Bridgewater International Recruitment Direct (B.I.R.D.) is owned and run by a husband and wife team, who have been in business ten years.

Karen has been qualified for 26 years and has spent seven years in clinical practice and management in the United Arab Emirates. She speaks fluent French and some Arabic. She is renowned for her excellent and convivial communication skills.

Ian has a Honours Degree in English from Manchester Metropolitan University and has also studied for an LLB (LON). He has been qualified in nursing for eight years and has worked mainly in forensic and challenging behaviour but most recently in psychiatry. He is known for his innovative thought and is a published writer.

During their period of business Bridgewater International have been successful in recruiting personnel to the Emirates. They are now the preferred agency for some UAE hospitals. They rely on their good advertising skills and personal experience of working in the Middle East..

Ian and Karen are aware of cultural shock and always keep in touch with recruits. There are no complaints from employees or employers so far and B.I.R.D. aims to keep it that way.

IAN AND KAREN JOHNSON.

FLORENCE OF ARABIA: NURSING IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. By Ian and Karen Johnson.

Peter O'Toole leading a group of parched Arabs across an endless desert under an unforgiving sun. Stories of errant individuals being flogged for drinking alcohol. Two British nurses pardoned in shame after the puzzling murder of a colleague. Which of these is your image of Arabia?

All are misleading but let's begin by making a distinction. The United Arab Emirates, the country, which our organisation mainlyy recruits nurses and doctors for, is not the same country as Saudi Arabia. Alcohol is legal in the U.A.E.. Nurses definitely do not bump each other off in the Emirates. There is desert land, of course, but there are also luxurious developed cities where every building has air conditioning.

The U.A.E could probably now be regarded as a first world country. It has advanced hospitals with the best medical staff in the world (many British). Its infant mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world. It has good schools both private and government run which enters their pupils for British O levels and A levels.

The United Arab Emigrates is also one of the safest countries in the world. A woman can walk through Abu Dhabi (the capital) on her own at 2 a.m in the morning and feel safe. Try doing that in London or any other big British city! Property is also safe - cars can be left unlocked. Even after the events of September 11th the United Arab Emirates is a safe place to be. Not only that but the people working there perceive it to be safe and feel safe. (See the testimonials from nurses on the Success Stories page)

The great thing about the U.A.E. is that it offers terrific fun and a superb lifestyle. There is a British community out there, which offers comradeship and a wide variety of things to do. There is water skiing, scuba diving, boat racing or just plain sunbathing. Yes, women can wear bikinis (on selected beaches) and reasonable clothing on the street. There are many restaurants and it seems as if every country in the world offers its cuisine here. You can, of course, get yourself a MacDonalds if you wish. Take away food prices are very cheap. The price of alcohol is about the same as in Britain but if you are a woman you can drink for free on many of the 'ladies nights' organised here.

There are plenty of shopping malls, which are equal to and pre-date many of the British ones like the famous Trafford centre. There are a variety of shops; all the way from Versace and Chanel to Woolworth's and the Co-op. There is even a Marks and Spencer.

A recently qualified nurse can have an especially good life in the U.A.E.. In Britain she might be on a 'D' grade (the starting grade for staff nurse) after two years post training experience. In the U.A.E. she would earn a good tax-free salary. Her accommodation is paid for by the hospital, so all she has to buy is her food. The rest is all disposable income (some hospitals charge for utilities). Cars, petrol, gold and electrical goods are all very cheap. More experienced nurses naturally can earn a lot more.



Our latest recruit is Bethan Griffiths a Cardiff woman who has taken a position at the Al Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi. Bethan has spent the last few years as a manager of a hospital in Wales and is now having a great time in the UAE. She says "Work is really interesting... as you said, the shops here are great... learning about the different cultures and my arabic is coming on well". She is a true Florence of Arabia !

If you are interested in working in the U.A.E. as nurse, doctor or paramedic you can contact Ian or Karen at Bridgewater International Recruitment Direct on 01942 873158 (telephone) 01942 896946 (fax) birdrecruit@blueyonder.co.uk (e mail)

Your skills appreciated.
The U.A.E recognises the high quality of British nurse training and experience (it also recognises the excellent training of other western countries). If you are a successful candidate you can be proud that you are the best of the best. It is only fair, then, that you should be rewarded with a great lifestyle.

Quality of Life

You will have a high quality of life in the U.A.E. You will receive a good, tax free income. Your accommodation is free and air-conditioned. Your only necessary expenditure each month will be for food.

Electrical goods, cameras and gold are cheap. Cars and petrol are cheap. "Whilst I was out there I had a Honda Prelude, a BMW convertible and a Mercedes, in that order". Karen Johnson.

Nearby Abu Dhabi and Dubai are modern cities with all the famous stores like BHS, Next, Naf Naf, Ikea, and Habitat; plus all the designer shops like Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Valentino and Versaces. There is even a Co-op and Woolworths.

Healthcare is free but you can, if you like, buy any medications over the counter without prescription. The social life is great, but if you choose it. There is a large ex pat community to mix with and to look after you. There are pubs, hotel bars and many clubs. There is every possible type of restaurant that you can think of from French to Persian. In addition, all the famous food chains are out there. So you can get a Macdonald's if you want one!

Sporting activities include tennis, golf, scuba diving, boating, water skiing and paragliding. You can, of course, just relax in the swimming pool with a drink.
"I've just had a toast to you. I'm sat in the pool at the Hilton, by the bar, of course. Life here is wonderful. I love my job and my social life is hectic but good. I want to say a big Thank you Karen, for all you've done for me. I wouldn't be here in Al Ain if it weren't for you. I'm having the best time of my life". Louise Wilkinson, Female Surgical.

You can wear beach attire on tourists' beaches and around the hotels. There is no prohibition on the clothes you wear in public places but bikinis and revealing dresses would offend the Islamic population and it is simply a matter of courtesy to dress appropriately for the location.

It does get hot in the U.A.E. but as mentioned above, most buildings are air conditioned and simple precautions can be taken outside. It is best to wear cotton clothes, as these absorb body moisture. A good quality sun lotion should be worn and a good pair of sun glasses also.

You will feel safe in the U.A.E. "I have walked home alone at 3 a.m. in the morning through Abu Dhabi and did not feel in the least bit threatened or afraid. In any case the hospital and the accommodation has security on site. In the U.K. I would not like to walk unescorted at night". Karen

The law is strict in the U.A.E. but it is not as severe in its administration as other Muslim regions. The laws have their benefits for law-abiding citizens. You can, for instance, leave you car unlocked in total safety. At the same time the U.A.E. is a tolerant country and, as long as you are discreet, there is nothing you can't do there which you couldn't do in any large city in the world.

The English language is widely spoken in the U.A.E. so it is not essential that you speak Arabic. However, most people like to be able to pick up a few words or phrases of Arabic to use; it increases rapport with the locals and it looks good on the future C.V.'s. So "In sha Allah" (God willing) this brief account of the U.A.E. will help you decide whether you want to go there or not. Finally, a quote from our latest recruit to Tawam Hospital: "I'm having a great social life, eating out loads, hitting the pubs and clubs in Al Ain and going to Dubai which is great. I'm loving the culture and my patients are lovely, so that's good. ….. So my Life has definitely improved out here, so I'm glad I came, it makes such a change from home". Carol Seaman.

WHY CHOOSE B.I.R.D. TO GET YOU A POSITION IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES?

Bridgewater International Recruitment Direct is owned and run by Karen Johnson R.N., R.M.,R.S.N and Ian Johnson B.A. (Hons), R.N.L.D., a husband and wife team. We offer a friendly, professional service with an eye on quality and detail. We believe you should choose us because we can get you to the U.A.E. in the smoothest possible way.

B.I.R.D'S OF A FEATHER
Like many of our applicants, we are nurses trained in the U.K. and living in the U.K. We know that you are some of the best trained nurses in the world. We know the frustrations of working for a health service that is creaking at the joints (through no fault of its own) or for a private company which is more concerned with spreadsheets than bed sheets. We are aware of the insult of inadequate wages after all our training and dedication. We are here to change that and give you the great lifestyle you deserve.

B.I.R.D. OF PARADISE
As far as we are concerned the U.A.E is a paradise. Karen has spent seven happy years as a nurse and midwife in the U.A.E. You can phone Karen up any time and chat about nursing over there and the fabulous lifestyle you will experience. In the meantime you can read "Why go and work in the U.A.E." sent with this page to give you a brief idea of what it is like.

THE EARLY B.I.R.D.
We are on the ball at B.I.R.D. because speed is of the essence. We try and make sure that our candidates are the first applicants for new posts. It is our promise that your application form will reach you within 48 hours of you phoning or faxing us. We will send for your references on the same day that we receive you completed application and you will know if you are successful the same day that the U.A.E. faxes us. If there are no current vacancies for you skill we will inform you immediately a vacancy does become available.

THE B.I.R.D. WITH NO BILL
You will not be expected to pay any fees to B.I.R.D.for the recruitment service. (If you gain a position in Saudi Arabia you will have to pay visa, medical and authentication charges) In addition, there is such a thing as a free lunch. If you live in the North of England it will be our pleasure to take you out to lunch by way of saying thank you for choosing B.I.R.D. to get you to the U.A.E. If you live elsewhere or can't make it for lunch, well, sometimes a little bird drops things at your door.

FLY WITH B.I.R.D.
We make sure that you get to the U.A.E. without a hitch. From the day of your first contact with us we are looking after you. We will sort your travel details out for you. We will pick up your air ticket, check its details and then ensure you receive it before departure - so you won't need to worry about going to the ticket office on the day that you will have other things to do. If you depart from Manchester Airport we will come and see you off. That's not the end of it, of course, we don't just say goodbye and then forget about you. We will write to you to find out how you are going on, we hope you will write back - when you have a quiet moment on the beach or beside the pool. Finally, one simple message in Arabic for if you are deliberating about working in the U.A.E.: "Imshi" (Go!)