US nurse Just relocated to the UK

vonjo27, RN · Sep 21, 2013

I'm sure you've been asked 100 times, but how in the world did you get the proper papers to make the move? Are you married to a British citizen? Short of that, I've been told it's practically impossible.

Any I'm currently a nursing student here in the states and I've wanting to practice somewhere in Europe. I'm even looking at master's programs in Dublin and London to possibly increase my chances. Any advice would be very helpful!!

Thanks,

Joe

chriso82 · Oct 10, 2013

Yes, any advice would help. I have been looking for jobs overseas since I started nursing school and it seems near impossible to get a nursing job in the Uk or Ireland.

BuzzBuzz · Oct 17, 2013

I'm an American nursing student in England. Why in the world would ya'll want to leave the States to do nursing in England? Nurses really get treated like crap out here. I surely don't want to deter anyone from following their dreams, but the morale of nursing is in shambles out here. Under payed, over worked, not appreciated. For example, the government is looking to take away a 1% pay raise due the nurses....1% is slap in the face of every nurse. I'm looking to coming back to the states in a few years, because there is no way I deserve to get paid crap for everything nurses do out here. I happened to marry into it, so that's why I'm here now....

But I would advise if you are still interested look at the Nurse and Midwifery Council (NMC) The Nursing and Midwifery Council | Nursing and Midwifery Council this is the governing board for nursing. Also there's two Unions which might have some info Royal College of Nursing and Unison. Also might be advantageous to get in touch with universities for master programs. I'm at University of York and they just began a master's program in nursing. We are on the pilot course for degree education and with all new programs it has hiccups.

Gem1210390 · Oct 17, 2013

I'm an American nursing student in England. Why in the world would ya'll want to leave the States to do nursing in England? Nurses really get treated like crap out here. I surely don't want to deter anyone from following their dreams but the morale of nursing is in shambles out here. Under payed, over worked, not appreciated. For example, the government is looking to take away a 1% pay raise due the nurses....1% is slap in the face of every nurse. I'm looking to coming back to the states in a few years, because there is no way I deserve to get paid crap for everything nurses do out here. I happened to marry into it, so that's why I'm here now.... But I would advise if you are still interested look at the Nurse and Midwifery Council (NMC) The Nursing and Midwifery Council | Nursing and Midwifery Council this is the governing board for nursing. Also there's two Unions which might have some info Royal College of Nursing and Unison. Also might be advantageous to get in touch with universities for master programs. I'm at University of York and they just began a master's program in nursing. We are on the pilot course for degree education and with all new programs it has hiccups.

I am a uk nurse and I totally agree with everything you are saying. We are not valued nurses over here and that is the reason I want to get away from this country.

Hope you get to go back to the states

skylark, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2013

As a UK trained nurse working registry in BOTH countries, I have to say that despite the worse pay and hours in the UK, it has that one factor that I have never yet achieved in the US, and that is job satisfaction.

My US patients seem to treat me as a waitress and have no grasp of the concept of helping themselves. They will use the call light to summon me to change TV channels, when they could just as easily have done that themselves. Their motivation for getting better and getting out is zilch, they are apparently happy to be waited on and lie there like beached whales.

(I'm in a rehab setting, where most patients have been here more than three years, which causes me to question their understanding of the word 'rehab'!!)

My UK patients tend to have a little more dignity and sense of direction in their care. They want to see progress, get moving and get out. I work WITH them and not against them.

These are general comments and there are exceptions in both countries. However, in the US, if I were to ask a patient to try doing something for herself, I can be sure I will get a complaint from the family that I am not caring for her right. The concept of helping people to help themselves has yet to arrive on these shores : )

I spend half the year in each country. I prefer living in the US but working in the UK.

BuzzBuzz · Oct 20, 2013

I like your views! When I did my placement on an elective surgery ward I felt the same about the patients...if I didn't make their tea right! hahaha oh well I guess we will get that every where! Can I ask, how do you work in both countries? And 3 years in rehab sheesh!!!!!!! Those people must really like hospitals

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 20, 2013

And 3 years in rehab sheesh!!!!!!! Those people must really like hospitals

Rehab in the US can be Skilled nursing or LTC that needs occasional rehab skilled therapy occasionally; so just FYI There are still hospitals dedicated to Rehab, however there are more facilities that are in Long Term Care that are providing skilled therapy service short term to a percentage of patients; where most who are Rehab tend I convert over a stay for a number of years, or eventually transition into long term care.

And although the PP stated there are exceptions; I have worked in rehab and in nursing in general in various specialties in the US for almost 10 years and almost in healthcare for almost 15 years; I had less days that I felt like a waitress and more like a empowered nurse; maybe it's by style of practice perhaps, however, at least in the "true" rehab setting, most people have everything they need to adjust to their abilities; and I make sure they use them. Humans are humans, regardless of culture, and there are a TON of issues in the mental and the emotional sense at play, whether it be regionally internationally or regionally stateside; the human condition can be of strange bedfellows.

I just want to enlighten you, as a student since you state your desire to return to the US; our culture may be consumerism and capitalism (that who personalization of companies now...whole 'nother thread and fight that a lot of us are fighting ) however, we still are built on democracy and that "spirit" of independence; so I practice in an empowering way; I'm sure there have been families that may have issues with that, but I've had far MORE successes than issues; I can count the issues on one hand. It can be done.

I'm sure I would feel the same way if I were to practice in the UK; I have been fortunate to travel there frequently; however, my empowering spirit doesn't change-politics are everywhere-I believe it to be a wordly issue that we can all understand. :yes:

Now, off my soapbox and back to the thread.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 20, 2013

Yes any advice would help. I have been looking for jobs overseas since I started nursing school and it seems near impossible to get a nursing job in the Uk or Ireland.[/quote']
Do you have two years experience and your bachelors degree?
That has been the going requirement in order to be considered for the registry.
I have been networking with a few places that are in the UK; I was looking to be placed in Dubai because my specialty is Pediatrics; however, a huge chunk of my experience has been as a LPN, and I need the "magical two years" to even be considered for the position; I already have the BSN.
They also have placements for the Dublin; not sure about the UK, but it's possible; more probable with the BSN.

skylark, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2013

Rehab in the US can be Skilled nursing or LTC that needs occasional rehab skilled therapy occasionally; so just FYI There are still hospitals dedicated to Rehab, however there are more facilities that are in Long Term Care that are providing skilled therapy service short term to a percentage of patients; where most who are Rehab tend I convert over a stay for a number of years, or eventually transition into long term care.
And although the PP stated there are exceptions; I have worked in rehab and in nursing in general in various specialties in the US for almost 10 years and almost in healthcare for almost 15 years; I had less days that I felt like a waitress and more like a empowered nurse; maybe it's by style of practice perhaps, however, at least in the "true" rehab setting, most people have everything they need to adjust to their abilities; and I make sure they use them. Humans are humans, regardless of culture, and there are a TON of issues in the mental and the emotional sense at play, whether it be regionally internationally or regionally stateside; the human condition can be of strange bedfellows.
I just want to enlighten you, as a student since you state your desire to return to the US; our culture may be consumerism and capitalism (that who personalization of companies now...whole 'nother thread and fight that a lot of us are fighting ) however, we still are built on democracy and that "spirit" of independence; so I practice in an empowering way; I'm sure there have been families that may have issues with that, but I've had far MORE successes than issues; I can count the issues on one hand. It can be done.
I'm sure I would feel the same way if I were to practice in the UK; I have been fortunate to travel there frequently; however, my empowering spirit doesn't change-politics are everywhere-I believe it to be a wordly issue that we can all understand.
Now, off my soapbox and back to the thread.

I think you nailed it when you talked about empowerment.

In the UK I am free to promote health education, and talk to my patients about their choices. I can challenge them to think about their health and take ownership of it.

I can get them up and moving and get them helping themselves.

I'm in the US at the moment, and just last night I looked after a lady who screamed at me when I questioned whether it was wise to have a cigarette straight after a nebulizer.

She screamed "Get me a cigarette now or I will have my family complain and get you fired."

All those years in nursing school and I have to give in to demands like that?

Am I truly empowered as a health care professional in the US?

Uh, no. :no:

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Oct 20, 2013

I think you nailed it when you talked about empowerment. In the UK I am free to promote health education, and talk to my patients about their choices. I can challenge them to think about their health and take ownership of it. I can get them up and moving and get them helping themselves. I'm in the US at the moment, and just last night I looked after a lady who screamed at me when I questioned whether it was wise to have a cigarette straight after a nebulizer. She screamed "Get me a cigarette now or I will have my family complain and get you fired." All those years in nursing school and I have to give in to demands like that? Am I truly empowered as a health care professional in the US? Uh, no.[/quote
And you are few to disagree; that patient is free to light up after a nebulizer; I don't question them; but then again, that's being familiar enough with how some of us do things here; they keep us in business.
As far as the fired comment; I'm empowered to know they can say that and a I KNOW I'm not getting fired; but hey, like they say here, it's a free country... :whistling;

virgo08 · Nov 4, 2013

Could you please tell more about the process of getting licensed in UK? Where do I start? I'm an RN graduating with BSN in May 2014, 9 years of experience. Any agency that you recommend? Thanks for sharing