I cannot imagine that this year bring me a fortune in Saudi Arabia. As a nurse who left this country two years ago, I felt my chances of survival were nothing because the system required for upgrading my professional registration and retaking an exam.
Since 2009, when I first came here, I wondered if this opportunity would have a significant impact on my career and family. I signed a contract with the best government hospital in Medina. It was a long process, but eventually, after one year, I obtained my license without having to take any exam.
The regulations at that time, unlike today, did not require us in working for exam papers or renewal of the license. All those processes were managed by the hospital. Nurses only submitted the yearly contracts for the renewal and submitted the license including a Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate and an evaluation form related to work performance.
Living in the kingdom for almost fourteen years. I have accomplished many things, especially with my job dedication similar to other Indonesian nurses. My work performance evaluated yearly, was always good, the salary increased annually, and which enabled me to bring my family to perform Umrah and Hajj.
When Saudization came in 2018, I was worried. Many employees were terminated because the government hired local staff or Saudi nurses who had recently graduated. I realized that I needed to continue my studies and upgraded my professional registration from a nurse technician, which is similar to a diploma in nursing, to a bachelor nurse or specialist.
I sought information from social media, friends, and colleagues, I found a university offering distance learning in Indonesia. I decided to enroll in the Bachelor of Nursing program, which had a duration of one year and six months, plus nursing clinical for ten months. I thought that my diploma in nursing would no longer provide to renew my contract.
Unfortunately, when I had completed my bachelor's degree, the news about the termination came to my email notification. I read it many times, and make sure about the information. I tried to ask the HR, and the information was correct. I cried and called my family in Indonesia. I told them that I could not continue working in Saudi Arabia because of the regulation to stop hiring foreign workers from Saudization.
I knew that my position as a nurse technician in my ward was replaced by specialists and the new employees were hired from India, Egypt, and the Philippines. I tried my best to accept this matter, but it was difficult to understand that life is hard, my future seemed uncertain. However, I looked at the other side and tried to negotiate with myself, knowing that I still had an opportunity.
Being accepted in that situation is not counted by day and month. I tried to be positive and looked at the chance to come back again. My strengths were obtaining the bachelor's license from my new education as a bachelor, saving more money for two years in Indonesia, and studying for the re-exam. I considered the weaknesses regarding my age, the percentage of passing the exam, and lacking interest to study more.
Two years was a short time. There was an announcement about a nursing career in Saudi Arabia by a famous agency at that time. I submitted the CV and other documents while preparing to go to the center of the agency. The requirements were a bachelor with 2 year experience, holding a dataflow as document verification and the positive aspect was the candidate would be more likely to be hired if they had experience in Saudi Arabia.
I was optimistic that the recruiter would possibly hire me, and i was right. An easy way to get a nurse visa in a government hospital in Saudi Arabia. The agency suggested after reaching Saudi Arabia, I should follow the hospital rules, and prepared for the exam. I contacted another agency to process for the nursing council through the Mumaris platform.
This is an opportunity to upgrade my license and become a nurse specialist. I prepared and managed some documents, including my bachelor's degree certificate, license, dataflow verification, and so on. I was lucky because the SCFHS accepted my submission to upgrade my professional classification.
For additional information, there are two ways to upgrade the nursing rank through Mumaris such as education and experience. I chose the education subject because I have a Bachelor of Nursing certificate and an additional letter from my recent hospital. Do not forget to submit the previous professional registration as proof, it is mandatory because the Saudi Commission evaluated how long i had worked in Saudi Arabia.
The eligibility number generated by the Saudi Commission, I scheduled my exam date and obtained permission from the hospital. It was not easy because I failed twice, but on the last opportunity, I passed the exam. I received the professional registration from SCFHS, reported directly to HR, and informed my family in Indonesia.
I have achieved my dream of working again in Saudi Arabia, particularly in Medina province as a nurse specialist. My unfortunate past has transformed me into a diligent learner, fostering a positive outlook on God's destiny, and unwavering commitment to prayer in every moment of my life. I feel a sense of contentment, even though I had to endure two years of struggle in preparing myself to become a better person.
To all nurses out there, especially those who want to go to Saudi Arabia. Prepare yourselves, study more in nursing, improve the English language skills, and take an exam in Indonesia. The exam center for Prometric and Pearson Vue tests available right now, and many agencies that help us with placement and preparatory programs.
The story was shared with the author for nurses motivation*
