Working as a nurse in english speaking hospitals

I saw your post and wanted you to know how hard it is in France without knowing the language.  You cannot find a job in your field and passing many exams here without learning French first. Especially nursing, you would be working with French patients.  The bureaucracy is something I would never have imagined.  I would at least get to B1 level French before moving here as it is necessary.  I’ve been here 10 years believe me when I say it’s not easy.  If you can speak French already then you would just have to be relicensed here in this Country.  Leaving one Country to here is just swapping out old problems for new ones. I hate to sound negative but it’s the reality. Good luck to you

@Rachel240 hi there , living in France without speaking the language is very hard and you must have at least level B1 to be able to work in nursing.  There are no Hospitals that are English speaking.  Furthermore, without French it’s impossible to get a job in that field. Pretty much anywhere it’s impossible to work here with no French level.  It would be like a French person moving to the States or wherever you are from to work in nursing.  In order to live here and work you must prove your French level.  For me to be here in this Country of France I must be at level B1 as their rules for that have gotten quite strict unfortunately .  I would take French classes wherever you are for the next years to prepare to live here if that’s what you really want to do.  But honestly the bureaucracy here is quite a nightmare.  Very stressful!

@Rachel240

Hello!

You can definitely work in French hospitals—even though French is the primary language, most medical professionals speak at least some English, especially in larger cities or international areas. Many hospitals and clinics are used to dealing with English-speaking patients, so you won’t be completely lost.

Plus, you’ll pick up the basics of French quickly once you’re immersed in the environment! Many expats start with simple medical terms and improve over time. If you're open to learning, you'll adapt faster than you think.

Good luck with your move! 🇫🇷😊 You just need to have contact with people to learn fast

Good morning Rachel

Just read your post. If you wish to live and work in France, your determination should prevail and overcome the present language barrier. Once you start living in France you'll also start getting accustomed to the way of life, region and language. Reading elementary French novels (books) and keeping a good English/French/English dictionary by your side would be an important asset. Should you opt to take, say a one year learning course in French language would be a great asset too. I understand that many foreigners would find it a bit difficult to understand spoken French, but that would be somehow resolved by time and surely get used to it. Watching French ( such as news) would be an asset too.

Regarding your nursing profession I believe that there are opportunities to work in French hospitals, no matter the language.

Don't let the language be a barrier and stop you from accomplishing your wish to work and live in France.

Good luck.

Have a good day.

@Rachel240

Nothing venture nothing gain . everything is possible and I think there are English hospital but with french speaker patients too

It seems like it's worth starting an intensive online course or hiring a specific tutor who knows medical terminology so that you can communicate with patients and do your medical records in French. I have heard that the language requirements for different visas have just been revised. When you know the level required, order books for that level and watch videos for that level. There are French dictionaries that are visual and topics grouped together. Last, you could search online for " learn medical French."

I'm a nurse living in France. You'd have to get your RN license recognized here, which is quite cumbersome. Not impossible, but some additional coursework and/or testing would be involved, on top of getting everything you already have translated. And I suspect that a B2 level (fluency) in French would be required for you to be hired as a nurse in France--there are not English-speaking facilities as such. In addition, you'd have to have work rights and a work visa before moving to France, which means you'd have to have a French employer to hire you and sponsor your visa, and most French employers aren't willing to do that for non-EU workers, unless they're highly skilled and in demand (like surgeons or data analysts, for example). The nursing shortage is real, but without French language fluency, you're not going to be able to work as a nurse in France. And as for any other kinds of jobs, they must first go to French citizens, then to EU citizens. It's very tough for non-EU foreigners to get anything other than seasonal work in the EU.

Hello @Rachel240!

My name is Shirley! And I have been an expat for 3 decades! I worked at the American Hospital of Paris. I would love to help you in your transition to the work force in France! In any case, I can share my experience with you!

Awaiting your reply!

Shirley from NY 😊

@Shirlthepearl18

Thank you so much for your reply! Omg you are literally living my dream.

How is it for you? What hospital do you work in. I’d love to hear more… x

@Shirlthepearl18
Thank you so much for your reply! Omg you are literally living my dream.
How is it for you? What hospital do you work in. I’d love to hear more… x - @Rachel240

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SimCityAt

Expat Team

@Rachel240 Hello!You can definitely work in French hospitals—even though French is the primary language, most medical professionals speak at least some English, especially in larger cities or international areas. Many hospitals and clinics are used to dealing with English-speaking patients, so you won’t be completely lost.Plus, you’ll pick up the basics of French quickly once you’re immersed in the environment! Many expats start with simple medical terms and improve over time. If you're open to learning, you'll adapt faster than you think.Good luck with your move! 🇫🇷😊 You just need to have contact with people to learn fast - @nils dalli realty

Why post such a misleading claim! Just because English is taught in school and many young people speak some is besides the point. One HAS to know French on a high level, no hospital will consider you without it. Many older French don't speak English and one has to understand everything. It would be dangerous and irresponsible not to know the local language. And this is true in virtually all European countries; certainly in Germany and even in the Netherlands which is the strongest in English as a secondary language.  And yes, some people learn languages quickly, others not. Many if busy working can spend years in a country and only get to an advance beginners level. And one HAS to have a recognized nursing education from an EU country to work as a nurse in France. Otherwise, one has to go back to school in France to get certified and take multiple tests all in French of course. Stick to the facts rather than telling people what they might want to hear. 

check out this link for some basic info: https://globalscholarships.com/steps-be … se-france/

@nils dalli realty

Interesting.... I say that because it's almost impossible to work in a job here at a certain level without the language skills. I would say a minimum B2.

Although, the people here are kind and understanding when they hear the English accent, 99% would not be able to converse effectively if you choose to speak English.

My advice is spend every spare moment learning French.

@robertjr80

I think you're right. (I'm a french doctor working in public/private structure for 30 years)

In a classic french hospital/clinic, you need, as a nurse, to be at least B2 in french.

And it's certainly a good thing. (You would be the main contact with patients, and our english in France.. Well... )

BTW, she could find some specific area (Most surgeons speak english for example) and / or some private structure may want to hire her for some of thir foreign patients).

BTW 2, i'm not fluent in english (We learned that in school years ago.. but barely never speak/use it), but I decided 2 years ago to do teleconsultations  , so i needed to try to improve myself. And That's working very well ) . Patients are happy (a lot of positive feedback) and i enjoy that too .

Take a look at Duolingo application, Check Youtube channels , a lot of medical videos (for vocabulary), Kids videos (to learn usual expressions).