A Guide to Becoming an Ex-Pat Nurse in Thailand
If you are looking to work internationally as a nurse or are planning to take time out to become a travel nurse, you should consider working within Thailand or elsewhere in South-East Asia. Not only will you gain unique cultural experiences of nursing in a different climate, but you will also be able to help Thailand cope with their demand for those in the healthcare profession. Read on to discover the steps to take if you want to become a nurse in South-East Asia.
Can You Become a Nurse in Thailand?
There is an extensive list of professions that non-citizens of Thailand are barred from on immigration to the country, and these include, among others:
- Agriculture
- Construction work
- Beauty services
- Driving vehicles
- Working with precious stones and metals
- Tour guiding
- Making some types of clothing
However, these restrictions do not cover the nursing profession. The restrictions on the nursing profession that had previously prevented ex-pats from occupying positions were lifted, allowing many ex-pat nurses to arrive from nearby countries, such as the Philippines. You are more likely to get a position, though if you can have some understanding of the local language. If not, you may be employed as a medical coordinator who can carry out the care of patients but who do not have control over medicine administration. You may also have opportunities as an international nurse educator who can train other ex-pat nurses in English.
However, to secure a job as a nurse in Thailand, you should consider working for a US or international agency that can pair you with an international hospital (which caters to foreign nationals) that requires the skills that you have to offer. You should also consider available job openings in the growing medical tourism industry, where consultants may be needed to ensure that travelers looking for care will be able to get the treatments that they need. You could also consider teaching nursing at a local university or gaining experience by starting off your career through volunteering.
What Steps Should You Take to Become a Nurse in Thailand?
To become a nurse in Thailand, you firstly need to secure the correct qualifications for the job position that you are looking for. For instance, if you are already living in Thailand or want to work towards your degree around other commitments, you should consider taking an online DNP program that can help you to advance your nursing skills and enable you to take on leadership positions in the future. The more qualifications that you have, the more likely that it is you will be able to find a job position in Thailand. Not only this, but nurses working in Thailand already can also boost their skills through this program due to its online nature, although you should be aware that you may have to apply for a license differently if you take this route.
If you have not already done so, you need to apply for a work permit to ensure that you can legally apply and retain a job in Thailand. To get a work permit in Thailand, you should have applied for a visa from the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate.
When applying for a work permit, you will need:
- A valid passport
- Your Non-Immigrant Visa
- Your departure card
- Copies of your qualifications and licenses
Although some foreigners will need to apply for a visa on their arrival into the country, if you are from nations such as the UK and the United States, you are exempt from visa requirements. You can enter the country without obtaining a visa until you have stayed there for more than 30 days. You can then apply for a 90-day single visa or a 1-year multiple entry visa, called a Non-Immigrant-B visa, which you will need to be applicable for a permit.
Then, you will need to apply for a nursing license. During the application process, you will need:
- • Your degree or qualification
- • The Nursing and Midwifery Curriculum
- • Your registered nursing license from your home country
- • Your passport
If you are traveling from another country to work in Thailand, you will need to take a nursing competencies assessment and licensure examination after the completion of your BA. Once you have passed this examination, you will be granted a license for nursing and midwifery in Thailand. These exams can be conducted in English.
To find a suitable nursing position in Thailand, you should use international agencies or look at online job websites to find a job that suits your skills and experience. For instance, international job websites can help you to find a position in your vocation, even if you are planning to apply for a position before you travel.
Is There Demand for Nurses in Thailand?
In terms of demand, one of the reasons that nurses were exempted from the Alien Employment Act in 2015 was because there is an increasingly high demand for nurses in Thailand. Not only are larger hospitals in need of more nurses, but there is also an urgency for more nurses in local hospitals, especially those that cater to international patients. This is in part due to the low wages for nurses in Thailand, however, working as a nurse in Thailand is still a viable option if you want to gain insight into nursing in another culture.
What Salary Can You Expect in Thailand?
The average salary in Thailand for a nurse is around 80,400 THB a month, although this can increase to highs of 127,000 THB for those with the highest education and skill levels. For instance, you are more likely to be within the highest salary bracket if you have had over 20 years of experience or if you have taken a Master’s degree to broaden your skills, as this will make you applicable for potential leadership positions.
Becoming a nurse in Thailand can be an exciting opportunity for those in neighboring countries, such as the Philippines, as well as those from further afield who want to gain experience as travel nurses in the area within an international hospital or medical center. Not only this but since 2015, it has become relatively easy to become a nurse in Thailand, leaving you with no barriers between you and the job of your dreams.
