In this article, we present a list of the top 10 best places for nurses to work and live in 2024, offering valuable insights into the advantages and challenges of each location
Nurses stand as crucial pillars within the healthcare system, navigating a profession rife with challenges and complexities. The relentless storm of the COVID-19 pandemic amplified persistent hurdles that nurses have grappled with for an extended period, pushing them to a breaking point. While the pandemic may have subsided, many challenges persist in the nursing profession. Therefore, making an informed decision about pursuing this career requires a careful examination of the countries that offer optimal conditions for nursing professionals.
Choosing the ideal destination to work as a nurse abroad is a deeply personal decision, influenced by factors such as proximity to one's home country, language proficiency, or even climatic preferences. However, it is possible to consider more objective criteria for a comparative analysis, such as the quality of working conditions, the efficiency of the healthcare system, and competitive salaries offered in different countries.
Education and employment are closely intertwined, as obtaining a degree in a specific country often facilitates easier access to its job market. For instance, if you pursue studies in France, finding employment in the same country is likely to be more straightforward compared to navigating job markets in unfamiliar territories like Sweden or Finland, where you lack contacts, cultural familiarity, and language proficiency.
It's essential to assess your desired work location early on, but it's not an absolute prerequisite. With a diploma or work experience in hand, you can still venture into new horizons. Regardless of your situation, various factors come into play some personal and subjective, such as your affinity for a particular country's culture, language preferences, or climatic inclinations. On the objective front, factors like a country's quality of life and salary levels for your profession are crucial considerations.
Starting off on our exploration of the best countries for nursing careers, we take a closer look at a paramount factor: salary. Drawing from data on average nurse salaries provided by the Economic Research Institute, our analysis reveals the global landscape of nurse remuneration.
If you're wondering which are the highest paid nurses in the world, look to Switzerland, this nation takes the lead, offering impressive salaries hovering around 100,000 euros annually. Following closely is Luxembourg, with equally remarkable figures nearing 90,000 euros. The United States and Denmark trail closely, boasting salaries surpassing 80,000 euros.
Recognizing that salary is not the sole determinant, we also evaluate the quality of each country's healthcare system. Utilizing data from The Legatum Prosperity Index 2023 (LPI), specifically focusing on the health ranking, we assign equal weight to both salary and healthcare system quality, each accounting for 50%.
This dual assessment has led to adjustments in the top 10 countries for nursing professionals. The United States, Austria, and the United Arab Emirates have shifted out of the ranking due to comparatively lower healthcare system quality. In their places, Finland, Iceland, and Japan have emerged, boasting excellent healthcare systems. The resultant ranking reflects a balanced consideration of both salary and healthcare system quality, offering valuable insights for nurses seeking the best countries to work in.
Country | Average salary | Prosperity Index (LPI) |
Switzerland | 98,658 € | 10 |
Luxembourg | 90,572 € | 12 |
Norway | 66,603 € | 7 |
Netherlands | 66,851 € | 11 |
Denmark | 80,077 € | 16 |
Iceland | 62,214 € | 8 |
Japan | 47,840 € | 2 |
Australia | 69,283 € | 21 |
Belgium | 66,061 € | 18 |
Finland | 62,909 € | 15 |
Once you've fulfilled all the necessary requirements, diplomas, proficiency in English and the local languages of your desired country, it's time to embark on your job search.
The internet serves as the optimal platform for researching the job market. Numerous European job portals host thousands of job listings across the continent. On these portals, you can filter job offers based on your preferred sector, location, educational level, or required work experience.
Several portals cater to a European audience, while others focus on individual countries. Start by exploring opportunities on the European Union's job portal, then expand your search to platforms offering pan-European listings such as eurojobs.com, eurojobsites.com, experteer.com, indeed.com, or page.com. Finally, delve into the local job portals of the specific country you're interested in!
Once you've secured a job and have the contract in hand, you can initiate the paperwork to obtain a visa or residence permit. While a few countries may allow you to start this process before securing employment, such opportunities are rare and typically come with restrictions.
In most cases, having a signed employment contract is a prerequisite for obtaining a visa.
If you are a European national, you need not worry about these issues, as you have the right to live and work in any European country. However, if you are not, you'll need to navigate multiple procedures to acquire the necessary documents.
Seven out of these ten countries are part of the European Union, underlining the region's prominence in providing lucrative opportunities for nursing professionals.
If you're interested in relocating to the United States, you'll need to meet the federal requirements. If you're a nurse, you'll need to get either a Registered Nurse Green Card or an H-1B visa. U.S. law requires nurses to complete a special screening program before getting a work visa. You'll need a U.S.-based employer to file your visa and apply for it on your behalf. First, though, you'll need to get a job.
The average registered nurse salary in the United States is around 75,000 euros per year. California is the highest-paying state for nurses, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Next, you'll need to meet a few more requirements. You'll need to have graduated from an accredited nursing program in your home country. You'll also need to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in another country and have practiced as a Registered Nurse for at least two years. Some foreign-educated nurses must demonstrate their proficiency with the English language by taking an exam. There are exemptions depending on your country of origin.
The aging population significantly increases the demand for nurses globally. As countries experience a demographic shift towards older populations, the healthcare needs also surge. Conditions associated with aging necessitate more healthcare services, creating a sustained demand for nursing professionals to cater to the specific needs and challenges posed by elderly patients.
Yes, language requirements are crucial for nurses working abroad. Proficiency in the host country's language ensures effective communication with patients, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals. It also contributes to patient safety, facilitates accurate record-keeping, and aids seamless integration into the local healthcare system.
Regulatory compliance is paramount in the international nursing profession. It involves adhering to the licensing and certification requirements of the host country. This ensures that nurses meet the necessary standards and qualifications for practicing in a foreign healthcare system, contributing to patient safety, quality of care, and overall professionalism. Nurses must navigate and fulfill these regulatory obligations to secure their legal and ethical standing in the host country's healthcare landscape.
Source: www.erieri.com, www.prosperity.com, es.islandvikings.com, www.nippon.com, getgis.org, nurse.org, finance.yahoo.com
We took photos from these sources: MedicAlert UK on Unsplash, data from Economic Research Institute, Pixabay