US qualified Nurse wants to work in Thailand

[rubik101]

Does anyone know if the US nursing qualifications are accepted for a nurse wishing to relocate here to Thailand? She is a Thai national and has finished her training in Missouri, USA. She needs to move back to Thailand and wants to work here. Many thanks for any info. Does anyone know where I should look for such info?

[Mario2008]

Might be better asked in the health forum where Sheryl might be able to answer this question.

 

Moved.

[mrtoad]

I think it would be worth contacting some of the big international hospitals, there maybe a conversion course to do, bit it should be fairly simplistic. What field is she specialising in?

[VocalNeal]

Best would be to contact some hospitals in the area she wishes to live. As she speaks English I suspect she would have no problem at hospitals that specialize in "fly-in" medical treatment or whatever it is called.

Money might not be great though. Then to progress upwards she will need Masters Etc. 

Edited August 9, 2014 by VocalNeal

[Hua Laan]

In order to work as a nurse in a Thai hospital one would need the Thai qualifications. That means going back to school first. Alternative would be to get herself hired as a translator in a hospital.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPad met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[h90]

From my experience hospital staff with perfect English are on very short supply in Thailand

[khwaibah]

They will snap her up in a New York minute. Congratulation to her.

[noahvail]

In order to work as a nurse in a Thai hospital one would need the Thai qualifications. That means going back to school first. Alternative would be to get herself hired as a translator in a hospital.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPad met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I think you will find it's the other way around. Thai nurses' qualifications are not accepted in the several states I know, and Thai nurses and doctors must go back to school before they can sit for their licensing exams. I think the OP's lady could just about walk into any hospital and be employed, but it depends on her fields of expertise, e.g. E.D., nurse anesthetist, surgical assistant, etc. One thing she will have to learn is how few meds are available in Thailand compared to the States.

[NancyL]

Sheryl will be along to give the definitive answer. I know several foreign-born and educated doctors who practice here and all had to be able to read/write/speak Thai and pass the written medical exam in Thai to receive their license to be able to practice alongside Thai doctors in hospitals.

I do know a couple foreign-born and educated nurses. One came here over forty years ago, can read/write/speak Thai and did work in a hospital. I don't know if she passed an exam in Thai, but I would imagine she did. I know another who came here just a couple years ago who isn't proficient in Thai, but has excellent skills as a hospice and palliative care nurse. She tells me was unable to find employment as a nurse in a hospital because of licensing problems. Instead, she is working as the "health care officer" (i.e. school nurse) at an international school. It's a big waste of her talents. Edited August 9, 2014 by NancyL

[Hua Laan]

In order to work as a nurse in a Thai hospital one would need the Thai qualifications. That means going back to school first. Alternative would be to get herself hired as a translator in a hospital.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPad met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

I think you will find it's the other way around. Thai nurses' qualifications are not accepted in the several states I know, and Thai nurses and doctors must go back to school before they can sit for their licensing exams. I think the OP's lady could just about walk into any hospital and be employed, but it depends on her fields of expertise, e.g. E.D., nurse anesthetist, surgical assistant, etc. One thing she will have to learn is how few meds are available in Thailand compared to the States.

Noahvail you are pleasantly optimistic but poorly informed about the local circumstances and thus not of good help to the OP. I work in a Thai hospital for many years and as a result well informed about rules and regulations here. A Thai or foreign medic or paramedic without the proper Thai qualifications will not touch any patient in this country. That is not an opinion, but a fact. There is no other way around.


Verzonden vanaf mijn iPad met behulp van Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[AyG]

I've encountered a few Filipino nurses working here, but not working as nurses, but as some kind of assistant, using their English skills and leading patients around the hospital.  I suspect it would be the same for a US-qualified nurse.

[Tywais]

Some details in this pdf file - Thailand Nursing Council.  Knowing the Thai language will most likely also be a requisite in order to communicate effectively with patients unless a large International hospital catering to medical tourism.

[paz]

Some details in this pdf file - Thailand Nursing Council.  Knowing the Thai language will most likely also be a requisite in order to communicate effectively with patients unless a large International hospital catering to medical tourism.

 

OP's wife is Thai national so language should not be a problem.

[mrtoad]

The person is a Thai national. She will probably be required to sit an exam in Thsi for conversion. No different than other countries in terms of licensing. I am an originally an RN myself and have worked in SEA for many years in Healthcare

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Sheryl]

A US nursing license will not enable her to work in Thailand directly, she must get a Thai license for

which, if the Nursing Council accepts her educational qualifications, she must sit and pass the same exam that graduates of Thai nursing programs do.

 

She will have to submit copies of all her education transcripts as well as her US license to the Nursing Council.

 

http://www.tnc.or.th/frontpage

 

 

[isawasnake]

The more qualified you are here, the less it matters. Quality is not of concern. The best doctor in the world could not get work here unless he somehow turned Thai and followed their conveyor-belt procedures.

 

If you want to work in Thailand, come on over and put up with all the ridiculous stuff they will put you through, and get paid squat for your truobles. That simple. 

Edited August 9, 2014 by isawasnake

[GaryB1263]

A US nursing license will not enable her to work in Thailand directly, she must get a Thai license for

which, if the Nursing Council accepts her educational qualifications, she must sit and pass the same exam that graduates of Thai nursing programs do.

 

She will have to submit copies of all her education transcripts as well as her US license to the Nursing Council.

 

http://www.tnc.or.th/frontpage

 

 

 

That seems fair enough. How is it if the situation is reversed?

[Sheryl]

Essentially the same - Thai nurses (and nurses from any other country) must submit transcripts of their education and sit the nursing boards to get a US license.

[wilcopops]

 

So think again when your Doc says he trained in the US!