An Overview of Nursing in Saudi Arabia:
- The Career Pathway Salary of Nurses in Saudi Arabia
- Working Conditions
- How to Apply as a Nurse in Saudi Arabia
- Examination
- FAQs
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a favored destination as a place for nurses and other members of the medical profession to live and work. This is primarily due to high levels of investment in medical services and the good packages they offer. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia had a total of 184,565 nurses in 2018, although only 70,319 (or around 38 percent) were Saudi citizens. Nurses are the largest group of health professionals in Saudi Arabia, and they play an important role in all aspects of patient care.
1NURSE.com's team has assembled all of the required information for international nurses interested in working and living in Saudi Arabia. To learn more, keep reading this article.
If you're a foreign nurse who wants to work in Saudi Arabia, you must have/be:
- Your diploma or degree certificates
- Transcript of Records from your school
- A professional Nursing license.
- A certificate of good standing earned within the last six months
Section A: The Career Pathway
Nurses are in high demand in the Middle East. There are several chances to work and travel in this fascinating region. Nursing professionals are hired on a contract basis for one or two years, with the possibility of renewal on a case-by-case basis. Contracts are normally written on a single ‘status' basis, which means that if you want to travel with a spouse or dependents, you'll have to make your own lodging arrangements. Exceptions may be given for more senior positions.
Registered Nurse (Staff Nurse)
A registered nurse who offers high-quality care to company employees, nursing home residents, or hospital patients is known as a staff nurse. They are responsible for doing initial patient assessments, monitoring vital signs, and aiding patients with their rehabilitation.
Emergency Room Registered Nurse (RN)
They are always prepared to respond to emergencies, aid doctors in emergency medical care, and maintain good nursing standards, among other responsibilities.
Intensive Care Unit Nurse (ICU)
Intensive care unit nurses are in charge of evaluating and monitoring the progress of the patient, as well as detecting any unexpected or subtle changes in the patient's medical state. Other important responsibilities of these nurses are medication administration by intravenous injection or gastric tubes and providing doctors, patients, and their families with regular information on their progress.
Section B: Salary of Nurses in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, a Staff Nurse normally earns roughly 12,200 SAR per month. Salaries range from 6,480 SAR to 18,600 SAR. This is the average monthly pay, which also takes into account housing, transportation, and other benefits. Staff nurses' pay varies a lot depending on their experience, abilities, gender, and location.
SOURCE: Average Registered Nurse (RN) Salary in Saudi Arabia. (2022, January 21). Https://Www.Payscale.Com/Research/SA/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Salary. Retrieved February 14, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/SA/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Salary
Section C: Working Conditions
Nurse-Patient Ratio: The nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios take into account a variety of patient, nurse, and unit factors that influence nurse staffing needs, including, but not limited to:
(1) patient complexity, acuity, or stability;
(2) the number of admissions, discharges, and transfers; and
(3) the number of admissions, discharges, and transfers.
(4) the skill level and expertise of professional nursing and other employees.
Ideally, the licensed nurse-to-patient ratio must be 1:2 or less. The ratios can be 1:2, 1:1, 2:1, or even more if necessary.
Hospital Equipment: Saudi Arabia's medical devices market hit a record high of USD 3.87 billion in 2018 and is expected to increase at a rate of over 9% between 2018 and 2023. Increased investment in the healthcare sector, thanks to the government's 2030 National Transformation Program, has fueled growth.
Saudi Arabia's health care system is a national healthcare system in which the government offers free medical services through a variety of government entities. Saudi Arabia is one of the top 26 countries in the world for delivering high-quality healthcare.
Working Atmosphere: Practicing nursing in Saudi Arabian nursing differs greatly from that of the United Kingdom and other European nations. The working culture and care channels are vastly different, with many practices and policies modeled on the American system. However, adapting and using clinical judgment is an important aspect of a nurse's job.
Shifting: Nurses often work 44 hours a week on average. You'll almost certainly switch from day to night duty. Foreign nurses have been overworked as a result of a nursing shortage.
Patient Safety: Patient safety, or the prevention of patient injury, has become an important part of the worldwide healthcare system. Evidence suggests that the state of patient safety culture in Arab countries is suboptimal, owing to a punitive approach to errors and a lack of transparency in communications.
Section D: How to Apply as a Nurse in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
If you have the necessary skills and certifications, working as a nurse in another country can be a lucrative and life-changing experience. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, for example, has its own set of rules that all candidates must complete in order to work there.
Educational Requirements:
To become a registered nurse, you must first complete an approved nursing program. Students must take general education coursework as part of their bachelor's degree program in addition to their nursing training.
A bachelor's degree covers many of the same topics as an associate's degree, but it provides a more comprehensive set of skills and knowledge. As the nursing field becomes more competitive, more employers are requiring new RNs to earn a bachelor's degree before they can be hired.
Secure Your Nursing License
Another important criterion for nurses working in Saudi Arabia is licensure. To be eligible for a nursing license, you must pass the licensing exams in your home country. It is necessary to have a valid nursing license from your country's Ministry of Health or licensing body.
Mumaris+ Requires Registration
Using your email and phone number, create an account on the Mumaris+ web portal. The Saudi Arabia Commission for Health Specialists will use the Mumaris+ site to see if you meet the requirements to work as a registered nurse in Saudi Arabia. Nurses will be given an eligibility number if they are approved.
Take and Pass the Prometric Exam
Saudi Council Examination is also known as Prometric Examination for Nurses. Taking this exam is a primary criterion for foreign-educated nurses seeking improved work status in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Section E: KSA Immigration For Nurses
Expats' jobs typically last two years (renewable). You'll need a work and residency permit to work as an overseas nurse and live in Saudi Arabia.
Work And Residency Permit
You'll need a work and residency permit to work as an overseas nurse and live in Saudi Arabia. You'll need a sponsor, which is usually your employer, who must also obtain visa permission from the Ministry of Labor in order to hire foreign nationals. You must first get a work visa before applying for a residential visa.
Section F: Examination
Prometric Exam
The Prometric Exam for Nurses is a screening and qualification exam for nurses interested in working in Saudi Arabia. Only three attempts are allowed, and the exam has a time limit; if the nurse fails to complete the exam within the time limit, that candidate will not be able to work in Saudi Arabia. Prioritization, medical-surgical care, and nursing principles are mostly included in the exam.
Section G: FAQs
A nurse is entitled to what form of healthcare coverage in KSA?
Any medical treatment and emergency dental procedures that you require will be provided by the hospital. In most circumstances, basic dental care will not be reimbursed. You will also be uninsured for medical treatment if you leave the city for a vacation or a day excursion. When you leave the place where you work, even if it is only to travel within Saudi Arabia, it is a good idea to obtain travel health insurance.
Why do nurses like to work in KSA?
Saudi Arabia has excellent prospects for advancement. Nurses gain worldwide experience while working in some of the most advanced and cutting-edge hospitals in the world. The number of healthcare facilities is rapidly increasing, and one thing that all of these facilities have in common is a desire to hire foreign nurses!
In Saudi Arabia, how can nurses work?
You'll need a work and residency permit to work as an overseas nurse and live in Saudi Arabia. You'll need a sponsor, which is usually your employer, who must also obtain visa permission from the Ministry of Labor in order to hire foreign nationals. You must first get a work visa before applying for a residential visa.
