18 Sep 07
Career choice, career development, life change
The opportunity to experience another culture, the opportunity to travel extensively during your holidays, to be able to work in a new and dynamic environment, to work with other professionals who have different ideas and solutions are just some of the benefits that you can experience when working in a foreign country.
From a nursing perspective, working in Saudi Arabia presents exciting challenges and opportunities. As a result of the recent surge of the country's economy and its growing population, Saudi Arabia has stepped up to the challenge and is now highly regarded as a world leader in healthcare provision. This has resulted in a higher demand for healthcare professionals and in particular, for nurses.
Austra Health's International division is working with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre and the National Guard Health Affairs Hospitals to find Australian nurses who are looking for that next career challenge.
Austra Health Recruitment Consultant Ms Jennifer Bavdek says, "There are a variety of positions available in these hospitals. Now, more than ever, there is a need for nurses to come and work in the critical units. In particular, we are looking for critical care and paediatrics intensive care nurses."
The decision to work overseas is never easy and requires intense consideration. Austra Health work with every individual to provide a complete picture of an overseas work experience from career development, salary benefits, explaining cultural differences to helping in finding accommodation.
Jenny Kilday worked in the day surgery unit in Riyadh at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, which specialises in oncology, genetic diseases and cardiology.
She says her time in Saudi Arabia was one of the best experiences of her life. "I made some fantastic friends and I worked with people from all around the world."
Jenny said that some of the different ideas and styles of nursing opened her eyes to the truly international nature of nursing. She says that she would definitely encourage any nurse to try out the Middle East. "It's what you want out of it and what you get out of it," she says.
Some of the benefits that Austra Health and the hospitals offer are: tax-free salaries, sign-on bonuses, free airfares and accommodation, world class facilities, generous annual leave entitlements. In-services such as professional development and further education courses are also offered for all nurses.
Working overseas can also be one of the most rewarding periods of a person's life. It can open doors that you haven't even thought of. Immersed in a foreign culture, you have the opportunity to work alongside people with dynamic attitudes from a wide range of countries and develop your career in ways that you would never be able to experience in Australia.
Go with the right attitude, accept and embrace the cultures of Saudi Arabia and be prepared to have the time of your life for the duration of your contract.
Austra Health has extensive experience in recruiting to the Middle East. Based in Melbourne, Australia they recruit to domestic markets as well to international markets. There are currently a huge range of work opportunities in both Australia and the Middle East.
This article appeared in Nursing Careers Allied Health - May 2007 edition
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