American Nurses in U.K

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Hello Everyone!

It has been a long time since I have been here, so I hope that I am in the right place. I am thinking about nursing in London. All of my kids are adults and I love visiting the U.K. Has anyone worked in the NHS? If so, how was the experience? Thanks, in advance

Specializes in ICU.

Quick question for anyone who has gone through the process of registering with the NMC...

I have to provide a police clearance certificate. I've lived in one state for my whole adult life, is it okay to get a state background check with fingerprints or do I have to do an FBI one?

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing in USA and UK.

@Apandriano

For the CBT, I recommend using The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures (Student Edition) to prep. It gives some insight into the expectations and nuanced differences between, as well as help with some drug calculations which are mostly the same as you might find in America with the exception that you may be asked to calculate drip rate which is not something I had ever learned it do in America as it was not needed. It is also useful for prep for the OSCE, however as Temi1234 said almost every (if not all) hospitals will provide training for the OSCE with classes and practice sessions etc. If they don't, it might be worth looking into employment somewhere else because it is very important that you receive training for this highly nit-picky and overly-particular test.

As for the CBT, general nursing knowledge and making sure you're always choosing the response that promotes patient dignity and safety is the key to help you with that test. Also they don't let you use a calculator for the CBT drug calculations tests so make sure you're comfortable with doing those calculations by hand (some may require multiplying or dividing decimals).

When it comes to police clearance, I highly recommend applying for the full FBI screen. I had both my state's background check and my FBI screen because I was initially told the state was acceptable, but the NMC later got back to me and said an FBI screen was necessary. I had even called the NMC to ask and was told state only was acceptable only to have them ask for it later. I luckily had it to hand because I needed it for my work visa (separate application) but it's better to have more than less. You can opt to have your FBI clearance emailed digitally to you and then you can print it yourself; it does not need to be mailed to you (which can take many more days to weeks, especially with COVID slowing everything down). Definitely opt for the digital version and then print it yourself. Also save multiple copies on your computer.

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Specializes in ICU.
15 hours ago, kaitfinder said:

When it comes to police clearance, I highly recommend applying for the full FBI screen. I had both my state's background check and my FBI screen because I was initially told the state was acceptable, but the NMC later got back to me and said an FBI screen was necessary. I had even called the NMC to ask and was told state only was acceptable only to have them ask for it later. I luckily had it to hand because I needed it for my work visa (separate application) but it's better to have more than less. You can opt to have your FBI clearance emailed digitally to you and then you can print it yourself; it does not need to be mailed to you (which can take many more days to weeks, especially with COVID slowing everything down). Definitely opt for the digital version and then print it yourself. Also save multiple copies on your computer.

Thanks for the info! I have seen mixed messages on getting a state vs FBI one...someone has told me state was enough but maybe I'll just get an FBI one to be safe!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing in USA and UK.
13 hours ago, app22 said:

Thanks for the info! I have seen mixed messages on getting a state vs FBI one...someone has told me state was enough but maybe I'll just get an FBI one to be safe!

Absolutely go for the FBI one. You lose nothing by being extra prepared.

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Specializes in ICU.

@kaitfinder how does one start the process of getting registered in the UK?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
3 hours ago, emilyecrowe said:

@kaitfinder how does one start the process of getting registered in the UK?

Check out the NMC website for overseas applications

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing in USA and UK.

@emilyecrowe

Like Silverdragon said, starting with the NMC website for overseas nurses is a good place to start. It will help you know if your qualifications and degree are transferable and applicable. https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-the-eueea/new-application/

There are many other steps involved in moving to and working in the UK as a nurse but this would be one of the first ones, along with determining reasons for why you'd want to work here and whether you're really committed to it, because it is an involved and not inexpensive series of events, as well as a dedication of at least 2-3 years of your time.

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Specializes in Neuroscience/ICU.

Hello app22

send me a mail on [email protected]

if you still need assistance for your NMC CBT and English test and also guide on how to secure a job. I have some helpful materials

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 4/17/2020 at 1:23 AM, app22 said:

Quick question for anyone who has gone through the process of registering with the NMC...

I have to provide a police clearance certificate. I've lived in one state for my whole adult life, is it okay to get a state background check with fingerprints or do I have to do an FBI one?

Thanks in advance!

I was asked to provide both the one state where I had gotten my license/worked in and federal. I also had to get a disclosure form for the UK as I applied after I moved here (not dbs clearance as an employer has to request that for you)

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Specializes in ICU/Pulmonology.
On 3/29/2020 at 7:07 AM, Temi1234 said:

I used some questions to study for cbt, but I already got a job before writing osce, the hospital did osce training for the new international nurses and it was really helpful. U can also practice on you own, the Youtube video by health education England osce training is also helpful.

which hospital did you go through? I am a US nurse and I have been working on obtaining my UK nursing license since 2017. I am a UK citizen but so far no hospital I have contacted (even those with international programs) have been able to help and the NMC has provided contradictory information each time I contact them.

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On 3/29/2020 at 2:07 AM, Temi1234 said:

I used some questions to study for cbt, but I already got a job before writing osce, the hospital did osce training for the new international nurses and it was really helpful. U can also practice on you own, the Youtube video by health education England osce training is also helpful.

Please what questions did you use to study for the CBT? I learn better with questions and I think the Masden book may not be the best learning resource as the book seems too wordy. Thank

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing in USA and UK.
On 6/1/2020 at 12:00 PM, imchaney said:

which hospital did you go through? I am a US nurse and I have been working on obtaining my UK nursing license since 2017. I am a UK citizen but so far no hospital I have contacted (even those with international programs) have been able to help and the NMC has provided contradictory information each time I contact them.

What problem specifically are you having? From start to finish, obtaining my license as a non-UK citizen took roughly 9 months. There is a lot of misinformation out there and the NMC isn't always the best resource, unfortunately. I moved recently (Jan 2019).

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