In Dubai, nurses can be seen moving around practically everywhere. They can be spotted on a busy journey through the metro in the early hours of the morning, or they can be seen making a quick stop at a coffee shop.
A significant contribution to the medical industry is made by these critical professionals, who frequently go unnoticed despite the fact that they wear multicolored scrubs. Dubai is home to a large number of expatriates who come from a variety of countries. These individuals have also made significant contributions to the sprawling nursing industry that is present in the city.
Following the outbreak, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) altered its regulations in order to provide these frontline workers with the opportunity to become eligible for the Golden Visa, which would let them to live in the country for a period of up to ten years.
Additionally, in 2022, the Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a statement that eliminated the requirement of two years of work experience for certain nurses in order to obtain a license. This made it simpler for nurses to find employment. At the same time, the Department of Health in Abu Dhabi, the Dubai Health Authority, and the Sharjah Health Authority all expressed their support for this.
In order to become a nurse in Dubai as an expat, it is necessary to meet a number of minimum requirements, including educational qualifications and licensing requirements.
The prerequisites for education
According to the Dubai Health Authority, the educational requirements for the various sorts of nurses are distinct from one another.
Registered nurse: Applicants for the position of registered nurse are required to hold a bachelor's degree in nursing from an institution that offers a full-time nursing program that lasts for a minimum of three years.
Those who have a nursing degree that is two years long are required to be registered as nurses in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia.
The minimum amount of time required to earn a diploma in nursing is 18 months. Assistant nurses are required to have this diploma.
School nurse: Individuals who are interested in applying for school nurse roles are required to possess the qualifications of a registered nurse and also possess certification with the Valid Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) program.
Nurse practitioner: In addition to obtaining a clinical master's or doctoral degree in nursing, nurse practitioners are required to meet the standards of a registered nurse. Also, they must have completed their clinical training.
It is also possible for them to provide an equivalent qualification in pharmacology for the purpose of prescribing drugs, or a qualification in differential diagnosis, ordering, and interpretation of diagnostic tests (radiological and pathological tests), or even a qualification that demonstrates proof of 'Advanced Health Assessment' if they do not possess a clinical master's or doctoral degree.
It is necessary for individuals who possess a national certification or license as a nurse practitioner to satisfy the qualifications of a registered nurse in order to be able to work in the capacity of a nurse practitioner.
The requirements for becoming a registered nurse include obtaining a Clinical Master's degree in one of the nursing specialties, with a minimum course duration time of one year. Specialty nurses are required to meet these requirements in order to become qualified.
On the other side, those who possess a Bachelor's degree in one of the nursing specialties that has a minimum course duration of three years are eligible with just that qualification.
Requires prior experience
The laws in Dubai have been amended, and as a result, registered nurses and assistant nurses are no longer required to have any prior experience in order to work in the city.
However, in order to become a school nurse, one must have a minimum of two years of experience working as a registered nurse. Within this time frame, you are required to have one year of experience working in pediatrics, intensive care units, or emergency departments.
In order to become a nurse practitioner, one must demonstrate that they have two years of experience after obtaining their certification.
Specialty nurses who have completed a one-year program leading to a Clinical Master's degree in one of the nursing specialties are required to have one year of experience working in the specialty field once they have completed their training.
There is a requirement that individuals who have completed a three-year bachelor's degree program in one of the nursing specialties must have two years of experience in the field that is connected to their educational background.
Additional prerequisites
When applying to become a nurse in Dubai, there are a number of other factors that are crucial to consider in addition to the primary qualifications based on education and experience.
Graduates of national or international colleges that are recognized in their native country or around the world are required to apply for this position.
In order to graduate from the United Arab Emirates, one must have completed their education at a university or in a course that has been granted accreditation by the Ministry of Education.
Expats who have graduated from universities in the United Arab Emirates are required to complete a clinical training program in an APS health facility for a period of six months after graduation. When it comes to registered nurses and assistant nurses, this does not apply.
After graduation, individuals who are citizens of GCC nations are obliged to complete a clinical training program that lasts for a period of six months at an APS health facility. When it comes to registered nurses and assistant nurses, this does not apply.
Steps to take in Dubai
To obtain their license to practice in Dubai, healthcare professionals are required to submit an application to the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) after verifying that all of the required paperwork and qualifications are ready.
Applicants are required to present a recent photograph that is the size of a passport, a copy of their passport, and a logbook for surgical specialties in order to complete the registration process. Following that, applicants can proceed with the processes that are listed below on the Sheryan portal that is located on the DHA website.
Professionals in the healthcare industry are required to finish the Self Assessment Tool service. There is no fee associated with this, and no paperwork are required. In order to determine whether or not the professional satisfies the requirements established by the Unified Healthcare Professional Requirements (PQR), it is an online test. The candidates will receive a result that states they are "not eligible" if they do not pass the first attempt, and then they will have the opportunity to reconsider their eligibility.
Requirements for service must be fulfilled.
In order to be eligible for this service, applicants are required to complete out, link, and submit the online application.
There is a cost of Dh200 that must be paid in order to access the services of nurses and midwives.
The application will subsequently be evaluated by the DHA, which will then provide a result.
It may be necessary for the authority to conduct an oral evaluation, depending on the professional's occupation.
Upon successful completion of the examination, the professional will be registered and will be included in the Dubai Medical Registry.
Following the completion of the registration process, it is the obligation of the medical facility that is hiring the healthcare professional to activate their license.
