Considering a move from US to UK or maybe even Austria

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I actually started a thread a long time ago in here asking about the differences between UK nursing and US nursing. I actually got scolded because I relayed what I had been told by others. I was accused of being disrespectful to UK nurses, so I wont say a word about what I have heard the differences to be at all in this thread.

I am, in fact, English and have nothing but respect for British nurses. I have lived in the US for about 7 years. I am an LVN working on my RN. I figured I would just paint a brief picture of my day as a nurse and maybe a UK nurse could do the same.

I work on a post-op floor. We max out at 6 pts per nurse. The floor has 24 private rooms. We have two techs who do vitals, toileting, empty foleys, feeding, walking, blood sugars, linen changes etc. I do these tasks too, but the techs are on the floor to do this only. I do assessments, give meds, deal with Physicians etc. As an LVN in Texas the only I can't do that RNs can is admission assessments, spike blood, d/c central lines. Everything else I can do. Physical therapy does all the CPM, ROM stuff, Respiratory therapy does all breathing treatments, and lab techs draw labs.

This is actually a very sweet deal even here in the US. Don't get me wrong, it is extremely stressful and fast paced, but I love it. My only gripe is the paper work. We do computer and paper charting. Nursing would be awesome if you didn't have to chart. The way we chart here, the way we are taught in school anyway, is basically writing out your testimony to protect your licence and your facility in court. We are taught to chart at least every two hours to at least show were have been in the room. Of course, what you actually chart is down to you.

I am interested to know how charting works for you guys.

I am also interested in how a US RN licence transfers to a UK one. I have heard (by saying "I have heard" I mean that someone else told me. I am by no means assuming this to be true, nor do I mean any disrespect towards UK nurses by relaying this information) that an RN in the US with an associate degree must first obtain her bachelors degree before being able to acquire a UK RN licence. Is this true?

The Visa thing is no problem, as I am English.

Thanks for reading!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

The best thing to do to find out if your training matches the UK is once you have completed RN is apply and meet requirements, Usually must meet 3 years training but is worked out on hours. Usually English may be waivered seeing as you are English but passing English is a requirement for foreign trained nurses with the NMC so will need to contact them. You will find staffing is a big issue in the UK with many wards working on 2-3 RN's with approx 1-3 HCA/Aux nurses for the full ward and we tend not to have techs to assist so any nebuliser therapy that needs to be given is usually done by the RN. Some hospitals may have phlebotomy service but they usually visit ward once a day any other time it is either RN or some hospitals may have support staff that will come if requested. Still lots of paperwork to do, same as if IV access is required. I remember working in one hospital and was normal to have 2 RN's for 28 patients with 2-3 HCA/Aux. HCA can do some stuff as they do NVQ training but depends at what level they are to what they can do. Nurses are finding it hard at the moment for jobs especially newly qualified.

http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1653

Sure some others will give their view on how things work in their hospital

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Specializes in med/surg.

Hehehe, I remember that thread Skwidward - it did get a little heated to say the least:lol2:

I too have it better than many UK nurses but that isn't to say my shifts are easy. I work just as hard as my NHS (I am in the UK private sector) counterparts but in truth am better supported and have a way better nurse : patient ratio. Therefore, I know I'm in a less stressful environment than the majority of nurses are.

My usual allocation is 5 patients. However, those are for me alone, there's no techs/LPN/CNA to help me, I do everything including changing the beds, washes, dressings, meds. I don't have to clean beds for discharges though or give out meals (like I did in the NHS). I can also cannulate & take bloods. All of us admit our own patients & do the necessary assessments etc - to be honest I don't think they're anywhere near as detailed as in the US - from what I've heard! ;)

I work on a totally mixed med/surg ward with all single rooms. We do everything bar surgeries that require ICU plus we take stable medical patients who are unlikely to need ICU. I enjoy the variety.

Paperwork is the bane of our life too & we have to chart pretty much as you do because many private patients are out to get all they can!! Especially if they've paid themselves - they try to get discounts for every little problem they perceive they encounter & they lie!! So we chart like billio too!

The 2 year Associate degree is not recognised here inthe UK - it has to be the full monty or nothing. However, as most foreign nurses can't get here anyway - we have our own version of retrogression going on - it's academic (heehee) at present!!

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per your post:

you must have a bachelor's degree in nursing to be licensed here (coming from the US). you will also likely have to take the IELTS English Language test. Be wary of the NMC and their requirements - I've had a really, really hard time dealing with them. Make multiple copies of all documents, document all calls, and be diligent.

good luck.

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.

Hi

I work on an acute Stroke Unit/Acute elderly medicine-28 beds.

Usually 2-3 RNs (dont have ENs) on duty. physiotherapists do physio but not nebs etc. Isually 2 healthcare assistants who often have no formal training but do obs/BMs, baths, beds etc.

High patient turnover (leave to go to rehab quite quickly)

I think this is pretty standard for most wards here now

Not sure where you are living in the US but unless its California or New York think you will find the cost of living here expensive

If I was me I wouldn't come to work here! (Now it's probably my turn to get told off again)

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miswoosie,

why you would not come to work in the UK. I've just done it and just wondering what is so different here than in USA (apart from salary that is ;-)?

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.

Well salary has to be one of the reasons, but certainly not the main one.

Others relate to our weather, social climate (if that's the correct term-I know what i mean anyway) Cost of living, population density,deteriorating health service, lack of career progression in nursing and working in an organisation that cares more about meeting targets than about patients and the welfare of its staff.

Maybe there are some more but off the top of my head I can't think of them.

It may depend on geographical location, your age, expectations etc- so often its a personal thing.

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Specializes in med/surg.
Well salary has to be one of the reasons, but certainly not the main one.

Others relate to our weather, social climate (if that's the correct term-I know what i mean anyway) Cost of living, population density,deteriorating health service, lack of career progression in nursing and working in an organisation that cares more about meeting targets than about patients and the welfare of its staff.

Maybe there are some more but off the top of my head I can't think of them.

It may depend on geographical location, your age, expectations etc- so often its a personal thing.

Yup.....think that just about sums it up nicely

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.
miswoosie,

why you would not come to work in the UK. I've just done it and just wondering what is so different here than in USA (apart from salary that is ;-)?

Sorry-forgot to ask if the nurse /patient ratios were 1/14 where you worked in the US- I understood that 1 nurse to 8 patients was considered a very poor ratio in the States?

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.
Yup.....think that just about sums it up nicely

Hey-you didn't tell me off or say I was "Old school"! LOL:cheers:

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