In Dubai, becoming a nurse has been easier in recent years with the removal of the two-year work experience requirement for certain nurses seeking licenses. This transformation has made it easier to get work in a city where the demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow along with the expansion of the healthcare sector.
The Ministry of Health and Prevention, collaboratively with the Abu Dhabi Department of Health, the Dubai Health Authority, and the Sharjah Health Authority, announced the removal of the work experience requirement for getting a license for specific kinds of nurses. This regulatory change has mostly benefited registered and assistant nurses, who are no longer required to have prior work experience to practice in Dubai.
However, specific categories of nurses, such as school nurses, nurse practitioners, specialty nurses, and others, can also apply for positions without any prior work experience, provided that they meet certain educational and regulatory criteria. These requirements include:
Nurses must hold a valid license or registration issued by the approved countries listed, including Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA.
Educational qualifications should have been obtained within the last two years, or there should be no gap in practice since the last employment date, in cases where the applicant previously worked but doesn't meet exact work experience requirements.
Applicants must furnish a valid 'Good Standing Certificate' from their home country.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants who did not complete higher studies in English or if the license was issued by a non-English-speaking country. Acceptable proofs include a TOEFL score of not less than 500, an IELTS score of not less than 5.0, an Occupational English Test (OET) score of not less than C, and a Cambridge Assessment English score of not less than 169.
Completion of the Primary Source Verification of experience, qualifications, and license or registration documents is necessary.
These requirements ensure that aspiring nurses meet the necessary standards and qualifications to practice in Dubai's healthcare sector effectively.
References:
1. Anwer L. Khaleej Times. [cited 2024 Apr 4]. Dubai: How to become a nurse without work experience. Available from: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/life-and-living/dubai-want-to-become-a-nurse-but-dont-have-work-experience-heres-how
(Rehash/ Susmita Bhandary)