From a very young age, I'd always wanted to be a nurse. I would spend hours bandaging my toys in toilet paper and got excited when my mum brought out her box of plasters and medicines if someone in our family was sick. 

By the time I was old enough to apply for a nursing degree, I could barely contain myself. I had visions of my uniform and the amazing feeling I would get when I helped a patient - maybe even saving a life or two. It was an exciting time to be me!

Of course, I eventually realised that taking on a nursing degree was no picnic, and I regularly found myself stressed, anxious and doubting my dream of caring for others. There was so much to learn and so little time to learn it, and my friends all seemed to be speeding ahead of me. After some soul-searching, I eventually decided that I couldn't and wouldn't give up, so I continued to push through the difficult times, building up my resilience and working that little bit harder.

When graduation day finally came, I was a bundle of nerves. Suddenly, I was a fully-fledged nurse with no idea how I would cope without the 'student' label to cover my back. Still, I had come this far and wasn't prepared to let my own self-doubts get the better of me. The hospital I had completed my final placement with had agreed to take me on as a full-time member of staff, which was a huge relief because finding your first nursing job feels like a mountain in itself.

One year on and I developed a serious case of wanderlust. My time as a nurse in the UK had been amazing but something inside was telling me that my skills were needed elsewhere. A friend of mine was considering a year overseas in the Republic of Ireland, so I looked into it too and within a few months, I was preparing myself for the biggest decision of my life; I was moving to Dublin to start a new chapter in the 'Green Isle'. 

I got my job by registering with Your World Healthcare Ireland. The team was so helpful from start to finish and supported me with every aspect of the move, even taking the time to introduce me to other nurses in Ireland who have already done it.

When I got there, something just clicked, and I immediately felt home. I loved my time in the NHS, but Ireland filled a gap in my life that I didn't even know was there! Dublin is an incredible city with the most hospitable, friendly and caring people - everyone, from my lovely colleagues to the friends I've made here, makes me feel like I couldn't possibly belong anywhere else.

If you're considering the move, I wouldn't hesitate! Here are some things you’ll need to know about becoming a nurse in Ireland.

To find out more about Your World's nursing jobs in Ireland, contact us today!