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Are you a registered nurse curious about working internationally? Are you wondering if other countries accept U.S. nursing licenses? If so, here are a few things you may want to know!

An international nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who works in nursing in a country outside their home country. They may also be called international travel nurses. These nurses usually take on temporary assignments to fill a need caused by nursing shortages, medical events or health crises. Their role very much depends on their contracted position, but generally speaking, they do what other nurses do. 

There are a variety of international options for nurses, which vary depending on setting, specialty, experience and location. Some places and fields where nurses work abroad may include:

• Hospitals
• Medical clinics
• Doctor’s offices
• Other medical facilities
• International volunteer organizations 

One major difference when working as a nurse internationally is adapting to a new culture, which can shape communication and expected social norms. Nurses working abroad have to develop flexibility and adaptability so they can effectively navigate conversations and interactions with patients and co-workers.

Additionally, the scope of practice for RNs may differ significantly among countries. In the U.S., for example, RNs work in a wide variety of settings and roles, from bedside nursing in hospitals to public health nursing in local health departments. Comparatively, nurses in Zimbabwe predominantly work in primary healthcare due to the structure of the country’s healthcare system. Other countries may do things differently, so being flexible about how and where they work can help nurses acclimate.

In foreign countries, scope of practice, laws, rules, regulations and licensure itself are typically much different than in the U.S. and are specific to the country where the nurse is working. It is essential to know what the rules and regulations are in order to practice lawfully and safely in the foreign country.

Other considerations may include:

• Visas: To live and work abroad, those who wish to practice as international nurses must obtain the proper visa and work permit and fulfill any other requirements for their destination country.
• Licensing and certifications: Nurses must obtain any nursing licensure, certification and/or permissions required by the country and/or locality where they will practice.
• Language: The primary language spoken may not be English. The nurse may need to have proficiency in the language or work closely with an interpreter to effectively communicate with patients and co-workers. 

As an international nurse, you will naturally work with people who may hold different cultural beliefs and experiences from your own. Cultivating cultural sensitivity is important — remaining open and curious about your patient’s values and how they shape their behaviors and decisions will help you deliver respectful, patient-centered and effective care.

Nurses who work abroad may find it helpful to ask questions like:

• “What do you believe caused your problem?”
• “What are the main problems the illness has caused?”
• “What do you fear most about the illness?”

Doing so may help you better understand the personal and societal meaning patients attach to their health challenges. 

International nurses often work closely with members of a local healthcare team, and sometimes community leaders, to communicate patient conditions to physicians, identify potential barriers and more. Nurses may also find support from local staff who can help to bridge some of the language and cultural gaps and provide a better understanding of community health needs. 

There are about in the world, and 3.9 million of them are in the United States. According to the , there is a global shortage of 5.9 million nurses, with significant need in Southeast Asia, Africa and parts of Europe and Latin America.

U.S.-prepared nurses are valued in international nursing because of their education and training as well as broad experience and expertise that can greatly benefit developing healthcare systems. Additionally, U.S. nurses typically are proficient in English and can have experience working with diverse populations, which is a major advantage in countries where medical records are in English or where English serves as the common language among multiple tribal or regional languages.