Please, I need some advice!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 6, 2006

I've spent a lot of time reading through the posts here, and from what I can gather getting work as a RN in the UK is extremely difficult. Is this correct? Would I be foolish to leave the US where there are plenty of jobs open, to go to the UK? Thanks in advance for replying.
~5thflrnurse

at the present there are huge financial problems facing the NHS are cutbacks in all areas especially nurses. Also the issue is getting a work permit as new rulings which came in a few months ago makes it harder for someone not from the EU get a job. Hospitals now have to go through a process of employing first a UK trained nurse, then EU before looking elsewhere. I should image agencies are also having problems because they will have to follow the same rules. Lastley NMC has made it harder for non EU nurses as you have to go through a 20 day protected learning course before they will issue you with a PIN enabling you to work in the UK and the courses are not many with long waiting lists.

Recently in the news about newly qualified nurses in the UK not finding jobs, they are definately less and less jobs and the nursing times which usually has hundreds of jobs and really thick is very thin with very few jobs. Can look online and their website is http://www.nursingtimes.net

Hope this helps and good luck in whatever you decide

RGN1 · Sep 8, 2006

I've spent a lot of time reading through the posts here, and from what I can gather getting work as a RN in the UK is extremely difficult. Is this correct? Would I be foolish to leave the US where there are plenty of jobs open, to go to the UK? Thanks in advance for replying.
~5thflrnurse

YES!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 8, 2006

YES!!

short and sweet

ukrn2ca · Sep 9, 2006

Where I am the only jobs open are for internal applications, & agency staff are almost 0 at the moment with no plans for future staff hire in the near or far future.

rsmit02 · Sep 10, 2006

Yes short and sweet is my answer to. Where I work in Scotland you are literaly waiting for someone to die or retire so you can get a job simple and sad as that. It is part of why I am leaving no jobs, no chance for promotion, rubbish wages and massive workload to boot.

Unless you want to move here for other big reasons I would stay where you are or look into going to Australia.

Ruthx

5thflrnurse · Sep 11, 2006

Thanks everyone for replying. My husband is English, and wants us to move back to England. So my situation is a little different than others. I have already gone through the whole nmc process, I just have to do the 20 day placement, and I've heard this is extremely difficult to secure.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 11, 2006

Thanks everyone for replying. My husband is English, and wants us to move back to England. So my situation is a little different than others. I have already gone through the whole nmc process, I just have to do the 20 day placement, and I've heard this is extremely difficult to secure.

more a case of not many places at approved universities and too many people. At least you have things a little easier being married to a UK citizen hopefully hospitals won't turn you away due to new immigration rules of employing someone UK then EU and finally elsewhere in the world

Good luck

mmsparkle · Sep 24, 2006

I've spent a lot of time reading through the posts here, and from what I can gather getting work as a RN in the UK is extremely difficult. Is this correct? Would I be foolish to leave the US where there are plenty of jobs open, to go to the UK? Thanks in advance for replying.
~5thflrnurse

I'd advise getting the job first, if at all possible! What area of nursing are you looking to go into? Some have more vacancies than others.

Good luck.