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Discussion

How would you view me?

People that have viewed previous posts of mine have seen that I will be going to the UK in the Fall (under my husband's work permit). I received my NMC pin and will start an ONP. And YES.........it was a ridiculous amount of work to get the pin.

I am wanting a true, honest opinion:twocents: on what kind of reception a US nurse will get when working over there. Will other nurses resent me knowing that the unemployment issue is big w/ UK nurses wanting a job? Will they be happy to have an extra pair of hands? What are ratios in an ICU...are these nurses overworked? I just want to know what to look forward to and if there are any social nuances that I might not understand being an American in the UK nursing system.

Thanks...and don't sugar coat it, I can take it :argue:

Featured Replies

  • Guides

ICU's usually have a 1:1 ratio for level 3 patients, 1:2 for level 2 (HDU)

I think that silverdragon has posted recently the list of shortage occupations, but with critical care this will apply to the higher level grades, and to be honest there will be tough competition for these jobs.

If you have a working Visa and a NMC pin then it may be worth you looking into joining a nurse bank at a hospital where you live, you may be able to at least get yourself known in the hospital.

As I am sure you have already read, the jobs that are advertised have to go to UK then EU citizens first and only if unsuccessful from there will they be able to look at international applicants.

Our HR usually sift those that do not have a working permit out but I am not sure where you would stand as you have a permit, it may well be that you would be allowed to apply, this again you would need to check.

you are a nurse.. and very welcome.

what you might find difficult is the language barrier!! I know we speak English but sometimes I dont think its the same as american english.. on some of the threads I have read here, it seems to be totally different!

for example.. you have fanny packs, over here a fanny is a slang word for a womans rear end (trying to be polite so not to upset the mods!).

so welcome.. oh.. and you really will need to learn how to spell properly.. colour has U in it etc!!

karen

  • Guides
you are a nurse.. and very welcome.

what you might find difficult is the language barrier!! I know we speak English but sometimes I dont think its the same as american english.. on some of the threads I have read here, it seems to be totally different!

for example.. you have fanny packs, over here a fanny is a slang word for a womans rear end (trying to be polite so not to upset the mods!).

so welcome.. oh.. and you really will need to learn how to spell properly.. colour has U in it etc!!

karen

:D

Paediatrics has an A

we have solicitors and not attorneys

jam is jelly and jelly is jello

:yeah:Hi sharrie,

You are very much welcome here in UK. I love working with people coming from different countries, I learn a lot from them.At the hospital where I worked there a lot of foreign nurses and we all work well together. We all have different accents but we understand each other and have lots of laugh about it.

Oooops sorry I meant Vegas Nurse05 not Sharrie.

Welacome to uk VegasNurse05.

  • Guides
Oooops sorry I meant Vegas Nurse05 not Sharrie.

Welacome to uk VegasNurse05.

:D :D I've been here a very very very long time

Actually over here in the UK "fanny" is NOT the rear end of a woman - it's the front end!! Therefore "fanny pack" has a whole new meaning that the mods might not like me going into!!

I think you should get a great reception - a good nurse is a good nurse period! Of course if you're not a good nurse..............:D

You'll find there's things we do differently here but that's all part of the fun. You won't have techs to do stuff like obs, washes or making the beds though!

From what I gather from the US posts you will enjoy a closer working relationship with the doctors here who, for the most part (& I know there are exceptions but from my own experience they are now more the minority than the majority) do listen to your opinions & act on information you provide them. I think we enjoy more autonomy here than most US nurses think we do.

I wish you all the best, I hope you enjoy your new job & get settled quickly. I also hope you'll let us know how things are going as I'm sure I'm not the only one who'll be very interested in what you make of it here!

hey,,,,,,,,,it will be the same as they view the brits over here of course, that nurse with the funny accent !

Be ready for everyone and I mean everyone saying you talk funny! cos thats all I get!

Good luck you will have a great time as long as your husband earns loads of cash!

I think you'll do just fine. I'm American and have nearly completed my nurse training here in the UK (8 weeks to go!), and the main reaction that I get is "Why would you want to come over here?" I've lived here nearly six years and haven't had much negativity at all - just now people are very confused by my accent, as no one can figure it out anymore!

I am sure you will be welcomed if you are good at your job and make an effort to mix with others and fit in. Some people might be difficult towards you but that is their 'stuff' and not your problem. there is always help and support around if you need it so make sure you have a couple of close buddies that you can go to if you need moral support.

Enjoy!

Claire

  • Experts

I have never worked in the UK but have worked (non-nursing jobs) in Japan, Korea and Spain. Anytime you go overseas, it is best to try to fit in. You can do this by being open to a new culture and new way of doing things. I lived overseas for a total of 9 years and learned so much and met some wonderful people. As Americans overseas we are ambassadors. You may meet people that have never been out of the UK or the EU. Their only impression of Americans is what you give them. You will have an adjustment period and there might be things you never get used to. However, this is a wonderful opportunity, so take advantage of it. Good luck and please update us.

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