Canadian RN thinking about the UK!

[Muskoka RN]

So I have been working in Canada after graduation for about the last 8 months. I am born and raised in Canada with my degree from a Canadian University.

Whats it like as an RN over there? I've heard of some places around the world specifically South Africa that nurses are mainly "physician hand-maidens"

Also what is it like as a male RN? I know it should not matter but I would prefer to not get harassed the entire time I am there.

I saw the NHS pay scale for nurses I think. It concerns me a little the amount they are getting paid compared to Canadian Dollars. However, I have no idea how an RN lives over there i.e cost of living.

Are jobs hard to come by? I believe I have to get an employer to sponsor me for a visa so getting a job easy would be nice.

I will be going alone, I have no significant other or children to bring a long.

Any other helpful things for me would be amazing! Thanks in advance.

P.S I tried to search but nothing that useful came up. Mostly US to UK.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

UK is expensive especially with gas/petrol, housing. Food I find varies some stuff is expensive and others cheaper (shopped both Uk and Canada) but spent approx the same each week pounds to Cdollars

Getting a work permit will be I think your biggest hurdle as jobs are getting less and less with many hospitals just not replacing staff that leave. I know this has happened at the hospital where my sister in law works. Employers have to prove that they are unable to employer from within the UK/EU before the rest of the world and nurse jobs on the shortage list isn't much

[Muskoka RN]

Ok great to know! Thanks.

I also read somewhere that the nursing council there states that 10% are male. So obviously there will be no problem with regards to that.

[MeditationPeace]

@ muskoka rn - i can't answer all your questions but i can say this - as a canadian, if you have a uk-born grandparent, you may apply to work here under an entry clearance. see uk border agency | uk ancestry

also, as you've only been working for 8 months, you're not able to apply for the overseas nurses programme required by the nmc quite yet. see trained outside europe | nursing and midwifery council

the pay here is very much less than what i earned as a highly experienced nurse in the usa, and the cost of living is much higher, so unless you're a true anglophile, it might not be worth it to you. however, i am very happy and satisfied to be in a beautiful part of england, and am holding out as long as i can, enjoying the country as i do!

for more information, see the nursing times website and try to access their message boards.