International Nursing

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I am wanting to relocate and move to the UK once I graduate from nursing school. I have family in Germany and since I do not fluently speak German think that the UK would be my best option. I do not know how to go about locating a job in the UK as a nurse, nor can I find information on what sort of requirements I need to be in order to practice there. Anyone who can provide me with some insight or where I need to begin, I would greatly appreciate it. I am traveling over next October, after I graduate, to determine exactly where I would like to live.

Thanks,

Mary Ann

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

To be able to work as a RN in the UK you will need to go through NMC and meet their requirements and will also depend on your training in the US. Secondly unless you have a EU passport ie passport from one of the EU countries then you will find it hard to get a employer and work permit. I know you mention family in Germany but do you have passport otherwise you are going to find it very hard.

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Thank you for responding, I think the class you are speaking of is 20 hours? Which should be of no issue. I will follow your advice and make sure to get my ducks in a row. And yes, I do have a passport since Im in America its from here, so will I be ok? Do I have to go thru the British Embassy?

M-

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

What Silverdragon was asking is if you have a European passport, the problem you will face will be immigration, if you have a european or UK passport then you will not need a work visa to work in the UK.

Nursing is no longer a shortage occupation in the UK and unless you work in a area that is listed as a shortage occupation your not going to be eligable for a work visa in the UK.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Thank you for responding, I think the class you are speaking of is 20 hours? Which should be of no issue. I will follow your advice and make sure to get my ducks in a row. And yes, I do have a passport since Im in America its from here, so will I be ok? Do I have to go thru the British Embassy?

M-

There is a bit more than just the 20 hours with the NMC. If you have a passport from Germany then you don't need to go anywhere like the British embassy for anything. The process will take several months and you will need a PIN from NMC before you can work a . There are a couple of places you can look for work but I imagine gaining some experience would be better for you and even if from the EU you will still be competing against UK nurses and they will come first.

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What we are trying to explain to you is that the UK essentially has a hiring freeze in place. Unless you have significant work experience in an area where they have a shortage such as PICU or NICU; then it is going to be quite difficult for you to get a visa to be able to live and work there as an RN.

If you actually have a passport from one of the EU countries, then not an issue; but as an American, a big issue.

And also depends on the type of training that you are getting here, they will not consider you without a BSN to meet their immigration requirements. The two year degrees from here do not meet them.

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