Travel Nursing Series: Travel Nursing in Greece
Why do people travel? Perhaps simple wanderlust prompts people to see new places and have new experiences or the need to get away from stress or everyday pressures at home or work. Some may want to make a religious pilgrimage to a holy site or a new career may appeal to them. Whatever the reason, traveling allows you to make a connection in another country, meet different people, and experience different cultures.
One of the easiest careers to “undertake” is that of a health professional. Doctors and nurses are in demand in every country in the world and it is easy to find work abroad. Nursing skills are universal, and those of nurses in the United States are among the most advanced. Getting certified to work abroad in a foreign country, although a bit tedious, is relatively easy. Usually, a placement agency can help guide the American nurse through the process. Salary and benefits are in line with standard travel nursing guidelines. Subsidized housing, signing bonuses, paid vacations, and health insurance are offered, depending on the particular job. You will need to pack your own nursing scrubs and shoes, as the employer does not provide these items.
Nurses in Greece are in significant demand. To find and apply for a position as a nurse in Greece, it is best to use a professional agency to help with the procedure. Travel nursing agencies help guide nurses to find the ideal job in Greece. International job applications can be overwhelming with the amount of paperwork required, but a good agency will help you with the necessary visas and certifications. The agencies are the intermediary between the employer and the nurse, negotiating a contract that is beneficial to both parties. They will provide job details such as work hours, overtime regulations, and nursing uniform requirements. Many international hospitals have adopted the American trend of wearing uniform scrubs instead of traditional nursing uniforms. Shopping for scrubs in Greece can be difficult, but online websites offering a large selection of scrubs at discount prices are available for your scrub needs.
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 different standards. Some private hospitals have affiliations with US facilities. These hospitals are an excellent resource for American nurses seeking overseas positions in Greece. The physicians on staff at these private hospitals have been trained in the US or at another internationally taught institution. In public medical clinics, especially on the Greek islands, very little English is often spoken. Many visitors to Greece and Greek citizens move from care units on the island to hospitals in Athens for more modern and professional care.
Medical facilities in Greece range from barely adequate to very good. Public hospitals are severely understaffed, especially during the night shift in non-emergency wards. Nursing jobs in these facilities is a very demanding job. Nursing and aftercare standards, particularly in the public health sector, lag behind what is normally acceptable in the US To ensure adequate care, those patients who can afford it hire private nurses to provide care for them during their hospital stay. For those with good insurance coverage, private hospitals are available with modern facilities and excellent care. Traveling nurses usually get jobs in a private hospital or as private duty nurses in a public hospital. Knowledge of Greek is of course useful. Doctors and facilities are generally good on the mainland, but can be limited on the islands. It is possible to get by with English, but it will take time to translate for patients. In public medical clinics, especially on the Greek islands, very little English is often spoken.
Life on the Greek islands is quite different from life in the United States. Greeks enjoy modern life with fully flexible schedules. The Greeks’ laid-back attitude towards time is similar to that of the Brazilians, rarely doing today what can be left for tomorrow. It takes some effort on the part of the travel nurse to lower expectations based on time. The Greek word “filoxenia” means “love of strangers”, so the traveling nurse will find herself welcomed into Greek life with great exuberance. There are many religious festivals and family celebrations.
The day starts early in Greece, before the heat of the day arrives. Afternoon naps last from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Many workers return to their jobs after their siesta to work until 8 p.m. Dinner time rarely starts before 10:00 pm and often lasts well past midnight. Itinerant nurses will need to adjust their internal meal clock to join the social scene in Greece.
Strikes and demonstrations occur regularly in Greece and can be unsettling, especially if you are on your way to work. These events are normally ordered, but if necessary tear gas will be used for riot control. Local news sources keep locals abreast of the news of the demonstrations. Purse snatchers and pickpockets operate in tourist locations and on crowded public transportation, just like in any public area.
Free time from work should be spent visiting the many wonders of Greek civilization. Public ferries run between the islands, making access to the ancient sites easy and affordable. There are numerous good Greek travel guides available to detail the many sites to visit.
Traveling by car in Greece can be an adventure in itself. Temporary residents in Greece must carry their valid driver’s license from their country of origin, as well as an International Driving Permit (IDP). Drivers who do not carry an IDP can be penalized for not having one in the event of an accident, and may also be the subject of a civil lawsuit. Heavy traffic and rough roads present dangers, especially at night or in bad weather. Many roads are often poorly maintained and often full of potholes.
Greece has a list of “must-see” sites that is unparalleled. The first and most important is the Acropolis of Athens. Perched on rocky terrain high above the city streets, the Acropolis represents classical Greek culture at its zenith. A visit to Olympia, the site of the original Olympic Games, and the ruins of Epidaurus, where the ancient theater is still used for festivals, are must-sees for tourists. A popular destination in Crete for tourists is the Minoan palace of Knossos and the chance to experience Macedonian culture and see the tomb of Philip II of Macedon draws people to explore Vergina. The opportunities to explore ancient Greek culture are limitless and a stay in Greece as a travel nurse will give you plenty of time to get to know this wonderful country and its friendly people.
One of the first things you’ll notice while traveling in Greece is the vast array of rubbish littered pretty much everywhere. The slopes are awash with discarded appliances, cans. bottles, boxes, ropes and other rubbish, leaving the traveler wondering why the locals don’t appreciate the stunning scenery more. The beaches and the sea are not exempt. Plastic bags, bottles and cans float regularly.
Half-finished buildings join the Greek ruins, dotting the landscapes 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 masses. Greek construction is often done on an intermittent schedule, going on for several years. Houses are often left half finished for months or even years at a time. Another familiar site in Greece is the chain link fence. It throws itself around anything and everything. Many fences fall into the category of broken, bent, or rusted, leaving one wondering if the fences are serving any purpose.
Despite the unsightly aspects of Greek garbage and construction, most people will agree that Greece has more wonders than warts, and traveling between the islands is the adventure of a lifetime. So grab your scrubs, nurse shoes, stethoscope, and travel gear and head out to the beauty of the Greek islands.