Best countries to work as a nurse in 2024: salaries, documents and more

Decide where you want to live and work

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.

Highest paying countries for nurses and landing a perfect job

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.

What is the top list of the countries with best conditions?

Source: self-creation with data from ERI

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.

Additionally, countries such as Australia, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and the United Arab Emirates offer competitive salaries above 60,000 euros. Notably, seven out of these top 10 countries are part of the European Union, underlining the region's prominence in providing lucrative opportunities for nursing professionals.

Healthcare system vs. Money?

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.

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Where to look for nursing jobs?

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.

Necessary work documents for Europe

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.

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.

Top-10 countries to become and work as a nurse

Seven out of these ten countries are part of the European Union, underlining the region's prominence in providing lucrative opportunities for nursing professionals.

What about working as a nurse in the US?

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.

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.