ashschu

Hi all, Looking for some information re: nurse recruiters in the UK, and the likelihood of being able to work in my “chosen” area of nursing. Background: I am a Canadian with 4yr nursing degree, advanced specialty in perinatal nursing, certified practice in contraceptive and sexual health management, forensic nursing, breastfeeding certificates, etc. I also happen to be a British citizen, hold a NIN already from a short stint living in UK over a decade ago. I started the process of transferring my degree to the NMC a few years ago, but it was taking up so much money and time... 2 years on and I was in a vicious cycle of having to constantly resubmit documents as their validity had “expired” as per NMC (as they would take so long to review each one, by the time they did something else would be at their designated 6 month mark and need to be purchased and notarized and sent in AGAIN). A family illness made me just give up when I was almost at the OSCE stage as it was crazy making and I didn’t have the capacity to continually procure and resend documents anymore. My questions: 1. Would working with a recruiting agency stream line the process, or allow me to bypass any steps? I’ve already written the test of competence and ILETS once. I have been out of acute care for 5 years (I work in community with adults with developmental disabilities, as well as public health and street outreach) - I’m hesitant if I would pass the OSCE if it is highly clinical based (or at least, I assume I’d have to pay for a second crack at it) 2. Once in the UK... what are the chances of sliding in to my preferred work areas? Health visiting and CASH nursing seem most similar to what I am doing now. I also work on call for our forensic nursing team working with paediatric assault, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse. Particular interest in working with youth in sexual health. Passionate about communicable disease and breastfeeding. The idea of working med/surg is enough to make me give up on my dream of moving back to the UK. I find hospital nursing nothing but a place of burnout and moral distress (huge kudos to all you out there doing it and doing it well! I know my limits though) 3. True chances for career and personal growth with the NHS? I love education (as evidenced by my many post bac certificates). Am hoping to start a Masters of Public Health soon. 4. Lastly.... is the NHS as bad as it seems right now in terms of stability? I have an aunt in the UK who has been a district nurse for years but recently stopped working... it did not sound like a happy place to work her last few years. Am I better off just riding out the mess that is Canadian healthcare right now? Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. Looking forward to some input from some of you who are currently in the NHS and/or used a recruitment service to get over there!

Well, I hate to say it but I'm not surprised by these responses... The step down in pay and the fact that RNs aren't all that well respected/supported over in the UK have been the points that have me questioning my decisions However my urge to come to England isn't for the work - it is a life choice, I love it there and want to move back! Ideally I would like to end up working as a CASH nurse or health visitor (though I know I would have to do a post grad diploma for this) as these are both aspects of my job as a Public Health nurse here that I love. I guess I am trying to have rose coloured glasses that being out of the acute care setting would be tolerable - because I want to be back in The UK so bad, I'm just hoping I could make do in the job, you know? I'm halfway through the process of getting registered with the NMC so I suppose I will find out soon enough how good/bad things may be - to be honest, they aren't so great in my neck of the woods with the constant underfunding, understaffing, and high burnout.... So I figure if I'm trading same for same, might as well be in beautiful England!! Thanks for all the replies!

Hi there, I'm wondering if anyone could give me an update on the job market in the UK? I know that things have been tough with the NHS of late - but are things still as dire on hiring front? (I have searched the posts on here, and have been reading this forum for years - but I haven't seen anything in the last 6 months or so about this topic) I see a fair few job posts on the NHS jobs website whenever I search - are these actual posts that are intended to be filled? Or are they posted because they legally have to be, but there is no budget to actually fill the positions (this is happening a lot where I work in Canada) One more question about the NHS job site - are the postings I see ALL the job postings that the NHS has available, or is there a portion of jobs for internal applicants only that I'm not privy to as I'm not working for the NHS? I'm just wondering if the jobs I see posted is a true indication of how many available jobs there are, or if there are more available to those already employed by eh NHS. I am an RN in Canada with British Citizenship, and would love to move back to England - but I know that conditions and health care are in a bit of an upheaval (as they are here in my neck of the woods)… I don't want to be naive in my decision making, and don't want to go through the costly overseas registration only to get to the UK and be jobless.

Hello all, I am a nursing student in Canada currently in my second year of my degree. I'm wondering if any nurses in the UK know if your hospitals accept students from overseas for practicum placements? I would absolutely love to come over for my 2 month practicum in the summer of my third year, or for my 3.5 month final practicum during spring of year four. My ultimate goal is to move to the UK when I'm eligible for NHS certification - but I know jobs are hard to find over there, and the wage is somewhat less than here in Canada, so I thought if I could swing a practice experience in the UK first I'd be able to gauge if I should ultimately pursue a move/career there. A small amount of background on me; I have a british passport/citizenship so don't have to deal with visa's, etc. I was living in England a few years ago but came back to Canada to go to school, my goal was always to return to the UK. I know that I love the country, just want to make sure that pursing a nursing career there is worthwhile. So, if any of you know of overseas students coming over for practicums and preceptorships, I would love to hear about it! I fully intend to contact the NHS, colleges/universities, and hospitals about the possibility of coming over as a student - but was just hoping I could get a bit of info from anyone on the "front lines" Thanks in advance if any one can help me!

Hi there, I am a nursing student in Canada currently finishing up my 1st year of a four year BSN degree. I absolutely adore England and a couple of years ago I moved there hoping to make a go of it, but happened to be a victim of the recession as my current trade didn't get me very far over there. I decided to move back to Canada, go back to school, and then head across the pond again. I know it is early days to be planning yet, but I've been slowly gathering information about what I will need to do to get licensed in the UK once I'm done. I have a couple of preliminary questions and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them and can offer any help. I will of course be contacting the NMC etc when the time comes, but just looking for some info and opinions in the meantime :) First of all, I have observed the nursing job shortage in the UK (and keeping my fingers crossed things are different in 4ish years when I hope to come over). I see that the UK must offer jobs to UK/EU nurses before international nurses when possible. I am a british citizen as my mum was born and raised there, I also have a full british passport. Do you know if for purposes of job offerings I would be considered a UK nurse, or would I still be an international nurse because of where I studied and was raised?? Also, during my third year of studies I will have the option to specialize if I want to. Would this benefit me when applying for jobs in the UK or would my speciality not be recognized? For instance, I was thinking I might possibly gain my critical care nursing or operation room nursing specialities, but wasn't sure how they would apply in the UK. Would I be considered a specialized nurse, or would I still be starting as a band 5 staff nurse? Thanks in advance for any help. Just hoping to slowly get all my ducks in a row!

Don't even get me started on the Mole! I just barely started to get it at 8pm the night before my final. It nearly killed me! We only got 2 weeks on it too, very stressful! Good luck on the last half of your course, it'll be fine! Believe me, if I can do it, you can! lol

I just finished my Chem final for the spring semester and had to share my joy with some people who I know will appreciate it! I took a 7 week intensive Chem course to satisfy the prereqs for nursing school. Just checked my mark online and I got 85% for the term! A- with 3.67 GPA at my college. Not too shabby considering it was an intensive course and Chem (specifically the MOLE) is not my forte! I am certainly happy with that mark. Now all I have to do is finish my Math (should be about two weeks) and I am IN! (I'm currently waitlisted until I meet my prereqs) Anyone else taking spring courses to meet prereqs? They must be coming to a close soon so good luck!

As far as I know all colleges/unis will accept students in to a nursing program straight out of HS as long as they meet the entry requirements. For Unis this usually means writing a certain amount of provincials and having a minimum GPA in certain classes. For both college and uni you will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for the nursing program. These are usually along the lines of Biology 12, Principals of Math 11, English 12, Chemistry 11 (all with at least a c+ grade). Some schools want higher grades and extra sciences. My recommendation would be to apply as soon as possible to any school that accepts on a wait list basis. They usually will give you a spot on the wait list conditionally as soon as you have proof of enrollment in your last prerequisite course. Also, if you still have a year or more of HS left, try and get as many of the required courses completed by the first term of grade 12. This means that you will be able to apply to schools that accept on a points/most qualified basis. Most schools accept applicants from around Oct - Jan for entry in the following Sep. If you have your pre requisites completed by Christmas then you can apply to those schools that do not have a wait list and thus have more chances of getting in to school right after HS Of course - it has been a few years since I was in HS and I know things have changed. Also - I never looked in to going to school straight after HS so I don't know if the colleges and unis have any agreements between schools (like for instance, giving you a conditional acceptance based on previous grades or something of the like). I would recommend speaking with a career counsellor at both your HS and your secondary school of choice for more information. Hope this helps you some!

I'm not sure how things are done in Abbotsford, but I can pass on some info that I have found in my hunting. I'm focusing on school on Van Isl (where I live) but I have inquired at colleges/unis on the mainland so hopefully it stands true to Abby as well. First of all - are the volunteer hours mandatory to acceptance, or are they going to increase your points for acceptance? I would check this first as I had brushed off a school based on volunteer hours only to find out that was the "recommended" amount, but not necessary. As for volunteer hours, I was told any volunteering in a health care setting would qualify. You're right - they're not going to bring in any joe blow volunteer and give them jobs that the nurses do, that's why there is nursing school!! lol I was told volunteering in the activities centers, food delivery, LTC facilities etc would satisfy the requirements. As for your sciences - as far as I know there is no getting around them as they are prereqs. The best I have found is that Chemistry and Biology can sometimes be bypassed by taking Anatomy and Physiology. The schools here on the island say A&P satisfy both the Bio 12 and Chem 11 prereqs - the only catch is Chem 11 and Bio 11 are usually a required course for A&P. If you can get a teacher who is willing to give you a prereq waiver in to the course you can successfully skip both of those sciences. If you have written exams in sciences in the past it is possible you can convince them you are capable of the course without the prereqs. I have found most colleges especially are more than willing to give you a chance if you prove to them that you are willing to work hard and do well. And lastly - as for going the PN route I would say don't do it. I was going to go that route as well, but they are phasing out the PN - RN bridge here in BC (across Canada too maybe?). Here on the island out of the three schools that teach the BScN program only one is still doing the bridge, and it is on it's way out. I would think carefully about this route as you might find it bites you in the butt!! If you think it is going to take most likely 6 months - 1 year to get in a program, 1 year - 18 months to grad as a PN, then another year and a half or so of work before you satisfy the PN hour requirements to join the RN bridge ........ chances are the bridge option won't be available any more and you'll be starting from the beginning for the BScN anyways! Anyways - of course this is just my opinions and what I've found out! Hope some of it helps. Are you committed to school in Abby or can you move?? Schools like Langara and NIC (on the island) accept on a wait list basis and definitely don't have volunteer hour requirements. Or, depending on what school you are interested in close to home....you could see if it is part of the CAEN. If it is you could look at applying at another school in the CAEN who's entry requirements you meet, stick it out for a year, and then transfer back to your preferred choice school (as long as there is a place of course). The joy of the CAEN is that as long as there is a space, transferring schools is possible as they use the same curriculum. Good luck! Keep us posted!! I myself am just completing my Chem and Math right now so I know how you feel about all the hoops you have to jump, no matter how necessary they are!

Definitely a beautiful city!!! I have seen MANY large cities around the world and Vancouver is by far my favourite!!! I am so glad that I live within an easy visit to the mainland, we are definitely lucky on this side of Canada!! If you are ever in the neighborhood again for a visit I highly recommend Victoria (on Vancouver Island) as well. Enjoy your stay and conference

From what I can understand they are saying you need three first year courses which in this case I am taking to mean two semesters of one course. One Fall and one Winter course will = one first year course. Notice how they say the courses will include the following, and also make note of the "ANDs" So they said you need three, to include: English 1127 AND 1229 (or equiv.) --- Course One Biology 1120 AND 1220 (or equiv.) --- Course Two Fall AND Winter courses of a chosen elective --- Course Three So I think they mean you need 6 courses (fall and winter) total which will = three complete first year courses. Especially if you consider usually first year courses are 3 credits each and they are asking for 18 credits. 18 credits / 3 credits = 6 courses Clear as mud?? lol Also - I am assuming this is the way it is because that is how it is at the colleges I am interested in. You need TWO first year English, TWO Anatomy and Physiology Biology, and TWO chosen (but approved) electives.

Hi everyone, I am doing my pre-reqs right now and over the spring. I'm accepted on the waitlist for a program on Vancouver Island (if I meet my pre-reqs of course) but am also going to apply for a couple of competitive entry courses for Fall 2010. While waiting for my program to start I am going to spend 2009 taking 6 courses that are required for the BSc that I can take while not enrolled in the Nursing program. SO happy that I can lighten my nursing school load by that much seeing as I will be waiting around for that year anyways! So in a way I will be pre-nursing during 2009! Good luck to all who are waiting on acceptance letters!

Hey everyone. Just wanted to pop in and say hello as I am new (again) to the forums. I didn't see an "introduction" thread anywhere so I figured I'd start one myself! lol I am applying to a BScN program in Canada hoping to start in Fall 2009 or 2010. I applied a few years ago, but decided to do some traveling before settling in to school (hence being new AGAIN to the forums as I found them back in 2007 when I first planned to attend nursing school). I'm back from my time abroad and so ready and excited to start my schooling. I have recently enrolled in the last two prerequisites I need, Math and Chemistry. Not looking forward to either of those!! Math I am doing Flex which pretty much means it is a distance course and I am able to attend class if I need it. Chem I am taking as a 6 - 8 week intensive course starting in May. Setting myself up for disaster? I hope not!! Anyone else currently taking similar courses? I know there are Chem and Math threads running but they are so long....if anyone is taking these courses this spring I would love to have a current HELP US thread as I am sure I am not the only one who will need it!! Looking forward to getting to "know" some of you through the forums.

I too am waiting for Fall 2008. Application is from Nov 15/07 - Feb 28/08. I am assuming that I will be anxiously waiting for a letter come May of 2008! As long as I make my pre reqs I am guaranteed a spot in my school of choice for Fall 2009. They go by waitlist, and I am top of the list for this intake........I'm just not sure if I want to waste another year waiting for it to start. I was really hoping to start in 2008. I am applying at a few other schools (like the one above) to see if I can get in for 2008. Then I guess I will make my decision!

If anyone can help, it'd be great! I am looking into starting my BScN in the next two years and was wondering if anyone has any info or opinions on some of the schools and options I was looking at First of all, has anyone here completed the BScN at Malaspina Uni-College? What did they think of the program? Anything you want to throw at me would be appreciated! Has anyone taken or heard anything about the collaborative BScN program offered at the Comox Valley NIC campus that is connected with the BScN program at MalU? How was it? Do you take courses at both campus'? Are degrees that are obtained at a College viewed well by potential employers? I still have many questions to ask about this option and plan on speaking with an advisor in the next week, but any personal opinions would be nice. For anyone who took their LPN training first and then bridged into a BScN degree, would you do it again? What did/didn't you like about doing it this way? I am contemplating doing my LPN first because I can do it in my hometown for cheap(er). That means I only have to live away from home for 3 years instead of 4. Also, I am concerned that I will not be able to get into the BScN program right away (because really, it's prolly not going to happen without at least a little wait) and I thought that if I could work as an LPN while waiting to get in it would be good for gaining some experience. I also thought that there may be a small possibility that I could work casually as an LPN while finishing my BScN Am I silly for thinking this? Do you think that I may be wasting my time with the LPN? Or will I not gain enough experience in the *hopefully* short time I would be working as an LPN? Would employers want to hire me if I was a student (knowing that I may not be able to commit to a huge work load hour-wise) Lots of questions here guys! Sorry. I just like to gather lots of information before making any decisions. Thanks!