Info for nurses looking to work in switzerland.

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
21
Hi.

My name is Katherine.

Recently moved to Switzerland, Genève, and being a Registred Nurse myself, with experience from working in a Neonatal Unit in Denmark, I would like to get in contact with you.

Please contact me if you have the time and would like to help me with advises to become a nurse in Switzerland.

Kind Regards

Kathrine

22
what kind of info are you looking for?

23
Hello everyone,

I am currently working in intensive care in Australia and i was wondering if it is possible to find work in Switzerland as a nurse from english speaking country without any local languages skills. Are there english speaking medical centres, hospitals, health community centres or just anything to do with health but in english?

Your help in this regard will be highly appreciated.

24
If you can't even use a search function in English, what makes you think you're capable of treating patients in a foreign country with little or no knowledge of how to communicate with them ?

25
Hi everyone,

I have gone through all the hoops of the french B2 language courses and applied for my reconnaissance with the red cross but I thought I'd have a look at jobs while I'm waiting for the certificate.

On some of the job websites it asks for a "droit du practique". Does anyone know what this is? Also, sending in a CV; I assume even with my mediocore level of french it is better to send in a CV in french rather than English or does it not matter too much?

I have tried to get information from the red cross but they seem to have turned off all their email, phone and fax machines for the last week and a half.

I appreciate your help!!

Cate

26
Hi Travel Nurse, approx- 5 yrs ago I worked just out of Geneva as a nurse in an International holiday camp, did not need any Swiss qualifications, it was pocket money only and they do give accomodation if required...its a good respite from travelling...if you want more info contact me.

27
Hi im a registered peadiatric nurse looking to move to switzerland. I have been working for a year in london and have experience from placements while I was studying. I speak fluent French but my French medical vocabulary is non existent. If someone can please let me know if my qualifications will be accepted and what I need to do to be able to work there

Thank you

28
I am a nurse from Philippines too. I am on the process of learning the language and I will soon take the language exam.

Have you done the registration of your license with RED CROSS?

As for me, I recieved their recommendation and I need to take a six months course on PRofessional Practice in Switzerland.

29
Hi Brave intrepid! I' a Filipino nurse too and planning to return to Switzerland (I was born there). Just wanted to ask you if the process of registering with the Red Cross was complicated and did you apply from the Philippines or were you already in Switzerland?

Thanks for replying...

30
Steps taken to have foreign nursing qualification recognised - 2011

I applied for the '' Reconnaissance de diplome'' recognition of the diploma or bachelor degree in October and got the result in January. I earned my diploma in Philippines. They recommended that I pass the language B2 for DELF, do 6 months of apprentissage or OJT as we call in Philippines (it's like working as a nurse already with salary and all) and I need to take the courses that they recommended as well. It's a 22 days in total course conducted by several nursing organization here in Switzerland. I have two places as options, one in Geneva and the other one in Lausanne as I live in a French speaking canton. I am working on my French and will take the test in June. The course will start in October this year.

The procedure itself is not complicated. It just takes time. Put together and complete all the documentation that they require you to submit. Have the documents translated into French, German or Italian, and pay the cost of the process. I paid 500 CHF.

http://www.redcross.ch/activities/he...d02a01a-fr.php

I link the site of the Red Cross here which you can visit and explore.

31
I can second some of this. My fiancee is also a nurse, native Swiss. She told me that they have lowered the standards to accomidate more nurses because of the shortage, and many of the new nurses speak horrible high German.

Strange thing is, she complains about that, but she said when they have German nurses, the Swiss nurses rarely speak High German to them, they just speak Swiss German. She said "well they need to learn it". :-O There are a lot of German nurses working in Switzerland due to higher salary and the fact that Switzerland allows them to do more on the job (draw blood, etc) than in Germany.

If people in the German speaking area, outside of St. Gallen/Appenzel have this attitude, it might be hard, but don't give up.

I would actually suggest, it might be easier to work in the Romande (French speaking region).

32

I know this is a point commonly complained about in Switzerland, but this is one situation where I wholeheartedly agree. A nurse must be able to interact with the patient in the most accommodating fashion as possible. I am sure it is a most irritating situation when in the hospital one has to switch from their comfortable mother-language, to another one just to accommodate the nurse.

33
hello. I came here 17 Years ago from Australia. I am working in an elderly persons home as male nurse. Got my qualifictions from Australia recognized by Swiss Red Cross. Was easy to do 17 years ago. Probably tightened up by now. Just takes time and patience. Make sure you have all your papers from homeland.First get your Geman under control. Ring up some elderly peoples homes-they are always looking for qualified people. Get a " B" permit. Its more difficult to get work in hospitals.Ring up the SRK and get informed of what you need.

There are many agencies around offering temporary work-call them up. They usually speak English.

In some cases you have to do some tests to get your papers recognized. The SRK can tell you all you need.

34
hi I also looking for some opportunities about nurse I am a nurse from Bulgaria I have bachelor degree diploma and now I"m working at ICU with most 3 years experience.What is the process to work as a nurse I speak only english is is necessary to learn another language or there are job in english speaking?How can I register in Switzerland to work as a nurse?I am going to come there to meet my friends so if I have time to do it please tell me the steps I have to do?Thanks

35
Hi all,

I'm bringing this topic up again as I would like to hear someones personal experience with the waiting times of the Red Cross. I have now passed my B2 german test and will send in my application for the recognition of my Australian nursing degree tomorrow.

My question is, does it really take 3 months for an answer???

Also, are there any other Aussie nurses out there who have recently been through this process and can tell me the likely response of the red cross? ie, were you made to work as a Praktikant/in before you were given the recognition, and for how long?

Thanks for your time and help!

Rell

36
As for my experience, it did took 3 months. I did my application in October and got their reply with recommendations in january. I had a telephone conversation with one of their telerepresentatives, when I asked her how long this process will take, she even told me up to 6 months.

That's the only idea I could give for now.

I just passed the DELF/DALF B2, and I can enroll now for the course that Red Cross recommended me before having my nursing degre recognized and at the mean time I can do the 6 Months of stages in a hospital or any place that are accredited by red cross for the completion of the recognition process.

Currently, I am working in a home for the aged as a nursing aide. When I start the nursing course in october, my position will change into a nurse.

But if I get accepted to do the apprentissage in a hospital, I would prefer it.

My target is to do it in CHUV or HUG.

37
You have a point there but the original comment was about communication between nurses themselves.

I also know a place where some of the Swiss nurses refuse to speak anything else than Swiss German to their foreign colleagues and just roll their eyes if they are requested to repeat something in High German. In my opinion this only compromises the safety of the patients and shows deep disrespect.

38
My sister is currently working as a nurse in Kuwait. She has 8 years of experience. She is interested in exploring job opportunites in Switzerland. She will need to take up language lessons but meanwhile would like to know how to get in touch with Red Cross like you did. Did you call them or email them the documents?

Thanks in advance

39
my friends fiance is from Sweden and also a nurse. she learned french in like 3 months and got a joboffer straight away. i am seeing them tonight and if you want I can pass on your email adress so you can discuss with her

40
Dear Antony,

That is great help.

Please do pass on my [details]

Hoping to hear from you soon.

Thank you.