angelkerri

Hi all. I've posted intermittently around here. A few years ago I was researching moving to the UK to work as a nurse. I am now renewing my interest as I am sorely tired of America (I'm American-born, but lived overseas for most of my childhood). I've been poring over multiple sites trying to find help with this whole NMC registration mess. I really want to try and join the Mental Health register, but it looks as if I may have to take another course to accomplish that. I don't mind--it's just I don't qualify for a bursary. And it doesn't seem as if there's much in the way of placements for International nurses? I've been looking at PG Dip courses and the like, and have sent out enquiries, but I'd like a bit more perspective on this. I'm really hesitant to join the Adult registry because I've got a bad ankle from a talus fracture. It's also been a long time since I did direct patient care that wasn't mental health related. I haven't done anything like a Foley for some time, and I've never started an IV in my entire six year nursing career. To be honest, I'm more of a 'cerebral' rather than 'hands-on' nurse and I'm terrified of the OSCE and what might be expected of me later on down the line. I don't mean to sound soft. I did long-term/SNF nursing for a few years--charge nurse over 32 patients for my first nursing job. I'd just rather do things that better suit my abilities and interests. I'd really appreciate any insight/support/advice. Moving to the UK has always been a dream of mine, and I really want to make it happen. I've considered trying to just do a career change and get a Master's in Public Health, but I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to find a job once I'm done. I also have a boyfriend in London and I'd like to join him sooner than later. Sorry if the post was a bit rambling. I've been trying to delay visiting the forums until I do background reading first, but I needed a tangential vent! Thanks!

I have wanted to move to the UK for years and now, after a recent visit, I want to more than ever! I am a Bachelor's Degree educated nurse from the USA. I have over five years of experience in long-term care and skilled nursing facilities as well as psychiatric nursing. Psychiatric nursing is really my preferred work as far as patient care is concerned. I currently work full time as a nurse at the health insurance company doing utilization management. I could theoretically keep that job and work remote from the UK, but would likely get a second job in order to "earn my keep" to stay in the UK as well as supplement my income (I work two other part time jobs now as it is). When I initially researched this five years ago, it seemed much easier to get a nursing license in the UK. Now it seems as if the process might have become complicated? I was also told that the NHS pay schemes aren't very good and I'd be better off trying to find work in private employ, but I'd like to hear other input on this. I'd really love any tips and inside information on how to make this dream of mine come true. I apologize if it's a bit of a broad topic, but it's difficult to know where to start when planning to move country. I appreciate any help in advance :)

I just started in psych nursing. I was first on an outpatient substance abuse program (methadone) and now I work on a small (10 bed) voluntary psych unit. The voluntary part of this is what makes it more manageable than maybe some other places...I love it. We do still have some medical issues, but with the nature of our unit, patients have to be medically cleared before we can have them here because we don't have the staff to do monitoring of heavy duty med issues. For me this is a fantastic change because I spent my first two years as a nurse in long-term care and you get the psych AND the crazy medical issues there. So, I suppose the long and short of it is: it depends on what kind of unit you can find. Good luck! I'm glad I made the change!

My first job as an RN was at a SNF. 30 patients but I usually had someone to do meds and then I had everything else. You learn tricks as you go. 20 shouldn't be too bad once you get the hang of it. Re: troubling CNAs. You have to establish authority early on (difficult for me because many were as old as my mother!) but you also want to show that you're fair and there to help support them. Also, it's not quite fair to say they ONLY turn, dress, bathe, etc. That's extremely time consuming crap (esp with certain residents). I told my aides all the time: "Don't ever let anyone tell you you're 'just an aide.' That's ********. You fill a vital role and nurses couldn't do it without you." Its not like you have to get vitals on every resident...unless they're ALL Medicare which is unusual. I finally broke free of the SNF life after 2 1/2 years. That was enough for me. But your facility sounds nice so I wish you luck.

I commissioned into the Army Reserves last May. My recruiter told me it takes about 45-60 days for the scroll to be approved...then another 45-60 days to generate appointment orders. That's about how it went too.

I'm thinking out loud...does the Guard hire nurses? I think not. I think it's just Active and Reserves...I may be completely wrong. As it happens I was drilling this weekend and the local recruiter rolled through to ask if we might be able to help her find nurses for the Reserves. I told her I was interested in Active Duty and I got a bit of a run down on what they're looking for for so far for the Nov '11 and Nov '12 boards. Big changes, as already reported by Lunah, since just a year ago: no new grads, must have 2 years of experience. Very different from before! Also those with OR and Psych experience are pretty much automatic shoe-ins.

I would take sitting through class any day (and getting paid for it too I might add) to this bull crap with the internet modules not working. If I can make it through nursing school lectures I can make it through anything lol!

Lunah, interesting. I remember during last year's board they supposedly had spots set aside just for new grads. I imagine this is all changing though. I followed the link to your blog and I really enjoyed what I read. Very informative. Especially about BOLC. I'm going to have to check out those Nike Boots. Going to BTA tomorrow and I'm supposed to be getting "Officer 101" since I'm waiting to get into BOLC (Reservists do the first part online and then do just 26 days at Ft. Sam...but I imagine you knew that? My life has been no end of pain, though, since online BOLC has been out of commission for the last 6-7 weeks. SO frustrating). My sponsor and platoon sgt stressed to me last time that it's essential we all learn the right way to do things because Big Army is cleaning house and wants all the newbies to toe the line. Anyway I will share your blog with the other new LTs in my unit. We're all VERY curious about

When I first applied I heard that ADNs could apply for Reserves but that you can't make past a certain rank (I think Captain? But don't quote me on that) until you get a BSN. Active Duty has always only taken BSNs. They are parsing the force down quite a bit since they're winding down the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq but if you really want into the Army I would say it's worth talking to an AMEDD recruiter about it.

Thanks for the tip! I've been in Mass 3 weeks now and am starting floor orientation for a per diem SNF not too far from my apt. I'm still interested in trying to find something a bit more permanent with a bit more hours so this helps. I will try and get in touch with them.

I wish nurses all over the country would unionize. The fact that we haven't just BLOWS my MIND. I know a lot of nurses are against this. I remember a clinical instructor at nursing school took a very distasteful attitude toward it. "We are PROFESSIONALS and professionals do not use collective bargaining." Perhaps in a cushy teaching job you don't need to, but floor nurses absolutely do in my humble opinion. I know nurses are afraid if we all unionize it will put us somehow on the same level as blue collar workers. FIREFIGHTERS. Firefighters, people!!! The biggest union out there. They are relentless. My dad is a retired fire chief and he always speaks proudly of the IAFF and the clout they have. I don't see anyone sneering at firefighting as a "low profession" just because they're unionized.

I graduated in Dec 2009. Here in Central MO in our University town we have 3 big hospitals (some might say 4, but the extra one is an extension of University hospital). When I was a senior in nursing school doing my practicum we had the traditional wining and dining by the local and nearby hospitals trying to recruit new grads. One experience really stands out in my mind: we're all sitting around round tables, munching on wraps brought in by the nurse recruiter who was giving us a powerpoint presentation on her hospital and the great benefits available and the awesome new grad program they have (new grads get a free PDA! whoo!). Well she gets to the end of the presentation and it's time for Q&A and one of the students makes mention that there are not very many job openings on the hospitals HR site. After going round and round with how we need to apply to make ourselves competitive, etc, the recruiter then goes on to tell all of us that they will likely not be hiring new grads anytime in the near future. I feel a lump as I swallow the last of my food. "What is the point of this information session then?" I wondered. I work at a SNF now but I put in my notice and will be moving to the east coast. There are no nursing jobs anywhere but I have been in a rut here in MO for some time now and I am fine with getting what I can for now. I have a per diem position waiting for me at my new location and that's good enough for now. I was the same: I went in for nursing so that I would have some nice security in case some of the other dream projects I wanted to pursue didn't pan out. I tell people now, you might as well go after that Underwater Basketweaving degree because what were once more "practical" options aren't getting anyone anywhere. Edit::Oh, and I am a BSN educated nurse.

@Jerryl and anyone else doing OBC soon: During training, if you're able, or afterwards, could you post some impressions/tips/etc of your experience of OBC. Us future reservists would love to know what we're in for :)

Thanks for the info! I take back what I said :) Does anyone know what the compensation is for OBC? I did also hear that you have to be really proactive to get a spot. Random question also: being reservists do we have to buy our own uniforms or is there some allowance?

I got the 2 week number directly from my AMEDD recruiter. It's also on this site: http://www.goarmy.com/reserve/jobs/browse/medical-and-emergency/nurse-corps-officer.html