Pros and Cons of a Nursing Career in Oman

The Sultanate of Oman, shortly known as Oman, bound by the waters of the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf, is a diverse nation with a large immigrant population. Over 45% of all residents of Oman are immigrants.

A Brief Introduction to the Sultanate of Oman

The capital of Oman is Muscat. It is a large growing metropolitan city with over 1.3 million residents. Besides Muscat, Salalah is the other big city in Oman. It is home to a large number of immigrants. The head of state of the Sultanate of Oman is His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. Though Arabic is the country's official language, English is also widely spoken.

Employment in Oman for Overseas Nursing Professionals – Things You Should Know

Oman has one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Moreover, the country provides free primary healthcare to all Omanis and subsidizes care to foreign residents.

The healthcare sector in Oman is administered by the MoH (Ministry of Health) and the Central Quality Control Laboratory.
The comprehensive annual health report released by MoH in 2022 stated that there are now 263 health institutions affiliated with MoH, of which 50 are hospitals, 21 are polyclinics and 192 are health centers. Oman also has 27 dialysis units and 13 blood donation units.
By the end of 2022, MoH’s records show over 39,000 employees and the ministry has employed 15,425 nurses which is 5.1% more since 2015. Therefore a nursing job in Oman is a brilliant career option for you if you are thinking about a career abroad.
All medical professionals who wish to work in Oman need to get a certification from OMSB (Oman Medical Speciality Board). Therefore if you want to work in Oman as a nurse, you have to take the Oman Prometric Exam along with obtaining a license from the MoH.
Another way for you to work in Oman as a nurse is through the visa sponsorship program. The qualifying factors of this program are:

Your age must be between 21 and 60
You should have a confirmed job offer from a hospital/clinic in Oman
Your employer will sponsor your visa

The visa sponsorship program is the best way of getting employed as a nurse in Oman but you might find the paperwork involved to be too complicated. In that case, you can choose any Oman nursing recruitment services to help you with the entire process. In addition to taking care of your visa sponsorship program, they would also provide you with necessary assistance after you arrive in Oman.
After you are selected for the job, your employer must get a clearance from the Ministry of Manpower.
The duration of your work visa will be two years from the date of entry. On the expiry of your employment visa, a 1-month grace period will be granted. Within the expiry of the 1-month grace period, you must renew your visa if you wish to continue working in Oman.

Before finding a nursing job in Oman, it would be wiser to take note of the challenges and benefits of doing so.

Challenges Faced by Nurses Moving to Oman

Moving to a new country can be challenging, especially if you have very little knowledge about the lifestyle and bureaucracy. But these can be dealt with if you have proper guidance. Let’s take a look at some of the challenges you might face as a foreign nurse working in Oman.

1. Lengthy Application and Visa Process: In order to work as a nurse in Oman you need to clear the Oman Prometric Exam, obtain a license to practice from the MoH, and obtain a sponsorship visa from the employer. This can be a very challenging task for you as you might have very little knowledge about these processes. You can tackle these hurdles by seeking the assistance of a nursing job consultancy like Emirates International. We are a registered nurse staffing agency, approved by the Ministry of External Indian Affairs, Government of India with years of experience in the nursing recruitment field.

2. Harsh Weather Conditions: The extreme climate conditions of Oman can come as a shock when you first move there. Oman mostly has hot days and cold nights which is the typical desert climate. The days are mostly very humid. To keep cool during the day, pack long-sleeve cotton or linen clothes layered with a light jacket or shawl to keep warm when the desert winds blow in the evening.

3. Increased Omanisation: The MoH is hiring more Omani nurses than overseas nurses but there are still plenty of opportunities available for overseas workers. But it is possible to boost your chances of selection by taking an additional professional course, higher specializations, etc.

Benefits of Working as a Nurse in Oman

You might be wondering why you should choose Oman after going through the list of challenges. The answer is simple, the benefits outweigh the challenges.

1. Ease of Finding Accommodation: There are diverse accommodation options available for you in Oman. You can choose the one that suits you best based on the facilities available and your budget. You get to choose between apartments, townhouses, and even villas, depending on your budget. Since all the housing complexes have high levels of security, you will never have to worry about your safety.

2. Excellent Working Environment: A working week in Oman constitutes 40-48 hours and is from Sunday to Thursday with the weekends off on Friday and Saturday. The healthcare field is very advanced and hospitals are equipped with modern facilities and top-grade medical pieces of equipment.

3. English is Widely Spoken: You won’t have any problems with communicating with your colleagues or the natives as English is widely spoken in Oman. About 45% of the Omani population comprises foreign residents, making English a widely used language, especially in cities and workplaces.

4. Cost of Living is Low: The cost of living in Oman is very low compared to other countries like UAE, UK, and other European Countries. Muscat was ranked 117 in the 209 cities surveyed, in the Mercer Cost of Living Survey making it one of the least expensive countries in the Middle East.

In Conclusion

Now that you have a clear idea about the healthcare department of Oman, it is time to find a high-paying nursing job in Oman. Working as a nurse in Oman can not only enhance your nursing skills but it can also make your resume stand out in this competitive field. Take the first step towards building a nursing career in Oman and climb up the nursing career ladder.

Pros and Cons of a Nursing Career in Oman

5 High-Paying Nursing Jobs in 2024

Nursing offers a diverse range of career paths within the healthcare system, catering to various interests and goals. Whether you're drawn to working with psychiatric patients, leading other nurses, or assisting in childbirth, nursing provides ample opportunities for professional growth and fulfilment. For those intrigued by the responsibilities of physicians, becoming a nurse practitioner allows for an in-depth exploration of diagnostic care and patient management. Whatever your medical interests, there's likely a job for you in nursing. Here are  high-paying nursing jobs to consider: Certified nurse midwife  Certified registered nurse anesthetist Intensive care unit (ICU) nurse General nurse practitioner Psychiatric nurse practitioner   Certified nurse midwife  Average annual base salary:  $105,171 If pregnancy, childbirth, and women's health interest you, then you might consider becoming a certified nurse midwife. As a certified nurse midwife, you would play a crucial role in monitoring the health of both mother and baby throughout pregnancy, assisting with childbirth, and providing postpartum care. Additionally, you would have the opportunity to offer primary and secondary healthcare services to females from adolescence through menopause. To pursue this rewarding career path, you'll first need to become a registered nurse. Following that, you'll further your education by completing either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree (DNP).  Certified registered nurse anesthetist Average annual base salary: $192,372 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) play a vital role in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, outpatient surgical centres, dental offices, and labour and delivery units. Their primary responsibility involves administering anaesthesia, nerve blockers, and other pain management techniques to ensure patients' comfort during surgical procedures and medical interventions. Due to the complexity and precision required in anaesthesia administration, CRNAs are among the highest-paid nursing professionals. Becoming a CRNA entails significant dedication to education and experience. Prospective CRNAs typically begin their journey by gaining approximately three years of hands-on experience as registered nurses in critical care settings such as the ICU, surgical units, or emergency rooms. Subsequently, they pursue advanced education, either through a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program. Upon completion of their doctoral degree, aspiring CRNAs must pass the rigorous National Certification Examination administered by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA). Additionally, they must maintain active licensure in the state where they intend to practice, ensuring they meet the highest standards of competency and professionalism in their field. Intensive care unit (ICU) nurse Average annual base salary: $96,479 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses are essential caregivers who provide specialized medical attention to critically ill patients within hospital settings. Unlike patients in other hospital departments, ICU patients are typically facing more severe health challenges, requiring close monitoring and immediate interventions. As an ICU nurse, you will be responsible for addressing patients' basic needs such as IV therapy, medication administration, and overall care. However, due to the critical nature of their conditions, ICU patients often have multiple needs simultaneously and demand continuous monitoring. Your patients may include individuals recovering from major surgeries, suffering from life-threatening infections, recovering from strokes, or involved in serious accidents. Providing frequent assessments, interventions, and support to these patients is paramount to their recovery. In addition to direct patient care, ICU nurses also play a crucial role in supporting patients' families, particularly during challenging circumstances or when patients are unable to communicate. Effective communication and compassionate care are essential aspects of this role, as you'll often interact with concerned family members seeking updates and reassurance. To pursue a career as an ICU nurse, you'll typically need to gain experience as a registered nurse for at least two years, preferably in an intensive care unit or with critically ill patients. Upon acquiring sufficient experience, you can pursue certification as an official ICU nurse. Having a certification demonstrates your expertise in providing specialized care to critically ill adult patients and may open up opportunities for career advancement within the field of critical care nursing. General nurse practitioner Average annual base salary: $118,552  General Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice clinicians who assume roles akin to those of physicians, offering a wide array of healthcare services. They conduct comprehensive patient examinations, diagnose various health conditions, provide patient education, order laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures, and prescribe medications as needed. While their focus is primarily on delivering primary care, many nurse practitioners opt to specialize in specific areas of healthcare. To embark on a career as a nurse practitioner, individuals typically begin by becoming registered nurses. Subsequently, they pursue advanced education through either a master's or doctoral nursing program. Upon successful completion of either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, aspiring nurse practitioners have the option to specialize in a particular area of healthcare or remain as generalists. This comprehensive education and training equip nurse practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to provide high-quality patient care and contribute effectively to the healthcare team. Psychiatric nurse practitioner Average annual base salary: $114,088 Many nurse practitioners choose to specialize in specific areas of healthcare, such as psychiatric nursing, which focuses on providing care to patients with mental health disorders. In this role, psychiatric nurse practitioners assess patients, gather their medical histories, order diagnostic tests, make diagnoses, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medication as necessary. They may work with individuals dealing with a range of mental health issues, including eating disorders, anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, dementia, and substance abuse. Psychiatric nurse practitioners can find employment in various settings, including clinics, mental health institutions, schools, and rehabilitation centers. To pursue a career in psychiatric nursing, individuals typically complete either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, preferably in an accredited Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. Following their education, aspiring psychiatric nurse practitioners must pass a national nurse practitioner certification board exam and obtain licensure in their state to practice as nurse practitioners. This rigorous training and certification process ensures that psychiatric nurse practitioners are well-equipped to provide specialized care to individuals struggling with mental health disorders. Conclusion The field of nursing offers a multitude of high-paying career opportunities for skilled and dedicated professionals. Whether it's delivering babies as a Certified Nurse Midwife, administering anaesthesia as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, or providing critical care in the ICU, nurses have the chance to make a significant impact on patient's lives while enjoying competitive salaries and opportunities for advancement. In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the possibilities for nurses are endless, offering a fulfilling and rewarding career journey.

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