Contemplating an Expatriate Health Care Position? Key Factors to Consider

Working overseas as a student, nurse, academic, visiting professor, or consultant is not uncommon for nurses and health care workers. The global movement of health care workers is facilitated by the international standardization of education, the availability of low cost flights, and widespread staff and skill shortages across the health care industry (Cleary, Horsfall, Muthulakshmi, Happell, & Hunt, 2013; Cleary, Horsfall, Muthulakshmi, & Jackson, 2013; Larsen, Allan, Bryan, & Smith, 2005; Saltman, Kidd, Jackson, & Cleary, 2012). The potential expatriate ("expat") experience can be both appealing and enriching, broadening experience and influencing career opportunities and lifestyle. Realistically, it takes considerable organization and planning to relocate to another country. It can be very time-consuming and is a decision not to be taken lightly. Furthermore, the recruitment process is often arduous and protracted, including establishing eligibility to practice in a new country.