Where can I migrate as a nurse ?

@Azubuikegrace170

Pay isn't high in Malta.

@GozoMo

Thank you

Anywhere. Almost every country has a nursing shortage. I don't think you'll have a problem. Of course, just check out that countries qualifications first!

As another has mentioned nurses are in short supply almost everywhere. BUT their academic certifications have to be recongnized and in most countries they will have to have a high level of the local languages(s). This is certainly true for EU/Schengen countries. And coming from Nigeria even their level of English will be have to be proven for English speaking countries.

I think you might be lucky in those European countries that already now have a high percentage of medical professionals coming from abroad. Switzerland and Scandinavia come to mind, also because many people speak excellent English in these countries. In Germany only large public clinics (e.g. University Hospitals) might be interested. 

I think you might be lucky in those European countries that already now have a high percentage of medical professionals coming from abroad. Switzerland and Scandinavia come to mind, also because many people speak excellent English in these countries. In Germany only large public clinics (e.g. University Hospitals) might be interested. - @TGCampo

That many people speak English in these countries is rather beside the point because not everyone does. Any medical professional has to understand the local language; it would be too dangerous otherwise. I know for a fact that Germany and  even the Netherlands have legal language requirements for all healthcare workers and would assume Sweden and Switzerland do as well. Good English is usually expected but in addition, NOT as an alternative.

@TominStuttgart

I guess you would be surprised what is possible in Germany. Yes, some German is required, but especially in large clinics not every medical professional has direct contact with patients and German language is secondary. ut, maybe you work in a hospital where this wouldn't be possible.

@TominStuttgart
I guess you would be surprised what is possible in Germany. Yes, some German is required, but especially in large clinics not every medical professional has direct contact with patients and German language is secondary. ut, maybe you work in a hospital where this wouldn't be possible. - @TGCampo

Sorry but that is a delusional statement. The language requirements are set by law! not by employers who may or may not have many English speaking clients. And even if people might speak English, one has to understand what is written on medicines or doctors orders etc. It is much more complicated than just chatting with people. You are making rationaliations that are simply wrong and irresponsible to spread here. I am providing a link showing the requirements. It seems a nurse assistant only needs a proven B1 level but a nurse still needs B2 like I've mentioned.

https://www.cwc-recruitment.com/blog/la … n-germany/

@TominStuttgart

Secondary doesn't mean irrelevant. There wouldn't be so many complaints about the German language skills of medical professionals if language was a primary issue. Unfortunately, many hospitals would have to close if they had to be extremely strict in all cases.

@TominStuttgart
Secondary doesn't mean irrelevant. There wouldn't be so many complaints about the German language skills of medical professionals if language was a primary issue. Unfortunately, many hospitals would have to close if they had to be extremely strict in all cases. - @TGCampo

Stop spreading crazy disinformation! The language requirements are set by law. Your rationalizations otherwise are nonsensical. Hospitals and other facilities can't just ignore these laws. It would be dangerous and illegal!

And no they don't have to close - although some in smaller cities are having to - but shortages of nurses are not the major reason. There is a shortage of healthcare workers and foreigners are encouraged to apply - but only with the proper credentials. Most are still German. One can say that passing the language exams is maybe easier than it should be despite the requirements, some foreigner healthcare workers seem to struggle with using the language properly. This only suggests that the requirements should be higher rather than lower.

And nothing against foreigners but the strategy to attract foreign workers is based on avoiding increasing pay and improving work conditions so locals will want such jobs. Not that a nurse's pay is bad but it is not well paid either for the level of stress. The obvious solution is to increase pay but there is resistance when management thinks there is a cheaper way.

@TominStuttgart

I get that you're highly knowledgeable and thus, perhaps, a little opinionated. And I, like others here, value your frequent and helpful contributions. But, I'm sorry, sometimes your language can be rather sharp.  "Crazy", "delusional", "irresponsible", "nonsensical", among others.

Yes, of course, we can't get someone's hopes up that it will be easy to get a job. Getting residence visas is especially difficult for non-EU citizens relocating to the EU, and perhaps especially difficult for Nigerians.

However, what your fellow posters are trying to say is that there's a big difference between trying for a job in a non-skilled, non-qualified arena (e.g. barista, no offense to baristas), and trying for a job in a skilled, qualified sector (e.g. civil engineer). And an even bigger difference if your skilled vocation is in a shortage sector, with strong demand for both EU and non-EU candidates (e.g. nurses).

You are, indeed, absolutely correct that there are legal requirements for certain protected occupations, including doctors, nurses and teachers. These include local recognition of your overseas qualifications and professional registration, and a certain level of local language proficiency. Such professional standards are not unique to Germany.

Now, nobody is saying that a registered, professional qualified, nurse in one country can become a REGISTERED nurse in a second country (such as Germany) if they don't meet the registration requirements, and if they don't meet the education/qualifications equivalence. So you repeating that such requirements exist, and cannot be bypassed, is rather missing the point.

What they seem to be saying is that there is a BIG shortage of nurses (and not just in Germany), and, therefore, hospitals (and other potential employers) are perhaps inclined to be more helpful, and more flexible, that they would if there was a surfeit of local applicants. Such flexibility is NOT that they can sneakily register you. The flexibility is help to relocate, help with local language proficiency, help with the homologation process and so on. And maybe the flexibility to accommodate the lack of registration with some non-protected status to start (i.e. nurse aide, carer, etc.) with a view to a "promotion" within a few months of arrival (having successfully met the requirements).

You're probably right that Germany is very picky. But they also have a very big nurse shortage, so I doubt they are (currently) substantially more picky than, say, France or Spain or UK. I don't know much about Germany's nursing situation, but I do know that MANY non-EU REGISTERED nurses were imported into the UK, and I suspect that a significant percentage probably didn't meet the requirements to be IMMMEDIATELY registered as a UK Nurse.

@Azubuikegrace170

The above notwithstanding, it isn't easy. How difficult it will be depends on how much experience you have, and whether you have a good nursing qualification (degree) from a good (recognized) university. As indicated, coming from Nigeria will make it harder (in my opinion). It probably won't be cheap so you might have to use your savings. And it probably won't be quick, so patience and perseverance are called for (but you're a nurse, you have these). Good luck!

The key issue is that you are a REGISTERED nurse and have met your local licensing requirements. For any country you consider (e.g. UK or Germany) you need to look at their requirements and process for RECOGNITION of your overseas professional registration (e.g. Nurse) and overseas qualifications (e.g. Nursing Degree).

Additionally, it helps if you already speak proficient English and proficient local language (e.g. German). But I think (as other posters do) that there might be some local help to meet the language requirement IF your qualifications/experience looks strong enough. If you speak neither English nor German today, you better jump on Duolingo ASAP. :-) If you speak good English, then perhaps get your language level certified appropriately and focus on applications to Anglophone countries (UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Malta, etc.)

I doubt you can easily approach employers directly, but perhaps it's possible. My suggestion is to look for agencies specializing in nursing jobs for overseas nurses. If you can find such an agency, they can probably give you more constructive feedback on your potential for relocation.

Also, as indicated above, certain professions/designations are "protected", which means you need local registration. This means a Nurse job is harder. If you set your sights on a non-protected job (e.g. Carer in a care home) instead, you might find it possible to relocate in this way. It's not the job you really want, but perhaps German Carers get paid more than Nigerian Nurses. And it might give you time to learn the local language and get your overseas qualifications/registration recognized, before you start applying for Registered Nurse jobs.

For Germany, specifically, here a helpful page on the requirements:

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/w … nd/nursing

And help on recognition/equivalence:

https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland. … nition.php

This is an agency page (which says you need a B1 before relocating, but can take time to get your B2)

https://www.cwc-recruitment.com/blog/la … n-germany/

@TominStuttgartI get that you're highly knowledgeable and thus, perhaps, a little opinionated. And I, like others here, value your frequent and helpful contributions. But, I'm sorry, sometimes your language can be rather sharp. "Crazy", "delusional", "irresponsible", "nonsensical", among others.Yes, of course, we can't get someone's hopes up that it will be easy to get a job. Getting residence visas is especially difficult for non-EU citizens relocating to the EU, and perhaps especially difficult for Nigerians.However, what your fellow posters are trying to say is that there's a big difference between trying for a job in a non-skilled, non-qualified arena (e.g. barista, no offense to baristas), and trying for a job in a skilled, qualified sector (e.g. civil engineer). And an even bigger difference if your skilled vocation is in a shortage sector, with strong demand for both EU and non-EU candidates (e.g. nurses).You are, indeed, absolutely correct that there are legal requirements for certain protected occupations, including doctors, nurses and teachers. These include local recognition of your overseas qualifications and professional registration, and a certain level of local language proficiency. Such professional standards are not unique to Germany.Now, nobody is saying that a registered, professional qualified, nurse in one country can become a REGISTERED nurse in a second country (such as Germany) if they don't meet the registration requirements, and if they don't meet the education/qualifications equivalence. So you repeating that such requirements exist, and cannot be bypassed, is rather missing the point.What they seem to be saying is that there is a BIG shortage of nurses (and not just in Germany), and, therefore, hospitals (and other potential employers) are perhaps inclined to be more helpful, and more flexible, that they would if there was a surfeit of local applicants. Such flexibility is NOT that they can sneakily register you. The flexibility is help to relocate, help with local language proficiency, help with the homologation process and so on. And maybe the flexibility to accommodate the lack of registration with some non-protected status to start (i.e. nurse aide, carer, etc.) with a view to a "promotion" within a few months of arrival (having successfully met the requirements).You're probably right that Germany is very picky. But they also have a very big nurse shortage, so I doubt they are (currently) substantially more picky than, say, France or Spain or UK. I don't know much about Germany's nursing situation, but I do know that MANY non-EU REGISTERED nurses were imported into the UK, and I suspect that a significant percentage probably didn't meet the requirements to be IMMMEDIATELY registered as a UK Nurse.@Azubuikegrace170The above notwithstanding, it isn't easy. How difficult it will be depends on how much experience you have, and whether you have a good nursing qualification (degree) from a good (recognized) university. As indicated, coming from Nigeria will make it harder (in my opinion). It probably won't be cheap so you might have to use your savings. And it probably won't be quick, so patience and perseverance are called for (but you're a nurse, you have these). Good luck!The key issue is that you are a REGISTERED nurse and have met your local licensing requirements. For any country you consider (e.g. UK or Germany) you need to look at their requirements and process for RECOGNITION of your overseas professional registration (e.g. Nurse) and overseas qualifications (e.g. Nursing Degree).Additionally, it helps if you already speak proficient English and proficient local language (e.g. German). But I think (as other posters do) that there might be some local help to meet the language requirement IF your qualifications/experience looks strong enough. If you speak neither English nor German today, you better jump on Duolingo ASAP. :-) If you speak good English, then perhaps get your language level certified appropriately and focus on applications to Anglophone countries (UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Cyprus, Malta, etc.)I doubt you can easily approach employers directly, but perhaps it's possible. My suggestion is to look for agencies specializing in nursing jobs for overseas nurses. If you can find such an agency, they can probably give you more constructive feedback on your potential for relocation.Also, as indicated above, certain professions/designations are "protected", which means you need local registration. This means a Nurse job is harder. If you set your sights on a non-protected job (e.g. Carer in a care home) instead, you might find it possible to relocate in this way. It's not the job you really want, but perhaps German Carers get paid more than Nigerian Nurses. And it might give you time to learn the local language and get your overseas qualifications/registration recognized, before you start applying for Registered Nurse jobs.For Germany, specifically, here a helpful page on the requirements:https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/w … nd/nursingAnd help on recognition/equivalence:https://www.anerkennung-in-deutschland. … nition.phpThis is an agency page (which says you need a B1 before relocating, but can take time to get your B2)https://www.cwc-recruitment.com/blog/la … n-germany/ - @gwynj

Nope! Sorry but you are wrongly rationaizing what someone else is writing. I correctly stated that there are legal requirements for German language levels for healthcare professionals; nothing more, nothing less. Not my opinion, simple facts and I provided sources. And your links only support this. The poster in question keeps claiming otherwise; that such rules will likely be ignored because of the shortages of nurses. This is simply misinformation that helps nobody, It is wrong and misleading. giving people false hopes that they can get around the rules. And one doubling down on the idea that since many in Berlin (and in most of Germany) speak a good level of English means a nurse can get work without German is DELUSIONAL. This is fact, not a simple insult although it is obviously quite negative.

My tone was 100% appropriate in responce to such continued nonsensical claims. Sorry but I will call people out on false information! And of course if one has high credentials in a health field they could consider getting the language skills for a specific country. I never suggested otherwise. But one should start by knowing what qualifications are required and go from there. Or if they want to take a lower grade job like being a nurse assistant although having the training of a registered nurse due to the lower B1 German level - and maybe later see if they can get a job as a full nurse after improving their language skills in Germany - then all the more power to them. I did not speculate on such strategies, just pointed out the rules they will have to comply with.  That any German hospital or clinic would take the risk of ignoring such rules simply not going to happen. 

@TominStuttgart Thanks so much for sharing your seemingly endless knowledge ...

(from GROK AI)

Here are three lists based on the available information regarding the severity of nursing shortages around the world, focusing on conditions projected or noted around 2025:

Countries Where the Nursing Shortage is Most Severe:

United States - The U.S. is expected to face a shortage of 200,000 to 450,000 registered nurses by 2025, with significant gaps in direct patient care.

Philippines - Despite being a major exporter of nurses, the Philippines has acknowledged a shortage of up to 350,000 nurses, highlighting the strain on its own healthcare system.

India - With only 1.7 nurses per 1000 people, far below WHO recommendations, India faces a severe crisis in nursing, evidenced by the need for 2.4 million nurses by 2012 to achieve basic nurse-to-patient ratios.

Zambia - Rural areas in Zambia experience acute shortages of healthcare workers, particularly nurses and midwives, due to rapid population growth and limited resources.

Liberia - Critical shortages of nurses and midwives are noted, with initiatives like the Nursing Center of Excellence established to address the gap.

Countries Where the Needs for Nursing are Generally Being Met:

United Kingdom - While there are shortages, the UK has managed to maintain a relatively balanced supply due to high salaries and a high standard of living, though Brexit has introduced new challenges.

Canada - Despite regional variations and occasional shortages, particularly in academia, Canada has managed to meet much of its nursing demand with ongoing efforts to balance supply and demand.

Germany - Germany has been proactive in increasing domestic recruitment and supporting training in countries from which they traditionally recruit nurses, showing a balanced approach to meeting nursing needs.

Australia - Australia maintains a relatively stable nursing workforce due to comprehensive health workforce planning, although there are pressures due to an aging population.

Norway - Norway has a well-funded healthcare system, which has helped in maintaining an adequate supply of nurses, although the demand for specialized care continues to challenge the system.

Countries Where There is a General Surplus of Professional Nurses Available:

Finland - Finland has historically had a surplus of nurses due to high educational output and less migration compared to other countries, leading to an excess of trained professionals.

Sweden - Similar to Finland, Sweden has managed to produce more nurses than needed, particularly due to significant investments in education and healthcare infrastructure.

Denmark - Denmark has often been cited for having a surplus in the healthcare sector, including nursing, thanks to effective workforce planning and high public spending on health.

Iceland - With a small population, Iceland has occasionally reported having more nurses than necessary, especially in urban areas, although distribution can be an issue.

Austria - Austria has maintained a surplus of nurses due to robust healthcare funding and educational opportunities, leading to a higher nurse-to-population ratio.