PICU RN Looking for Work in the UK

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Hey everyone!

New to allnurses.com and found it in a google search while looking about American nurses working the UK.

I've read through loads of your posts, and I could really use some advice regarding nursing in the UK. I am currently a U.S. Citizen in the process of applying for an Irish/EU passport through birthright (my father is from Dublin), which should be arriving in about 4 months. I am currently a New Graduate nurse working in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. I am looking to relocate to England within the next year-year and a half, after I have experience under my belt. I can see, after looking through the forums, that it can be quite difficult for me to find work abroad. However, I did see that there is a shortage of experienced PICU/NICU nurses. I also have NICU training. If, after I do get experience, I decide to apply through the NMC with an EU passport, even though I was not trained within the EU, will I have a leg up? Would being through an agency be my best bet? I am already aware of the process that I need to go through with the NMC. How much time should I give myself?

Any information that could be provided would be greatly appreciated. I am mostly interested in moving to the UK for educational opportunities, as I plan on becoming a community specialist practitioner for children, and your programs are far more advanced and emphasized in that area then they are within the US.

Thank you so much!

P.S. Any UK nurses looking for work in the US, send your questions! I've just gone through the entire process, and believe me, its even daunting for someone who lives in the country! I'd love to help.

:nurse:

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Hi there, if you have NICU / PICU expereince once you get your NMC registration I am sure you'll stand a good chance of getting work. It is worth looking at the NHS jobs website, and search for NICU nurse and PICU nurse you will find that there are jobs available. It is also worth phoning around the areas you want to work to find out about upcoming vacancies and speaking to the unit managers.

Once you have a EU passport then a work Visa will not be required.

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

You may still have to do some sort of programme for overseas nurses coming to work over here. Along with Sharrie's advice, I think I'd get in touch with the NMC: explain that the immigration side of things is already sorted, as you don't have to worry about a work permit, but that you're US trained, albeit with experience, and need to know what steps you'd need to go through to be registered with them/get your PIN.

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if your nurse training is an associate's degree, then you may have problems working as a nurse in the uk, as it is not comparable education to the uk. neonatal nursing is done in the uk, by nurses who have trained for 3 years in a dedicated peadiatric training programme. no doubt the nmc will give you all the right information, as they say 'dont want to rain on your parade', but american nurses have different training to the uk.

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

While the above is true, many NICUs in the UK still accept midwives or adult-branch trained nurses with ITU experience (or even NQ adult-branch). The neonatal speciality comes post-qualification when already working on a NICU/NNU. (The one I'll take for 9 months is diploma/degree.)

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just thought that if its an associates degree then its not directed towards any particular branch, so even with experience it doesnt translate to the uk training. hopefully she will get her dream, but its as difficult for us nurses to get to the uk as it is for the brits to get to the us, because of the differences in the training.

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Thanks for all of the replies everyone!

I am actually a BSN 4 year trained nurse, comparable, I'm assuming, to a BSc in nursing if there is one. So I think my qualifications would help in that aspect, but I do completely understand that my training is very different from that of the UK. I'm hoping that with my degree, PICU/NICU training, and EU citizenship status, I'll have a decent shot. I do understand, however, how hard the immigration process can truly be. I'm just trying to give myself a head start and hope for the best. Any advice on how much time I should give myself to get through the NMC process after obtaining my Irish passport? And is it true that I need atleast 12 months of experience under my belt?

Thanks again for all of replies and help! I've gotten more information on this website then I have anywhere else! xox

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dont know what it compares to in the uk, but it certainly sounds like you shouldnt have the problems than an associate degree nurse would have. you have got a lot going for you with your irish background, and having chosen to do your bsn,,,,,good luck

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks for all of the replies everyone!

I am actually a BSN 4 year trained nurse, comparable, I'm assuming, to a BSc in nursing if there is one. So I think my qualifications would help in that aspect, but I do completely understand that my training is very different from that of the UK. I'm hoping that with my degree, PICU/NICU training, and EU citizenship status, I'll have a decent shot. I do understand, however, how hard the immigration process can truly be. I'm just trying to give myself a head start and hope for the best. Any advice on how much time I should give myself to get through the NMC process after obtaining my Irish passport? And is it true that I need atleast 12 months of experience under my belt?

Thanks again for all of replies and help! I've gotten more information on this website then I have anywhere else! xox

Probably looking at a few months with NMC and you will have to do a ONP and a list should be on their site on where the courses are. Otherwise there are no immigration issues if you have EU citizenship as far as I am aware just registration requirements

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hi everyone

just wondering what can one do with an Associate's degree in nursing

in the uk

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If the NMC doesn't accept it then you can't do anything nursing wise that requires a license. NMC overseas booklet will explain all http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1685

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