US Nursing Recent Grad Moving to UK

skylark, BSN, RN · Jun 18

I assume you have already looked at the international requirements from the NMC, but if not, here is a link -

Register as a nurse or midwife if you trained outside the UK : step by step - The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk)

The main difference between US and UK nursing is the pay. Expect to be on a salary of around 30,000, which would be maybe $40,000, and also to be a lot more "hands-on" in the care you give.

Some hospitals actively recruit in the Philippines, but not so much from other countries. There aren't many US nurses around, usually they are military wives working in hospitals near to military bases.

Where in Berkshire? It's a big county, with a lot of diversity, but like everywhere else there have been harsh cutbacks, and hospitals struggle with being overworked, expected to do the same job they always did, but with fewer staff and resources. Property can cost as much as London but without the pay supplements that Londoners receive. It's not possible to buy a home on a nurse's salary without help from family.

Mergirlc, MSN, APRN, NP · Jun 21

I know nothing about UK nursing, but I might suggest if you can stay and get maybe 2 or so years experience in the USA first, this would be in your favor.

Based on the various posts I've come across on the All Nurses website of nurses from other countries coming to the USA, it seems the process isn't so cut and dry. I would expect the process is also not as cut and dry going from the US to international locations.

For the UK, there are nursing tests you must pass, visas to get, etc.. From what I have seen, there are two different different types of tests you must pass for the UK. Yes, even after passing NCLEX in the US.

Here's a blog I found written by a travel nurse. Hopefully this might shed some light for you so when you are truly ready, you'll be prepared to take on the task

https://www.passportsandpreemies.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-working-as-a-nurse-in-the-uk-if-youre-american/

DavidFR, BSN, MSN, RN · Jul 9

Mergirlc said:

I know nothing about UK nursing, but I might suggest if you can stay and get maybe 2 or so years experience in the USA first, this would be in your favor.

I agree with this 100% and think it is the best advice.

I speak as somebody who changed country (UK to France) after 15 years experience. Even as an old dinasour you have so much to cope with adapting to a new health care system. Admittedly you won't have the new language change I had to cope with, but you will still, even in English come accross different terminology and differences between British and American English. You will find a different way of organising your work to that which you trained with, different procedures, different ways of doing things along with culturally different expectations of what the nurse does from both patients and colleagues. This was incredibly rewarding ultimately, but even with 15 years experience behind me it was hard at times! I can't imagine having taken this on as a new grad. Not saying you have to stay in the US 30 years, but do get SOME post-grad experience before you move.

dizzybee, BSN · Nov 23

Did you get the info you need from the responses here?

I'm an experienced American nurse (16 years) who recently moved to the UK, so I'm starting the NMC application process.

Someone from the US will have to vouch for your nurse training - either your school of nursing or your board of nursing if you pass the NCLEX and register in the state where you live.

I'd recommend doing the NMC checklist for application and see which option sounds like it would be easier for you (relying on your education or education + nursing work experience in the US).

Since I worked for many years in the US and I'm still currently registered with my US board of nursing, this has helped with communication.

https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-uk/how-to-guide/check-ready/checklist-tool/