My 5 Steps to Work-Life Balance Abroad: Unlock Your Best Life as an International Educated Nurse

Work-life balance can feel impossible when you move to a new country for your nursing career. Long shifts, cultural differences, and the pressure to succeed can leave you feeling drained. For many international nurses, balancing work and life in a new country is one of the biggest challenges. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Today, we’ll explore how to create a harmonious life abroad by setting boundaries, prioritizing well-being, and building a fulfilling life at work and home. My 5 steps for work-life balance abroad, based on my proven Nurses Move System, will help you thrive professionally and personally. From identifying the right destination to creating a healthy environment at work and in your community, this approach is your guide to a fulfilling life abroad.

Curious? Keep reading to discover the system that can transform your life abroad.

Dear Friend,

Moving abroad is exciting, but let’s be honest, it’s also overwhelming. From the day you pack your bags to months into your new role, achieving work-life balance can feel like a far-off dream.

But here’s the truth: You can have it all: a thriving career and a fulfilling personal life. You just need the right roadmap, and that’s where my Nurses Move System comes in.

This framework was first developed to help me and my family move abroad in 2014, it was just a prototype at that time, but as I have used it since then to help other nurses move abroad, I have refined it steadily over the years. The framework consists of five phases or steps.

Phase 1. Research: Know Where You’re Headed

The first step to work-life balance is choosing a destination that aligns with your professional and personal needs.

To avoid experiencing "Migration Failure", it is very important that you choose a country and a scope of practice that fits your personal and professional needs.

Investing time in research is extremely important at the very beginning of your project to live and work abroad. The more time you invest in research, the easier will be your life and work once abroad.

Let me give you a glimpse of what you should reflect about:

• Journaling Prompt: What does your ideal work-life balance look like? List the qualities you need in a workplace and community to support this vision.?

For example, if outdoor activities are your stress-reliever, research countries or cities with access to nature. Knowing what fulfills you helps you make an informed choice!

My book, The Awakened Nurse, dives deeper into choosing the best destination for your goals and lifestyle. Join the waiting list ?? click here.

Phase 2. Plan: Prepare for the Transition

Planning isn’t just about logistics, it’s about self-care too. Before your move, identify potential stressors and strategies to handle them.

• Make a plan that reduces the risk of making a mistake: with the research you have done, you know what you are looking for and where to find it. Prepare your detachment, your budget, your move, and how you will settle once abroad
• Plan your first weeks to include downtime for exploration to allow yourself to feel comfortable in your new surrounding?
• Plan your expenses in advance for a few months after you move, so you can rely solely on the money you have set aside for your move and your new salary: this means understanding the cost of life in the country of destination. Do not overwork at first since your brain is already overwhelmed with all this new information and you can easily exhaust yourself by neglecting rest and rest. Do not prioritize greed,? as no one knows you and you do not need to impress anyone! Instead, maintain a minimalist lifestyle at least for 6 months.

Planning ahead prevents burnout and ensures your first steps abroad set the tone for balance.

Phase 3. Move: Adjust With Intention

Transitioning to a new country is exciting but challenging.

The Move phase begins a few weeks before your departure day and lasts a few weeks after you arrive. It is very personal and very closely related to your attachments (emotional and material).

During this phase, you are most vulnerable as this time is characterized by contrasting feelings, and if you don't take the right care of yourself, you will never achieve balance abroad because you will have trouble overcoming culture shock.

• Actionable Step: Establish small routines early, like a morning walk or journaling habit, to create stability amidst change.
• It's important to detach properly from loved ones and beloved places so that you can create long lasting memories with them.
• Journaling Prompt: What do you need to feel “at home”? Reflect on ways to bring those elements into your new life abroad!

Phase 4. Settle: Create Your Supportive Environment

Once you’re moved, focus on setting boundaries and space for yourself but building meaningful connections at work and in your new community.

Building resilience is key to managing the highs and lows of this phase. Resilience is your ability to adapt, cope, and grow through adversity.?

It involves:

• Self-awareness: Understanding your limits and when to ask for help.
• Boundary setting: Protecting your personal time and energy.
• Connection: Building meaningful relationships in your new workplace and community

But how do you practically do it?

• Journaling your feelings and emotions to understand better your response to life and work: is it health or not?
• Set intentions and communicate your strengths and weaknesses at work to prevent misunderstandings and loss of confidence. Don't overcommit at work, but instead be clear about your needs and intentions. Remember that you are not running on autopilot as you would at home... Everything is different abroad, so you need to adapt before making promises that you cannot keep.
• Seek out local or expat communities for emotional support.
• Connect with people in your area by starting a hobby or participating in some activities. You need a support network, being alone abroad is awful!

A healthy work-life balance isn’t just about avoiding burnout; it’s about finding joy in your new environment.

Work-life balance is achieved when you are both happy at work and happy at home. In reality, it's not about how many hours or resources you invest in work or at home, it's about how satisfied you are!

Want more tips on building resilience and boundaries? Want to dive deep in the Nurses Move System? Join the waiting list of my book The Awakened Nurse and get the full guide

?? click here.

You can use this book even if you are already abroad and dissatisfied with your career and lifestyle: it will help you re-direct your path to success and happiness!

Phase 5. Escalate: Thrive in Your Career and Life

The final step is where everything comes together. Once you’ve created balance, focus on growing both personally and professionally.

Now that you've settled in, you're ready to level up. Self-assessment is essential! My motto is “Recap to stay on track!” Remember your vision? As soon as you've settled, you're ready to grow and achieve your vision!

• Explore certifications or advanced degrees to advance your career.
• Find your sponsor and key person of influence; network, network, network with the right people!
• You can advance your career or network by volunteering for projects that can advance your profile.
• Journaling Prompt: Reflect on your growth so far. What are you most proud of, and what new goals will you set for yourself? Which steps do you still need to achieve your ultimate goal (your vision)?

This step isn’t about perfection, it’s about continuing the journey with purpose and self-awareness.

My Dear Friends, Your Journey Starts Today!

Work-life balance as an international nurse isn’t a myth; it’s a mindset!

By following my Nurses Move System, you can thrive in a way that supports both your career ambitions and personal well-being.

Ready to transform your international nursing journey? Join the waiting list for my book The Awakened Nurse ?? click here.

Hopefully, this newsletter edition clarified your thoughts about life and career abroad and gave you some relief: so many nurses don't take advantage of the opportunity to work abroad simply because they are afraid to be exploited and don't know what to expect on the other side. Your future can be shaped as you have read, and it is not necessarily predetermined.

Please share it with your fellow nurses if you find this newsletter useful!

See you next week!

My warmest regards, Dina Paoloni, BSN, RN, PG, CC Career Coach for International Nurses Clinical Trial Nurse, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur, HLA Nurse Leader, Europe Regional Director at Nurses in Charge Inc.

PS Don’t miss out! Get early access to The Awakened Nurse for the ultimate guide to self-discovery and success abroad! We are about to release the book, and if you are on the waitlist we will let you know about a special discount and a gift you can only get if you join the waiting list! ?? click here.