NZ nurse to work in UK

[SurgicalSmurf]

Hello, I'm new to this so please bare with me.

I have my concerns about nursing in the UK.

1) Patient to Nurse ratio: I've worked in New Zealand and UK where patient to nurse ratio is 1:4-5. I heard in UK NHS nurses have upto 12 patients and also responsible for all the admissions, discharges, running of ward etc.

In New Zealand we did our admissions and discharges but how on earth do u cope with 12 patients??? This is putting me off working in the Uk. The upside to it though its sounds like UK nurses are very well trained and have super powers.

2) The pay of UK nurses seem to be less than half which is earned in Australia. Is wage in Uk comparable to the living standards and average income. I've seen that PA or office managers get paid more than the nurses there.

3) Is there plenty of support for Australian and New Zealand RN's to adjust their practice to meet the standards required.

If there are any New Zealand or Australian trained and experienced RN's please can you give me your experience of nursing in the UK. Is it worth doing nursing over there. If so what are the reasons. Most Uk nurses I've worked with here have given me many horror stories of nursing in UK but they are so excellently trained and have extensive knowledge. They appear to have alot of confidence in clinical decisions and nursing interventions.

I've also had one positive outlook from one nurse who says nursing in Uk gives you more responsibility and autonomy. Is this a good thing. Is it safe practice to be looking after so many patients. Is it not putting nurses in higher pressured and stressful work environment leading to less optimal patient outcomes?

How does it affect the nurse and their personal life?

Is it stressful adapting to the nursing change or will the change help me with my nursing skills for future practice?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the international forum

Ratio in the UK hospitals I worked in averaged 1 RN to 14 patients and there would be 2 RN's working on days we may get the charge nurse or another RN to assist, lates was 2 RNs and nights was 1 RN with another RN that worked between the 2 wards. There would also be 2-3 care assistants working on the ward assisting with patient care and taking patients to various departments for various tests unless a RN was required to go

We did all admissions, discharges and anything in-between including Venipuncture, Cannulation and IV drug therapy including mixing things especailly antibiotics. Only certain drugs like potassium was done by the pharmacy department.

Pay has always been a problem and working in Canada my colleagues cant believe how much I am now making compared to the UK

I always found good support for anyone that was new to the hospital and there was usually some form of orientation giving you chance to learn before being on your own and even then you find you are usually working with someone more experienced than yourself

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

It very much depends where you work.

Ratios on my unit are for 20 patients 5 qualified nurses and 2 assistants. The nurse in charge does not take patients but coordinates.