may24

I have worked in some of these hospitals as they belong to a group under HCA - also another well known group of hospitals in the USA. They have a big influence in Central London and are always growing. The Wellington Hospital, London Bridege & Harley Street are more catered with ICU facilities - Harley st do paediatrics as does the Portland - cases are elective mainly cardiothoracic surgery at London Bridge & Wellington North, Wellington South Neuro/ orthopaedics, plastics and general surgery as is Lister - also provide fertility services, Princess Grace. What sort of work are you looking for?

I had recently been in touch with the NMC and its not good. Any nurse that is not from the EU - European Union will need to do 20 days protected learning and an English Language course - IELTS irrespective if you were taught/ trained or speak english as a first language. This will apply to ALL overseas trained nurses including the USA, Canadian, South African, New Zealand & Australian nurses. Another issue, is that some will require to do adaptation in order to complete their registration for their pin - this could take up to 6-12 months. The 20 day protected learning costs anything from £750 - £1500 from course providers listed on the NMC website. http://www.nmc-uk.org/aSection.aspx?SectionID=17 Hope this helps anyone wanting to know more about working in the UK.

thank you for your help, I wil check this out. Can I ask what theory did you learn? syndrome differentiation, 5 elements? I am taught by teachers from the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, China in London. Its a course run for health professionals and doctors by Acumedic based on syndrome acupuncture. I would like to know what else is being taught around the world and if our teachings vary.

I am a qualified registered nurse with credentials in massage, reflexology & chinese medicine. What does it take to work in the US hospitals with these skills? Is this kind of complementary therapy available to patients in hospitals and provided by nurses? I am from NZ but have done my studies in the UK. Can anyone help?

As long as you have an open mind and can accept change, you will fit in and do things the british way! Not knocking the british way of things - but dont go on ranting an raving how the job is not done or how this is not the way we do things at home - you will end up diggin your own hole within yourself and lose the whole perspective - the job, the patient and your own sanity.

I am with Interstaff, they are paying for all my fees for NCLEX (reimbursed as I sat them on my own), immigration costs, airfare to the USA, get a green card - I only have to pay for my husbands costs of immigration/ green card and airfare. They also have a 6-8 week orientation induction before being chucked into the deep end so to speak, thats quite cool cos nothing worse than trying to fit in straight away - you either sink or swim. So far I have nothing to complain about but wondered if anyone out there has heard about them and whether they are as good as what they sound? I havent had to pay for anything at present! They also give a months paid accommodation and pick us up from the airport - tour around, help us set up bank accounts, social security nos etc. Looking forward to deploying but I only have just started the process and will be looking at around 12-6 mths. So far, their service is excellent, staff are friendly and helpful. The only drawback is their contract is 2 years but I think thats pretty much similar across the board with other agencies - so I am not complaining - yet that is, but the first year will fly no doubt and with regular overtime - I may be able to get the contract hours down to 18-20 mths. I also know that once I finish my contract I am able to go wherever I want and am not bound to stay with the hospital I will be working at. Cool eh! Is anyone else with Interstaff?

I wanted to know more about Interstaff Inc. Has anyone heard of them? not Intelistaff. Are they any good and do they actually say and do what they are meant to do for nurses. Or do they shaft you around? Cheers

Has anyone heard of Interstaff Inc? Are they any good? I heard they offer competitive rates, though am still unsure which agency to use..... any feedback would be helpful. cheers

What about Henry Ford Hospital? Is that a good hospital with a good reputation?

Can I ask who your agency was and if you were told you were entitled to do courses during the duration of your contract? As I know of some nurses wanting to work in USA, would you recommend going thru your agency? I also though attending refresher and updates with nursing practice was compulsory and necessary for professional development!

what was the pay rates like?

I know an agency based in Hobart tasmania and they do permanent placement - great incentives, placements sydney and brisbane too. if you would like me information email me

I copied this from the NMC website...... its good, I believe all nurses need an idea about how the NHS works etc, but still its going to be difficult for foreign nurses requiring work permits cos they are only issued outside UK, also who is going to pay for this 20 day placement? The nurse? The hospital? Does anyone else know more about this ONP - Overseas Nurse programme? Q: What was behind the decision to introduce a period of protected learning for overseas nurses? A: There has been widespread concern that many overseas-trained nurses are thrown straight into practice without proper preparation and little or no understanding of the cultural differences and expectations of patients, their relatives and the public. Matters that are important for patients in the UK (eg. addressing someone by their proper name, polite requests for privacy and dignity), are often regarded differently in other countries. Health care delivery systems are also likely to be different. Overseas-trained nurses need time to become familiar with these differences and to receive guidance on coping with the challenges these differences might present during their practice in the UK. Q: What will the 20-day protected learning time comprise? A: The content will comprise elements of nursing in the UK with which overseas-trained nurses won't be familiar. These include UK law, consent, relationships in the health care team, health and safety issues, record-keeping, drugs administration, the NMC code of professional conduct and so on. Learning about these aspects may include work-based and/or university-based learning experiences.

Sorry, but I am unable to help you in that matter as I used textsbooks and did the nclex in 94 pencil/ paper version. So did not meet nor have any US tutors. But having recently looked at Saunders I liked the mini quizzes and also I was informed Kaplan questions are very much similar to the question and format asked of in NCLEX. Hope this helps

I can say having passed NCLEX myself - I used Lippincott and Mosbys. I have been recommended Sandra Smith, Patricia Saunders and NCLEX 3000 or otherwise also known as Springhouse 3000. These texts and CD are meant to be really excellent. Hope this helps

Hi Jenny I think agency work is great as I have done it for 4 years, but its not like it was 7 yrs ago - the work was rife and the pay brilliant, lines of work was everywhere. Nursing agencies are competitive but they are pretty much offering similar packages now. Downfalls: never know from day to day if your shift would be cancelled, there are quiet periods ie summer, xmas. Irregular hours, not always treated with the respect be prepared to be slagged on occassion, travelling distances, not put onto training or paid for courses Positives: work when you want, flexibility, allowing for time to be taken off to travel on holiday for any length of time money allowing, good pay rates, get to work in many different work places to gain a perspective which hospitals you like or not like!Paid weekly Fulltime work on the otherhand offers stability, regular income, dont have to travel to a different hospital each day, access to ongoing updates, paid training and courses to keep up with continuing professional development and the upkeep of NMC registration requirements. Paid sick leave, annual leave orientation package and support. It will take around 3-4 months to fit in and adjust with the nursing work. Which is a good reason why I think working a full time job on arrival to UK is helpful to gain an understanding of the UK health system and also a way to meet other people, on a regular basis. Hope this helps. Another option when here on working holiday is to get permanent part time employment and work agency the rest.

I think agencies are good to help you find work in UK especially when you are unsure of what the process is if this is first time work UK. Also NMC are a pain in the butt and can take awhile to get things processed. Need to allow for at least 3-6 months for process to be completed - allowing for paperwork getting lost, saying docs not received etc etc. Welcome to the UK!!!!! The land of waiting...... queing..... whos heard of customer service? You will be in for a shock but hey this is what travelling and working abroad is all about - adventure. When I first arrived to London, I couldnt believe how a city like London could be backwards...... banking, transport, unprotected tenancy etc etc - landlords beware want to keep your deposit.... I sound so negative - but I also love London crazily for all that it has to offer in the sense of exposure to a very culturally diverse centre - people from all around the world gather here as it makes a great base to work and travel to europe. The opportunities are endless...... Back to nursing agencies..... go for the ones that can give you a personalised service. Meaning they will keep in touch with you on an ongoing basis, follow you up and place you in the work that you want. With regards to free services - there should be no charges as its illegal. It is going to be more difficult to come and work in the UK - you will need to check out the NMC website: http://www.nmc-org.uk to get a clearer picture. I am not sure how this will affect nurses exactly because supervised placement for 20 days is a requirement before you get NMC Pin and then in order to work in UK you need a work permit - So how will nurses be able to come into the country without a work permit or Pin? This is something the NMC have not thought about. The ups and down of NMC....

As a previous work permit holder - your spouse is dependent on permit. They are able to work with no restrictions or limitations barr access to welfare and benefits - not that yuo would want to piddly amount of money. Work permits are now issued before the nurse comes to the UK. Home office and rules are strict much like the US Id say.

Hi I am new to this, but do you realise the NMC have introduced a new requirement all nurses wanting to come and work in UK will need to do 20 days supervised practice AND english language exam! Except nurses that come from the EU. Also, where does this fit for nurses who are not eligible to work in UK on a working holiday visa and require a work permit. Any thoughts?