Travel Nursing Series: Nursing in France
For those nurses with a desire to travel and experience life in a different culture, a career as a traveling nurse can be the perfect combination of work and pleasure. Rated as the best healthcare system in the world by the World Health Organization (WHO), French nurses are in demand both in their own country and around the world. French nurses are being recruited by other countries, creating a nursing shortage in France. With globalization, it is now easy for countries to fill nursing shortages by seeking out itinerant nurses to fill vacant or hard-to-fill positions.
For help locating and securing a travel nursing position, it’s best to sign up with a travel nursing agency. Most international nursing agencies have the expertise to help the travel nurse through the registration process, including any licensing or training that is required. A travel nursing tour is usually on a 13-week rotation, which means a nurse could experience four different environments in her country of travel, if she wishes. Options to extend a 13-week tour are often available if a nurse wants to stay in the same location.
In addition to competitive salaries and full medical benefits, there are many other travel nurse perks. Clean and safe subsidized housing is offered, often with utilities included. Paid vacation, sick pay, continuing education stipends, and contract bonuses may be offered as fringe benefits. Some hospitals may provide nursing uniforms and shoes, but generally a nurse must be prepared to provide her own uniforms. The use of uniform gowns as nursing uniforms has spread internationally and is generally acceptable, except in some places where the traditional nursing uniform is required. Replacement parts for worn or damaged nursing scrubs may not be readily available in the local market, but online scrubs retailers have a large selection of scrubs in all sizes and colors at discount prices, making it easy to makes uniform shopping easy for nurses who don’t have access to a local retail store. .
A career in nursing is held in high regard throughout France. Employment is available in public and private hospitals. The standard work week for nurses is 35 hours. However, with the nursing shortage, many nurses work more than 35 hours and receive compensatory time off. Many hospitals practice mandatory shift rotation for their nurses instead of a fixed schedule.
Hospitals in France are similar to those in the US in terms of staffing levels and nursing responsibilities. The physical appearance of the medical facility can range from modern hospitals with many windows that provide a bright environment for patients to buildings that have been in use for centuries. Remnants of earlier civilizations that roamed the European continent are always in evidence. A hospital was preparing to build a new facility on its property and discovered ancient tombs from an unidentified culture on its property. Construction has stopped and the land is now an archaeological dig.
The traveling nurse in France may have the opportunity to explore the country by accepting the typical 13-week job rotation in four separate areas of the country. A popular area for travel nurses is Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France. This picturesque town spreads its old city on two hills. The cobbled streets wind and twist in a system of Traboules, passageways that run through courtyards and link the entire old city, offering ancient architecture from the 15th century and charming streets lined with little cafes, aromatic patisseries and bakeries. Wandering through the streets, the nose is assaulted by the delicious aroma of bread baking everywhere.
South of Lyon is Provence with its rolling fields of lavender and sunflowers. This is the land of the famous “light” so favored by Van Gogh. Olive trees and vineyards abound, and it is here that he can learn the gastronomic delights of the unlimited varieties of olive oil. Days off from work can be filled by visiting the magnificent Coliseums in Nimes and Arles, or marveling at the wonders inside the Palais des Papes in Avignon. Driving through the Provence countryside (buy a good local map and drive along the back roads) provides hours of delightful entertainment.
Further south and east, an entirely different geographic landscape delights the eye amid the French seaside cities of St. Tropez, Cannes, and Nice. Located on the beautiful waters of the Côte d’Azur, palm trees, sunny beaches, seaside cafes and luxury shops abound. Life in this region is livelier than that of Provence, providing a different cultural experience. Save your money as prices are high, but sitting in a cafe by the sea and doing a little “people watching” is priceless.
Traveling north, a totally different area to explore is the Alsace-Lorraine region, on the border with Germany. Thoroughly French, but with hints of German culture, the charming city of Colmar is a delight to explore. The architecture does not have the strong influence of the Roman Empire, but rather a semi-Bavarian flavor with window boxes full of geraniums. This area is dotted with the smallest towns with the narrowest streets. Stone buildings abut the edge of the town’s roads, making passing through in any but the smallest vehicle an exhilarating experience. The countryside is dotted with wine-tasting spots, best visited after trying to navigate the narrow streets of the city.
Perhaps the most notable area to serve as a travel nursing location in France is Paris itself. Everybody loves Paris. While the outlying sections of Paris are hugely commercial and trendy, no one can deny the allure of the city center. With miles of streets to wander, shops to explore, cafes to sample, the city’s aura is magical. While the Eiffel Tower is wonderful and Notre Dame is magnificent, I especially like the atmosphere of the Left Bank. The daily life of its residents walking through St. Germaine has a feel to it that is particularly appealing to my senses. He is urbane, but gentle. Traffic and noise are evident, but they don’t overpower the elegant charm of the setting. The area breathes life and energy along with a special grace.
The variety of experiences from one area of France to another makes this country a desirable location for the traveling nurse. So call a travel nursing agency, throw your nursing uniforms in your suitcase and head to “la belle France” for the experience of a lifetime.
