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HI there! I moved to the UK from the US in April... just completed the UK RN licensure process and it was tedious. I am a US trained RN and was working there prior to moving to London. Will you be in the UK temporarily for school or permanently? The process of getting licensed can be a long and expensive one. I came through an agency which so great because they facilitated everything and some costs were covered while others will be deducted from my pay. Unfortunately they will not exempt you from CBT even if you've done NCLEX (unless something has changed and I am unaware). The process and the NMC is general is strict: Register -> Eligibility portion (luckily if youre from an English speaking country youre exempt from the language test), CBT-> Paperwork (diploma, birth certificate, criminal record report etc) -> invitation to take OSCE (which must be done here) and once you pass OSCE you register for your PIN. It can definitely take a couple of months to get licensed. So it probably depends on how long you plan on being in the UK. Don't know much about working in Scotland, but if you are a licensed nurse in Canada you may be able to find a job in health care, just not as a nurse. Hope this helps a bit!

Hi everyone! Posting on this thread because it is relevant to my plans of moving to London from the US beginning of 2021. A recruitment agency is in the process of sending my CV to employers. I believe there is a big recruitment event with several hospitals, so I do not have specifics about jobs (bit anxious) and cannot seem to find specifics about average nurse to patient ratios in England. Currently work in Progressive care where the ratio is 4:1 staffed and 5:1 if we are short staffed. It is still so busy with acuity, discharges and admits. I hope to work in intermediate care if it is available, or if hospitals are willing to train start a career in ICU (perhaps may be stuck in COVID land?). I'd like to know average ratios if you're able to share. I've read some forums where ratios are 10 or more and that terrifies me. I'd appreciate any info! Yamilet

Hi Alaina! Hope you're enjoying Glasgow:) I know it has been a while for you, but do you remember needing forms filled out by your employer/manager in the US (if you were working as a nurse in hospital)? I'm silly and am torn because I love my job here, I really like my manager and I've signed a 1 year contract (6 months left), but I am afraid of telling them about my plan to leave the country fearing it ruins relationships/disappoints her/them. Yamilet

Hi @jordanecc311 ! I'd love to hear about your experience in London! And the name of the agency which helped you. Are you working in a large hospital and how was the transition/ adjustment? I have been trying to take the plunge and move to England for a while now, but nerves and now this Pandemic are in the way LOL. Thanks in advance ? @kaitfinder, you've answered many of my questions before and have been oh so helpful! Your input continues to be so appreciated and helpful. Hope Oxford is treating you well and things aren't too crazy!

@kaitfinder, I cannot thank you enough for such a great and thorough response! I've spent loads of time searching for and reading blogs, forums, ect to gain a better insight on nursing in/moving to the UK, and yours was the most helpful. You answered many questions I had, including scope of practice. I've watched videos where junior doctors are apparently ones who start IV's in the UK (perhaps generalized, but the video made it seem for common cases), but I couldn't imagine our docs in the states doing that for general pts unless they had to. I think critical thinking is one of the beauties and expectations of nursing in the states . I´ve contemplated the idea of moving to the UK for too long and have been wanting to move to Europe since studying abroad in 2014. As a volunteer working full time for free for 8 months I can say money isn't the most important thing to me, but it seems like despite making less money it is above the minimal wage and enough to live comfortably. As far as agency, it's awesome that you knew exactly where you wanted to be! I was thinking perhaps London or Bristol, so once I do some research and gather more info I'll be reaching out to the agency. I've been away from clinical nursing for over a yr and look forward to jump back into it. I'm glad you are a having a positive experience and can recommend it! Best regards, Yamilet

@kaitfinder I found your post so so helpful as many on this subject are outdated, so thank you! I have just passed CBT and am somewhat stuck. I am from the states, currently volunteering as a Public Health nurse in Peru hoping to return to the clinical setting next year. I was wondering, from your point of view, how working in the UK has been, the NHS assuming you work in the NHS. Are you enjoying it? I´ve seen reports about how short staffed they are and how stressful it is, and it scares me away a bit lol. Was just hoping for an insiders point of view:) I assume you moved to the UK before passing OSCE? Also, if you recommend the agency you went through, would you mind sharing the name? I was planning of doing everything on my own as I don't know what the agencies (if anything) expect in return for us using their service. Sorry for sounding so needy and all the questions... much uncertainty at this time and have been delaying my process of gaining licensure for over a year, but I think it´s time to set fears aside and go for it. lol Look forward to your response and thanks in advance!

Hi there! I was hoping, if any of you have had experience transitioning from the US to the UK or Spain for nursing could share your experiences and thoughts. I am a new grad RN, BSN working in a Surgical Specialty unit with hopes to move to Europe w/in the next two years- Studied abroad there and I'm obsessed! I am fluent in English and Spanish so I am doing research for Nursing in Spain and England (I would prefer Spain, but would love either or). I was wondering about scope of practice differences, pt ratio, nursing culture, training/oriention and lifestyle (24, not married, no children) a nurse could have in either country. I would appreciate any advice :)