US Nurse moving to UK

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Hi everyone, hope you are doing well. I am a US citizen graduated from nursing school on 2019 and since then I have been in ICU, I planning to move to UK in this Summer 2021. My NMC application is in process, all papers were submitted except of OSCE Exam. for a month now I have been applying for jobs on NHS jobs website with no answer, also I applied though some agencies and they receive the CV and then the don't keep me updated with my application. 

I would like to ask for a contact for a good agency? 

I also was thinking to book for OSCE course in UK and travel there and get my NMC PIN and apply for jobs while I am there. any advice.

Thank you

Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

Hello Lauren, 

I haven't started yet, however am at the initial stages of exploring the NMC website in order to prepare myself to apply soon. I'll keep you posted with my progress. Thank you and good luck 

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@LondonFog Hi!! How are you? I am really hoping you could help me with a few questions if you don't mind.  I found you on another thread for Broward College a few years ago.  I am currently at Broward and start GIGU next semester. I am insanely nervous because so many students fail this class and the ones who passed are unfortunately unhelpful or have too much going on to help. Do you have any words of advice or tips on how to be successful in this course and the remainder of the program? I am super thankful for any thing you can share with me! Thanks.

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.

@EenoliaHello. Sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, I'll be happy to help, but as this page is only for UK discussions, please contact me through the BC email portal as I still have access. Look for Sofon K*** and we'll chat further. Take care ?

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@LondonFog Thank you so much! I will look for you

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Specializes in Psychiatric/Mental Health.

I am also an American RN looking to move to UK in 2022. I am getting a lot of help reading these forums, but I'm still looking for someone who currently works as a nurse in the UK who can talk the nitty gritty about pay. I work overtime and put in the hours here in the US, but the pay rates I've seen advertised compared to cost of living in the UK don't seem to add up. Can people really live off of this? With how much overtime I work and with COVID incentive rates in the US right now I can bring home 6K (US) after taxes each month and I'm comfortable, but I am by no means hoarding money or living a lavish lifestyle. How do people survive off a third of that in cities that seem to cost just as much as mine? I'll clarify, I am NOT a travel RN. I work as a permanent staff in a hospital in South Carolina where pay is known to be lower than much of the country for nurses. I would LOVE to hear from a nurse who pulls some overtime shifts here and there and know if you can live a decent life as a single nurse. I am open to any and all cities in te UK, but top of my list at this moment is Edinburgh. 

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Specializes in ICU Nurse.
On 10/22/2021 at 9:25 PM, laurensutherland10 said:

Hi all, 

I am just starting the process of applying for a nursing license in the UK. I just submitted my NMC application today. I was just wondering if anyone could share their timeline if they've applied recently as well as experience for anyone currently living and working in London!

 

Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you. 

Hi, my my advice for you is to start looking for a job while waiting on NMC application and give the CBT exam, the process is slow, I submitted my application on 12/2020 and got here on 10/2021.

work as a nurse is different but you will start from 0 and grow up as a nurse, it all depends on you and what further training you would  to have in your department. 

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Specializes in ICU Nurse.
9 hours ago, akpierce314 said:

I am also an American RN looking to move to UK in 2022. I am getting a lot of help reading these forums, but I'm still looking for someone who currently works as a nurse in the UK who can talk the nitty gritty about pay. I work overtime and put in the hours here in the US, but the pay rates I've seen advertised compared to cost of living in the UK don't seem to add up. Can people really live off of this? With how much overtime I work and with COVID incentive rates in the US right now I can bring home 6K (US) after taxes each month and I'm comfortable, but I am by no means hoarding money or living a lavish lifestyle. How do people survive off a third of that in cities that seem to cost just as much as mine? I'll clarify, I am NOT a travel RN. I work as a permanent staff in a hospital in South Carolina where pay is known to be lower than much of the country for nurses. I would LOVE to hear from a nurse who pulls some overtime shifts here and there and know if you can live a decent life as a single nurse. I am open to any and all cities in te UK, but top of my list at this moment is Edinburgh.

hi, 

you will start as band 3 while studying for OSCE, you will earn 21777 a year, once you get your PIN number it will jump to 25650 a year then you can submit a proof of how many years of experience you have and it will go up, I think if you have more than 5 years you will earn 31000 a year, then you can work over time and earn more.

the money is enough, but not in London, the rents are so expensive. 
 

good luck 

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Specializes in Emergency Department.
On 12/7/2021 at 12:35 AM, akpierce314 said:

I am also an American RN looking to move to UK in 2022. I am getting a lot of help reading these forums, but I'm still looking for someone who currently works as a nurse in the UK who can talk the nitty gritty about pay. I work overtime and put in the hours here in the US, but the pay rates I've seen advertised compared to cost of living in the UK don't seem to add up. Can people really live off of this? With how much overtime I work and with COVID incentive rates in the US right now I can bring home 6K (US) after taxes each month and I'm comfortable, but I am by no means hoarding money or living a lavish lifestyle. How do people survive off a third of that in cities that seem to cost just as much as mine? I'll clarify, I am NOT a travel RN. I work as a permanent staff in a hospital in South Carolina where pay is known to be lower than much of the country for nurses. I would LOVE to hear from a nurse who pulls some overtime shifts here and there and know if you can live a decent life as a single nurse. I am open to any and all cities in te UK, but top of my list at this moment is Edinburgh. 

Hi, I say this to a lot of Americans on this site but... Don't look at what you earn, yes UK nurses are underpaid, won't dispute that one little bit however...

Costs are different as are benefits to working in UK.

Yes you will pay approximately one third of your salary to tax and National Insurance but upside is no costs when you require medical attention and if you are in Scotland then no prescription charges. If you are off sick (providing you have been with the NHS (I think) one year) then you get 6 months full pay and then you get another 6 months half pay.

https://www.rcn.org.uk/employment-and-pay/nhs-pay-2020-21

Up to 10 weeks paid annual leave.

I had a family member who worked in Edinburgh as a nurse and had a great flat just outside of the city centre - when we met up they would walk in to meet us. They had a life and managed to eventually find a partner and get married so it is all do-able. They did not have a car but did not need one, a car in Edinburgh is just a nuisance, but public transport is cheap and reliable.

Overtime is paid at time and a half and double time on Sundays. You can also do agency work if you want and they pay much more. There is no such thing as mandatory overtime, you walk away at the end of your shift, within reason obviously, you cant just stop CPR because it is your finishing time.

Edinburgh is a very busy city - especially in August because of the Fringe - but also very friendly. Lots of nice bars, cafe's and restaurants.

Try using this site to get an idea of your take home pay after deductions;-

 https://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php

Here is a couple of sites for renting flats which will give you an idea of prices. Remember that Scottish nurses are paid more than other UK nurses.

https://www.zoopla.co.uk/to-rent/flats/edinburgh/

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/Edinburgh-City-Centre.html

 

For food look at Tesco, Sainsbury, Aldi, Lidl, Iceland and Morrisons all excellent supermarkets. Most of these will also deliver your groceries to your door at a set time to save you going to the supermarket.

 

Hope this helps and gives you some ideas. I don't live or work in Edinburgh but do live and did work in another Scottish city.

 

 

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Specializes in Psychiatric/Mental Health.

Very helpful, GrumpyRN! Thank you!

 

 

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.
On 10/22/2021 at 4:25 PM, laurensutherland10 said:

Hi all, 

I am just starting the process of applying for a nursing license in the UK. I just submitted my NMC application today. I was just wondering if anyone could share their timeline if they've applied recently as well as experience for anyone currently living and working in London!

 

Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you. 

Hello Lauren, hope you're well. Have you heard from the NMC yet? Probably too soon. I just applied and can update you when it progresses. I've lived and worked in London and Scotland, but not in a nurse capacity. So, happy to answer any general questions you may have regarding life there. I'm planning to return in 2022, depending on how things go with the NMC. 

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.
On 12/6/2021 at 7:35 PM, akpierce314 said:

I am also an American RN looking to move to UK in 2022. I am getting a lot of help reading these forums, but I'm still looking for someone who currently works as a nurse in the UK who can talk the nitty gritty about pay. I work overtime and put in the hours here in the US, but the pay rates I've seen advertised compared to cost of living in the UK don't seem to add up. Can people really live off of this? With how much overtime I work and with COVID incentive rates in the US right now I can bring home 6K (US) after taxes each month and I'm comfortable, but I am by no means hoarding money or living a lavish lifestyle. How do people survive off a third of that in cities that seem to cost just as much as mine? I'll clarify, I am NOT a travel RN. I work as a permanent staff in a hospital in South Carolina where pay is known to be lower than much of the country for nurses. I would LOVE to hear from a nurse who pulls some overtime shifts here and there and know if you can live a decent life as a single nurse. I am open to any and all cities in te UK, but top of my list at this moment is Edinburgh. 

Hello, hope you're well. It seems maybe GrumpyRN and Ahmad may have answered your initial concerns. I haven't worked as a nurse in the UK, but have lived and worked there (London, Newcastle & Glasgow). Scotland is stunning and I absolutely love the UK. Very different from the US though. Yes, salaries are lower for nursing, but there are so many more benefits that make up for that. From what I've researched - you can pick up OT and PRN (Bank shifts) and supplement with agency work as previously mentioned. I've just applied to the NMC and hoping to relocate in 2022. 

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Specializes in Cardiac/Telemetry/Covid19.
On 12/7/2021 at 5:25 AM, Ahmad Hadi said:

hi, 

you will start as band 3 while studying for OSCE, you will earn 21777 a year, once you get your PIN number it will jump to 25650 a year then you can submit a proof of how many years of experience you have and it will go up, I think if you have more than 5 years you will earn 31000 a year, then you can work over time and earn more.

the money is enough, but not in London, the rents are so expensive. 
 

good luck 

Hello Ahmad, hope you've been well there. Have you already given the OSCE? If so, how was it? Any advice? Did you purchase the Royal Marsden book to prepare?I looked into the websites you provided - thank you. 

The length of time you mention (applying in 12/20 and departing 10/21) was that due to NMC procedures or visa procedures? 

Thank you.

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