Nursing in Saudi Arabia

October 20, 2022 / Advice & Tips / by CCM Australia

• Can you give us a snapshot of your nursing/allied healthcare career thus far?

I began my nursing career in 2018 working in Auckland, New Zealand and have been there until I moved to Saudi Arabia this year.

• Which country are you working in through CCM and why did you choose this country as your destination?

I am working in Saudi Arabia. I chose to come here to experience somewhere completely new and out of my comfort zone, and see a whole different side to life we don’t get in New Zealand

• How do you spend your days and weekends off?

At the moment it is winter, so days off are mostly spent outdoors before it starts getting hot again! I am still quite new so this tends to be exploring the city and the malls, and socialising with the other expats.

• What’s the lifestyle like in your chosen destination?

The lifestyle is very relaxed so far. I came to Saudi expecting a very constrictive lifestyle being a female, however, a lot of the time I feel like I am at home again. The locals are all very friendly and generous.

• What would be your top 3 travel tips for others travelling during Covid?

My first tip – Invest in a comfortable mask! You spend a very long time wearing them travelling so pays to have a good one.
Second tip - Hydrate a lot, I found I dried out quite
quickly with the added mask on.
Third tip – If you’re travelling in a group, sitting together means you don’t get a whole row to yourself to sleep. Social distancing can have it’s benefits!

• What is nursing/allied healthcare like in your new country?

Nursing in Saudi is fairly similar to back in New Zealand, however, care assistants have more duties with patient monitoring which takes a load off the nurses. So far, the main difference is having online documentation, learning this new system and how to document everything correctly has been challenging but, I take it one day at a time and learn something new everyday.

• What kind of facilities do you have in your accommodation and local area?

My accommodation has single rooms with a pool and gym available. Supermarkets and the mall are only a 5-10 minute drive away.

• Has your job changed since COVID and how have you adapted?

Joining during Covid, I arrived to orientation and my unit assignment was changed from general surgery to general medicine, which I have no previous experience in. During my orientation I kept an open mind and asked questions. I took this move as an opportunity to learn a new specialty and expand my professional knowledge. It has been difficult but opening myself to new information has made it much easier to manage.

• Is Saudi Arabia beginning to modernise as a country?

Absolutely! Arriving here I had many thoughts onwhat my life would be like living as a woman. Iwould never have dreamed that I would be ableto walk out in public wearing jeans and no onewould bat an eye. Most women still wear anabaya but, the style of dress is rapidly changingthrough the younger generations.

• What have you enjoyed most to date ?

So far my favourite part of Saudi is the new people I meet every day. Although most patients have very limited English, they all make an effort to say hello or thank you in a way I can understand. My colleagues from all areas always
have a smile on their face.

• What general advice would you give to someone thinking of travelling to your chosen destination?

Don’t think twice. I have been in Saudi for 1month now, I do miss home but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Keep an open mind and Saudi can show you a whole different side to life you didn’t know existed.

- Dominique

Dominique with friends in Saudi Arabia having a picnic.

Dominique in Saudi Arabia.

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