nursing in England

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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!! :uhoh3:

Thank you for the replies....I do want the experience of being able to work in the UK as a nurse. Do you have any idea on what my chances would be as working as a nurse assistant? ANd if i did get the Highly skilled work permit for $3,000, my fear would be that i spent all the money for the permit and still not be able to find employment because i am not from the UK....any idea if me as an American already with a work permit , if that would give me any advantage against nurses from the UK that would also want the job??? OR it doesn't matter---UK nurses always come first??? Thanx in advance to those who respond:welcome:

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This stinks. I always wanted to live in England. (I am from the US) My dream was to own a home there and have dual citizenship, but almost every occupation there seems to be "full." I am not sure if there are any jobs there that will hire people in the US. Even the MBA rquirements have changed. It used to be HSMW, now you have to have an MBA from a top 100 school. It is not in demand anymore.

Thanks for all the replies. This has been an interesting read. I guess I will just have to wait until I am old and retired to move to England!

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Natalie and Pumpkin, it does seem really unfair but we have students qualifying with no prospects of jobs, they are british nurses so unless there is no British nurse who is qualified to do the job then they british nurses will take priority, an in my opinion this is as it shoul be we have spent so much money training these nurses that it would be a waste of tax payers money if they didnt come first for jobs.

As far as working as a HCA, I am not sure about that you woul have to check with the hospitals that you want to work in you may find that they will jump at the chance for a well qualified HCA, but you may fin that they will not even consider you because you are overqualified.

This kind of situation has happened before in th UK, when I qualified there were no jobs but within a few years there was a national shortage of nurses. Thats the thing with the NHS it changes quite a bit within relatively short periods of time.

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Have you thought about Nursing Home work?I know it's not what you have been doing but you might have more chance getting a job there and it will be only for a short time.Do you know what area you will be moving too? I'm sure members here can point you in the direction of Nursing Homes in that area.

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thanks for the reply....working in a nursing home may not be that bad~~~i just want the experience of working in England. Would it be easier to obtain a job in a nursing home??? Are there more jobs available in a nursing home? i will be living in Thetford, if that helps at all. Thanks again for the replies

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.
thanks for the reply....working in a nursing home may not be that bad~~~i just want the experience of working in England. Would it be easier to obtain a job in a nursing home??? Are there more jobs available in a nursing home? i will be living in Thetford, if that helps at all. Thanks again for the replies

Nursing homes in the main are private business so are not under the financial pressures the NHS is. SO technically yes getting work in a home should be easier.

FInd out what homes are in the area and give the matron / manager a call

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.

Have you spoken to any agencys who cover that area? Thetford is well placed for Norwich, Cambridge and Ipswich. I know that alot of hospitals are not using agency but some are. I am heading back to the UK for 2 months and was looking into agency work and some are still hiring. Might be worth a look. Also, agencys might be able to hook you up with nursing related work, eg..working at festivals or on movie sets, etc... Good luck!

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Specializes in medical/surgical.

Plenty of jobs here in Ireland!

I think the pay scales are slightly better than the UK and we're getting the 37.5 hour working week soon too!

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thank u everyone for responding....but SCAttycarrot, do you know how i can find info about those agency's in Thetford area in order to find employment, i can't seem to find any angencies for nursing in England on the internet????

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Specializes in ITU/Emergency.
thank u everyone for responding....but SCAttycarrot, do you know how i can find info about those agency's in Thetford area in order to find employment, i can't seem to find any angencies for nursing in England on the internet????

Yep try this:

http://www.nursing-agencies-list.com/

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Specializes in OR, and more recently PACU and SDC.
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!!!

Ah, the process of getting to England...I have be trying to get information on the step by step process in order to get registration to England. I am a highly qualified OR nurse and might be moving soon. How and where do I start? I'd rather start now and have it all done before going there. These things can be more complicated once you're across the pond. Getting to the USA seems to have been a breeze in comparison. Any suggesions will be helpful. Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Ah, the process of getting to England...I have be trying to get information on the step by step process in order to get registration to England. I am a highly qualified OR nurse and might be moving soon. How and where do I start? I'd rather start now and have it all done before going there. These things can be more complicated once you're across the pond. Getting to the USA seems to have been a breeze in comparison. Any suggesions will be helpful. Thanks!

here is the starting point and the process is going to take some time and you have to meet all requirements before NMC will give you a PIN which enables you to work as RN in the UK http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1653

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