UK nursing questions, Can someone help?

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2008

Hi the band you would probably achieve would be band 5

I really dont know of any exchange programs

I know I am not helpful but I would like to wish you success in your future and try not to get disheartened

suzanne4, RN · Jul 2, 2008

Suggest that you check directly with the NMC, they want at least three physical years to be completed in an approved school of nursing. If you did the second courser program, then you had only two year maximum.

That would be a start.

Right now, without having significant work experience it is also going to be difficult to get the visa for there. If you have five years or so in a PICU, then there would not be an issued, but as a level one, that means that you are a fairly new nurse as well.

Issues become with immigration as well, first jobs go to those that hold a UK passport, then the next round would go to EU passport holders as a start. US is third down the list. But if you have experience in an area that they need help in, then one can be considered. But again, you are going to need to see if they will accept your second courser degree for licensure there.

Have not seen any exchange visa type programs over there in quite some time, you are looking for something that is similar to our J-1 visa. Those usually require tha the exchange be set up by your facility where you are working now as well.

Hope that this helps. But so much has changed in Europe in the past couple of years that what was once able to be done, just does not exist any longer.

kmiller79 · Jul 2, 2008

Thanks for your quick replies. From reading some of the posts, it sounds like nursing in the UK is really having some issues! Is there no representation for nurses in the government? I mean i realize in the US its hard and takes time to make a change, but UK nurses sound like they're really struggling! I may be marrying a Brit and would love to live in the UK but the job market is not sounding very good!

RGN1 · Jul 2, 2008

You should try being a nurse from the UK seeking work in the USA it's just as bad!

If you're marrying a Brit you may circumnavigate some of the visa/work permit issues but the NMC requirements are not negotiable. So your 1st port of call should be them http://www.nmc-uk.org/

suzanne4, RN · Jul 2, 2008

Since you are possibly marrying a British national, then you do not have the issued of being given an employer-driven visa; but the issue is still going to be with your license. Suggest that you contact the NMC directly and get their take on whether they will accept your training or not. That would be the first place to start.

It is not so much nurses being represented there but the fact that they have a nationalized health program in place and the the NHS has been having lay-offs as well. So when you have Brits that have been laid off, it is hard to see a foreigner come in and be able to get a position.

Best of luck to you.

( And that is one of the reasons why so many Brits are wishing to move to Canada or the US now.)

MaryAnn_RN · Jul 2, 2008

So I know it is extremely difficult as a US nurse to work in the UK, but I do have 2 questions. First could someone explain the levels/bands of nursing in the UK? For example, if I am a 2nd degree BSN RN 1 at a pediatric hospital on a heart and kidney unit, if i were looking for jobs in the UK what would i be looking for?
Also because it is difficult to get s job in the UK as an US nurse, are there any 6 month to
1+ year exchange type programs or something like that to get international experience?
Anything would be a great help!
Thanks

New RNs go onto Band 5, which pays between £19,683 and £25,424 basic, plus we get shift allowance which bumps it up a bit more.

More information on pay rates at the Royal College of Nursing website at

http://www.rcn.org.uk/support/pay_and_conditions/nursing_pay_rates_200708