5 countries with highest salaries for expat nurses

Nursing is one of the most lucrative professions in the world, and finding a job is relatively easy in most countries. However, there are many regulations and certifications involved based on the country you would want to work in. Take our poll below and tell us which country you think is best for nurses, based on factors such as salary, job satisfaction and regulatory requirements. 

Here are the five countries paying the highest salaries for registered nurses; these are also relatively easier to get into as an expat:

1. United Kingdom

For pay scales in healthcare, nurses fall in Band 5 or above depending on experience and qualifications. For nurses trained outside the European Union or European Economic Area, you will need to register as a nurse with the regulatory agency in UK, Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

This process includes application, eligibility tests and other formalities. Read more on this and further processes here.

Source: NHS Agenda for Change pay rates - April, 2016

2. United States of America

Registered nurses in the US usually have a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing (BNS – 4 years), an associate degree in nursing (AND – 3 years) or a diploma from a nationally approved nursing program (2 years). 

For foreign nurses, you are required to have a Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) certificate or a full and unrestricted license to practice professional nursing in the state of intended employment (NCLEX). Having an employer ready to go ahead with your immigration process is essential for getting a visa and license; the process can take up to one year. 

As of May 2015, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in the US is approximately US$67,490 or Dh247,890.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

3. Norway

Norwegian Directorate of Health issues licenses to practice in the healthcare industry and you will need to apply online. Knowledge of the Norwegian language is essential to migrate. See here for more details.

The average monthly earnings in health enterprises is estimated at around NOK44,900 or Dh19,169 (based on diverse variables) which is approximately Dh230,028 per year.

Source: Statistics Norway report 

4. Canada

Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) wanting to work in Canada should get licensed as per the processes followed by Canadian registered nurses. 

As a preliminary requirement, you must write the national exam for practicing as a nurse. See here for information on how to pass the entrance exam, NCLEX-RN by National Council of State Boards of Nursing. You will also need to register yourself with the board of nursing in the province where you plan to work. For more on how to register with the board of nursing, check out the complete guide by College of Nurses of Ontario for IENs. 

As of January 2017, the average annual salary for a registered nurse in Canada is C$59,783 or Dh163,010.

Source: Payscale Human Capital research 

5. Australia

To practice as a registered nurse in Australia, you must complete two independent processes. One is to be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and the other is to get a visa. 

For nurses, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) performs skills assessments for migration (visa process) while NMBA assesses whether your educational qualifications are equivalent to corresponding Australian qualifications. Neither of these guarantee you a job in Australia. It is advised to complete both processes and get a job before moving to Australia. See here for more details.

As of 2017, the average annual salary earned by a registered nurse in Australia is AU$61,000 or Dh169,003

Source: Healthtimes Australia 

Note: This is to be used as a guide only and may differ based on your personal qualifications and quality of experience.