The five countries most in need of nurse practitioners — with pay up to US$110,433 a year

Nursing is an integral part of the healthcare system, making it unsurprising why there are plenty of jobs for nurse practitioners being offered abroad, both for local and foreign talents.

Despite being the backbone of healthcare, their role gained increased attention when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

Recently, however, a shortage of nurses in several countries has been a major cause of concern in the healthcare profession.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), by 2030, the world could be short of 4.5 million nurses and 0.31 million midwives. The most affected regions? Africa, South-East Asia, the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and parts of Latin America.

There’s no better time to be a nurse than now. Source: AFP

But here’s the upside: this demand means huge opportunities for nurses to work abroad. Whether you’re a trained nurse or a nursing student, working outside of your home country could be a lucrative gig.

For example, say you are from the UK. In London, nurses make between 30,000 and 47,000 pounds a year (US$37,942 to US$59,447). But if you move to the US, you could earn nearly double, with salaries ranging from US$96,000 to US$142,000. 

Here are five countries that offer jobs for nurse practitioners:

Jobs for nurse practitioners: 5 countries worth exploring

UK

Looking for a rewarding nursing career abroad? The UK could be the perfect place for you. Right now, the country is facing a serious nursing shortage, with a projected gap of 10,000 nurses by 2025.

The situation is even more pressing when you consider how fast demand for healthcare is growing.

According to an analysis from the Royal College of Nursing, the patient waiting list for elective care has grown more than four times faster than the rate of nurse recruitment since 2019.

To address this crisis, the UK has actively opened recruitment channels for overseas nurse practitioners.

In 2024 alone, 73% of NHS hospitals in England recruited nearly 6,000 nurses from abroad.

The perks? A flexible work schedule, pension scheme and a high level of job security. Plus, the salaries offered for nurse practitioners in the UK are just as attractive.

Salaries will vary depending on factors such as your level of experience — click here to view a pay guide.

Ireland

On average, nurses in Ireland earn 47,671 euros (US$49,966) annually. Source: AFP

Ireland is quickly becoming a top destination for nurses. In 2023, there were 72,543 nurses and 4,251 midwives working in the country and those numbers are only going up.

Since then, Advanced Nurse Practitioners have grown by 20%, Advanced Midwife Practitioners by 23%, Nurse Prescribers by 16%, and Midwife Prescribers by 27%. Even Public Health Nurses saw a small 1% increase.

A big reason? Nurses from around the world are moving to Ireland. The OECD’s “Health at a Glance: Europe 2024” report shows that Ireland has the highest percentage of foreign-trained nurses in Europe, at 51.8%. 

This comes as no surprise though. Foreign nurses can apply for citizenship, which also means that they can bring family members over to live with them. You may even be entitled to a pension scheme in the country if you have gained citizenship.

The pay is competitive too. On average, nurses earn 47,671 euros (US$49,966) annually, with entry-level positions starting at 39,520 euros (US$41,423). Those with more experience can make up to 65,327 euros (US$68,472) per year.

Saudi Arabia

You won’t find a lack of jobs for nurse practitioners no matter where you end up. Source: AFP

Saudi Arabia offers multiple perks and benefits for nurse practitioners, which include:

• Paid leave
• Accommodation
• Transportation allowance
• Experience allowance
• Medical insurance
• Tax-free income
• Airfare
• Training and support
• The option to bring your spouse and children with you

Glassdoor reports that registered nurses in Saudi Arabia earn an average of 5,304 riyals (US$1,414) per month, with total monthly pay reaching 5,817 riyals (US$1,551).

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

As exhausting as the job in the healthcare field may be, the material and emotional rewards sure make it worth it. Source: AFP

With Dubai’s population set to hit 5.8 million by 2040, the city is ramping up efforts to improve its healthcare system. One key goal is to increase the number of nurses per 1,000 people from 5.6 to 8 by 2030.

To make that happen, the Dubai Health Authority launched a nursing recruitment programme in 2023.

More recently, the Dubai government introduced the Golden Visa, a long-term residence permit.

“When it was first introduced, the Golden Visa started with select doctors,” says Allae Almanini, Chief Financial Officer of Dubai Healthcare City Authority. “It now includes all doctors. The Golden Visa process has become very systematic and is key in retaining talent and stabilising the ecosystem.”

Other incentives for foreign nurses include:

• Free accommodation or housing allowance
• Return flight tickets
• Tax-free income
• Food allowance
• Medical insurance and education allowance if you have children.
• Transportation to and from work
• 30 days of annual leave per year
• Gratuity pay at the end of your term

Australia

A woman looks at a mural of a health worker with wings holding a globe on International Nurses Day in Melbourne on May 12, 2020. Source: AFP

The healthcare and social assistance industry is Australia’s biggest employer, with about 15.6% of workers in the field.

But there’s a massive problem; by 2035, the country is expected to be down by 70,707 full-time nurses, meaning around 79,473 more nurses will be needed to fill the gap.

To tackle this, The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is making it easier for Internationally Qualified Registered Nurses (IQRNs) to work in Australia.

Registered nurses with 1,800 hours of experience in the UK, US, Ireland, Canada (British Columbia and Ontario), Singapore, or Spain, and who meet AHPRA’s English language standards, qualify for direct registration without extra testing.

It’s not just nurses who are in demand. The need for midwives is also growing, with more women choosing personalised care during pregnancy and childbirth.

That means tons of job opportunities, whether you’re looking for something full-time or just a temporary job.

The best part? It pays well. The average registered nurse in Australia makes US$82,942 a year. Entry-level positions start at US$77,386, while experienced nurses can earn up to US$110,433.

Ultimately, nursing can be a popular career for migration, but some countries may require incoming nurses to have some work experience and a recognised overseas qualification, among other requirements, so be sure to do your homework before making a decision.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on February 26, 2025.