Now that coronavirus has swept the globe, many countries are asking for retired nurses to return to the field for hospitals to cope with the influx of new COVID-19 patients. If the struggles of coronavirus have led you to reconsider your decision to quit nursing, here are the steps that you need to take to rejoin the profession and help others who may be suffering from the disease.
Advance Your Nursing Knowledge
Although you might previously have obtained the qualifications necessary to become a registered nurse, you should look at advancing your knowledge before returning to the medical profession. This will permit you to apply for positions in specialist units and will ensure that you are at your best when you return. Not only this but advancing your nursing knowledge will also ensure that your understanding of the medical world is up-to-date, as healthcare is one of the most quickly advancing sectors in the world. Before you sign up for a course, you should check the requirements of the position that you want to aim for to ensure that you will be gaining the correct qualifications to apply.
One of the best options for nurses who are looking to re-enter the profession is to consider taking DNP programs online with Baylor University. Not only will these enable you to build on your knowledge as a registered nurse, but the online-based nature of the courses means that you will be able to complete your education from anywhere in the world, around any other commitments that you may have, including those which may have led to your retirement from nursing, to begin with.
Renew Your Nursing License
In most countries, your nursing license only covers you for a couple of years (for instance, one year in the UAE) before you must renew it. Although you may previously have renewed your nursing license on a rolling basis, if you have been absent from the profession for a long time, it is unlikely that your nursing license will still be able to cover you.
To apply for a nursing license, you will need:
- A 3-year nursing qualification.
- At least 2 years of experience in the field.
- A Basic Life Support Certificate.
In the UAE, you will be able to apply for a license online by registering with the Dubai Health Authority, where you will be asked to complete a licensing examination to qualify. The process will usually take up to ten days before you will be able to become fully licensed.
Look at Financial Support
The average nurse gets paid over AED 62,000 a year in the UAE.
One of the barriers that may be preventing you from becoming a nurse in the Middle East would be concerns about your finances if you were to leave your current position to re-train as a nurse. However, there are many financial incentives for nurses in the Middle East. As well as ensuring that you can receive your salary tax-free, most governments have instated incentivized packages for nurses.
These include aspects such as:
- Free housing or shared accommodation in line with your skill level and position,
- An education allowance for your children
- Emergency medical and dental care
- Holiday pay
Not only this, but nurses in countries such as the UAE are paid increasing high salaries to keep them within the profession. However, if you are looking for financial incentives for ex-pat nurses, the United States and the United Kingdom are among the countries that offer high salaries for their nurses.
Consider Taking a Refresher Course
If you are looking to get back into nursing, but you are concerned about your ability to reach your full potential when you get back into the workplace, you should consider taking a refresher course. These can allow you to boost your confidence and hone your skills in preparation for the workplace, without the pressures of being thrown straight into the pressures of a hospital or another healthcare environment. For instance, in the UAE, there is a significant focus on refresher courses for school nurses, who play an integral part in the lives and continued health of their students.
Rejoin a Nursing Organization
Joining a professional nursing organization can help you to get the support that you need throughout your return to nursing. For instance, if you join the Emirates Nursing Association, for example, you will be able to connect with other nurses working within your country, help to support the image of nursing in your chosen country, and be able to work with the community as a nurse.
Apply for Leadership Positions
Rather than simply take up the roles that you have performed in the past, once you have gained the additional qualifications that you need to update your knowledge, why not consider applying for a leadership position in your chosen country? Whether you live in the Middle East or are considering taking advantage of the wealth of opportunities for nursing ex-pats here, applying for leadership positions can help you to take on more responsibility and a more active role in helping others and making critical decisions.
Before taking on a leadership position, you may consider signing up for the Leadership for Change program, which is offered in over fifty countries around the world. This scheme is focused on developing the skills of nurses to create the next generation of leaders.
Consider Joining a Different Nursing Pathway
However, if coronavirus has inspired you to get back into nursing, but you are willing to perform any role in the medical profession, you should consider joining a different nursing pathway.
The types of nurses that are currently in demand include:
- Registered Nurses
- School Nurses
- Emergency Room Nurses
- Intensive Care Unit Nurses
- Travel Nurses
This shows that there is a broad selection of different occupations to suit your lifestyle and to give you the challenge that you are searching for by deciding to rejoin the nursing profession in light of the current global pandemic.