pay in the UK

karenG · Sep 10, 2003

oh sorry navy nurse- thats right!!!!!!!! why do you think we have such recruitment problems!! the pay is terrible. The hours- well I cant comment cos I work in general practice and have nice hours! the pay structure is changing- so our pay should improve but the NHS is underfunded and sometimes I think we are at the bottom of the tree when it comes to pay etc!! But having said that, I wouldnt work anywhere else.............and thats how they get us!!

Karen

karenG · Sep 10, 2003

oh sorry navy nurse- thats right!!!!!!!! why do you think we have such recruitment problems!! the pay is terrible. The hours- well I cant comment cos I work in general practice and have nice hours! the pay structure is changing- so our pay should improve but the NHS is underfunded and sometimes I think we are at the bottom of the tree when it comes to pay etc!! But having said that, I wouldnt work anywhere else.............and thats how they get us!!

Karen

bettyboop · Sep 10, 2003

hi navy nurse

again sorry!! to say thats correct £16000 rising in yearly increments to £17,500 not much really in 5 yrs employment nurses in london area get a little extra but cost of living etc higher. There is some good news you get 5+ weeks holiday with pay each year.

Unlike Karen I have just started the process of emmigrating to USA with my family, although I have loved every place I have worked in. Now is the best time to go to states

Bettyboop

kermit27 · Sep 10, 2003

Hi NavyNurse,

I'm just starting out as an RN student over here, but as an American with and English husband, I am definitely planning to go back to the US when we can swing it.

I love England and have lived here for more than 12 years, but the cost of living is definitely higher, esp. in London. Unless you live in San Fran or Manhattan, be prepared for a shock, esp. around housing.

The countryside and the history/culture are beautiful, you can have breakfast in Paris and lunch in London, and universal free health care at the point of delivery is a noble and worthy concept, and for the most part it does work, but the NHS is full of dedicated, over worked underpaid staff at just about all levels.

My work as a health care assistant (equivalent to CNA? I think) impressed on me the great dedication of most of my colleagues, and the absolutely amazing support that a national health and social service gives to its patients (mine were elderly and the levels of home support that many received amazed me -- all on the tax payer!)

There are lots of post on this subject around. Enjoy england while you're young and childless -- travel and work and learn about this wonderful and eccentric country.

good luck!

CCURN · Sep 11, 2003

Unfortunatley all above is true, but if you really want to move to the UK and are prepared for the change in lifestyle then you will be fine. I have worked in the US for 3 yrs now, and are preparing to move back. Life in the UK is fun but pricey....you will have to decide which is more important.....You can always try it out for a while and move back if you dont like it. There are no sign on bonuses. The government doesnt have any money to even give nurses good ray raises, let alone bonuses.

Good luck

catz · Oct 3, 2003

yep pay in the uk is bad especially when compared to usa. makes no difference if u do a 4 year degree course or a 3 year diploma course. u still start at the same level and have the same promotion prospects.

me i want to move to south carolina as soon as i possibly can afford it. england is beautiful but way more expensive for living. only advantage is the nhs when u r ill cos u dont need insurance to get medical treatment.

good luck waever u decide.