Are you a US to England Travel nurse

[empatheticRN]

I have thought of moving from the US to England as a RN.Do you have any experience in this area. What were your challenges? I have seen several UK RN jobs with terms like Band 5 or 6 what does that mean? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Did you acquire a work permit? what was needed in order to work legally in the UK?

[bonjoe07]

I would like to know as well, I am practicing in U.S. But educated in Canada

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Check out the nurse registration or international nursing forum in the world section. The licensing application process is lengthy. You need to be registered and have a pin to be considered for a job. UK citizens then EU citizens get first priority.

Band 5 is a typical floor nurse. Band 6 is supervisor.

[NedRN]

A work permit is required before you enter the country to work and requires a job and a nursing license. I cooled my heels for a couple of weeks in France (not upset in the slightest) until my work permit was issued. You can also enter on a tourist visa, but you have to leave and return after you get your work permit.

[empatheticRN]

I was just browsing and found that there is a wealth of info in the international section. Just click on the NURSES tab in the top left corner, then scroll down to WORLD NURSING then scroll to INTERNATIONAL NURSING or NURSING in THE UK TAB

[empatheticRN]

Thanks very much.

[empatheticRN]

thanks very much

[empatheticRN]

A work permit is required before you enter the country to work and requires a job and a nursing license. I cooled my heels for a couple of weeks in France (not upset in the slightest) until my work permit was issued. You can also enter on a tourist visa, but you have to leave and return after you get your work permit.

How long would you say the process took from application to getting the permit? How long is the permit good for? Are you saying you were offered a job prior to the permit or you applied for the jobs once you've gotten the permit? That is just absurd that you have to leave and then re-enter. Thanks very much for responding. I'm glad for the insight.

[empatheticRN]

Check out the nurse registration or international nursing forum in the world section. The licensing application process is lengthy. You need to be registered and have a pin to be considered for a job. UK citizens then EU citizens get first priority.

Band 5 is a typical floor nurse. Band 6 is supervisor.

Thank you very much

[NedRN]

Virtually every country in the world requires that you have a job and work permit before entering the country (New Zealand is a rare exception to that rule by the way). You can't get a work permit in any country without a job offer. Generally proof of need is required by the employer as well, demonstrating that they cannot find available skilled workers in the country. As I recall, getting the license and job and permit took several months while I continued taking travel assignments here. This was back in 1998 and everything was done by actual letters and documents, not computer. I knew the work permit had been approved before I flew over, but it took a while for bureaucracy actually spit out the document. It was mailed to me in France. I would assume some documentation is electronic now.

[empatheticRN]

Virtually every country in the world requires that you have a job and work permit before entering the country (New Zealand is a rare exception to that rule by the way). You can't get a work permit in any country without a job offer. Generally proof of need is required by the employer as well, demonstrating that they cannot find available skilled workers in the country. As I recall, getting the license and job and permit took several months while I continued taking travel assignments here. This was back in 1998 and everything was done by actual letters and documents, not computer. I knew the work permit had been approved before I flew over, but it took a while for bureaucracy actually spit out the document. It was mailed to me in France. I would assume some documentation is electronic now.

I never knew. Did you go through an agency to obtain an offer? Do job openings specifically state if they will Sponsor you into coming in their country (UK). How long is it before a permit expire? You said you " continued taking travel assignments here" , are we referring to the US at this point? Thanks in advance

[NedRN]

Yup, travel assignments in the US. At the time I was working for Cross Country and they had an affiliate or association with an agency in Britain who found the job offer, I presume for a finders fee of some kind. I was an NHS employee on what was technically a 6 month contract. I spent more like 8 months there including taking advantage of the generous vacations they have there. I don't think the permit expired unless you quit your job.