All You Need to Know About Studying Nursing Abroad
All You Need to Know About Studying Nursing Abroad
In the quest to become a doctor, many medical students forget that there is a world of opportunities in the medical field beyond just becoming a doctor. With the NEET UG exam around the corner, you are likely doing your best to clear it and achieve your dream of becoming a doctor. But what if you don’t clear NEET? No, we are not here to shatter your morale — we are here to ease the pressure you may be feeling about your career.
Of course, you are aiming to be a doctor, but there is nothing wrong with pursuing the next best thing. And when you look for such opportunities in the medical field, you will find that nursing offers just as many chances to serve humanity as being a doctor does.
So, if you are ready to explore all your career options in the medical field, this blog is for you. We are helping medical aspirants discover a Plan ‘B’ for their medical studies. And guess what — this option doesn’t even require you to clear NEET!
To help you have a solid action plan ready, let’s give you a quick overview of Studying Nursing Abroad.
Journey of Becoming a Nurse
If you are considering nursing as a career, it’s important to understand the journey ahead. In this section, we will guide you through what it takes to become a nurse and how you can build a successful career in the field.
Step 1 – Complete High School
To become a nurse, you must complete your higher secondary education (10+2) with a science stream, specifically in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (PCB). With a minimum aggregate of 45–50%, you can begin your journey towards a nursing career.
Step 2 – Choose the Right Nursing Course
The next step is to decide which nursing course best suits your academic background and career goals. You can choose from the following:
- General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) – A 3-year diploma course
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing) – A 4-year undergraduate degree
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSc Nursing) – A 2-year postgraduate degree for specialisation
Step 3 – Register with a Nursing Council
After completing your graduation or post-graduation, you must register with a recognised nursing council in India to practise professionally. You can apply for registration through your State Nursing Council or the Indian Nursing Council. Once registered, you will receive a nursing licence to practise in India.
Step 4 – Gain Clinical Experience
Once you’re a registered nurse, you can begin working in hospitals, clinics, or community healthcare centres. If you wish to work abroad in the future, most countries require at least 1–2 years of clinical experience.
Or Take a Different Route – Study Nursing Abroad
If you’re aiming to receive world-class nursing education and eventually work internationally, studying nursing abroad could be the ideal path. Here’s what that journey typically looks like:
How to Study Nursing Abroad?
As promised, we’re helping you explore all possible medical career options beyond just Becoming a Doctor. So, if you’ve decided to pursue nursing, we strongly recommend considering overseas education. There are numerous benefits to studying nursing abroad — from access to advanced facilities to better job opportunities.
Let’s first take a look at the process of studying nursing abroad, and then we’ll explore all the benefits you’ll enjoy along the way.
Step 1 – Complete High School (10+2)
Regardless of where you study, completing high school in the science stream is essential. You must have studied Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English, with at least 60% aggregate marks in PCB.
Step 2 – Research Your Options
There are thousands of universities worldwide offering excellent nursing education. However, you’ll need to do thorough research to find institutions that not only meet your academic needs but also fit your budget.
To make things easier, we’ve listed some of the most popular and affordable countries for studying nursing abroad below.
| Country | Course Offered | Duration | Avg. Tuition Fees (USD/year) | Avg. Cost of Living (USD/year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 3 – 4 years | $0 – $1,600 | $8,500 – $10,500 |
| New Zealand | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 3 years | $10,800 – $15,000 | $7,200 – $9,000 |
| Canada | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 2 – 4 years | $11,000 – $16,000 | $7,500 – $9,000 |
| Philippines | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 years | $1,800 – $3,600 | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Ireland | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 years | $10,800 – $16,200 | $7,500 – $10,500 |
| Sweden | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 3 years | $8,500 – $13,800 | $7,500 – $9,500 |
| USA | Bachelor of Science in Nursing | 4 years | $15,000 – $25,000 | $10,000 – $15,000 |
NOTE: Kindly be notified that the cost mentioned in the above table is a roundoff amount. The BSc Nursing abroad fees may vary. Hence, before applying to any university, check their official website for the tuition fees and other related expenses.
Based on the information on the above table,
As every country provides some benefit or the other, it is important for you to research thoroughly before applying to any university
Step 3- Shortlist Universities and Nursing Programs
If you have done Bachelor of Science in Nursing in India, then you can pursue MSc nursing abroad. However, if you are directly going to pursue BSc Nursing abroad, then it is a must you shortlist your universities and courses as per your preference.
Now, when you are stuck in the maze of finding the best nursing university abroad, here are some of the factors you must consider.
- Global ranking and accreditation
- Clinical placements or internship opportunities
- Visa acceptance rate
- Alumni network and post-study work opportunities.
Meanwhile, to shortlist a course, this is all what you’ll get abroad;
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc Nursing)- 3 to 4 years
- Diploma in Nursing – 2 to 3 years (offered in some countries)
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSc Nursing)- 1 to 2 years
Do thorough research before finalising the courses and universities. Furthermore, you can take assistance from study abroad consultants as well.
Step 4- Exams to Study Abroad
Many of the top affordable countries to study nursing abroad are English-speaking nations. Hence, to get admission in one of the top nursing schools abroad, you must require clearing the essential Exams to Study Abroad. Some of the English proficiency exams you can take are;
- IETLS Academic- 6.5 to 7.0 band score
- OET (Occupational English Test)- Preferred for healthcare courses
- TOEFL iBT- For countries like USA and Canada
Do note that these English proficiency exams can be tough to crack; hence, it is better if you start preparing for the English language exams early. You can also take MetaApply IE’s TestPrep classes to clear the language exams easily within the first attempt.
Step 5- Eligibility Requirement to Study Nursing Abroad
Some of the eligibility requirements that you must fulfil in order to study nursing abroad includes;
- Academic transcripts
- Passport-sized photographs
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
- Proof of funds
These are the basic requirements from each university across the globe.
Step 6- Apply for Student Visa
Once you have received your admission acceptance letter, it is your time to apply for the student visa. Based on the country of your accepted university, you have to research for the visa process, what visa to apply, and what all are the requirements.
Some of the basic Requirements for a Student Visa to study nursing abroad includes;
- Valid passport
- Admission letter
- English test score
- Proof of funds
- Medical insurance
The visa arrival may take time; hence, apply for a visa accordingly.
Step 7- The Additional Steps
In the last step, you must begin by preparing the accommodations abroad, take the orientation classes, and even join some communities for a safer living abroad.
Do remember that once you are graduated, you are ready to work anywhere in the world as a nurse. However, you do require to clear nursing exam for abroad. These exams or licenses help you work anywhere in the world with ease. Some of the exams for nurses to go abroad are;
- NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse) (USA and Canada)
- CGFNS Certification Program®
- CBT & OSCE (UK)
- AHPRA OBA (Australia)
- Prometric Exams (Gulf countries)
- HAAD / DHA / MOH Exams (UAE)
As we have explored your steps, it is time to see the benefits you will get when you pursue nursing abroad.
Benefits of Studying Nursing Abroad
MetaApply IE- Your Partner in Accomplishing Study Abroad Dream
We understand that exploring your options for studying nursing abroad can feel overwhelming at times. However, to ease any worries and help you achieve your dream of a medical career, our team of experts at MetaApply IE is here to support you every step of the way.
At MetaApply IE, we are committed to helping aspiring nurses like you find the best universities, courses, financial aid options, accommodation abroad, and guidance for preparing for English proficiency exams. Whatever your ambition in the medical field, we are here to make sure you find the right pathway to success.
Don’t wait — connect with us today and take the first step towards a rewarding nursing career abroad!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best country to study nursing abroad is Canada. When it comes to finding a country with best medical education, affordability, and post-study work opportunities then there is no better country in the world than Canada to study nursing abroad. The Canadian healthcare system is recognised globally making it beneficial for international students to find a immigration options abroad.
Cheapest is in terms of a country that is the most affordable for Indian or international students to study nursing abroad. The most affordable country in this world to pursue nursing abroad is Germany. The public universities charges zero to low tuition fees making it the most affordable country. Even the living cost per year is higher than the total studying cost in Germany.
The nursing salary for a BSc Nursing graduate globally may vary. However, the roundoff salary amount for BSc Nursing graduate is; USA: ₹1,50,000 - ₹2,00,000 per month, Canada: ₹1,20,000 - ₹1,50,000 per month, Australia: ₹90,000 - ₹1,20,000 per month, UK: ₹80,000 - ₹1,10,000 per month, Germany: ₹70,000 - ₹90,000 per month, and Dubai: ₹90,000 - ₹1,20,000 per month. Amount may vary, kindly refer to official government sites for accurate numbers.
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