🎙 Episode Overview

In this episode, I’m talking honestly about what it actually means to move abroad as a nurse, especially in the middle of a very heavy political moment in the United States. This is not a “panic exit” episode and I’m not here to tell you whether you should stay or go.

Instead, I walk you through how I think about moving abroad from a systems-thinking lens: how it restructures your whole life, what tends to surprise people, and what I wish you’d sort through before you make the leap. I also share how I approached my own move to the Netherlands and why having a vision matters more than fear.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why “I just need to get out of here” is not a real vision for your life
• How to think about your life as a system, and why moving abroad is a massive structural change
• The difference between running toward a life you want versus running away from the one you have
• Three key questions I recommend you ask yourself before moving abroad as a nurse
• Why your U.S. nursing license may not transfer easily, and what that means for your career options
• How values, lifestyle, income, and language factor into an aligned decision to relocate

🧠 Key Ideas to Take With You

• Fear of staying is valid. Fear alone should not be your entire strategy for leaving.
• “All I know is I can’t stay here” is a limited vision. You need something you’re moving toward, not just away from.
• Your life is a system. Moving abroad does not just change your address, it reshapes your relationships, identity, work, and daily routines.
• You will feel like a beginner again. If you cannot tolerate sustained discomfort, moving abroad will be rough.
• Your nursing background is still valuable abroad, even if you never work a traditional RN job again. There are more ways to use your skill set than just bedside care.

🎧 How to Get the Most Out of This Episode

As you listen, I want you to actively picture your life, not a fantasy Pinterest version of it.

When I walk through the three questions, pause for a moment and ask yourself:

• What would it actually feel like for me to be the immigrant in another country?
• How would my work, friendships, and family routines change in a different health system and culture?

If you can, jot down a few notes while you listen. Your first answers don’t have to be polished. They just have to be honest.

📣 Special Notes

If you’re seriously thinking about moving abroad and want help sorting through your vision and options, I offer one-off Power Hour coaching sessions. You don’t necessarily need six months of coaching to get clarity on a decision like this, but you might benefit from having someone neutral walk through the trade-offs with you.

📲 Call to Action

• If this episode helped you think more clearly about moving abroad, share it with another nurse who has been talking about “getting out” without a plan.
• Take 10–15 minutes this week to answer the three questions from the episode. Put your answers somewhere you’ll actually see again.

👉 Resources Mentioned

• Change Maker Essentials for values, personal vision, and systems-thinking foundations
• Power Hour Coaching with me for one-time support around big decisions like moving abroad
• Instagram: Follow me on IG to send questions, reflections, or get more context on my own move and work abroad