Job for L&D nurse in the UK?

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, IBCLC, SCN.

Hello! I'm working to get registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council in the UK. Currently, I'm a labor and delivery nurse in the US. I know L&D nurses aren't used much in the UK, however I thought I could still probably work in surgery, or women's health, such as gynecolgy or sexual health. I've passed my CBT, and have my decision letter, however, I'm not having any luck finding a position, or even an agency to work with. I *think* it's because I'm an L&D nurse. I've tried asking several agencies for help and haven't had any luck there either. I've contacted the NMC, the Royal College of Nurses, and the NHS, as well as researched the government website on immigration and visas. Any ideas or suggestions for me? I'd hate to give up, however, after working on this for over a year now, I'm starting to wonder if I need to. ?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Have you checked out nhs.jobs website? Should be lots of jobs in that area however I guess a lot will depend on where you plan on living and working in

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, IBCLC, SCN.

Yes, definitely, and have applied for numerous positions! Originally, I had planned to move to Leicester, to be near family, however, now I will live and work wherever I can find a position

When you say lots of jobs in that area, do you mean labor and delivery? I have not found any!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

The option may be apply for anything just to get foot through the door and experience behind your belt of working in a UK environment

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, IBCLC, SCN.

So just keep applying to anything even somewhat relevant and hope eventually someone is willing to give me a chance and sponsor me? Are you in the UK?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I was born and trained as a nurse in the UK but now live in Canada. Nursing is struggling in the UK unfortunately and many areas are short of nurses and you may just need to get your foot through the door by applying to areas where many agencies are successful in placing nurses and gain UK experience whilst looking for work in both the area you want to work in as well as the area you want to live

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hi, very unlikely you will get a position in maternity without having a midwifery qualification - the "M" bit of the NMC. That is a whole training and will be 3 years as a student unless you can get it shortened due to previous experience.

As Silverdragon stated if you have the qualifications to work in the NHS then apply for anything and everything as a staff nurse to get your foot in the door. You may be lucky and get a Gynae job. Unlikely to get sexual health job as they tend to be few and far between and go to experienced people.

Once you are in the hospital as a staff nurse you can then look around for a position more fitting your skills. My advice FWITIW is forget all about maternity and concentrate on pointing out your surgical and other skills. Get someone to have a look at your CV - does that need worked on?

I have just done a quick search on NHS Jobs for Band 5 Nurses in Leicestershire and up popped 30 vacancies, some of them in surgical.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, IBCLC, SCN.

Thanks! What is the best way to learn what areas the agencies have been successful placing nurses in?

My CV lists all my experience, which is, of course, heavy on L&D, and I’ve been highlighting various aspects in the application. For instance, I use the spot for saying why I’d be a good fit to point out my surgical experience, or teaching if it’s an educator position. Do you have suggestions on altering my CV? I had rewritten it for an agency, and included a list of my skills, though I haven’t been using that one when I apply on my own.

I’ve gotten a few invitations to interview, however, so far, no one has been able to do so long distance.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
17 hours ago, Kara Flowers said:

Thanks! What is the best way to learn what areas the agencies have been successful placing nurses in?

Sorry, can't help you, I am in Scotland and have no idea of English agencies.

17 hours ago, Kara Flowers said:

My CV lists all my experience, which is, of course, heavy on L&D, and I’ve been highlighting various aspects in the application. For instance, I use the spot for saying why I’d be a good fit to point out my surgical experience, or teaching if it’s an educator position. Do you have suggestions on altering my CV? I had rewritten it for an agency, and included a list of my skills, though I haven’t been using that one when I apply on my own.

The trust I worked for tended to use application forms rather than CV's but perhaps if you send your CV to Human Resources in the trust you are interested in they may be able to advise you of proper application procedure. They may also be able to put you forward for a generic Band 5 post. Email them and ask for advice.

17 hours ago, Kara Flowers said:

I’ve gotten a few invitations to interview, however, so far, no one has been able to do so long distance.

Don't see why this should be a problem. My department interviewed someone in Australia 15 years ago so technology has definitely improved since then. Sounds as if they just can't be bothered. Again go through HR.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, as I said I am in Scotland which has a slightly different system. I did work with one American student who was an RN in America but had decided to just go back to being a student in UK as that was simplest for her. I am not advocating that idea but it is something that can be done.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Birmingham isn’t that far from Leicester, it might be worthwhile searching for posts at Birmingham women’s hospital.

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Specializes in Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, IBCLC, SCN.

Thanks, I will be in the UK for a couple weeks next month, I’ll see if I can get to Birmingham while I’m there

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