Testimonials

"CCM made the process very smooth and easy! They take you through step by step and are always on call if you have any questions or concerns!"

Georgia - Nurse, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

"I moved to Saudi Arabia to work as a nurse. The team at CCM guide and help you through the whole process from the interview to the visa application and travel. The support was fantastic to have!"

Madeleine - Nurse, Saudi Arabia

"Although things were made difficult by the Covid-19 pandemic, the staff at CCM kept in constant contact with me and always let me know when things changed. They did so much groundwork to get me overseas, I could not have done it without them."

D. Selina - Nurse KFSH&RC, Saudi Arabia

"The registration process can be a bit stressful, trying to get all the documents right, but everyone from CCM (Dawn, Mikaela and Andjela) guided me clearly every step of the process. They have been very helpful. CCM helped to get me into contact with a few people already in Saudi as I was in quarantine for a week on arrival."

April - Nurse, Saudi Arabia

"I have had an excellent nursing career in various specialties such as OR, Cardiac Theatre, and ICU. Currently, I am working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through CCM, where I am experiencing a different culture and care model. UAE is a good travel hub, and the hospital had a lot of support in place to help me adjust when I arrived. The accommodation provided is fully furnished and includes swimming pools and gyms. On days off, I have enjoyed visiting Dubai or the various beaches. Nursing and allied healthcare in UAE are different from New Zealand, where I am from. Here, they follow an American model of care, and respiratory therapists manage the vents, with pharmacy preparing most medications. Despite the differences, I appreciate the advanced treatments and more individualized services available in UAE. Professional development opportunities are also offered, including education on advanced practices and devices used to look after patients. I think if you are coming over here, you have to be prepared that it will be different, and to try and make the best out of any challenging situations you may find yourself in, as these happen every day in healthcare no matter where you are. Being adaptable to situations is also helpful and doing the best you can."

H. Sophie - ICU Nurse in UAE

"They provided a two-week hotel accommodation which was in a good location for us to easily navigate Adelaide. They also gave us relocation assistance which made looking for rental a lot less stressful. With regard to work rosters, our managers are very understanding and accommodating with our needs and request given that we are still adjusting with a baby."

C. Alvin and Leianne - Registered Nurses, Adelaide

"The friendships - I have made some lifelong friends here. We have all shared this roller coaster of a journey together being there for each other on the good and bad days. If it wasn’t for my friendship group, I don’t think I would still be here. Travelling - you would never be able to do the amount of travelling back home as your able to do here."

Holly - Pediatric Staff Nurse, Saudi Arabia

"Before I moved, I was anxious about the transition into life in Adelaide/Australia. Adelaide has been a really smooth transition in terms of similarity to NZ. The city itself, I would liken it to Christchurch or an organised Auckland (lol). The city is big enough to experience a bigger city life, but still small enough to not feel extremely daunted, and to also not feel too out of depth with traffic, getting places and touring around. The culture here is interesting and it very much seems as though most people here grew up here and have settled down here also. Travellers/immigrants like us don’t seem as common as I’d had thought. In regard to nursing, there are some similarities and a few differences which took a while to adjust too – this surprised me as I presumed it would be a smooth transition into the work culture here. Weather here in summer is beautiful. It’s a nice dry heat and hardly rains. In winter it gets cool, similar to NZ, aside from the extreme lows."

W. Beth - Registered Nurse, Adelaide

“CCM Recruitment Consultant Lara was fantastic. I felt Lara heard me and supported me through the process of finding a job. She found alternative ways instead of belittling me which is what other companies did. Communication was effective and efficient. Highly recommended.”

Meera - Registered Nurse, New Zealand

I am working at Prince Sultan Cardiac Center in the centre of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I have wanted to work in the Middle East for some time and while Saudi wasn’t my first choice (I wanted to go to the UAE because I have been there before) I am really pleased to be here. I think now is the time for Saudi. Things have opened up considerably, there is no longer a requirement to cover as long as you wear modest clothes. Women can drive, although I haven’t braved that yet I will. The Saudi people are warm and genuine and seem happy that you are here. I am in a new apartment building which is still being completed. Because I am in a Director role my apartment is large and spacious. I have three bedrooms and three bathrooms with large terraces. It is fully furnished with good quality furniture. There was a welcome pack there when I arrived which had bed linen, crockery and some basic food items which was really helpful. The building has yet to be completely finished but the gym looks to be finished soon and the swimming pool later in the year. I was picked up from the airport and taken to my apartment building by a contact from the hospital. After a 29 hr trip I was exhausted and not actually sure where I was so couldn’t order a taxi to go anywhere because I didn’t know my address to get back. Thankfully someone from the hospital who lives in the building came to say hello and fill me in. The good thing about being surrounded by expats is they have all been where you are when you arrive so have plenty of really good advice on how to navigate sorting out your phone, wifi, where the supermarket is etc. I attended General Nursing Orientation the second week I arrived which helped put everything in context. I arrived in the middle of summer which was extremely hot. I left New Zealand at 5 degrees and arrived in Riyadh at 47 degrees. Things tend to be quiet over summer as it is so hot but as the weather cools down there is more to do. I spend my time exploring Riyadh, there is so much to see. Because it is so multi cultural you can dine out in any cuisine you would like. The food is fantastic and not expensive, although can be if you want it to be. The evenings are the time to be out, after the sun goes down and the temperature cools down. I like walking down some of the newer shopping areas just taking in the sites and being outside. I have joined the local ladies gym because ours is yet to be finished so go there most days after work before heading out to somewhere new. I am enjoying experiencing the different culture. Things are open so late and you can do anything at any time you fancy. I went to the movies at midnight last week and then for a walk at 3am because it was cool. Time is very different here and you slot in pretty quickly with that. After I have finished my probation I am looking forward to travelling around the Gulf countries, everything is so close and accessible. My advice to people who's thinking of travelling or moving to Saudi Arabia, come with an open mind. Things are different, you need a lot of patience and the bureaucracy is another level. It doesn’t mean it’s bad, it is just different. Leave behind any preconceived ideas, inevitably they are wrong. There is a lot to see and do here if you are willing to make the most of opportunities you will enjoy it.

Lisa - Director, Nursing Education, Saudi Arabia