nursing staff. Current positions open at hospitals throughout the capitol of Riyadh and the city of Jeddah include head nurses, Director of Nursing Services, and Head of Nursing Education.
The Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia is offering a generous remuneration package which includes $8,000-$10,000 USD per month (commensurate with experience), air fare to/from Saudi Arabia, free accommodations, health insurance, and paid vacation time. Apartment housing is generally attached to the hospital compound and is large enough to accommodate you and your family. Contracts last from 6 months to one year with the opportunity for extension. Qualified applicants have a minimum BSN and three to five years experience.
You can experience the exotic culture of the Middle East in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while making a difference in their healthcare system. An extended stay in Saudi Arabia offers an once-in-a-lifetime exposure to the customs, culture, and traditions of this truly historical land. You can shop at the downtown bazaar, sample international cuisine, enjoy recreational activities, and experience the traditions of one of the world’s oldest cultures– all while developing nursing initiatives for patient care.
Reference:
Nurse Staffing and Inpatient Hospital Mortality. Jack Needleman, Ph.D., Peter Buerhaus, Ph.D., R.N., V. Shane Pankratz, Ph.D., Cynthia L. Leibson, Ph.D., Susanna R. Stevens, M.S., and Marcelline Harris, Ph.D., R.N. N Engl J Med 2011; 364:1037-1045.