The Advantages of Licensed Nurse in Saudi Arabia

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I have been living in Saudi Arabia for almost seven years, and have encountered some issues regarding unlicensed nurses. Today, I  discuss some of the advantages of requiring nurses to have license to work in The Kingdom.

My focus in this article is on Indonesian nurses who work abroad. I understand that my point of view may be personally irritating, but the fact remains that working in the healthcare field, especially in nursing requires proper licensing.

In my career as a nurse in Saudi Arabia, we must make certain efforts to become a registered nurse. According to Saudi Nursing law, the first step involves submitting documents including a degree certificate, license and certificate of experience from the origin country. We have to prepare either the original or a translation for these documents for verification through a company appointed by Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).

The second step is to register on through the Mumaris Plus for verification by Saudi Commission. This step is crucial because the decision made at this stages will determine our future career prospects as a registered nurse. In fact, this step will verify all the documents that we have previously submitted to the verification company. It is important to be honest about all documents, especially the certificate of experience which should not have any gaps of more than two years.

The last step is the examination by Prometric or Pearson Vue company. It is completely different when we are compare about healthcare system in Saudi Arabia and other gulf countries. In Saudi Arabia, when the second step is completed, the Saudi Commission will generate the eligibility number for the examination. We can use this number for three times exam. Otherwise, if we pass, the commission will directly provide professional registration certificate. However, if fail for three times, we have to return to our country.

Why are some nurses working in Saudi Arabia without any license? Regarding this issue, I would like to advise them to return to their country before the commission find out and fines them approximately 10 thousand riyals equal to 40 million rupiah. A quotes from John Adam once said, "Facts is stubborn things." In term of this issue, we can not avoid the truth even when it is not we want to hear or express. On this occasion, I would like to suggest some advices that can serve as a tool for Indonesian healthcare professionals to navigate the process for a better carrier.

Furthermore, we must prepare the necessary documents and study for the exam. Those two things often make us think a lot. However, preparing for the exam is challenging for us because the nursing education system in our country does not use English as the primary languages for teaching and learning.

Around 300-500 nurses work here based on the data from Indonesian National Nurses Association (INNA). For the last five years, the average of Indonesian nurses passing the exam is 40%. It means that our nurses are still on struggle with this step and the weakness are educational system and nurses habits on study.

Passing the exam and becoming a registered nurse in Saudi Arabia will enhance our promising future career. Some of the advantages includes; First, we do not have to worry about our duties, even when the commission conducts monthly inspection at our health centre. We can simply present our license and explain our roles and responsibilities in our area of duty. Sometimes, they may ask about patient safety or standard operating procedures.

Second, there are some benefits associated with transferring work from one health centre to another. Sometimes, after working for three years, we may feel bored or want to try a new place that would broaden our professional carrier. If we have a license, we can easily transfer with additional administration procedure. Some of my friend are licensed were transferred from city to city, targeting the holly cities such as Mecca and Medina.

The third benefits is when we leave Saudi Arabia for some reasons, we do not have to take an exam again if we return to the country within two years. It means that the nursing commission gives us an opportunity to work again with an easy process. We will not find any country that gives us those benefits except Saudi Arabia.

Finally, our career is back in our hands, allowing us to explore more benefits or simply spend nothing on our professional carrier. The entire process is a big picture to graps instead of an obstacle that preventing the progress of our career. It is more important to prepare for a career rather than thinking of how to pass the process. Every challenge leads an opportunity to learn.