Differences between Hospitals in the UK & US

[YB3682]

Hello, I am a nurse in the US and I have mainly practiced in large cities like New York City. I am currently thinking about traveling to the UK as an international travel nurse. I was wondering if anyone has done the same or vice versa. I am curious about the differences between the two health systems. Such as how the UK hospitals are staffed as far as nurse to patient ratios and about nursing in the UK in general. I have seen other posts on travel nursing in the UK but they are more about how to do it than the differences between the two nursing cultures.

[ninis]

I am an RN, moved to the US 2 years ago. I worked in England for 5 years as an RN. I haven't been working here in the US yet so I have noting to compre it with but I can tell you a little bit about the UK nursing system from my perspective that is. Perhaps you can be so kind to shre what you think I should expect when I start working in the US.

-Healthcare in the UK is national health( everyone is entitled for free healthcare) therefore you don't have to worry about PPO/HMO etc ( still can't get my head around that).

-Unless you are working in ICU or OR you don't have to wear scrubs. Most hospitals provide you with uniform.

-Most of the assessment such as listening to lungs and heart sounds are done by the doctors therefore you may not see many nurses carrying stethoscope. It is still okay to use yous.

-You get paid once a month, not divided into two.( That is not only in nursing)

So, I worked in a one of the best major teaching hospital (Guy's and St. Thomas' ) in London. It will depend on what kind of ward you will be working. If you work in a general admissions ward, the ratio could be up to 6pts. As it is an admission ward it will be fast paced. Lots of admissions and transfers. You will have Health Care Assistants(HCA) to help you with washes, obs and making beds etc...everything is still your responsibility, they are there to assist you only.

If you work in speciality area like CCU,ratio would be 2 pts. I loved that, as you will have more time to give a full days of quality nursing care with less interference.

Oh, I don't know if this is new but, Drs are called Dr. but surgeons are called Mr. :-)

Hope it helps. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

Just wanted to clarify the above post, not everyone is entitles to free NHS healthcare, it depends on your immigrations status. Free ER care, yes, everyone gets that, but routine and primary care is not automatically free.

You will find the pay is less, I get about the same for a 12 hour shift in England as I get for an 8 hour shift in the US.

There are no LPNs, and the CNAs are called HCAs.

Your main problem will be getting a visa and then your UK RN, I think there are threads elsewhere on this forum about that.