Wise to move from America to England?

World International

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Hello UK Nurses!

I am in my last year of Nursing school in America and am trying to decide what I should do once I graduate and get my license. I have met a very nice English fellow from Manchester at school this year and we are getting pretty serious. He is an exchange student and will be returning home in December. I am supposed to visit this summer and I am very excited because I have always wanted to go to England. I am even contemplating living there and start working as an RN. You see, I have always wanted to travel and I want to go anywhere and everywhere and I wouldn't mind living in another country for a while. (It doesn't have to be England, it's just pretty convenient since I know someone there now - I'm not exactly lovestruck or anything! :D) I am so excited to start my life and I feel like this has the potential to be amazing! But, I have to be practical. So, what I really want to know is, how is the hiring situation for nurses right now? Is it booming like the way it is in America? (to the point where they welcome foreign nurses?) And what is a typical nurse's salary range in England if you have a BSN?

Thank you all so much!!:redbeathe

Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.
I don't think saying British don't like the Americans because when I lived int eh UK I never came across it and many of my old patients kept waiting to hear when I would be moving cos it sounds like a great adventure and they wish they had the chance/strength and opportunity when they was younger

Just to add to this, I find that sweeping generalisations are rarely based on any actual fact. I think you'll find the vast majority of the British public are indifferent to Americans, and will in fact base their opinions on personal experiences rather than a countrywide dislike

My experiences have been all positive I have many very good American friends and find a comment such as "the British don't like the Americans" completely inaccurate.

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Specializes in Spinal Cord injuries, Emergency+EMS.
And that is the fabulous amount of 21,000 pounds per annum or about 1,200 pounds per month.

Basic , i.e. before unsocial hours payments , also don't forget you won't be paying excessive health insurance premiums either and will get annual increments as well as a cost of living rise ...

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Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.
Why would you like to move in UK? The nurses are abused and very stressed in here, many times they live work in tears and the salary is just the same if you are a diploma nurse or a Bnurse. And that is the fabulous amount of 21,000 pounds per annum or about 1,200 pounds per month. Also, british don't like americans at all. Every time when I mention about going in America they are pulling their faces and say that the yankees are idiots.

Well you've just made me "pull a face" reading such a inane statement. Yes nursing can be stressful and I don't think £21,000 is a bad starting salary for a newly qualified preceptorship nurse. As a band 5 nurse in time you have the opportunity to have a take home more pay than your band 7 ward manager, and I know this because I was a manager and many of my staff nurses would take home more than me.

We have a lot to be grateful for in the UK and particularly in the NHS, I know it's not perfect but things could be a lot worse.

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Specializes in Trauma Orthopaedics.

Personally, I wouldn't re-locate at the moment, as mentioned in earlier posts...... higher unemployment, strained economy, public service cutbacks mooted to balance books. Remember, last in first out.

On a lighter note though Manchester lads are great (I'm one) and Manchester is a great place to live these days.

Who says Average american is an Idiot, its the previous President who was.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree that sweeping generalizations aren't good nor should they be considered.

As an American who has lived abroad with the US military: any country is what you make of it. Go overseas, be respectful, smile, try to speak/learn the language/customs and you will be happy.

And...don't ever say: "well in the States we do it this way."

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I have a question not a reply. My wife and I will arrive in England this Dec, (2010). My wife will work as an ER, Nurse and I'm retired. I'm told that the company will provide housing and COLA. But, I'm not to sure. Any advise?

Thanks..

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Specializes in Trauma Orthopaedics.

Whats COLA....http://www.cola.org/? not meaning to be funny this org isn't the soft drink.

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Specializes in Trauma Orthopaedics.

I get it.....cost-of-living adjustments. I suppose thats an agreement with your employer. If a nurse from outside to inside London, He/She will get a London weighting to compensate for the higher living costs. Who are you working for?

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Sorry. I should have spelled it out. Cost of living allowance, (COLA).

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Thanks to all those who replied. The Economy is in a tail-spin on both sides of the Atlantic; I look forward to my year long stay in the UK, as a retired military man. My job: cook the meals, clean the flat and write. Not a bad deal.

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I had to giggle when reading this. I came to the international forum because one day I would like to move back to England. So, I just wanted to see what I'd have to get myself into after nursing school and gathering quite a bit of experience here.

So, the reason I had to giggle was, I lived in England for 2 years, my exhusband is British and I am American. Our son has duel citizenship, so he's a halfie. Anyway, when I lived in England, none of the British people I had become friends with ever hated Americans nor did any of the people I ever came across. Infact, when I left, they were sad to see my son and I go. Now, it's been nearly 4 years since I left and I really do miss it there. So one day in the future, I would like to move back. I felt more at home there then I have ever felt here in Virginia.

Anyway, good luck to any looking for international move and take care!

Xx,

Jamie

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Yeh, yeh... And racism never existed on Earth because there are so many couples of whites and blacks, isn't it?.

I don't think it was meant as an individual case, but rather as a general view of the brits regarding american mentalities.

Just because you deny a problem, it doesn't make it to dissapear.

Just because brits are marrying americans and viceversa, that does't wipe off the problem. Just type in the topic on the web and you'll find tons on this subject.

Anyway, the initial thread was started because somebody wanted some advice on moving to UK and I think traumaRUs advice was very good. As long as you do respect the country's culture you shouldn't have any problems.:)

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