The UAE healthcare sector is growing rapidly, which has increased the demand for assistant nurses Who play a vital role in providing bedside care, supporting patients and assisting qualified nurses. This guide is for people wanting to enter the healthcare profession to understand the required qualifications, licensing, job market, salary expectations, and steps to apply in the UAE.
Who is an Assistant Nurse?
An assistant nurse (also called a nursing assistant or certified nursing assistant) is a trained healthcare worker who works under supervision in patient care. Their typical job includes: checking patients’ vital signs, helping with their daily activities (such as feeding, walking), maintaining hygiene, and providing basic bedside care.
They work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, elder care centers, and home healthcare.
(References: dhcc.ae, ae.indeed.com, glassdoor.com)
3. Qualifications & Eligibility Requirements
- Education: High school diploma plus completion of a Nursing Assistant program or Diploma in Nursing (minimum 18‑month course)
- Experience: At least one year of relevant experience is typically required .
- License/Registration: Must obtain a license from the relevant authority—DHA (Dubai), MOHAP .(federal), DOH (Abu Dhabi)—including dataflow verification and good standing .
- Certificates: Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR certification required.
- Additional: English proficiency is essential; Arabic is a plus.
4. Licensing Process
- Dubai (DHA): Requires nursing assistant program completion, one year of experience, dataflow, exam, and license.
- Federal (MOHAP): Create account, upload documents, pay fees (~AED 260), undergo DataFlow, pass Prometric exam, and get licensed.
- Abu Dhabi (DOH): Similar educational experience requirements; scope focuses on patient assistance.
5. Job Market Overview
- Demand: High demand in major cities—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah—in hospitals, clinics, home healthcare, and elder care .
- Hiring Channels: Roles are posted on platforms like Bayt, Naukrigulf, Indeed, Glassdoor, and via recruitment agencies.
6. Salary & Benefits
- Typical Salary: AED 4,000–7,000/month in Dubai; AED 4,000–5,000/month in Abu Dhabi.
- Benefits: Many employers offer housing or allowance, transport, health insurance, annual leave, and end-of-service gratuity.
7. Top Employers
- Public healthcare providers like Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and SEHA
- Private hospitals and clinics: Mediclinic, NMC, Aster, Saudi German Hospital, American Hospital Dubai
- Home healthcare agencies and elder-care facilities
8. How to Apply
- Update your CV: Highlight your diploma, BLS certification, and experience in UAE or home country.
- Search and apply: Look for vacancies on Bayt, Naukrigulf, Indeed, LinkedIn, and hospital websites.
- Use recruitment agencies: Specialized healthcare recruiters can help with licensure and placement.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss patient care, cultural awareness, communication, and BLS protocols.
9. Travel & Relocation Tips
- Visa Support: Employers typically sponsor work visas and assist with DHCC/MOH licensing processes.
- Living in the UAE: Expect a fast-paced, multicultural environment with tax-free income and modern infrastructure.
- Career Growth: Gain experience then consider upgrading to registered nurse roles via further education and exams (DHA, MOHAP, DOH).
10. Useful Official Links
- Dubai Health Authority (DHA) – Licensing info:
- Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DOH) – Scope & licensing details doh.gov.ae+1montgohealth.com+1
- Bayt – Healthcare job listings: bayt.com
- www.mohre.gov.ae en.wikipedia.org+1ae.indeed.com+1
