Last Updated on July 31, 2023 by Oluwajuwon Alvina
Nurses are a vital part of the healthcare system. They provide medical care to patients, as well as educate patients and their families on medical conditions and treatment. Nurses play an important role in monitoring patients’ recovery and keeping track of their overall health.
Wherever nurses go, they provide a valuable service to communities. But some places value nurses more than others — both in terms of pay and the quality of life they offer.
The article below can bring you the best information on best places for nurses to work abroad, highest paid nurses in the world & best nurses in the world.
Also on collegelearners, you’ll find current, related posts on best country for bsc nursing, easiest country to work as a nurse.
Australia – $56,000 (USD)
Home of the late Steve Irwin, kangaroos, the Great Barrier Reef, and koala sanctuaries, Australia has become a key destination for those interested in traveling and working abroad. A large appeal is the national language is English and there is no language barrier. There are numerous international agencies that work with hospitals in Australia.
In order to work in Australia, foreigners are required to apply for a visa. Most international nurses work with a nursing agency that is familiar with the laws of international travel. It is rare to apply for a job and take on the needed paperwork by oneself. Remember, obtaining a visa must go through the proper channels and can take weeks to months. Becoming an international nurse requires more planning than traveling within the United States.
Luxembourg – $60,000 to $125,000
Currently topping the list as the highest paid country in the world for nurses, this tiny country in Western Europe pays their nurses very well. Because of the tiny size of the country and its tax haven laws, getting a job as a nurse is extremely difficult. While almost impossible, nurses can wait for years for an opening to occur.
In order to become a nurse in Luxembourg, you must first petition the Ministère de la Santé
(Ministry of Health) for an application pack which costs roughly $150. Nurses are either licensed as adult nurses only or under a general system. This is important depending on the specialty of the nursing position. A visa is required to work in Luxembourg.
Denmark – $54,000
The Danish Patient Safety Authority oversees all non-EU citizens applications for nursing licensure. There are three different pathways for application including pathways for individuals from Nordic countries, EU member states, and all others. Interestingly, if you are over the age of 75 you are not allowed to practice as a nurse in Denmark as this is a Danish law.
For those interested in applying for application, the first step is submitting all need education documentation and qualifications. If approved, individuals are given three years to fulfill the remainder of the qualifications for permanent authority to practice in Denmark. The main component is the language exam.
The language examination is held twice a year in May/June and November/December in Denmark. This examination is equal to a native speaker exam. Individuals who speak the language fluently can appeal and submit to a different exam. Once the language portion is passed, individuals must pass the employment for adaptation and training purposes. This illustrates clinical skills and communication skills with patients, providers, and families. Once these are all passed to the satisfaction of the board a permanent license can be obtained.
Switzerland – $57,234
The Swiss Red Cross oversees all credentials for foreign nurses. While there is a considerable shortage of nurses in Switzerland, a requirement for all applicants is they must fluently speak on the of the national languages (Italian, French and/or German). There is absolutely no exception to this. While some hospitals in Switzerland will state that English is acceptable for employment in the hospital, it is not acceptable to the governing board.
The cost for evaluation of credentials in hopes of gaining certification is roughly $600 USD (as of 2015) and can take several months to occur. Furthermore, all applicants must pass an examination in one of the three aforementioned languages depending on the part of Switzerland for employment.
Additionally, all nurses are required to take additional courses towards a six-month apprenticeship. This is a paid position but lower than the typical nurses’ salary.
Canada – $51,000
With universal healthcare and proximity to the United States, Canada is a prime location for nurses interested in trying International Nursing but do not want to stray too far from home. Furthermore, English as the primary language adds to the ease of transitioning living in another country.
The College of Nurses of Ontario is the governing board for Registered Nurses in Canada. International applicants must secure a license from the board after a series of background checks, interview questions, and an examination. This examination costs a minimum of $340. The price can vary based off of individual factors. According to the website, the registration process can take anywhere from 3-18 months. The application can be started online with a submission of documentation.
A visa is required to work in Canada despite being our neighbor to the north and can be secured from your place of employment after credentialing has occurred.
Norway – $52,000
Norway, the land of Fjords, has one of the highest standards of living in the world as well as job satisfaction for nurses. While the average salary is $52,000, nurses have the ability to earn upwards of $100,000 depending on experience and specialty.
According to Statistics Norway, the average life expectancy of individuals in Norway is steadily rising. Furthermore, there will be a need for 95,000 to 135,000 additional healthcare workers over the next decade in Norway. The report did not distinguish between nurses, doctors, midwives, and nursing assistants.
In order to apply for application, you must apply through The Norwegian Registration Authority for Health Personnel (SAK) and submit the proper documentation. Applications for residents outside of the EU/EEA take a minimum of 6 months and cost upwards of $500. Furthermore, the SAK can require an individual to submit additional paperwork in person at the main office in Norway. More often than not, applicants are not approved to practice in the SAK and are given a letter stating exactly what must be done in order to re-apply at a later date.
Individuals also must pass a Norwegian language examination. Courses are taught online for foreigners. There is also a one year training program, including enrollment fee, that most international nurses are required to take prior to obtaining licensure.
Virgin Islands – $58,831
Looking for that laid-back island vibe while still earning a top wage. The Virgin Islands are the perfect escape for those dreading the long winters and longing for sunshine, sand, and crystal blue water. Some islands have a higher average wage such as St. Croix ($70,748). This wage is dependent on the financial stability of the individual island and the healthcare facilities available.
The Virgin Islands Board of Nurse Licensure oversees all applicants. An application packet must be submitted along with verification of license form, copies of all nursing school transcripts and course syllabuses, $125 fee, and letters of recommendation. Furthermore, nurses are required to pass the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Exam. Application verification takes a minimum of 90 business day for processing.
Italy – $59,594
Italy, like the United States, currently has a nursing shortage. In order to work in a country where English is NOT the primary language, most nursing licensure boards requiring a language proficiency examination as part of the credentialing process.
In Italy, nurses are required to take the Italian Nursing boards, a language proficiency examination, and must be sponsored by an Italian hospital to gain the nursing license. Once, this occurs a visa must be obtained to work in Italy via the Italian Embassy.
While there are many English-speaking hospitals in Rome and Milan, such as Rome American Hospital and Milan Clinic, it is unclear if nurses working in those hospitals must pass the language portion of the exam.
Additional information can be found through the Collegio Infermieri La Spezia. The website is entirely in Italian but can be translated and has a great deal of information about working as a nurse in Italy.
Ireland – $64,000
Nurses who wish to practice in Ireland must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). The Board stresses to nurses to NOT move to Ireland, until a decision regarding credentialing has been finalized. It is also important not to apply for a job position or inquire about a position before obtaining certification from the Board.
In order to qualify, interest applicants must complete and online information packet, background check, fingerprinting, and English proficiency examination. This is required whether or not you are a native English speaker. Some individuals are required to complete an examination but that is ultimately determined by the board. In order to work in Ireland, an employment visa is a requirement.
Dubai – $22,154
Currently one of the richest and most lavish places in the world, Dubai has an extremely low average pay for nurses. According to PayScale.com the average pay for a nurse working in a hospital or long-term care facilities is much less than other Middle Eastern countries. However, despite the low pay, nurses are flocking to this thriving country.
Some hospitals in Dubai will pay a compensation similar to pay in the United States but that must be negotiated prior to job acceptance. In general, Americans earn the highest wages for nurses in Dubai. Income is tax-free, and healthcare is provided to everyone, which means the entire paycheck is taken home. For this reason, individuals have the opportunity to make more than they would at home.
Nurses working in Dubai have stricter requirements in their contracts than other countries. Nurses are required to live in hospital-provided accommodations and are offered a small living stipend. Most are also required to sign a minimum of a one-year contract. Furthermore, with neighboring Muslim countries it is important to remember the “rules” of these countries. Women must be covered at all times and not seen in public with a male that is not a relative or husband. While Dubai has a great deal of expats as well as looser society rules, there are still a large majority of practicing Muslims in the country.
While visitors to Dubai are not required to obtain a visa, nurses relocating must have an employment visa. It can take a minimum of three months for immigration clearance to occur in order to obtain this.
It’s also important to note that contracts in Dubai, as well as other Middle Eastern countries, are either single-status contracts or married-status contracts. A single-status contract means that if you are married and have a family, they cannot move to Dubai with you. They will be able to visit but will not have access to any of the benefits of employment. Furthermore, depending on the position some hospitals will only be looking for female or male employees. These are important to keep in mind if Dubai and the rest of the Middle East are of interest.
Highest Paid Nurses in the World
Nursing is a career within the health care sector that involves the care of individuals, families and communities. Responsibilies can range from making acute treatment decisions to providing inoculations in schools. If you ever wish to work abroad in some of the best paying countries there are a wide variety of options. Each country needs a work visa in order to be legally employed. It would be a much easier process if you would work with an international nursing travel agency.
Nursing is a career within the health care sector that involves the care of individuals, families and communities. Not only is there a huge amount of job satisfaction to be found in caring for people who desperately need your help, but there is a healthy financial incentive, too. Here is a comprehensive list of countries with the highest pay.
Highest Paying Countries for Nurses in the World
Nursing, like many careers in healthcare sector, is one of the most marketable and well-paying professions in the world.
Registered nurses earn relatively high salaries in many countries but there are some that pay more than others.
Luxembourg, a small European nation tucked between Belgium, Germany and France, is ranked as the highest paying country for nurses, with workers in the field taking home an average salary of $91,000 annually. Here, junior nurses start on around $60,000.
Coming in second is the United States, where nurses pocket an average annual pay of $73,500 or $35.36 per hour, $1,400 a week and $6,100 a month.
In the US, California ranks as the highest paying state for a registered nurse with an average annual salary of $102,700.
The best paying US cities for nurses are also in California. They are San Francisco ($136,610), Santa Cruz ($124,920), Vallejo ($124,380), San Jose ($120,680), and Salinas ($120,120).
Other US States which pay nurses highly include Hawaii, Washington DC and Massachusetts. The lowest paying are Puerto Rico ($34,000) and South Dakota ($57,000).
Switzerland is third with an average annual pay of $72,000 followed by Virgin Island ($70,000), and Canada ($60,000).
At position six is Australia ($56,000) followed by Norway ($51,000) while Ireland ($48,000), Denmark ($42,000), and Germany ($38,600) are position eight, nine and 10 in that order.
Other countries that pay nurses highly include the United Kingdom, Israel, Belgium, Iceland, Dubai, and Italy.
If you’re in the market for a new nursing job and are wondering where to look, this list should give you some idea of where to start.
The first thing you’ll notice is that most of these countries are in Europe. So if you don’t mind moving across the pond, there’s likely a great offer waiting for you. If that’s not your cup of tea, though, don’t worry—the U.S., Australia, and Canada all boast high pay rates as well!