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why do people travel? Perhaps plain wanderlust urges people to see new places and have new experiences, or a need to get away from everyday stress or pressure at home or work. Some may want to go on a religious pilgrimage to a holy place or a new profession may come up. Whatever the reason, traveling allows you to make connections in another country, meet different people, and experience different cultures.
One of the easiest careers to “take the road” is that of a health care professional. Doctors and nurses are in demand in every country in the world, and finding work overseas is easy. Nursing skills are universal and the skills of nurses are among the most advanced in the United States. Getting certified to work overseas in another country, although a bit daunting, is relatively easy. Usually a placement agency can help guide the US nurse through the process. Salary and benefits are in line with standard travel nursing guidelines. Subsidized housing, signing bonuses, paid vacation, and health insurance are offered depending on the specific job. You will need to pack your own nursing uniform and nursing shoes as these items are not provided by the employer.
Nurses are in high demand in Greece. It is best to use a professional agency to help you with the process of finding and applying for a position as a nurse in Greece. Travel nurse agencies help nurses find the ideal job in Greece. International employment applications can be overwhelming with the amount of paperwork required but a good agency will help with the necessary visas and certification. Agencies are intermediaries between the employer and the nurse, who negotiate a contract that is beneficial to both parties. They will provide job descriptions such as working hours, overtime rules and nursing uniform requirements. Many international hospitals have adopted the American trend of wearing uniform scrubs instead of traditional nursing uniforms. Shopping for medical uniforms in Greece can be difficult, but online websites offer a large selection of uniform scrubs for your uniform needs at discount prices.
The Greek National Health System provides a basic medical service to Greek citizens and has a reciprocal agreement with the British National Health Service. There are many public and private hospitals in Greece, all with varying standards. Some private hospitals have affiliations with US facilities. These hospitals are an excellent resource for American nurses seeking positions abroad in Greece. The staff doctors of these private hospitals have been trained in the US or any other international educational institution. Very little English is often spoken in public medical clinics, especially on the Greek islands. Many visitors to Greece, and Greek citizens, transfer from island care units to hospitals in Athens for more modern and professional care.
Medical facilities in Greece range from barely adequate to very good. There is a severe shortage of staff in public hospitals, especially during night shifts in non-emergency wards. Nursing jobs in these facilities are a very demanding job. Standards of nursing and after care, especially in the public health sector, lag behind what is generally acceptable in the US. To ensure adequate care, patients who can afford it employ private nurses during their hospital stay. Private hospitals with modern facilities and excellent care are available for those with good insurance coverage. Travel nurses usually get a job either in a private hospital or in a public hospital as a private nurse. Of course, knowledge of Greek is helpful. Doctors and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but can be limited on the islands. It is possible to operate in English, but it will take time to translate patients. Very little English is often spoken in public medical clinics, especially on the Greek islands.
Life in the Greek Islands is quite different from the United States. Greeks today totally enjoy life on a flexible schedule. Greeks have a lax attitude towards time similar to Brazilians, rarely doing today what can be put off until tomorrow. It takes some effort on the part of the travel nurse to reduce time-based expectations. The Greek word “philoxenia” means “love of strangers”, thus the traveling nurse would find herself welcomed into Greek life with great enthusiasm. There are many religious festivals and family celebrations.
The day starts early in Greece, before the heat of the day begins. Afternoon breaks run from 2 pm to 5 pm. Many employees return to work by 8 pm after rest. Dinner time rarely starts before 10:00 pm and often lasts until after midnight. Travel nurses will need to adjust their internal food clock to fit into the social scene in Greece.
Strikes and demonstrations occur regularly in Greece and are disruptive, especially if you are commuting to work. These events are usually orderly, but tear gas will be used for riot control if necessary. Local news sources keep the local population informed of news of the demonstrations. Purse snatchers and pick pockets operate in tourist places and on crowded public transport, just like in any public area.
Time off from work should be spent seeing the many wonders of Greek civilization. Public boats run between the islands, making access to the ancient sites easy and affordable. There are many good Greek travel guides available detailing the many sites to visit.
Traveling by car in Greece can be an adventure in itself. Temporary Greek residents must hold a valid driver’s license from their country of origin as well as an International Driver’s Permit (IDP). Drivers not carrying an IDP can be penalized for not carrying an IDP in the event of an accident, and may also be open to further civil suits. Heavy traffic and bad highways pose a risk, especially at night or in bad weather. Many roads are generally poorly maintained and often full of potholes.
Greece has a list of “must see” sites that is unparalleled. First and foremost is the Acropolis in Athens. Perched on rocky ground above the city streets, the Acropolis represents classic Greek culture at its peak. Must-see sites for tourists include a visit to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games, and the ruins of Epidaurus, where the ancient theater is still in use for festivals. A popular destination in Crete for tourists is the Minoan palace at Knossos and the opportunity to experience Macedonian culture and see the tomb of Philip II of Macedon attracts people to explore Vergina. The opportunities to explore ancient Greek culture are limitless and a stay in Greece as a travel nurse will provide ample time to get to know this wonderful country and its friendly people.
One of the first things you will notice when you set out on your trip to Greece is that there is a wide array of litter scattered almost everywhere. There is a lot of discarded equipment and cans in the hilly areas. Bottles, boxes, ropes and other litter leave the traveler wondering why the breathtaking scenery isn’t more appreciated by the locals. Beaches and the sea are not exempt. Plastic bags, bottles and cans regularly float ashore.
Half-timbered buildings join the Greek ruins that line the landscape and streets. Concrete is the building material of choice and it is everywhere. Unfortunately, Greek concrete workmanship is not of good quality and often results in unsightly mess. Greek construction is often done on an intermittent schedule, lasting several years. Homes are often left half-finished for months or even years. Another familiar site in Greece is the chain link fence. It gets thrown around anything and everything. Many fences fall into the broken, bent, or rusted categories, leading one to wonder whether the fence serves any purpose.
Despite the unsightly aspects of Greek litter and construction, most people would agree that Greece has more wonders than warts, and traveling between the islands is the adventure of a lifetime. So put on your uniform scrubs, nursing shoes, stethoscope and travel gear and set sail for the beauty of the Greek Isles.
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