Why Am I Being Refused Work In ICU?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Sep 5, 2005

Hi all...
I'm an experienced RN from Australia, and have spent the last 8 months working in the intensive care unit of a major teaching/referral hospital. Although I may not have the academic qualifications or extensive experience that many of my senior colleagues in ICU have, I am a very competent nurse with a thorough understanding of the requisite knowledge, and excellent references.
I am travelling to the UK soon, and have been informed by my agency that as I do not have a full 12 months experience in ICU, they will be unable to place me in a critical care area. I'm disappointed by this, as I would have liked to continue working in this area. I was wondering if any UK nurses could tell me how I can obtain work in this area? Surely British ICU nurses have to come from somewhere...

the only thing I can think of is because you are an agency nurse and the hospital may have requirements that an agency nurse must have experience. I would suggest once you get here having a word with the ICU at the hosptial and see what they have to say

suzanne4, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Without the year in experience, you will find difficulties getting work in an ICU no matter which country that you go to. Things are going to be done differently in different countries, and you need more experience under your belt.

Would be the same thing if you were to come to the US.

steve0123 · Sep 5, 2005

Without the year in experience, you will find difficulties getting work in an ICU no matter which country that you go to. Things are going to be done differently in different countries, and you need more experience under your belt.
Would be the same thing if you were to come to the US.

I agree that different countries have different requirements, and I think it's admirable that the UK sets such high standards. Perhaps you misunderstood where I was coming from. I have two years of nursing experience, 8 months of which has been in a critical care area. I was asking how British nurses in a similar situation have been able to "break into" the area, as everyone has to start from somewhere (ie: you can't have 12 months experience if no one will employ you...). Perhaps it is just the fact its through an agency... I don't know :rolleyes:

suzanne4, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Unfortunately, as a foreign trained nurse without at least two years of experience, you are not necessarily going to get placed where you want. It has nothing to do with you specifically, but just how things are done.

Would be the same thing here in the US for you as well. At least most of the time....remember that they are usually not interviewing you in person before you fly over so many will not take the chance until they have actually met the person and worked with them, or have seen their work in their institution.

I work with foreign nurses on a daily basis, I am also the moderator of the internationl forum, and am just telling you how things are done in other countries. Preference is going to go to nurses form that country first. Whether that is right or wrong is not the issue, but that is how things are done.

ClaireMacl · Sep 6, 2005

I'm a UK ED nurse and know agencies insist that as a specialist nurse in an acute area, everywhere in the UK, that you must have 12 months floor experience, regardless of qualifications.

Sorry you've come up against this hurdle.

steve0123 · Sep 6, 2005

Perhaps my expectations are a bit too high. Nevermind, guess its back to med-surg for a while :crying2: (not that theres anything wrong with that by the way! I just know where my interests are...). Thankyou Suzanne et al for your replies!

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2005

Part of it is the Agency nurse bit.

I know that in the US, two years of experience total (no matter what the facility was rated) is not that much experience for an Agency nurse. And 8 monthes in an ICU (no matter the high rating of the facility) is not much for an agency nurse.

If you want to break into working ICU and work it as Agency, you probably would need to work it as a regular employee. Agency staff is expensive and no one wants to take the time to teach or explain things. A facility will invest the time to train a regular staffer, not an agency nurse.

Perhaps you should work as regular staff if you want ICU.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Sep 6, 2005

I would be patient come over, get your feet under the table, get some experience under your belt of working in an UK hospital and then you will find that doors will open for you.

Good luck-remember 'Whats for you wont go past you'

Kay :)

UK2USA · Sep 9, 2005

Steve, most of the agencies will set what they consider to be a safe amount of experience, however the hospitals will employ based on the individual nurse. I know that in the UK we are very impressed by the level of training we see in Ozzie and Kiwi nurses. My advice... go to one of the ICUs you are interested in and speak to the manager. It will make a lot of difference if the Unit Boss calls your agency and asks for you by name.... watch the 1 year recommendation disappear!!!! Good luck

steve0123 · Sep 10, 2005

I understand that these policies exist to protect the public (and the agencies business interests). I think the reason I was so put out by their response was because I'm used to appointments being made on merit and not simply years of service. Thankyou all for the good advice - I'll speak to some of the NUM's when I get over there...

suzanne4, RN · Sep 10, 2005

Remmber that you are also applying for a job in another country, without seeing you in person and being able to "pick your brain," you would be hard pressed to find any manager that would offer a position based only on your work experience. Get there and then introduce yourself...............