This New Year's Resolution Might Help You Reach Your Overseas Nursing Dreams

The new year brings a sense of renewal, a fresh start filled with hope, dreams, and the ambition to take on any challenges. It symbolizes the beginning of new ventures, both personal and professional. For many Filipino nurses, especially those aspiring to work abroad, the start of 2025 holds great significance. It's not just about setting personal resolutions; it's about seizing the opportunity to expand horizons, advance their careers, and take bolder steps toward realizing their dream of a nursing career abroad.

For Filipino nurses eager to explore international career opportunities, the new year offers the perfect moment to refocus and strategize for success. Whether you aim to work in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Middle East, or any other destination, achieving your career goals abroad often requires a combination of preparation, determination, and the right mindset.

As you take your first steps into 2025, here are some New Year’s resolutions to help guide you toward your goal of working abroad and turning your dreams into reality:

• Focus on gaining the necessary work experience. Start the year by realigning your goals and concentrating on accumulating at least two years of clinical or bedside experience, which is often a prime requirement for many international nursing programs. It’s also important to build a well-rounded experience in different areas, such as medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, or emergency care, as these specialties are frequently in high demand. Having the necessary experience will prove that you have the skills needed for the job and may give you a competitive edge in the job market.

• Set a clear target for when you'll review, take, and pass the international nursing exams. To practice nursing abroad, you must pass specific licensing exams depending on the country where you wish to work. It is crucial to establish a realistic timeline for reviewing, taking, and passing these exams. You can start by identifying the specific exam required for the country you are targeting. For example, you'll need to pass the NCLEX for the U.S., the NMC exam for the UK, the NMBI exam for Ireland, and the Prometric exam for the Middle East.

• Prepare for the English Language Exam. If you're planning to work in the U.S., UK, or Ireland, you'll need to take an English language proficiency exam, such as the IELTS or OET. These countries require proof of your ability to communicate effectively in healthcare settings. Both exams will assess you in four areas: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. We recommend that you take these language exams after completing your international nursing licensing exams, as IELTS and OET scores are typically valid for only two years. Prioritize passing your licensing exam first, and then schedule your language exam to ensure your credentials remain valid for your application.

• Don’t wait for the right moment—create it! Apply now and start your journey to unlock exciting opportunities abroad. Applying for nursing jobs overseas can be lengthy and competitive, so the earlier you start, the better your chances of securing the perfect position in your desired country. By applying now, you’ll have the time to plan carefully and ensure you’re fully prepared to move forward with your international career.

Make 2025 the year you take the first step toward becoming a nurse abroad! Your global nursing journey awaits. So, set your goals, create a plan, and pass those international licensing exams. With the right preparation and determination, your dream career is within reach!

ABBA Personnel Services Inc.

Upper Ground Floor 01 / 02 Pioneer Highlands

Pioneer St. near cor. EDSA

Mandaluyong City 1550 Philippines

ABBA PERSONNEL SERVICES INC. IS A DMW AWARDEE RECRUITMENT AGENCY THAT'S ALSO THE #1 DEPLOYER OF FILIPINO HEALTHCARE WORKERS ABROAD. DMW LICENSE: DMW-357-LB-05232024-R-AOE.