Who is Helen Ziegler & Associates?
We specialize in the recruitment of Canadian and American healthcare staff for hospitals in the countries of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. We have recruited over 7,000 people (nurses, administrators, technologists, doctors, etc.) over the past 29 years. Because our staff regularly visits our client hospitals, (and in fact, two of us have lived in Saudi Arabia) we have first-hand knowledge of the lifestyle and culture of the Middle East, and we are intimately familiar with the workings of our client hospitals.
Jobs
We have nursing positions at the staff level and in management. The staff-level positions ask for a minimum of two years of current post-registration experience in an acute-care setting. They are single-status (i.e., you cannot bring your family) and you have to be in good health.
I write a monthly letter, usually about an issue relating to recruitment. If you read the “Letter from Helen Ziegler”, you will hopefully understand why we ask you personal questions.
What is it Like for Nurses?
You will work in a very modern (and sometimes architecturally beautiful) hospital with all the latest equipment. Although the patients tend to be sicker, the diseases are much like the ones in North America. The staff nurses are from throughout the world. Your teaching abilities will be welcomed. English is the working language in the hospitals.
In Saudi Arabia, nurses live in a housing compound. You are free to travel anywhere in the city, the desert, etc. Women are not allowed to drive cars, but thanks to the price of oil, taxis are cheap.
In all the countries of the Arabian Peninsula, you will have, if you choose, a busy social life. In Jeddah, you may golf, scuba dive in the Red Sea, hike, swim, join a square dance class, shop, eat at many excellent restaurants, etc. In Riyadh, you may golf, run, play bridge, play tennis, attend concerts at embassies, join arts groups, dine out, etc. In the UAE and Qatar, women can drive, and in addition to shopping, dining, there is more “Western” type entertainment such as theatre and professional sport competitions, such as tennis, golf etc.
Generally, people who are intellectually curious and are looking for new experiences have the best time. But you have to be adaptable, non-judgmental, self-assured, and yes, even somewhat of a risk-taker.
Why do people work in the Middle East?
Some people go for the tax-free salary. Others go for the adventure. Some stay for years; a good number return repeatedly.
Day-to-day life is less hectic than in the West. You don’t have the daily aggravations: the long commute to work; the energy spent on maintaining your dwelling; the scramble to buy stuff you don’t need. You have time to develop other parts of your life, be they athletic, artistic, or spiritual. As the repeaters tell us, you have more fun in the Middle East. Finally, those of us who have lived in the Arabian Peninsula, feel that it was a truly enlightening experience.
Helen Ziegler