The Biggest Mistakes Foreign Nurses Make When Applying for Jobs

Nurses need to be informed that experience and qualifications doesn’t always qualify for the job. International nurses need to be more than an average nurse.

These are some very common mistakes nurses make when applying for a job abroad.

1. Applying before  checking licensing requirements

Nursing is a profession that is highly regulated in most countries. The country you trained in to become a nurse has different criterias from the country you aspire to work in.

A major mistake nurses make when applying for a job abroad is applying without knowing how legally eligible they have to be to practise in the destination country.

A foreign-trained nurse has to meet up to there education assessment, language requirements, pass a test, register with a nursing regulator, or complete other necessary requirements before you can practice. As a nurse aspiring to work in a different country, you need to research about thier licensing process before applying.

2. Assuming one nursing qualification works everywhere

Different countries, different ways of doing things.

Your local qualifications may not make you so qualified on a national level. This doesn’t mean you have to stop trying, it means you have to become qualified enough for thier standards.

Your credentials will be checked. They assess your

·       Education

·        Clinical training

·        Registration

·        Professional experience

Don’t assume your local qualification will get you the job. Assuming in such a situation is unrealistic and will only waste your time and resources.

3. Using the same CV for every country

Moving into a new country means getting to know new things about a different place. If it’s a different country that means they accept different things. Your local CV might be great the way it is but may not work for the country you are going to.

Your new employer may have different expectations especially when it comes to:

·       CV length

·       Formatting

·       Terminology

·       The information that should be emphasized

Tailor your CV to match your destination countries style while still highlighting your registration, clinical experience, specialties, certifications, and relevant competencies.

4. Failing to explain international experience

Stating only your job titles doesn’t give your employer an insight on what you have actually accomplished.

Let your employer know what kind of operations you actually where a part of, use terminologies that are ment to target the healthcare system. Mention your experience with :

·       Clinical areas

·       Patient populations

·       Equipment

·       Procedures

·       Responsibilities

Remain truthful while listing your experience, this allows you build transparency with your employer. Be careful about beating around the bush, it makes people bored. Make it short but clear and understandable.

5. Ignoring language requirements

One of the major problems nurses make is undermining the language requirements. One of the most important aspects of healthcare is communication. In the medical sector employers need people who can communicate well with their patients.

The ability to communicate efficiently with patients, families, doctors, and other health care professionals is a major necessity.

In most countries recruiters need evidence of your language proficiency as you go through the hiring process. Don’t assume being able to speak English automatically makes you certified for a job because it might create complications later on.

6. Applying without checking work authorization

Most times nurses ignore the necessity for an immigration authorization  before working abroad.

A nurse might meet all the necessary requirements and still not be allowed to practice in another country. Find out what  relevant for you to be able to work like; if the employer sponsors international nurses, whether a particular visa or work permit is required, and if you are to register before your immigration sponsorship is possible.

7. Focusing only on salary

The salaries for international jobs may look tempting, but before you apply, you still have to consider factors like licensing costs, relocation expenses, taxes, working hours, cost of living, contract conditions, accommodation, and the time required to become fully eligible to work.

These factors determine how suitable the job is for you and how well it will benefit you.

8. Applying only through general job boards

Recruitment of international nurses normally take place through :

·       Hospitals,

·       healthcare organizations,

·       Specialist recruiters

·       Professional regulators

·       Government-supported recruitment programmes

General job boards don’t focus entirely on international work opportunities, applying through only these means it can make you loose great job opportunities.

9. Paying attention to the wrong recruiters

Some nurses who don’t really understand the hiring process (overseas) are vulnerable to recruiters who ask for payment in exchange for assistance.

As a job seeker you should endeavor in doing your proper research personally, before applying for any job. Caution should be taken especially in cases where anyone promising a guaranteed job, visa, or professional registration.

10. Sending applications without researching the employer

No matter where you are applying to, your application should demonstrate that you are fully aware of the organization and the position.

This allows you to find out exactly what they expect from someone applying for the position. Look up important factors like:

·       Clinical specialty

·       Location

·       Registration expectations

·       Sponsorship  policy

·       Application  process

Doing enough research shows how responsible, prepared and professional you are.

11. Assuming experience alone is enough

Your experience is necessary but can never be the only criteria. International employers look through so many relevant factors all together, like:

·       Professional registration

·        Education

·       Clinical competencies

·       Language ability

·       Certifications,

·       Work authorization

·       Familiarity with the healthcare system

How strong your application is, is  more important than your years of experience.

12. Not preparing for the interview

An international nursing interview is more complex and may require more assessment than a regular interview. Recruiters hiring nurses need to be well informed on how you :

·       Carry out clinical judgment

·       Value patient safety

·       Safeguard

·       Communicate

·       Handle working with a team

·       Perform in ethical situations

·       Response to clinical scenarios

As a nurse you should be able to explain you will make decisions and protect patients, rather than stating all your previous achievements.

The most important thing is that nurses should understand that they should not threat international job applications as just sending out CVs to hospital boards. It is majorly dependent on the professional licensing, qualification recognition, job targeting, immigration planning, and effective application preparation.

It’s best to find out if you are eligible to practise first, then find the missing link.