Not sure about Spain, but we have started looking into international travel nursing to English speaking countries such as UK (or Australia). I found an agency online, Continental Travel Nurse that seems to specialize in this. They offer the typical 13 week contracts versus many international opportunities that require 1-2 year commitments. We haven't done anything other than online research so far, as it will still be 2-3 years before we are ready to go abroad. But I would love to hear from anybody who has done this??? It would definitely be a bit more scary/risky than traveling in the US, but could be so awesome I would think! They even advertise that they pay PTO so you can take time off to see the area and still get paid! Our main questions are:
Do you have any agency suggestions?
Agencies to avoid?
How does working in hospitals abroad differ to the US?
What did you do for housing? (Continental advertises that they put you in a shared flat or you can take the stipend...we are not ok with roommates)
How does the pay compare to US pay?
Did you take a spouse? If so, did they work? (Continental advertises that they can find work for spouses too)
Did taxes effect you much differently?
Did you feel safe? Did your license feel safe?
Where staffers welcome to international travelers?
Did you have a vehicle? (Continental website says that public transportation suffices)
I think that about covers our initial questions/concerns. I hope somebody on here is familiar with this...we would love more info!!!
I'm not really sure what the answer is, but we have some information on the topic at our blog, TravelNursingBlogs.com. Here's some links to some resources which can help point you in the right direction.
I live in Madrid, Spain most of the year (my husband is Spanish) and can tell you it's very difficult for Americans to work there-in the healthcare field anyways. I'm an OT and there, OT/PT/SLPs only need a 3 year degree after high school. RNs are "enfermeria a nivel licenciatura" and it is a 4 year degree, a 3 year enfermeria degree is also available.
For all these fields, to work in the public sector, you have to take a big test called an "oposicion" to get put in the pool of available jobs. In the private sector most jobs for OT (I am not sure about the other fields in this area) are only part time and the pay is really low in both sectors. When I say low I mean 1/4 of what you make now. I also had to get my degree recognized, or "convalidado". This will take 1-2 YEARS if you don't hire a lawyer and about 6 months if you're willing to dish out the dough (and a LOT of it). My mother-in-law is a nurse in Barcelona and has never heard of travel nursing/therapy. You would definetally need to have a EU passport to work here as well as they aren't dishing out work visas due to the 20%+ unemployment and knowing Spanish is a necessity too. Not to be a negative nacy, because it can be done, but Spain is a bit of a hard ball.
I do know nurses who have gone to the middle east, however. Companies like O'grady Peyton (http://www.ogradypeyton.com/middleeast/default.aspx) can set you up with great packages, but I would recommend searching hospitals online and applying through them personally in the cities that interest you (Dubai and Abu Dhabi are amazing!). Many times they'll pay your way there and your housing if you make a year or two commitment. This goes for allied professions as well! And I know there's companies that will place you in countries like Japan, or Germany with the military for a year or two as well.
I have spoken with Continental Travel Nursing about UK positions. They are very helpful, but what it boils down to is this...they won't even discuss things further until you've taken the English test. I'll post the link here for you.
