wanting to move to Europe

Lindsay, I would find expat sites online.. they are likely the best sourse of infor and links for what you want, not a tourist board like this one. I would start by google searching "living abroad" and go from there.

Good for you for deciding on this adventure!

Sounds like you are on the right track. Nurses are in high demand. I once met a couple of Australian women who were working their way around the world as nurses. Check the State Department's website. I know they are in the market for nurses. One word of caution --or a reality check-- it will probably be difficult (at least initially) for both you and your husband to get jobs at the same time. One of you will probably have to be the classic "trailing spouse" for a while. My wife was out of work for 5 years before she finally found something. I've actually seen expat marriages break-up over this issue, with one spouse simply not being able to handle long-term unemployment. Fortunately many expat jobs sponsored by U.S. firms or the government come with salaries and benefits that make it possible to support a family on one salary. Good luck and be persistent. It took me quite a while to land a good job in Europe. But, for my family, it was more than worth the effort. All the best to you.

Unlike most of the "I want to move to Europe" threads we encounter here, your profession makes it much easier for you to make the move. As the previous poster noted, not only are skilled health care workers in high demand, but they are exempted from the usual Schengen zone labour restrictions. If you wanted to test the waters before making the plunge, you could try applying to one of the US military hospitals or healthcare clinics scattered throughout the continent. The greatest concentration are in Germany, but there are also clinics in the UK, Belgium, Spain and Italy. Your stateside licensure and certification will be valid at any US facility, so you wouldn't need to re-apply for anything. This would give you enough time to learn the local language, and learn the ins and outs of employment should you decide to stay.

Thank you, Thank you for your advice!

That is one positive aspect of being a nurse is, that they are in high demand world wide! I have looked at usajobs, and there are quite a few job openings at hospitals and clinics in Germany. I will keep looking, my husband also wants to attend grad school, and hasn't looked into being a student in Europe yet. If that is difficult, we might be attending grad school in the US and then moving.

I have realized the value of being around so much history and art and being immersed in many different cultures and languages. I would really love my future children to grow up learning many languages and taking field trips to places like the Colseum,Dauchau, the D-day beaches and the Louvre.

Living in Utah, there is little diversity, and not many differences in culture, I think that's why I love Europe so much because it has so much History, diversity and culture!

Thanks again for the advice!

Lindsay,

I'm a nurse working at the largest military hospital overseas, working for the Army. I'm single and that makes it easier for me, as the only person I have to please is myself. I was here from 3/2002-7/2006, then in Pisa, Italy till 10/2008, and just got back here in January. Living overseas is great, and while there are many adjustments, if you work for the military there is a little more support than if you just move here and work for a US/German/French company without base benefits. You can also look for jobs at the Army website-google civilian jobs Army and follow the link. Please e-mail me with any questions/concerns. Do it!!!!!!

Thank you, thank you for all the great advice!

I know that moving to Europe would not be easy, ellen you bring up some very valid points.

I appreciated everyones input, I have my work cut out reseaching, and finding jobs! I keep reading that it really helps if you know the language of the country you want to move to, so I better learn a language too!

I'm nervous I will move and never move back!