nursing in England

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 11, 2007

I have been a Registered nurse for >3yrs in the USA, working in ECU/trauma center. I am moving to England, close to Cambridge and Bury, and want to work over there as a RN, I've been Considering obtaining the Highly Skilled Immigrant Work Permit (which allows me to go to an employer w/a work permit already), which is very expensive, but worth it to me if i can get a job easier, but i am unsure if i really need it or not? Do you recommend it? Will i have any problems finding an employer to sponsor me for a work permit if i don't obtain this highly skilled permit? Any recommended employers to check out near Cambridge or Bury that will employ me? Thank you in advance so much for any info you can provide me with!!

If you are looking for an employer to help with work permit then to be honest I think you are going to find it hard. Nursing jobs are currently in decline with lots of student nurses struggling to find a job when they qualify, also hospitals are cutting back on staff including nurses due to financial management. Also immigratio has changed and employers have to go this route to employ UK, EU then the rest of the world. If you are exceptional and the hospital employs you then they have to prove to immigration that they have done everything to try and find someone from UK/EU and or you are exceptional in what you offer. To look for employers I would suggest approaching NHS hospitals in the area you want to live. Also check out the nursing times website and that will give you an idea on jobs advertised and also check this out for jobs http://www.jobs.nhs.uk/

Have you also gone through the NMC because unless you have done that I do not think you will find anyone and the process is long and you must complete language exam and 20 day protected learning at a recognised university

Hope this helps and good luck

nightmare, RN · Jun 11, 2007

quote by Silverdragon

"Have you also gone through the NMC because unless you have done that I do not think you will find anyone and the process is long and you must complete language exam and 20 day protected learning at a recognised university"

I have Polish and Czech collegues who now have their NMC reg.but neither of them had to do either language test or 20 days at uni.

allnurses Guide · Jun 11, 2007

quote by Silverdragon
"Have you also gone through the NMC because unless you have done that I do not think you will find anyone and the process is long and you must complete language exam and 20 day protected learning at a recognised university"
I have Polish and Czech collegues who now have their NMC reg.but neither of them had to do either language test or 20 days at uni.

they will now, changes since Feb 2007

http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1653

nightmare, RN · Jun 11, 2007

Cheers XB9S, didn't know that.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 11, 2007

quote by Silverdragon
"Have you also gone through the NMC because unless you have done that I do not think you will find anyone and the process is long and you must complete language exam and 20 day protected learning at a recognised university"
I have Polish and Czech collegues who now have their NMC reg.but neither of them had to do either language test or 20 days at uni.

as mentioned yes you now have to do a language test even if your given language is English. Even if going within EU countries it is expected that you know the native language before you are allowed to nurse. I know this has been the case with France for a few years

IrishRen · Jun 11, 2007

How about Ireland? I used to be a nurse recruiter...until I decided to become a nurse myself! I'm from Rhode Island and moved here in 1995. Visit www.aba.ie for information about getting registered in Ireland. Check the www.jobs.ie or www.careersinhealth.ie or www.irishjobs.ie. or http://www.lifelinenurses.com/rates.htm to get an idea of salary. Remember to do the currency conversion! The employer will apply and pay for your work permit and the agency will walk you through the registration process. The only thing that you will pay for is the Nursing Registration itself. It is illegal in Ireland to charge recruitment fees to job seekers; they are paid for by the employer.

IrishRen · Jun 11, 2007

Hi again, Actually anyone considering working outside your native country should always contact the prospective country's Nursing Board as the first step! Check the education requirements for registration; many countries only accept BSN and not the 2 year ADN. Most NB are very helpful and will send you the registration package and tell you approximately how long the procedure takes.

RGN1 · Jun 12, 2007

Where I work the Director of Nursing cannot recruit anyone not from the UK or EU because any work permit that she applies for from those outside these places gets turned down.

Nursing is no longer a schedule A job here in the UK. That's not because we're not short of nurses but because there's a job freeze in the cash strapped NHS that is having a knock on effect in the private sector.

As said already you need to check in with the NMC. Along with Ireland you could also consider Scotland, their rules are slightly different - I posted info on another similar thread here about that. Try a search.

nataly3 · Jun 13, 2007

Thanks everyone for the reply's....I do have my Bachelor's degree in Nursing and am almost complete registrating w/the NMC, passed the English test and everything!! my question is, i am moving to England for only 6months or so......is it worth me paying for the ONP program and try to find a job??? OR i can also pay $3,000 and get the highly skilled work permit before even taking the ONP program---but is it worth it if they won't hire me first b/c i am not from the UK, even though i would be already holding a work permit?? I appreciate any advice on my 2 questions-----THANK YOU!!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 13, 2007

Thanks everyone for the reply's....I do have my Bachelor's degree in Nursing and am almost complete registrating w/the NMC, passed the English test and everything!! my question is, i am moving to England for only 6months or so......is it worth me paying for the ONP program and try to find a job??? OR i can also pay $3,000 and get the highly skilled work permit before even taking the ONP program---but is it worth it if they won't hire me first b/c i am not from the UK, even though i would be already holding a work permit?? I appreciate any advice on my 2 questions-----THANK YOU!!!

It is hard to say whether you will get a job if you are only coming for a short time. A lot depends on where abouts you are living and what the current job situation is like in that area. To be honest newly qualified nurses are struggling to find work and hospitals are laying staff off or not replacing staff when they leave plus using less agency. I would probably approach hospitals in the area you are looking to live and speak to ward managers/sisters/charge nurses in the hospitals and see if there are jobs and what are your chances. Having a work permit is to your advantage

allnurses Guide · Jun 13, 2007

$3000 is alot to pay for only 6 months, not sure how much you will earn IF you can get a job but I looking at the conversion I make that about £1500 which will more than likely be more than you will earn in one month.

It depends on why you want to work here really, if it is to experience working within another system and culture then yes it may well be worth it, or because you will be in financial difficulty maybe (although I am sure that there will be easier places to find work doing different jobs in the UK)

It would all depend on if the trust in the area you are living has jobs and if there are no UK applicants and after that if there are no EU applicants which all will take priority over you.