Nursing in Dubai: Employment, Salary, DHA License & Prometric Exam

Nursing in Dubai is a fast-growing and very esteemed profession because of the growing healthcare industry and advanced medical facilities in Dubai. Dubai nurses have a range of work environments within hospitals, clinics, and home care, delivering essential patient care, treatments, and assistance to doctors.  

Candidates must have the necessary qualifications and a license from the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to practice as a nurse. Nursing provides a good salary rate, generous benefits such as housing allowances, and the possibility to specialize in pediatric, critical care, and emergency nursing. 

Nursing in Dubai Overview

The healthcare scene in Dubai is marked by relentless growth and investment. Public and private hospitals, clinics, and specialized medical facilities are keen to hire international nurses to fill their staffing requirements. Critical care, pediatrics, oncology, obstetrics, and general medical-surgical nursing are among the prevalent job opportunities for nurses in Dubai. 

Following is the synopsis of Nursing in Dubai:

How to Become a Registered Nurse in Dubai for Foreigners?

The main regulating authority for healthcare professionals in Dubai is the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). For the legal practice of nursing in Dubai, all foreign nurses need a DHA nursing license. Below is the step-by-step procedure of how to become a registered nurse in Dubai for expats.

1. Educational Qualification and Experience Verification

• The process starts with the verification of your educational qualifications and work experience via the DHA's online platform (Sheryan system).
• You will be required to submit your degree, transcripts, and experience certificates.
• It is a process of Primary Source Verification (PSV), wherein an independent third-party company (such as DataFlow Group) verifies your documents' authenticity directly with issuing institutions.

2. DHA Prometric Exam

• After your documents get verified, you should clear the DHA Prometric Exam.
• This is a computer-based multiple-choice test that tests your basic nursing knowledge and ability.

Eligibility Criteria for Nursing in Dubai

DHA nursing license requirements necessitate candidates to meet the following eligibility criteria. The criteria ensure that nursing professionals have the standard clinical skills and knowledge needed to practice in Dubai's healthcare system.

• Applicants should have passed 12th with Chemistry, Biology, and Physics.
• The minimum percentage required is 50% marks.
• Mostly, the applicant should have an IELTS of 6.0 or a comparable TOEFL score.
• A few universities will also make you pass aptitude tests or individual interviews.
• Students need to pass a medical fitness test before admission.

Compulsory Documents for DHA Nursing License Requirements

Required documents to apply for a Dubai Health Authority (DHA) nursing license are educational certificates, mark sheets, and evidence of completion of an accredited nursing program. The same must be uploaded at the time of primary source verification while applying for the license.

• 10th and 12th-class mark sheets and certificates.
• Current passport with a validity of at least 6 months.
• Passport-sized photograph according to visa and university specifications.
• IELTS/TOEFL results reporting Language Proficiency.
• A Statement of Purpose (SOP) outlining your intention to study nursing in Dubai.
• Employer and teacher letters of recommendation.

Cost of Studying Nursing in Dubai

The fee for studying nursing in Dubai differs according to the course and institution. For instance, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) generally costs AED 42,000 per annum (roughly INR 9.7 lakhs). There may be additional fees such as application, admission, visa, health insurance, and other educational fees. Explore the cost of studying Nursing in Dubai: 

DHA Prometric Exam Syllabus

The DHA Prometric Exam is a multiple-choice question exam where candidates are required to pass with a minimum of 60% marks out of total marks. The subjects that Registered Nurses (RNs) cover are vast and may include:

• Medical-Surgical Nursing: Adult health, prevalent diseases, treatment methods, drug therapy.
• Fundamentals of Nursing: Basic patient care, safety, infection control, and ethical aspects.
• Pediatric Nursing: Child health, developmental phases, prevalent pediatric diseases.
• Maternity/Obstetric Nursing: Pre-natal, peri-natal, and post-natal care, women's health.
• Mental Health Nursing: Psychiatric disorders, therapeutic communication.
• Emergency Nursing: First aid, emergency interventions, critical care principles.
• Pharmacology: Drug categories, dosages, methods of administration, side effects.
• Communication and Professionalism: Ethical practice, patient rights, documentation.

Types of Nurses in Dubai

Nursing in Dubai involves a number of categories of nursing positions depending on qualifications and specialties. All categories have varied licensing needs and scope of practice as guided by the Dubai Health Authority (DHA).

Some of the Nurses in Dubai are listed below:

Specializations for Nursing in Dubai

Nursing in Dubai offers a wide range of specializations to meet the diverse healthcare needs of the population. These specializations require nurses to have advanced training and certification, opening opportunities for professional growth and higher salaries in Dubai’s modern healthcare system: 

Nursing Jobs in Dubai Salary and Benefits

Dental and nursing salaries in Dubai are tax-free. Your salary directly depends on your qualification, experience, specialty, the medical facility, and negotiation skills. Registered Nurse salary in Dubai is provided below for your reference: 

Advantages of Studying Nursing in Dubai

Learning nursing in Dubai has various advantages, such as qualifications recognized internationally that provide global career prospects. Nursing professionals have charming, tax-free salaries, accommodation allowances, and career development opportunities in a cosmopolitan setting.

• The nursing degrees in Dubai are globally recognized, providing career prospects throughout the Middle East and worldwide.
• There is a world-class healthcare infrastructure with sophisticated hospitals and simulation laboratories for hands-on training.
• High demand for nurses ensures abundant job vacancies and attractive salary packages, making nursing financially rewarding.
• A large Indian diaspora and cultural familiarity make it easier for students to settle and adapt.
• Opportunities for professional growth and specialization are available within Dubai’s expanding healthcare sector.