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wcnurse

Oct 23, 2010, 10:31 AM

Post #1 of 26 (2424 views)

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nursing work, assistance

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Hello,
I will be moving to Ajijic next April. I've been a RN for 17 years, (Canada/US), and would like to work for private clients in some capacity. I certainly don't expect to make the same kind of money, but do feel I can be of service and want to keep busy. Ideas???

Thanks.
wcnurse

Rolly

Oct 23, 2010, 11:32 AM

Post #2 of 26 (2407 views)

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Re: [wcnurse] nursing work, assistance

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In order to work legally in México, you must have a working endorsement on your FM3 visa.
You can read about that here.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

wcnurse

Oct 23, 2010, 4:08 PM

Post #3 of 26 (2352 views)

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Re: [Rolly] nursing work, assistance

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Thanks for the info. I thought, perhaps, that I could operate as a self-employed person. I have discovered some valuable info on the forum relating to self-employment, thank you. With the large expat community, I thought there might be a great need for in-home assistance of different types.

I'm sure I'll find something interesting to absorb my time after my move.

wc nurse

La Isla

Oct 23, 2010, 4:48 PM

Post #4 of 26 (2334 views)

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Re: [wcnurse] nursing work, assistance

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I don't know if my experience would apply to working as a nurse in Mexico, but for English teachers, it's not very difficult to get an FM3 which allows you to work independently. With this kind of work visa, you do need to keep things on the up and up by paying taxes every month that you have income.

Marlene

Oct 23, 2010, 6:24 PM

Post #5 of 26 (2319 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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It's quite different (and difficult) for medical professionals with non-Mexican credentials to become legal to practice in Mexico.

La Isla

Oct 23, 2010, 6:56 PM

Post #6 of 26 (2298 views)

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Re: [Marlene] nursing work, assistance

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In Reply To

It's quite different (and difficult) for medical professionals with non-Mexican credentials to become legal to practice in Mexico.

That doesn't surprise me in the least, especially if there are plenty of Mexican medical professionals willing and able to work.

Sunnyvmx

Oct 24, 2010, 3:27 AM

Post #7 of 26 (2254 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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In the last two years of High School, students are required to take a technical training course. Many, many take nursing. This course includes hours of volunteer work in clinics and hospitals and even a resident program of some sort. In order to work here, you must have skills that are needed and most of all, you will not be taking a job away from a Mexican. Large expat communities should be of benefit to the host country as much as possible.

http://dementias-daughter.com

tonynico

Oct 24, 2010, 6:00 AM

Post #8 of 26 (2236 views)

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Re: [Sunnyvmx] nursing work, assistance

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You are so correct. That is how it works when immigrants come to the U.S. right?

La Isla

Oct 24, 2010, 7:48 AM

Post #9 of 26 (2195 views)

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Re: [Sunnyvmx] nursing work, assistance

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Sunny, thanks for all these details specifying why Mexico has little need of expat nurses, and most likely of most other health professionals.

wcnurse

Oct 24, 2010, 8:56 AM

Post #10 of 26 (2173 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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Thanks to all who have replied. If I decide to work, it sounds easier to just get a 13-week travel assignment in the lower 48. That would top up my income a little, and not ruffle any new host country feathers.

wcnurse

Marlene

Oct 24, 2010, 11:22 AM

Post #11 of 26 (2146 views)

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nursing work, assistance

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Even if there was a need for nurses here, there is a complicated process involved to get any out of country professional credential recognized in Mexico, especially medical profession. A cédula profesional is required by all professions, and for nurses and doctors trying to get their education recognised, this likely will involve going back to the university classroom here, to write exams or even complete some courses. I know a Mexican who studied as a doctor in Texas, but was unable to get his credential recognized to practice here. He said it was a nightmare, so he gave up. He has since moved on to a more lucrative job in the US, since he is a dual national.

A foreigner with credentials could possibly become an assistant to a doctor or nurse, say in a nursing home, or a doctor's clinic, in an area populated with expats, where having a native English speaker could be considered an advantage. Check with Immigration to see what would be involved with that, and what the restrictions would be. Each Immigration office will probably treat an office assistant position differently.

(This post was edited by Marlene on Oct 24, 2010, 11:23 AM)

La Isla

Oct 24, 2010, 12:36 PM

Post #12 of 26 (2120 views)

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Re: [Marlene] nursing work, assistance

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Following up on Marlene's remarks, I would suggest that the OP look for a doctor or nursing home or clinic in an area with lots of English-speaking expats who might be interested in sponsoring her. All they would have to do is write a letter to INM stating that they have offered her a job, and the OP would then have to take care of doing all the paperwork and paying the necessary fees.

wcnurse

Oct 24, 2010, 12:36 PM

Post #13 of 26 (2120 views)

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Re: [Marlene] nursing work, assistance

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Thanks Marlene,

Fortunately, it is not that I really need the income (although more play money is always better):):). It is, however, finding a way to do something useful and provide a little structure to my days. I am single, and so work has always had a dual function as a social outlet.

Actually, a doctor in Ajijic (dermatologist) told me I'd have little problems finding work as a nurse. I'm beginning to think that maybe he was just being "charming". Anyway... I can explore all this when I get down there next spring.

I really appreciate everyone's cautionary advice. I mostly prefer to live in the "real world".

Glenda
wcnurse

Marlene

Oct 24, 2010, 12:48 PM

Post #14 of 26 (2114 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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La Isla, you aren't meaning this advice is intended to apply to someone seeking a position to work as a nurse, are you?

(This post was edited by Marlene on Oct 24, 2010, 12:49 PM)

La Isla

Oct 24, 2010, 1:25 PM

Post #15 of 26 (2102 views)

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Re: [Marlene] nursing work, assistance

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In Reply To

La Isla, you aren't meaning this advice is intended to apply to someone seeking a position to work as a nurse, are you?

No, I was thinking more along the lines of what you suggested in an earlier post about working with a health professional or in a health care setting as an "assistant" to a doctor or nurse. Of course, getting approval would depend on what connections the prospective sponsor might have with Migración and what sorts of guidelines the local Migración office would follow in situations like this one.

DavidHF

Oct 25, 2010, 9:41 AM

Post #16 of 26 (2007 views)

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Re: [wcnurse] nursing work, assistance

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WCNURSE, there are lots of opportunities for volunteers at orphanages and elder care facilities. If you wish to be busy and use your skills you'll have no difficulty finding something to do.

richmx2

Oct 25, 2010, 11:20 AM

Post #17 of 26 (1991 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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Maybe, to slightly misquote what Bill Clinton once said about the meaning of the word "is", it depends how we define "nurse". Anyone holding themselves out as a licensed professional, of course a nurse needs to meet the requirements of the country in which s/he is practicing ... as with accountants, engineers, etc, I knew plenty of foreign M.D.s in the U.S. working in the health-care field, but NOT as doctors.

The "skill set" of a nurse should have value in other trades... a person who understands medical procedures and terminology and is in a trade requiring things that aren't tested (say, tact when working with cranky sick people) should be able to find something (hopefully a paying something) to keep him/herself busy. English classes for medical professionals? On-call translator for area clinics? Coyote for gringos needing home health care (I'm sure one can come up with a more professional sounding name for that -- somebody to find people capable of helping the house-bound, training and vetting them which may be a growing need in the gringo ghettos)

Flexibility (and realistic expectations) are always key to working in another country.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

La Isla

Oct 25, 2010, 11:29 AM

Post #18 of 26 (1988 views)

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Re: [richmx2] nursing work, assistance

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I would be careful about setting oneself up as some sort of nursing-related health care worker unless you are able to do it legally. If you are somehow reported to the authorities and found to working without the requisite work visa, you could be in a lot of trouble with INM.

joaquinx

Oct 25, 2010, 12:17 PM

Post #19 of 26 (1971 views)

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Re: [wcnurse] nursing work, assistance

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In Reply To

Thanks for the info. I thought, perhaps, that I could operate as a self-employed person.

This might turn into a catch-22 between the Hacienda and Migration. The Hacienda is were you register a business, but many Haciendas need permission from Migration that you can be issued a working FM-3. Migration won't issue it unless unless the Hacienda says that they will give permission to open a business. One other person comes into play and that is a Public Accountant as you will need to pay income taxes. This should be the first step, as that person can smooth the way with both the Hacienda and Migration.

La Isla

Oct 25, 2010, 1:28 PM

Post #20 of 26 (1954 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] nursing work, assistance

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In Reply To

Thanks for the info. I thought, perhaps, that I could operate as a self-employed person.

The first step should be to find a reputable immigration lawyer for advice and help with dealing with INM.

richmx2

Oct 25, 2010, 3:06 PM

Post #21 of 26 (1941 views)

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Re: [La Isla] nursing work, assistance

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I would be too, La Isla. My point being that one can -- or, rather, one's employer can -- with some creativity, find a use for the person's skills which would not require having a professional license. However, the employer may never have thought of the possible advantages to themselves, and the worker is the one who needs to be creative in their job search.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

gsherwin

Oct 26, 2010, 10:01 AM

Post #22 of 26 (1862 views)

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Re: [richmx2] nursing work, assistance

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Perhaps I am too simple minded. I live in GDL and if I wanted to do so, I would think I could invite her into my house daily for appropriate services and slip her $100 MX. I didn't get the feeling she was seeking full-time employment.
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
Sea usted mismo, los demás ya está tomada.
Oscar Wilde

Rolly

Oct 26, 2010, 10:11 AM

Post #23 of 26 (1858 views)

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Re: [gsherwin] nursing work, assistance

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Sure, someone can work off the books. The down side is getting caught may mean deportation.
That often happens to young folks who work illegally at restaurants and bars in vacation areas.

Rolly Pirate

E-visit me http://Rollybrook.com
On Facebook as Rolly Brook

richmx2

Oct 26, 2010, 1:07 PM

Post #24 of 26 (1840 views)

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Re: [gsherwin] nursing work, assistance

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Nah, I think I'm being overly-devious. As long as the person is just putting their life skills (which includes their professional training) to use on a person to person level, the chances of any legal problems are somewhere between slim and none.

Maybe I read too much into what the original poster wants to do... where they want to find employment in their trade -- which they might be able to do, but under a different job classification. I was hired originally here under as an "edicane" which you sometimes see in classified ads basically meaning "pretty blond girl to flirt with business executives" but legally is "personal assistant" -- and wrote the job description to say I was providing the business owners with the unique skills set that just by chance was the same stuff I was trained to do and have been doing most of my professional life.

http://mexfiles.net
http://voiceofmexico.com
http://editorialmazatlan.com

wcnurse

Oct 26, 2010, 2:31 PM

Post #25 of 26 (1821 views)

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Re: [richmx2] nursing work, assistance

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Wow.... I feel like I set off a liittle firestorm!!!!! Thanks to all for your insightly comments.

I have worked some "high-powered" ER/ICU-type jobs here in Canada/US. I am definitely not seeking that type of employment. However, I do have a trained eye, and still would be a valuable resource for someone interested in talking with a person with my background. I also have interest in home/hospice care.... I'm not sure what the practices are at Lakeside regarding hospice care, but would guess that they are a little more relaxed about death, and lack the "fix it at all costs" mentality that exists here (particularly in the U.S.). Or.... do most people go back to the U.S./Canada for that stage? Currently here, most hospice nurses work for a doctor... it is more for the family and to be sure ordered meds for the patient are working appropriately. A very valuable service for all.

Also, I would guess that there may be a fair about of "bartering" among expats rather than working for direct dollar payment.

wcnurse

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