US nurse interested in Uk nursing

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 20, 2004

I wanted information in travel nursing to the UK.
My specialty is medical/surgical tele, what would my duties and patient ratio be?. Anyone have any advice for me with changes I will have to get use to?
Thanks
Karen

hi

Travel nursing isn't really done over here, you can join a national agency and travel around the country, but I think you would be responsible for travel and accommadation fees.

In the UK Surgical and Medical are seperate specialities and are patients are nursed within a single ward ie medical patients nursed on a medical ward and surgical patients nursed on surgical wards. Duties and patient ratio's would change depending where you work. Pay is not good in the UK and a usual salary start is approx £17,000 PA approx $31,280 PA. before tax. At present alot within the public sector and nursing is in the spotlight under Agenda for Change. You can find more on this at the following website http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/HumanResourcesAndTraining/ModernisingPay/AgendaForChange/fs/en

Another website which you can join free and will give you an idea on nursing in the UK and jobs available is http://www.nursingtimes.net.

I take it you have looked at our governing body re getting registered over here to work if not here is the link http://www.nmc-uk.org

I am sure others will have their imput, this is just mine

Noahm · Nov 20, 2004

Hi there,

I am an American nurse working in the UK. I currently work on a 32 bed medical ward. We have 2-3 staff nurses and 3 aides on for days, 2 nurses and 2 aides for evenings and 2 nurses 1 aide for nights. I don't think the ratios are that bad everywhere though. Before this job I worked on a short stay surgical ward that had 15 beds and 3 staff nurses and 2 aides on for days. Unfortunately the ward was shut down for refurbishment and I had to take my current job. The medical department at my hospital is just having a lot of problems with staffing at the moment. I think what I'm trying to say in a round about way is that its just like the US, some hospitals having appalling ratios and some are fantastic.

The medical patients are on different units than surgical patients and from what Ive seen the surgical wards have way better ratios/supplies/facilities etc. At my particular hospital the medical wards really seem to get the shaft big time.

The amount of paid time off here is fabulous and I personally have found the management very supportive when it comes to child care issues, much more so than in the US. The pay isn't very good, but there are aspects of working for the NHS that really make up for the low pay.

Hope that helps despite the rambling on........

sonya2002 · Feb 4, 2005

Anyone out there that can help me figure out the red tape of beurocracy to work as a nurse in the uk? The British Embassy states that i need a work placement sponsership? I understand that if you have a nursing sponsership, you are unable to work for anyone else other than that sponserhip while employed in the uk? The nmc application takes about 8 weeks to obtain nursing verification. I finally figured out how to start this process. I'm currently in the UK on Holiday and have fallen in love with this country. Everyone i have met have been lovely and generous. I can't wait to be here permanently; however, the red tape is driving me crazy. Any suggestions out there?

Hi there,
I am an American nurse working in the UK. I currently work on a 32 bed medical ward. We have 2-3 staff nurses and 3 aides on for days, 2 nurses and 2 aides for evenings and 2 nurses 1 aide for nights. I don't think the ratios are that bad everywhere though. Before this job I worked on a short stay surgical ward that had 15 beds and 3 staff nurses and 2 aides on for days. Unfortunately the ward was shut down for refurbishment and I had to take my current job. The medical department at my hospital is just having a lot of problems with staffing at the moment. I think what I'm trying to say in a round about way is that its just like the US, some hospitals having appalling ratios and some are fantastic.
The medical patients are on different units than surgical patients and from what Ive seen the surgical wards have way better ratios/supplies/facilities etc. At my particular hospital the medical wards really seem to get the shaft big time.
The amount of paid time off here is fabulous and I personally have found the management very supportive when it comes to child care issues, much more so than in the US. The pay isn't very good, but there are aspects of working for the NHS that really make up for the low pay.
Hope that helps despite the rambling on........

fergus51 · Feb 4, 2005

I think there is a poster using the user name Kaylesh who is an American nurse working in the UK. Maybe you could try sending her a pm?

Kaylesh · Feb 4, 2005

Hiya All

Kaylesh here (yep the American RN living and working in Scotland :-)

When i first came over here in July 99 i had already registered with the now NMC then the UKCC.. So that was done ...

I got my first post via a agency that is no longer in existance .or if they are i've got no clue where they have gone to:-)It was called Contechs Recruiting ( I think). Its been so long.:-).. They helped get my first post i interviewed first by telephone then came over on a scheduled holiday and interviewed in person. The agency had asked where my favourite area was so i chose Cardiology. I was interviewed by the Ward sister.. and was offered the post. The agency helped the hospital deal with the WORK PERMIT stuff.. i just gave the info when and as needed .

Yes it is true that you are tied to the employer for the length of the work permit unless you can find another employer willing to apply for another work permt.

Once you have been here for 4 years continuously on a work permt you can then apply for ILR (Indefinate Leave to Remain) which bascially means you are treated just like any other UK nurse as far as you go and work for whatever trust.. private agency..clinic that you are successful in interviewing at.

Hope this info helps and doesn't confuse you even more :-)

Kaylesh

Happy in Fife

fergus51 · Feb 5, 2005

Thanks for the post, glad I got the name right:)