U.S. Nurse desiring to work in U.K.

may24 · Jul 2, 2005

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.

Kaylesh · Jul 2, 2005

I would also add that you would have to get registered with the UK lisencing agency the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

As a US citizen you'd also need to have a work permit which has to come from a specific employer. Not sure if they would issue one for such a short time as 6 months.

Work permits must be from the employer.. For example.. say you want to work for "such and such" hospital.. The work permit must come from that particular hospital. You cannot work for anyone else. So if you find you hate that hospital the only thing you can do is try to find another hospital that will sponser a new work permit.

Just some things for you to think about.:-)

Kaylesh

JACLPN-RN · Jul 2, 2005

I would also add that you would have to get registered with the UK lisencing agency the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
As a US citizen you'd also need to have a work permit which has to come from a specific employer. Not sure if they would issue one for such a short time as 6 months.
Work permits must be from the employer.. For example.. say you want to work for "such and such" hospital.. The work permit must come from that particular hospital. You cannot work for anyone else. So if you find you hate that hospital the only thing you can do is try to find another hospital that will sponser a new work permit.
Just some things for you to think about.:-)
Kaylesh

Thank you! I appreciate the advice. I know there would be a lot of "red tape" to cut through. I'm just beginning my investigation. The idea of working in another country is very intriguing. At least one where you basically speak the same language

chapmajc · Jul 11, 2005

I don't think you will have many problems, well no more than the rest of us. Some people can be a bit awkward to work with but they are probably like that with anyone. I have worked with more nice people than horrible ones.

The system is getting pretty much like the US e.g everyone getting Lawyers to earn a quick buck.

Greetings!
I have a desire to travel to the U.K. and work as a RN. However, I worked last year with a U.K. Nurse who told me that I probably would not like it very much.
I have read through many of the posts in this forum, and from what information I have gathered it would appear that his assessment may be accurate.
Even though this might be the case, I would like to spend perhaps 6 months in England in order to see Europe, and I would have to work.
My question is to those nurses who have travelled here to the U.S. from England: do you think that it would be difficult for an American nurse to acclimatize to the British medical/nursing system?