US to UK - mental health nursing jobs

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Hi-

I am thinking very seriously about spending at least a year in the UK - providing, of course, I can find a job. I have a BSN RN and have worked the last 9 years on a locked inpatient psych unit in Connecticut. I eventually plan to go back and get my masters (APRN) in psychiatric nursing but first would like to do a little traveling.

I have done quite a bit of reading on this site and have found some great links. I am looking for some inside info. What is the best way to go about locating a job - through an agency such as health professionals or dealing directly with the hospitals? I wouldn't mind being a bit outside of London as the cost of living sounds high and I tend be a bit quieter. I realize I need to get my work papers in order before I arrive. How easy is it to find housing once I arrive or does this need to be tackled beforehand? What are the home care/mental health jobs like in relation to the hospital jobs? I noticed a website called Cygnet Healthcare - any feedback on this agency? Any and all tidbits would be most welcome!

Thanks.

Christine

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Hi Christine,

Seems strange having a US nurse wanting to come to the UK, most of us on here are trying very hard to get to the US! :chuckle

I'm not sure that you'd be able to get into Mental Health Nursing. You see, our training here in the UK is quite different. Nurses who work in Mental Health are not general RN's, they are RMN's (Registered Mental Nurses) - I know, sounds awful doesn't it? Their nursing education is specialised toward psychiatry and their role is very different to that of an RN in general adult nursing.

But I'm sure you'd have no problem getting a job as an RN.

Best of luck to you,

Tina :)

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Hello christine,

Another link, but a good one! I would say that, being a RCN member, but there's loads of info, and there are further links to the registration body etc. RN is transferable, where LVN/LPN is not, but you may have to do a twenty-day adaptation/assimilation course. Most psych hospitals would snap you up, but the NHS has national employment standards, pay, etc.

http://www.rcn.org.uk/resources/international/noneu_nurses.php

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Thank you,both, for your responses. I have been doing quite alot of reading and it seems that a "new" registration process for the UK is going in effect Sep 1. I have read and re-read the qualifications for the mental health piece and am not quite clear on a couple of things. I have sent an e-mail to the registration body (can't recall name) and am waiting for a response.

They stipulate that a non-European nurse would need 3 years general and 12 mos of psych. Not sure if my 4 year bachelor degree would qualify. 4 year degrees do have much more of a psych component but, again, not sure if this would be what they want. It also seems (correct me if I am wrong) that I would need to get the general RN part secured first (RN1?) before I apply for part3 (mental health). The site states that a new 20 day mandatory supervisory period is in effect. Does that mean I would have to complete a 20 day mandatory period in general nursing before I could even apply for the psych piece? Very complicated. Any info that anyone has would be greatly appreciated!

Christine

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Hi Christine,

Just wondering if you got any info. back from the NMC on if you qualify to work in Britain as a RMN? I am in the same boat, and am not sure if i qualify either with my BSN degree. Thanks!

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Hi Christine,

Just wondering if you got any info. back from the NMC on if you qualify to work in Britain as a RMN? I am in the same boat, and am not sure if i qualify either with my BSN degree. Thanks!

Hi-

I found out that, indeed, a year of "post-secondary" psych training is necessary to be considered as a mental health nurse in the UK. A BSN is not sufficient regardless of experience. I acquired this info through a recruiter who has a contact in the NMC. It squares up with what I have read and this recruiter seemed to know her stuff (I have her e-mail in my yahoo account and if you would like to write her with questions I would be happy to supply you with it).

So, Unfortunately for me, this has ruled out the UK. I am now seriously looking at Australia - seems as though liscening (aside from all the usual red tape) won't be an issue.

Good luck with whatever you do!

Christine

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Hi-

I found out that, indeed, a year of "post-secondary" psych training is necessary to be considered as a mental health nurse in the UK. A BSN is not sufficient regardless of experience. I acquired this info through a recruiter who has a contact in the NMC. It squares up with what I have read and this recruiter seemed to know her stuff (I have her e-mail in my yahoo account and if you would like to write her with questions I would be happy to supply you with it).

So, Unfortunately for me, this has ruled out the UK. I am now seriously looking at Australia - seems as though liscening (aside from all the usual red tape) won't be an issue.

Good luck with whatever you do!

Christine

Christine,

Hello and thanks for the info.. If you get a chance, I'd love the nurse recruiter's email, to ask her some more detailed questions. Thanks very much in advance!

Good luck with Australia- sounds exciting!

Sonja

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