uk travel nurse

become a Continental nurse

European adventures while you work, uk short/long contracts, company housing, best package by far, easier than ever and we cover the costs.

Welcome to Continental Nurse

Getting your uk rgn has just become easier than ever and we’ll cover the costs*.

Best of all, our package helps you every step of the way and you’ll be reimbursed for most fees once you’re here.

WE TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING!

Continental Nurses can choose to live in company housing in the best locations and never worry about a thing…other than planning your adventures when off duty.

If you like where you’re working and living — and we bet you will — your head nurse will almost always ask you to “extend,” i.e. do another thirteen-week assignment. Just as typically, you will also be asked to “join the staff.” Of course, the choice is entirely yours.

We’re certain an attractive hourly rate, the choice of a short-term commitment or  staff position, upmarket accommodations and even travel money are enticing enough.

• 28 days paid vacation annually
• Statutory sick pay
• Continuing professional education
• Paid for NMC, CBT, OSCE and OSCE prep*

LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

Call now to discover how easy and fun it is to put your highly valued skills to good use while seeing the world. -For those of you trained or working in English, the onerous English exam IELTS is NO LONGER required

-The theory test (CBT) taken in your home country is easy peasy — almost entirely med / surg and we’ll cover the fee*

-The clinical test (OSCE) is given here and we’ll pay for it*

-Our package includes a two-day OSCE training course and, again, we’ll cover it*

-Our pass rate for the  OSCE currently stands at  96.5%  — and that’s with more than 400 takers

What We Can Do For You

• Airfare ( up to $750)
• Theory test (CBT) paid for
• OSCE training course paid for
• Clinical Test (OSCE) paid for
• COS, visa and much more paid for

We only work with the best nurses and place them at the best hospitals and locations in the UK.

We offer staff positions for those nurses not eligible to work short-term in the uk and we are now placing the best nurses in the best hospitals in permanent positions., isn’t it amazing to care for other people while living in and exploring a diverse, fascinating place like the city of  london.

We walk you through every step with one-on-one attention.

Our assignments include upmarket housing or (if you prefer) a housing allowance.

We have wonderful short term assignments for those of you with UK/EU right to work.

start your EUROPEAN adventure

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  1 855 207 0164,   1 800 771 640,   1 866 892 2594,   0800 451 971, dial direct, tel   +44 207 408 1234 , fax  +44 207 408 1235, info@continentalnurse. com, testimonial.

• What can ITN do?

Who are ITN?

What is travel nursing.

• Our Process
• Get Started

Ready to begin your UK adventure as a travel nurse? Let’s go…

Ready to begin your uk adventure as a travel nurse let's go....

If you’re a nurse who loves to explore, you’re in the right place. With International Travel Nurse, getting a licence to work as a nurse in the UK has never been easier. 

Not only will we find you the perfect placement in a world-class hospital, we’ll sort every detail, from your VISA application to your accommodation. 

Whether you fancy flitting around Europe with a short 13-week placement in the UK or basing yourself here for a longer assignment, we’ve got the opportunity to suit you. Every day is an adventure as an International Travel Nurse! 

Give us some quick details below and one of our recruitment consultants will be in touch

So what can ITN do for you?

Pretty much everything! Well, apart from packing…

• – Support with all documentation including VISA application and NMC registration
• – Placements in the world’s best medical facilities here in the UK
• – Excellent hourly rates
• – Short 13-week placements available
• – Reimbursement packages from £1,300 to £3,000
• – Accommodation allowance
• – Freedom to explore the rest of Europe
• – A support network of amazing nurses

ITN is here to make your new life in the UK a reality.

“International Travel Nurse helped me through the whole process from the very start to the day I flew home!”

If you are aged 18-30, have a nursing qualification and a minimum of one year experience in a medical facility under your belt, we’d love to chat to you.

Fill in the quick form below and one of our recruitment consultants will be in touch.

At International Travel Nurse we’re all about making every day an adventure.

We’re a young, dynamic team of experienced nursing recruitment consultants who love designing adventurous new lives for nurses. We have experience with the NHS spanning 30 years and connections with world-class medical providers. We predominantly work with nurses from Canada, Australia and New Zealand who dream of living and working in the UK.

Learn. On an ITN placement you’ll be working in world-class hospitals with super talented professionals. The ultimate glow up for your CV and a great way to learn more. Plus we offer short 13-week placements if you want to incorporate work into your travel plans.

Live. We’ll help you find the right accommodation to get you living like a local, enjoying the local hotspots and making new friends. Whether you’re on a flying visit with a 13-week placement or a longer-term stay, we want the UK to feel like home.

Explore. Living in the UK means you have the whole of Europe at your fingertips. Sample gelato in Rome, party in Ibiza or sun yourself in Santorini. Plus the UK has so much to offer, with fun city breaks, beautiful countryside and historic hotspots.

Want to start your adventure? Just fill in your details below and we’ll be in touch.

Travel nursing is an incredible way to make some money, boost your CV in the best medical facilities and see the world! Travel nurses are assigned to a hospital or facility on a temporary basis to fill gaps in staffing or on maternity cover. This means short, flexible contracts and excellent hourly rates.

“I’ve always wanted to travel but to get paid whilst you do it? It’s the perfect combination.”

There has been a real rise in demand for travel nurses in the UK since the pandemic so there has never been a better time to get out there and see the world.

Want to know more? Give us some quick details below and one of our recruitment consultants will give you a call.

• Globe Locums
• Working Abroad
• Register With Globe
• Get In Touch

The best paying travel nurse jobs in the UK

The idea of travel is high on many people’s bucket list. We all dream of taking up an adventure and seeing a completely new part of the world. However, travelling comes with many hidden costs that can make it hard for most people to achieve. Luckily, many industries, including healthcare, will offer travel jobs that allow medical professionals to temporarily work in the country that they are travelling to. This is a great opportunity for people who dream of travelling but can’t afford to go without a regular wage.     UK locum nursing jobs are almost always available for anyone who is qualified to enter. Becoming a travel nurse is a great way to experience the UK, ea rn  money whilst you travel and use your skills to make a difference. This article will explain the duties of a travel nurse and outline the best paying travel nurse jobs in the UK.

What is a travel nurse?

Travel nurses work in temporary positions to fill staff shortages so that hospitals and other care facilities can run smoothly. Nursing locum agencies are often looking for travel nurses to fill the positions of permanent staff members who may be on leave for a period of time. Travel nurses may be required to work in various locations around the UK, so it is a great way to experience the country.

Travel nurses will carry out the same duties as regular nurses within the industry, so candidates must meet the criteria for UK nursing jobs to be successful. As a travel nurse, you can expect to be carrying out a variety of different tasks in the ward that you are assigned to; no day will be exactly the same! There are many different nursing jobs available in the UK, you may be assigned to a busy hospital, an elderly care home or even a mental health ward.

What are the benefits of being a travel nurse?

Working as a travel nurse for a nursing locum agency is an exciting role that allows visitors to experience the UK whilst earning money. Although nursing is definitely not a walk in the park, you will never be short of things to do. There are in fact many benefits of working as a travel nurse.

Working whilst you travel means that you are able to grow your experience. Nursing locum agencies will assign travel nurses to a variety of care facilities, so you have the opportunity to try your hand in an area that you’ve never worked in before. Working in the UK also offers the chance to learn new skills from many highly qualified professionals in the healthcare system, which will allow you to enhance your knowledge and skill set. Locum nursing jobs will look impressive on any CV; the experience will help you to stand out from competitors at future job interviews.

Making a difference

Travel nurses are an important part of any health care team, as they provide support when gaps appear within the staff. Healthcare in the UK follows mandatory nurse-patient ratios, which ensure that there are always enough nurses on hand to provide the highest level of care to patients. Following these ratios leads to increased safety and lower mortality of patients, which is a fundamental aim within any healthcare service. Travel nurses play an essential role in making sure that these ratios are met. As a travel nurse, you will be able to leave work each day knowing that you have made a huge difference to the care of your patients, which is great for self-esteem.

What qualifications do travel nurses require?

To apply for UK nursing jobs, you will need to hold a nursing degree from a university. Acceptable degrees include an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BDN).

You will then need to complete the NCLEX-RN to secure a license that will allow you to practice in the UK. Many nursing locum agencies will also require 1 year of relevant nursing work experience and the ability to speak English fluently.

Nurses who would like to undergo locum work are required to be registered with the NMC and must have a minimum of 6 months experience working unsupervised within the NHS.

What are the best paying travel nurse jobs in the UK?

Locum nursing jobs are popular in the UK and there are many agencies to choose from when considering the role. It is always best to carry out thorough research of all the jobs that are available so that you are fully prepared to commit to the work involved. All nursing jobs will require similar qualifications but can have slightly different salaries, sick pay and benefits.

A newly qualified nurse in the UK will earn around £24,904, but this figure can rise, with the average nursing salary being around £33,384. Of course, travel nurses may only fill short assignments, so your earnings will depend on the length of time that you work in the UK.

In the UK, the highest paying nursing jobs will often be within the private healthcare sector, however, the benefits of working in this sector may not be as good as with the NHS. Agencies will recruit travel nurses for a variety of positions, so if you want a high paying role, it may be worth asking to be placed in a private healthcare service.

The NHS provides exceptional benefits for all staff, including travel nurses. These benefits can make a huge difference to overall finances and often make up for the slightly lower pay rate. The benefits that you can expect to receive from the NHS include increased pay for unsociable hours, sick pay, annual leave and flexible working.

Globe Locums is a specialist healthcare recruitment service that works with a range of healthcare providers across the UK. The company offers jobs in a variety of health care divisions and regularly updates their job page, making it easy for aspiring locum professionals to find a job through the site . The team are also on hand to answer any questions that you may have about working as a locum in the UK.

Latest Nursing Jobs

We currently have a variety of locum and permanent vacancies across the UK and Ireland

Related Articles

• Radiography

• Being a Locum

What is a travel nurse? - Roles and responsibilities in the UK

How to become a travel nurse in the UK? - Benefits

Working in healthcare can be limiting in times when you are stuck in one place with long hours. This can be tough for people who like to travel. But this can be solved when you choose travel nursing as your profession. We will explore how to become a travel nurse in this blog. Whether you dream of exploring places or meeting new people our blog will helpful for you! 

Explain what a travel nurse is?

A travel nurse is a registered nurse who works on a temporary basis in different locations. These nurses are sent to different places in the UK temporarily. They step into assist when there aren't enough nurses available.  

Travel nurses became popular in UK when there were not enough nurses to fill the jobs in healthcare centres. Employers offered more money and help with moving to attract nurses to the open positions. They not only work in UK but also in other countries as international travel nurses. Many people like travel nursing job because it will offer new experience and better pay than usual.

How to become a travel nurse?

• If you want to become a travel nurse in the UK, the first step is to go to a university for two or four years and get a nursing degree . You need either an associate's degree (ADN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN) in nursing to qualify. 
• Once you finish a nursing program that's approved, you need to pass a test called the NCLEX-RN to get your license. 
• Many travel nurse agencies in UK need you to have at least one year of experience working in your chosen nursing field before you can join them. 
• Nurse staffing agencies have become more popular because there aren't enough nurses due to retirements or people leaving their jobs. As a result, many agencies now focus on providing travel nurses to fill these gaps. 
• Depending on where you work, your first day might involve a thorough orientation or just a quick introduction to the rules and ways of the place. At the start, you might work alongside another nurse for a bit, but you will likely be working on your own quickly. 

What are the key responsibilities of travel nurses in the UK?

1) Giving basic first aid involves helping with wounds by putting on and taking off dressings, giving medicines and shots and preparing IV drips for patients. 

2) Operating medical equipment at your workplace to a good level, following the training you got during your qualifications. 

3) Checking and understanding your patients' condition to figure out the best way to keep treating them. 

4) Being understanding and caring towards your patients, explaining things to them, and making sure they feel as comfortable as they can while you're taking care of them. 

5) Recording basic patient details, like important signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate and body temperature. 

6) Giving quick medical help to lots of people during wars or disasters. 

7) Teaching patients and their families how to take care of their health and prevent problems. 

8) Identifying and helping patients who are very sick and need immediate attention. 

9) Working in jobs for about eight to thirteen weeks in the UK or one to two years in other countries. 

10) Working together with doctors to create a care plan. 

What is the average salary of travel nurses in the UK? 

The salary for travel nurses will vary based on experience and location. They change a lot of locations. One day week they might be work in London and next week they could be in Birmingham. On average travel nurses make about £28,822 a year. This amount can vary depending on the agency they work for and how experienced you are as a nurse. This can also vary depending on individual circumstances and terms of the employment contract. 

Travel nursing offers nurses various perks like higher pay and benefits, such as: 

• Bonuses 
• Retirement plans 
• Helping to get passports and work visas. 
• Competitive pay 
• Choice of location 
• Travel reimbursement 
• Choosing the hours or shifts to work 
• Helping to get passports or work visas 
• Free housing 
• Healthcare, dental, and vision benefits 

What are the benefits of being a travel nurse in UK? 

Being a travel nurses in the UK have lots of benefits. Some of the key benefits are listed below, 

a) Lots of nurses who like the idea of traveling get happy about the chance to visit new places when they're working. 

b) Hospitals and clinics really need travel nurses so they will be happy to pay them. So travel nurses get paid more than regular nurses. 

c) Travel nurses in UK don’t have to stress about where they stay while they are on an assignment. Either they will provide a free house for a nurse, or they can choose the accommodation. 

d) A travel nurse in UK can decide when and where they want to work. If they prefer to spend some time with their family, they can plan vacations around their nursing assignments. 

e) Lots of travel nurses are amazed at how they improve and change because of traveling. They can also learn new things, explore new cultures, and try to meet different people. The more you travel the better you will get handling all sorts of situations. 

f) Travel nurses can do better networking by choosing their profession. They can work with lots of healthcare professionals who have different backgrounds and specialities. Building a strong network can help you in the future. 

g) Travel nurses will get professional development by choosing their careers. They will get an opportunity to work in different types of hospitals and clinics. 

Picking the best healthcare service agency in the UK can be tough, and it requires careful thought and time. Nurses Group shines as an excellent option for caring and personalized service. Nurses Group, the rapidly expanding healthcare agency in the UK, advances the development of support workers by offering training to enhance their skills and knowledge, enabling individuals to grow into seasoned support professionals. 

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How to Become an International Travel Nurse

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• What Is an International Travel Nurse
• Steps to Become

Choosing a Specialization

• Credentials

Great pay and boundless opportunities are just some reasons why nurses choose travel nursing. The job options are a good fit for nurses who love to travel, discover new places, and want to broaden their skill set.

Travel nurses help temporarily fill shortages. In the U.S., assignments may range from 13-26 weeks, but international assignments are often at least one year.

European countries offer some of the highest-paying jobs. Benefits can include a housing stipend, travel costs, and partially covering food and other living expenses.

Travel nursing jobs within the U.S. are simple to arrange. Travel nursing internationally, however, has a few added prerequisites.

Discover how to become an international travel nurse, types of assignments available, and the required certifications.

How Long to Become: 4-6 years

Degree Required: ADN, BSN, or MSN

Job Outlook: 6% growth, 2021-2031 Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

What Is an International Travel Nurse?

There is a global nursing shortage . Countries with shortages need to increase nurse graduates by an average of 8% annually. One out of every eight nurses works in a country where they were not born or trained. This is what international travel nursing looks like.

Travel nursing is available domestically. But you can also choose to travel and work internationally.

Nursing shortages have hit countries across the world and they require medical personnel to fill their needs. This offers travel nurses an opportunity to expand their skills and learn new medical techniques.

Many countries need to fill positions in nursing specialties . Hospitals, doctors’ offices, and outpatient care clinics are just some of the settings in need of international travel nurses.

The most sought-after nurses often have experience in emergency rooms (ERs)/ emergency departments (EDs) as an ER nurse , intensive care, and cardiac care. Nurses with experience as a labor and delivery nurse and in neonatal nurse care are also desirable.

Steps to Becoming an International Travel Nurse

Becoming an international travel nurse is much like working as a domestic travel nurse. However, there may be additional requirements depending on your destination.

A nurse must hold licensure from the state board of nursing , which confers the registered nurse (RN) credential.

Earning this requires passing the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). Some states have additional requirements.

To start your journey as an international travel nurse, take the following steps:

Earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree.

International travel nursing demands high-level nursing skills in your specialization. This starts with earning a four-year bachelor of science in nursing degree from an accredited school.

A bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) improves patient care and prepares you for leadership and management positions.

Nurses with an associate degree in nursing (ADN) may enroll in an RN-to-BSN degree bridge program to complete their BSN. If you are entering a BSN program with a bachelor’s in another field, consider accelerated nursing programs .

Pass the NCLEX-RN exam.

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers the NCLEX exam . It is a national exam all U.S states accept. The test demonstrates your clinical competency in nursing and decides if your state will issue you a nursing license.

To take the exam, you must hold either an ADN or BSN, which can also help you develop a NCLEX study plan . You are tested on care management, pharmacology, and safety and infection control, among other areas. NCLEX practice questions are available through various study sites.

Gain experience.

To work and travel domestically, the best travel nursing agencies may want you to have at least one year of experience in your specialty. However, international travel nursing positions may require even more experience or nursing certifications . This depends on the country and the facility you’ll work from.

Earn proper credentials.

Domestic travel nursing requires that you have a nursing license in the state where you will be working. For international travel nursing, your destination country may have a longer list of requirements.

This list can include a valid passport, visa to work in the country, and vaccinations needed before traveling . Some facilities may require special certifications. Others may require a language test to demonstrate proficiency before travel.

Find employment.

International travel nurses may work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, or outpatient clinics. While it’s not necessary to work with a travel nursing agency, it can help you look for work, finalize your contract, and move.

Note the length of your contract as you decide on your location. Domestic travel nurses often work 13-26 weeks. International nurses may be offered one- or two-year contracts.

International Travel Nurse Schooling

As you consider your options as a travel nurse, know the educational and skill requirements you may need. Most organizations prefer a BSN degree.

To work internationally, you need an undergraduate degree in nursing from a four-year program, such as an in-person or online BSN program . To apply for a graduate-level program, students often must hold a BSN.

Admission Requirements

Program curriculum, time to complete, skills learned.

Whether choosing to work in a nursing specialization or advancing your career through a graduate program , nursing offers the opportunity to specialize. Nurses graduating from a BSN program can choose to become certified in a specialty, which demonstrates their advanced knowledge.

For example, nurses may choose certification as a rehabilitation nurse , a pain management nurse , or in cardiac care.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) can choose to practice as a family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner , acute care nurse practitioner, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetis t, and more.

The specialty you choose will help determine your opportunities as an international travel nurse.

International Travel Nurse Credentials

International travel nurses need a nursing license in the U.S. An APRN needs to take the certification exam in their specialty. After these two requirements, you will need a passport, visa, work permit, and any sponsorship for your destination country.

Each country may have its own list of necessary documentation. This can include professional references, birth certificates, immunization records, and proof that you can speak the language.

Certifications

APRNs need certification in their specialty field. For example, those who want to become a family nurse practitioner (FNP) must pass the FNP certification exam. This is a valid, reliable demonstration of your competency in the field.

An RN may choose to have certifications that demonstrate advanced knowledge in rehabilitation nursing, pain management, or other specialty areas. Professional associations offer certifications that have specific requirements to maintain the credential.

Nursing requires state licensure that confers the credential of RN on the nursing candidate. To get the license, nurses must pass the NCLEX-RN.

Additional requirements depend on the state, including background and fingerprint checks, or school transcripts. Each state board of nursing has requirements to maintain licensure, including continuing education .

Working as an International Travel Nurse

Nursing gives you a unique opportunity to work and travel the world. The severe global nursing shortage has opened up opportunities for nurses who work in operating and emergency rooms, cardiac and neonatal units, and other specialties.

Countries with the highest salaries for travel nurses are Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United States. However, they also have the highest cost of living. The average salary is $115,020 per year according to ZipRecruiter as of January 2023, or about $2,210 per week.

The simplest way to get into international travel nursing is to sign up with an agency that works with international organizations. They help refine your travel search based on your skills and past work experience.

Consider testing the waters as a travel nurse within the U.S. before exploring long-term contracts overseas.

Another option is working with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD, which has international jobs for nurses. The DoD works with you to ensure you have the necessary documentation to work overseas. You can receive job alerts for their international postings.

Beyond documentation, you need skills. Nurses should have communication, conflict resolution, and team player skills. Without a strong command of the local language, it is impossible to be successful.

The following are some common workplace settings for international travel nurses. Note that your specializations and certifications will help determine the positions available to you.

Organizations seek nurses who have specialty skills in the intensive care unit, emergency room, telemetry, or the operating room. These areas require critical thinking for nurses , initiative, and leadership.

Outpatient Care Clinics

In an outpatient setting, nurses must be proficient at triage, assessment, educating patients, starting IVs, and RN case management .

Doctors’ Offices

In a doctor’s office, a nurse needs mastery of communication, assessment, medication administration, wound management, and minor medical procedures.

Becoming an International Travel Nurse: FAQs

Do travel nurses go internationally.

Travel nurses can choose to travel domestically or internationally. To travel and work overseas, you need a license and certification in your specialty, passport, and work visa. You may also need to take a language test to prove proficiency and provide reference letters. While domestic travel assignments can last up to 26 weeks, international ones can last up to two years.

How much do international travel nurses make?

Travel nurses are well paid to offset the stress of living and working away from home. Travel nurse salaries depend on your nursing specialty and country placement. Your compensation package includes an hourly salary, housing stipend, and travel expenses. It may also cover food and other living expenses.

How do I become an international nurse?

The first step is to earn your BSN from an accredited school. After graduation, you must pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for a license in your state. Most travel agencies want new nurses to have at least one year of bedside experience. Many recommend two years to gain proficiency in a specialty to practice internationally.

Once accepted by an agency, it can take up to one year to gather the necessary documents required by the country if you do not already have them. This can include a passport, work visa, recommendation letters, and testing in the language. Some countries may also require sponsorship.

Where is the best place to work as an international travel nurse?

International travel nursing is an opportunity to travel overseas while working. The best place depends on your goals. For example, Luxembourg is one of the highest-paying countries, but they also have a high cost of living. Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia do not require learning a new language. The Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, and Bolivia can offer a chance to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Learn More About International Travel Nurses

10 Tips for Nurses Interested in International Travel Nursing

International travel nursing offers you the chance to globe-trot while getting paid. These 10 tips can help you navigate travel issues that may arise.

How Much Do Travel Nurses Make?

Travel nurses can earn more than other RNs. Learn more about travel nurse pay rate, benefits, and tax breaks. Identify the highest-paying states and travel nurse specialities.

Military Nurse Career Overview

Military nurses work in fast-paced environments, caring for enlisted soldiers and their families. Learn about how to become one in the guide below.

Missionary Nurse Career Overview

Missionary nurses travel overseas to deliver nursing care and Christian counseling. See how you can become a missionary nurse and learn more about what they do.

Page last reviewed January 23, 2023

All Aboard! The Travel Nursing Europe Express!

Home » All Aboard! The Travel Nursing Europe Express!

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First Stop On The Travel Nursing Europe Express! The UK!

First and foremost to register as an RN in the UK you must be an RN in your home country.

Secondly, you must have 1 full year of experience in your home country before you can become an RN in the UK.

Third, if you are applying from a country that’s not in the European Union, you will be required to have an assessment of your training. thTe UK has only one licensing board: The Nursing and Midwifery Council. To become an RN in the UK one must pass three tests and apply.

• A theory Test
• Clinical Test
• International English Language Testing System Exam (IELTS)

Once you pass these tests you can join the register of UK travel nurses. Passing all of the necessary tests, completing your application and beginning your first assignment in the UK usually takes 6 months.   But once you do complete the application process you can complete the NMC’s Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP)  While modern nursing was founded by the British, nurses in the UK do not have as much responsibility as their counterparts across the Atlantic. In the UK doctors are those that assess patients and nurses often don’t even analyze blood results, perform injections or read Electrocardiograms .

As with any international labor, you must have a valid Visa to work in the UK. But with the current nursing shortage in the UK right now your skill set is in very high demand so it is very possible for nurses to get a visa.

For any work Visa, you will need to be sponsored by a health facility where you will have to work for at least one year.

While there used to be are two tiers of Work Visas that travel nurses typically used, the General Skilled Migration Visa was closed in April 2011.

The only Work Permit Travel Nurses can apply for is a Tier 2 Work Permit. Since there is a nationwide nursing shortage throughout the UK, Nurses are often heavily considered for a tier 2 work permit since they are filling a position that cannot be filled by a British Citizen.

The only steps that experienced travel nurses have to worry about is getting a confirmed sponsorship by an Employer in the UK and travel nursing agencies should be able to help with that.

The Next Stop On The Travel Nursing Europe Express! Ireland!

If you’re interested in international travel nursing, but want to keep speaking English, then travel nursing in Ireland is a great opportunity for you! You’d have almost all of Europe at your doorstep! Since the demand for nurses is growing stronger and stronger travel nursing in Ireland is growing increasingly popular.

Travel nursing in Ireland is not easy. To travel nurse in Ireland you have to register with the Irish Nursing Board, or the An Bord Altranais. Their information is listed below. Also, all overseas applications go through the NMBI, The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. They are rejecting applicants at a record rate. Marvel Williamson a nursing school professor and dean with an MSN, a PhD and extensive clinical experience.

Per the journal.ie there were 101 US applications for travel nursing in Ireland in 2015 and only 9 nurses were admitted. From 2013 there were 247 US applications and only 24 registrations.

One of the most important parts of your overseas application is that you’ve completed 1,533 theoretical hours and 2,300 clinical hours. During the course of a US BSN nurses on average clock 340 theoretical hours, or classroom hours and 1,000 hours of clinical instruction.

Marvel Williamson said that the application process focused on nursing school curriculum over recent work experience. In Irish nursing schools, the clinical hours are comprised of hours in which a student is an apprentice to a nurse without a professor. But in the US almost all clinical hours have professor supervision.

NMBI also understands that US nurses must pass the NCLEX before they become an RN so hours as a graduate nurse may be questioned thoroughly.

Unless you are an EU citizen you will have to get an employment visa.

Irish Nursing Board:

An Bord Altranais 31/32

Fitzwilliam Square

Dublin 2, Ireland

353-1-639-8500; Fax: 353-1-676-3348

www.nursingboard.ie

The Travel Nursing Europe Express Keeps Going To Spain!

In the early 2000s, Spain had a glut, or oversupply, of both Doctors and Nurses. But while the glut of doctors has remained, the oversupply of nurses is fading as nurses in 2018 and beyond are in high demand according to the OECD .

The OECD, The Organization of Economic Co-Operation & Development, estimates the worldwide average nurse: inhabitant ratio as 9:1000. Spain today has 5.4 nurses for every 1,000 citizens. Part of that difference can be explained by the Spanish expectation of family members to take care of loved ones after operations, not nurses.

Visiting hours in Spanish hospitals are completely unrestricted as family members can, and often do, stay in the hospital with their loved one all night. Family members usually assume the responsibilities of changing bedpans, spoon feeding & giving the pills the doctor gave them.

The above can be explained, at least partially, by the fact that the Spanish have a public health system that is very underfunded. While Spanish Citizens get to enjoy very cheap healthcare, working with them would require Spanish language fluency.

But there are some coastal areas that can place English speaking nurses as there are pockets of internationals and expatriates. The Nursing agencies in Spain can be difficult to find, as they hardly advertise. There are some online directories of agencies, like this one on the Costa Del Sol .

Costa Del Sol has an aging population, so nurses will often work inside of people’s homes. So while the agencies are looking for qualified nurses, they’re also looking for compassion and care. The setting is a little bit more laid back than a hospital ward, but the tradeoff is that nurses in Spain have to be a little bit more flexible to the patient’s needs and timing. This kind of work is a lot less clinical than most countries.

One piece of advice for travel nurses interested in nursing in Spain is: learn Spanish. The Spanish Nurse’s Association, or La Organización Colegial de Enfermería , has a website that is only in Spanish for example. Also, communication in the medical field can be vital. As accustomed to internationals as the UK’s Nursing and Midwifery Council is the Spanish Nurses’ Association is not nearly as prepared for international nurses. But Travel Nursing in Spain is very possible, but also might be the last stop of the Travel Nursing Europe Express.

Does The Travel Nursing Europe Express do France?

First and foremost, Travel Nursing in France, like Germany or Sweden, requires complete fluency in the native tongue. No, if you’ve taken a French class in high school and haven’t spoken French since then you’re most likely not fluent.

If you can pass the French competency exam, then you must acquire validation of your medical profession. Unlike the UK, the French will not take your US training into account. French nurses have to go through their own rigorous trade school experience operated by Hospitals.

Even Non-French Europeans have a hard time getting their nursing certifications to be taken seriously inside of France, and for Non-EU citizens, it’s even harder. Unfortunately, in order for the Travel Nursing Europe Express to continue in France, an American would have to re-train in France in their French. They’re very particular when it comes to their French language being spoken properly, especially towards Paris.

Related Posts:

• Travel Nursing in New Zealand
• How to Become a Travel Nurse
• Travel Nurse FAQ
• Travel Nursing In Dubai
• What Qualifications are Required for Nursing Assistant Jobs?
• A New Covid Nursing Role: What Is A Vaccinator?

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An American nurse in London: Is it worth it?

Fresh off the boat was a term I’d heard once or twice amongst my former travels, usually referring to an immigrant who had recently arrived in a new country of chosen inhabitance. Fresh off the boat instantly became my joking term to explain my newfound situation to random UK citizens who felt the need to ask where I was from and when I arrived. Here’s a shocker: There aren’t many Americans working in London, or anywhere really outside of the United States.I was commonly asked, “Where is that accent from? Are you Canadian? Why did you come here ?”

When asked why I came to London to try nursing, all I could really think to answer is that I came for the experience and to see what it is like living outside of the United States. I had travelled on my own a-plenty, to many countries around the world, so I wanted to know what it was like to live  in one of them. London, UK just happened to be the easiest one for me, and lucky for me, I have learned why.

When you have a system of free health care such as in the National Health Service of the UK, better known as the NHS, and too many people are in frequent need of healthcare, there is naturally going to be a lot of stress placed on workers. Frankly, it’s stressful working for the NHS, or any healthcare system, really. People in need and who are sick, injured, mentally stressed, et cetera, are going to want good healthcare, and they’re going to want it then and not later. The NHS is “free”, so people are going to come no matter what, even if it means waiting in line for seven hours.

Ethics and global health outreach programs

Any nurse can do it: Sustaining change when volunteering overseas

Stranger in a strange land

However, despite the stress and relentless determination that it takes to work in one of the largest cities in the world, equipped with the most widely recognized free health system, you have to be ready to handle the stress, ready to learn quite a lot, and ready to use both this stress and newfound knowledge to your advantage. When asked if working in the UK as a nurse has been worth it? Yes, it has been, without a doubt.

I moved to London, and as those who have lived in London are aware, London is not the friendliest of cities. It is unique, and it will challenge you on its own. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a lovely city, incredibly fun and interesting, and the people are undeniably fantastic, but the city in general is intense and testing. You have constant weather changes, the ongoing persona of people on the go, every culture within close proximity, non-stop public transportation to every corner, and the overall accumulation of parks, buildings, history, et cetera. It’s madness so intricately combined that it somehow works, and this is London.

Of course, moving to London alone required adaptation, but coming to London to work as a nurse required something else, like, durability. It was hard. It was honestly very hard, because the system is not set up to favor those pretentious nurses that come from America, like me. Can it be done, yes, but it is quite the test. First, the non-EU nurse has to go through a set of steps to enter the country to be able to work. That’s pretty standard when wanting to move abroad for work. Once that’s completed, the non-EU nurse is then able to start working, but only as a nurse assistant until a clinical test called the OSCE is completed. Okay, also pretty standard. This may seem rather bleak and programmatic, but it’s harder than it seems for the already trained nurse because it’s essentially like having to go backwards. I kept wanting to do more than I was legally able to do because I had not yet completed the OSCE. It took about 2 months from my time of arrival to the UK to be trained well enough for the OSCE, because each NHS hospital has its own ways of training, and that takes about 2 months.

There is also the fact that your skill set is bound to change. As a former American medical surgical/ICU nurse who had training in a number of tough skills, I had to accept that those skills meant nothing, that I was equivalent to a new nurse fresh out of nursing school. Talk about self-deprecating. I had to learn the UK way of assessment and performance, and basically had to become retrained and signed off on skills that I already knew and had excelled at. Obviously completing the requirements was easy; accepting that I had to repeat training was more difficult.

Then, there is the fact that the hospital you will work for is going to be an NHS hospital, which means it’s a “free, public hospital”. Yes, there are private hospitals, but these are not easy to get on board with initially. Usually private hospitals look for at least 6 months to a year of UK experience, so the NHS it is until then. The NHS is a beautiful thing, really. It’s an extremely generous and fair system, and the UK citizens are quite in favor, as they should be. It is a stressful system to work for, but it is also a good system to work for. The NHS has some highly recognizable university hospitals that produce exceptional research and training programs. Nearly all of the care is evidence-based and sound. Once you find your place in the NHS, I guarantee that you will enjoy the knowledge and challenges.

Essentially, moving to London for work as a nurse is like throwing oneself into deep water. The learning curve is steep, and the direct teaching is sparse; but the expectations are still high. You have to adapt quickly and figure out how things work with limited support within months, and that is challenging. If you are able to make it through the first months, you will eventually witness yourself change as a nurse, more accepting of challenges, and overall more independent.

I believe the best part of coming to London to work as a nurse has been just that—coming to London to work as a nurse. It has been life changing, and has really helped me to become a stronger, wiser, braver, more self-assured, not just nurse, but person. It also has helped me to become a better nurse, for it has helped me to grow independently. It is has helped me to be more considerate of others, to be mindful of various cultures and races. Surprisingly, it has also made me more confident in initiating the nurse-leader role. I have never been so confident in wanting to lead others in experience and knowledge.

Coming abroad as a nurse has not been easy, but it has been fun, and so worth it. If I could suggest to other nurses to consider trying nursing in another country, whether it be the UK, Australia, Dubai, or anywhere else in the world, I would say one hundred percent, go for it!

Mary Costello is a nurse living in London.

The views and opinions expressed by Perspectives contributors are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or recommendations of the American Nurses Association, the Editorial Advisory Board members, or the Publisher, Editors and staff of American Nurse Journal . These are opinion pieces and are not peer reviewed.

69 Comments .

I’m an RN in California attempting to register in the NMC cause I’m planning on moving to the UK. I’m currently lost about how to get my registration verified by the NMC. I went online at the California board of nursing and found out that I need a physical address to send the verification. But I can’t seem to find what that address is for the NMC nor can I find a way to get in touch with them to ask the same. Any help would be highly appreciated

Their address is on the NMC website

Hi tshering. I’m interested in doing the same thing and wanted to know if you figured out how to do this? Also, do you know what the difference in pay is for nurses here versus nurses in the UK? Thank you!

I’m a nurse in the US, trained in the US. I’ve worked abroad for the US. Every year the allergies are the worst for me! After taking an allergy test, the best location for my health is London; per the research. I’m a NP and nurse. I’m not sure if it’s worth moving to another country after reading this article.

I agree this article scares me and I’ve heard the pay is not great. I would like to know who arranges the housing?

Some employers, especially at the countryside, will give you 2 months of free accommodation. After that, you need to find your own. In London, I was not given a free accommodation, so before I started my work, I found a flat through Rightmove Uk. Typically, agents or Landlord would ask for reference and deposits. Goodluck.

I am an RN who did my training in Uk then repatriated to the W.I. Where I worked as a staff nurse for 3 years and nurse supervisor for 3 years. Soon after that I moved to NY where I had to apply to the State University Ed Dept and take the NCLEX (State Board exam). I was a little torn at first but, after working in the US as an RN. I understand fully the reason behind the process. Nursing is nursing all over the world but we use different terminology, abbreviations, etc. although the medications may in some cases be the same the names are very different and sometimes the reasoning that facilitates treatment are also different. Therefore, it takes time to get used to that particular country’s method of reasoning & also their rationale. However, once you have that down Pat it is pretty much 2nd nature. I completed my BSN & MSN here in the USA. I love the practical knowledge I got in UK but appreciate so very much the theory that was pumped into my brain cells here in USA. In addition there are so much more opportunities here in the USA for nurses. The British system is impeccable and I am glad for my exposure to both. I have only gained from this and say nothing negative about either. I have lived in The US too long and my children are American so I guess with that I am all in. I would not choose to do it any other way even if I could. I Love London UK & I love NY USA.

Been a nurse in the UK for 3 years now and I think that’s a fair amount of time to know what I really want. Back home in PH, our accreditation and hospital system is more of American, at the end of the day I still wanted to work in an American health care. A month from now, I am moving to the US and I can’t wait to finally fulfil my dream since nursing school. UKRN to USRN.

Am a Ghanaian RN planning to either relocate to the UK or US. This article has really given me the final nod as to what to do. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Am a kenya registered nurse currently working in the U.K. for one and half years .Am in the process of applying to the US with Avant healthcare professionals.is it a great idea or should I remain in the U.K.?

Amazing article! I can relate as a UKRN working in the NHS ( Geriatric Ward) for 2 years now. However, I am contemplating applying to the US. What do you think is the difference with regards to salary, living expenses and patient: ratio/workload? Where do you think should I start to have an easy transition as a USRN? Thank you!

It depends on the unit you work as far as the ratio. ED 3-4:1 medical surgical 5-6:1. And I heard the pay is better in the States. Look online to get ideas. Good luck

Hi there ,I’m a Romanian Medical Assistant in General Medicine (Registered Nurse) and this is my 5th year in the UK. Had done a Bsc top up and now finishing my Msc in Advanced Nursing Practice . Is there anyone knowing 🤔 if and how can I transfer as Nurse Practitioner from UK to 🇺🇸US ???I know the education is not at the same level (as I have a aunt there as Doctor of Nursing Practice 🇺🇸 ).Here for qualifying as a prescriber you need 78 hrs of placement for prescribing vs 1200 hrs in US . I contacted the BON Texas and they said as long as I have Advanced Physical Assessment, Advanced Pharmacology and Advanced Pathophysiology (which we don’t do that much in the Msc) is ok but they weren’t sure as they never registered a British Nurse practitioner.

All you have to do is to apply to any opening position here in the United State

Born and raised in San Francisco, I started my nurse training in London in 1967. I lived and worked as a nurse in the Ik for twenty years before retiring to the US. Both countries have very different cultural styles for nurses. I am forever grateful to have current friendships with both English and American ladies that I went to nursing school with over fifty years ago. So proud of my nursing career.

Nursing is a special career and wherever it is practiced is a gift to patients and their families.

Mary Costello, you don’t know how I understand you. Very empathetic writing.

Great article: found completely by accident! I will retire soon (hopefully) here in the US and thought about a job in the UK for a while. Great info: thanks for writing.

Hi, Mary! How about the salary you get being a Nurse in UK and before in US? Was there are big difference? Do find UK Nurses are well compensated compared to US? Thank you

As of now 10/18/2021, the starting salary in New York is $90,000. excluding the shift differential, BSN, Masters, 16 sick time, 12 holiday pay,4 weeks vacation.Union dues for your retirement, hospital retirement, free health care blah blah blah. Good luck.

I have a BSN from NYU. My first RN job was in Brooklyn. The starting pay was around what you describe but we had to pay for health, vision, dental (not much, but it was not free). I lived in West Harlem at the time so it was a commute of around 3 to 4 hours daily. I then worked in central PA where the pay was less (no surprise) but a weak union meant only 25% or so of the RNs were full-time, the rest of us were “part-time” but almost full-time hours. Our schedule changed weekly and there were rotating shifts. It was horrible. I went back to school and became a school nurse: way better conditions and regular hours.

I don’t know if this is still live.. as in if anyone will reply, but I’m a year 2 nurse in the UK and desperately want to go over to the US / Canada for a year or two to work and travel, however every where I look you have to have 2 year min experience! I guess my question is A) Does anyone know if this is set in stone or are there ways to move there with either just 1 year or a few months experience, and B) how difficult is the NCLEX, I may be wrong but with the NHS being so desperate for staff I have seen loads of people flying through OSCE with ease. I hope that makes sense, and any other tips for the US / CAN/ EU travelling plan would be HUGELY appreciated!

I meant Yr 2 Nursing Student!

I thought the NCLEX was easy, so I guess it depends on your study skills and commons sense. Truly that’s how you pass the NCLEX, if you have common sense you will pass it. Nursing 101. I didn’t study, I was last one to enter exam room, and first one to finish. My NCLEX stopped at 85 questions which meant I got enough right in a short time that I passed, NCLEX goes up to over 200 questions depending on how many you get right in a time period but have to get to at least 85 questions.

NCLEX is hard but it’s meant to be. Common sense is a flower that does not grow in everyone’s garden. Work through as many NCLEX practice questions as possible and you will be fine. In general, most positions are not for new grads. Those are far fewer and far between but they do exist! You may need to look at different cities at different times of the year to find them.

The NCLEX is difficult in that it is not a straight forward exam. You arent gonna get any questions that follow “You patient presents with A, and has a history of B, and you do C” I was in a mental pretzel doing it and felt like I had no idea how I was doing, but passed in the minimum amount of questions, meaning I could not have done better. I really recommend using Uworld to study, once you learn how to take a Nclex test, it becomes easier.

If you do the study prep through Kaplan etc and are diligent with that, the NCLEX is OK.

This is a fantastic article. However, I’m a UKRN wanting to work in the US. I have worked for more than 2 years here and still I can’t let go of all the learnings I learned when I was in the Philippines, which is basically like an American health system. And for which I miss it a lot, being an independent nurse.

Kudos to you Mary on your new journey! I want to move to the UK as a nurse. This article helps alot.Thank You very much for the information!

I am glad it helped! Good luck!

Hello! I am graduating with a BSN next Spring. Would I be eligible to work as a new grad in London? Do you know where I could start looking for these entry level hospital positions? Thanks so much!

Hello, yes, I have a friend who recently did this to be with her partner who is British. It is surely possible. Good luck.

I’m pretty sure you have to have a year’s working experience as an RN in order to start the process for getting on the NMC register. I am a US trained RN but a UK citizen and I have looked into working in the UK.

Mary, can you tell me if in the UK the American LPN equivalent exists? Thank you

I am unsure. Check with the UK NMC, they would be able to tell you!

I am in the beginning process of applying for my license. I am gathering the info for the eligibility application but I am unsure what they mean by qualification certificate, registration certificate, and name of my regulator. Could you tell me what documents they mean for me to go from American paperwork?

https://www.nmc.org.uk/registration/joining-the-register/register-nurse-midwife/trained-outside-the-eueea/new-application/how-to-guide/eligibility-and-qualification-application/qualification-and-registration/

You will have to check with the NMC regarding this question. Thank you!

I really liked your article. It definitely helped me out because I have read both good and bad reviews. However, I am not looking to live in London. Are there any other cities that people would suggest? Did you use an agency to get over there? what were your first steps to begin the process to move there? Thanks again!

I would begin with applying to the country/state nursing board, because you can’t work without their approval. Agencies can help a lot in the process, so finding a good one is ideal, too. Thanks for reading!

Hi Brittney, I am a registered nurse in the UK. My place of work is a city called Birmingham. Its the 2nd largest city, it has good travel links and is considered more friendly than London. It has both large and small hospitals with outlying counties that also have good size hospitals. Worcester, is also within a reasonable distance of Birmingham with a more countryside feeling to it. Its relatively safe here if pick a decent area to live in. You can work agency within the hospital system itself, where you can pick shifts to suit yourself. Wherever you choose good luck.

Well.. I cannot keep quiet and would like to mention some things. I am an European trained nurse over 20 years ago. I moved to London 15 years ago and then came to US 5 years ago.. that is such a story itself. I disagree with that “free” NHS since contributing so much myself and everyone living there. I can actually post a corner of my pay check form 2014. So, NHS is not free people. I pay less in US for my insurance with a small deductible and not only better, WAY better services in here. Secondly, the nurses training in Europe is tough. American schools have you “ ready “ in 18 months to be an RN. Come on .. I have been in school 4 years to be an RN. Is a confusion. LPN, RN, BSN. A money making industry. So as you can see I am not on either side. But let’s be honest here. NHS ain’t free. And the testing for American nurses moving to UK over it s easy. I did both. UK and US /famous NCLEX. So please American people, consider yourself lucky! Happy 4th July!

You’re correct. It’s not technically free at all. Pros and cons to each. Thank you for your opinion! 🙂

Hey Ana! My name is Tatiana. I just moved to UK from US. I have Associates degree in Nursing (Completed in US) with 20 months of experience in med-surg unit. I ‘m planning to apply to become a nurse in England. Do you know if UK board will accept my with Associates degree? On one website I’ve read that only Bachelor’s degree is acceptable.

You do not need a BSN, but you have to prove that your classwork/degree requirements match what is required in the UK. Good luck!

Hi Ana, can I ask for your opinion on which is better: UKRN or USRN in terms of workload, cost of living and earnings. Could you briefly discuss the steps on shifting from UKRN to USRN? Thanks!?

Mary, thank you for the article. It was very helpful. I am looking to work in London, I am an RN with 7 years experience, BSN, and Oncology Certification. Should I allow COVID-19 travel restrictions to put off the process of starting to get on the registry or just continue to move forward?

I would do as much as you can and continue with the process. However, I’d doubt the UK would let an American in now, even to work. You may have to wait until they remove the restrictions. I would check with the UK embassy, they’ll be able to tell you more.

Hey Mary! I was wondering, how many years of nursing experience does it take to apply with the NMC to work in the UK. I will be graduating in 2021 and would love to start nursing directly in the UK. Also, did you do everything through the NMC or was there another registry that you applied to?

You’ll have to check with NMC requirements. If I remember correctly, I believe 2 years was the minimum when I applied.

Did you still need to take the CBT and the OSCE or jus the OSCE? I am currently working in the NHS as a part of an IPC team in Birmingham and I totally understood what you meant when you mentioned the step back and how different the NHS mentality is than US-based healthcare!

Both! The CBT and the OSCE. Congrats on working in the NHS! Stay safe.

This is a great article Mary, truly! It is exactly what I’ve been looking for to gain some knowledge on the America to London transition. I work in sales with a BA in another subject and I’m considering going back to school for an Associates in Nursing just to go off to work and live in London. I’ve been there several times and it takes you out of the entitled American mindset almost immediately. It’s tough but the people are fantastic! As far as schooling, would you recommend going back to school in America or just going to school in London? Thanks for your feedback! I hope you make more inspiring articles like this. It’s hard to find any first hand content on this subject.

Thank you. Yes, it is good to expand your horizon so to speak and try other places. It was difficult but worth it. Good luck in your endeavorers.

Hey Mary! Is there any way I can contact you about getting a visa/studying for their exam? And what other credentials you’d need to move over there from the US? I have so many questions

Definitely check with the NMC website and see what they currently require. They also have studying advice. I would start there. Thanks for reading!

Hi! Thanks for the article. By ‘nurse’ do you mean RN with Associates degree or a BSN? I have a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, but I am also an RN with an Associates degree only…. not the BSN. (yes, I went backwards getting a BA first then Associates)… Can you tell me if England accepts RNs with associates only? Thank you!

They do! I had only an ASN degree when I moved there, and finished my BSN while overseas. You have to show that all credits/hours match the UK system’s. Good luck!

I’m a California nurse looking at a potential move with family in tow. This post scares, but excites me (I mean, c’mon…California ratios to NHS?!). My husband is a British citizen, but we’re worried about the time and money to move a family with two small children. I’ve visited many times and we have family on the outskirts of London with a potential place to stay..makes things a little easier. Are there any particular links you would recommend I look at to prepare myself or to help us understand such a move (and nursing) better? Thanks in advance!

Great questions! There were very few links/advice that helped me to understand the transition and what would be ahead. Look at the NMC website and see what they require. Talking to locals is also a great idea!

What are the differences in ratios?

1:8 to 1: 12 (med-surg) 1:2 to 1:4 (CCU+ 16 telemetry monitors to watch)

Based on the NHs hospital I am working at.

Mostly 1:10 or 1:15 in the medical/surgical wards ICU 1:1 (level3) 1:2(level2)

Those are pretty high ratios! Is it similar acuity patients to the US?

Well done and much respect Mary. I definitely agree that nurses trained in the USA should try working abroad. It is totally empowering with some learning curve. I am a US experienced nurse executive working in Saudi Arabia for almost 8 years.

Hi! I have dreamed about moving to England for basically my entire life, I’ve been going every summer since I was 11 because we have family there.

I was just wondering if you have any idea if it would be possible to get a job there fresh out of nursing school? I am in school in the US right now and graduate in May 2021. Do you think I should work in the US for a year and then try and get a job? I would love to just go straight there!

You’re article was very helpful and informative. Thank you!

This is a great question. I would check with the NMC and they’ll be able to tell you more about the requirements. I believe it is possible, but you will still have to pass the CBT and OSCE tests. Check with the NMC, first. Good luck!

Great article! Well said, especially about the mental struggle going backward in training. I was in similar situation coming to US with MD diploma . Nothing I I have done mattered and counted. It is not easy to wrap your mind around it.

Good luck to you!

Good luck to the summit ??

I’m so proud of you Mary and miss you!!

Comments are closed.

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Home / Nursing Careers & Specialties / Travel Nurse

Travel Nurse

What is a travel nurse, how to become a travel nurse, travel nurse faqs, what does a domestic or international travel nurse do, travel nurse salary and employment, helpful organizations, societies, & agencies.

Travel nurses are RNs from various clinical backgrounds who work for independent staffing agencies. They are assigned to different care areas on a temporary basis to fill in short-term employment gaps.

Travel nursing is a specialty that took root when the field of nursing faced a nationwide shortage. Hospitals, clinics, and other care areas had unfilled positions, yet had patients needing care. To try and attract nurses to the open positions, employers offered higher pay, housing, and covered the cost of relocating.

Due to these shortages, health care facilities have vacancies that need to be filled—and travel nurses are often the ones to fill open positions. Not only do travel nurses work in health care in any state in the country, but they also work outside of the United States as international travel nurses. The adventure and excitement of new opportunities, along with higher-than-average pay, are facets of travel nursing that many RNs find attractive.

Why Are Travel Nurses Important?

Travel nurses are an important part of the health care team because they help bridge the gap between supply and demand in the field of nursing. Mandatory nurse-patient ratios have led to increased patient safety and lower patient mortality . While this is a positive finding, and more and more states are passing legislation to implement staffing ratios, there are not enough nurses to fill the openings. Travel nurses assigned those open positions help to increase patient safety and improve patient outcomes.

Additionally, nurses from different educational backgrounds, care areas, and geographic locations bring a great deal to the practice of nursing. Sharing ideas and practices not only benefits patients, but also other nurses.

A travel nurse should have the following characteristics to excel in the role:

• Enjoys experiencing new cities, towns, and organizations
• Enjoys freedom. Travel nurses choose when and where they work, and choose their duration of employment
• Enjoys flexibility. Travel nurses create their schedules, benefits packages, and income based on which agency they choose to work
• Thrives on challenges. Moving to different states or overseas and being “the new nurse” repeatedly is challenging. Learning new organizational systems and workflows is particularly challenging
• Loves learning new things. Each assignment takes travel nurses to new health care facilities, some with higher levels of technology or different standards of practice. Each experience helps nurses build upon their knowledge base

Additionally, travel nurses should have supportive families and friends. It's difficult to either pack up and move an entire family or leave your family and friends behind. The flip side to this is that new relationships are formed in each new location.

What Are the Educational Requirements for Travel Nurses?

Those interested in the specialty of travel nursing should first pursue a nursing degree through a two or four-year university. Obtaining an associate's degree ( ADN ) or bachelor's degree ( BSN ) in nursing is required. A BSN is not required to be a travel nurse, but some health care facilities only hire BSN-prepared nurses. The staffing agency in which the nurse is employed should match the nurse appropriately based on educational requirements.

After completion of an accredited nursing program, successful completion of the NCLEX-RN is required for licensure.

Most travel nurse agencies require a minimum of one year of hands-on experience in the chosen specialty of nursing. Additionally, some agencies will only hire BSN-prepared RNs. International travel nurses should speak the language of the country they are to practice in, as communication is an important part of effective healthcare delivery. Nurses are encouraged to research agencies when considering travel nursing.

Are Any Certifications or Credentials Needed?

No additional exams are required for travel nursing. Based on the specialty, certification(s) may be required. Examples include:

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) may be required
• Stroke care certification
• Telemetry certification
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)
• Critical care nursing (adults, pediatric, neonatal)
• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) may be required
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification
• Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
• Trauma Nurse Core Course (TNCC) certification

Additional specific requirements may be necessary for international travel nurses. These include:

• Acquiring a passport and work visa (usually handled by the agency)
• Additional immunizations
• Learning a new language
• Learning about diseases unique to the area

How Can a Travel Nurse Receive a Tax-Free Housing Stipend?

Housing is one of the most significant concerns for a travel nurse. There are a few options available, and it depends on the travel nurse agency/company regarding how accommodations are set up. Some companies provide housing (i.e., apartment, duplex, etc.). Some companies offer a housing stipend, or a fixed amount of money each month to apply towards housing.

First, nurses need to be aware of where their “tax home” is, as stipends are tax-free if working away from the tax home. Having a tax home is necessary to receive tax-free housing. A "tax home" is defined as the general vicinity of an individual's primary place of work (regardless of where the primary residence is). Generally, the IRS considers someone traveling away from home (i.e., their "tax home") if it exceeds one workday.

Different travel nurse agencies offer different stipends - it’s important to research what the living expenses are in a specific area to ensure housing is adequately covered. The General Services Administration (GSA) lists the maximum daily amount for lodging, meals, and incidentals with regards to travel expenses . The key word is MAXIMUM. It's not required that a company pay employees the listed stipend. In fact, some travel nurse agencies offer higher hourly wages instead of housing stipends. Additionally, the GSA rates are based on short-term travel - usually less than a month. Travel nurse contracts can last three months or more.

Are Nursing Licenses Valid When Traveling and Working in Other States?

Those interested in travel nursing may have questions about licensing; specifically, how are licenses recognized if practicing in another state.

Depending on the state, new licensure is not necessary. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) developed the Nurse Licensure Compact which is an agreement between specific states to recognize nursing licenses without having to apply separately for licensure in another state. In other words, a nurse living in a "compact state" (one which is part of this agreement) can practice in another compact state without having to obtain additional licenses. There are now uniform licensure requirements that must be met when seeking a multistate license under the compact agreement. States that participate in the compact agreement can be found on the NCSBN website .

If not part of the compact agreement, some states allow nurses to obtain temporary licenses by endorsement. These are valid for specific lengths of time, so nurses must visit each state’s Board of Nursing website to determine specific temporary license requirements. If extending the assignment past the temporary license time frame, nurses must apply for a permanent license. Permanent licenses are also required for states that don't grant licensure by endorsement and don't participate in the NLC.

Travel nurses have a broad range of responsibilities and duties, and specific tasks depend on the specialty in which the nurse is trained. General nursing responsibilities and duties include:

• Using the nursing process of assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing, and evaluating to care for patients in a variety of healthcare settings
• Administering medications, and fluids, assisting with activities of daily living and patient mobility
• Reviewing and interpreting diagnostic tests such as lab work and imaging
• Provide monitoring and oversight in all aspects of patient care
• Collaborating with physicians in developing a plan of care
• Assessing the psychosocial needs of patients and families
• Recognizing and intervening in clinically unstable patients
• Providing resources for patients and referring as necessary
• Educating patients and families in all areas of healthcare maintenance and prevention
• Working in assignments anywhere from eight to thirteen weeks (on average) in the U.S., one to two years if outside the U.S.
• Learning various patient care systems/documentation
• Providing immediate medical care and aid for large populations during times of war or disaster

Domestic and international travel nurses also have different characteristics specific to their roles.

Domestic Travel Nurses

• Work within the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from eight to thirteen weeks
• Can respond to areas of the U.S that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks

International Travel Nurses

International travel nurses should have excellent communication skills, should be open to new experiences and challenges, and should have a strong desire to learn. These nurses are responsible for performing a wide array of duties. As stated previously, the tasks an international nurse will have to perform depend entirely upon their medical specialty. Some of the more general or everyday tasks that international travel nurses will perform include administering medication, wound care, and providing emergency medical services and care. Since there are often nursing shortages in many of the regions that international nurses travel to, another general role of these nurses is to educate family members and caretakers about the appropriate patient and medical care. In summary, international travel nurses:

• Work outside the U.S.
• Typically work assignments that range from one to two years
• Respond to areas that experience natural disasters or disease outbreaks, such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa
• Provide medical care and aid to underserved, rural , and remote populations
• Usually, must wait for document processing before traveling

Travel Nurse Working Conditions

As with any career, there are positive and negative aspects to working as a travel nurse. Nurses can suffer from stress as they may carry a heavy patient load and have many critical decisions to make. Additionally, travel nurses may suffer from feelings of isolation since they tend to relocate often. Having a strong sense of independence and a support system available, even remotely, can help.

Additionally, nurses may work in high-risk areas that may expose them to workplace violence, blood-borne pathogens, and chemicals. Travel nurses must always familiarize themselves with and adhere to safety standards set by the organization.

International travel nurses can face different challenges. Travel nurses must be familiar with the country's laws, and geographic-specific diseases, and always keep their overall safety as a priority.

Despite these considerations, travel nursing can be immensely rewarding. Many organizations and staff nurses appreciate the help travel nurses offer. Travel nurses help relieve staff nurses from burnout, as can happen when working short-staffed.

International travel nurses are also highly appreciated. They provide medical care and assistance to many patients in remote settings who otherwise would have no access to healthcare. They help with relief efforts in war zones or after disaster events, which can be both rewarding and enriching.

According to the American Nurses Association, as of 2015 fourteen states had mandatory nurse-patient ratios . Nurses are pushing for federal legislation supporting safe staffing and because of this, if more states pass safe-staffing laws, nurses will be in even more demand. Travel nurses will help mend the current and projected nursing shortage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 16% overall growth for nurses until 2024, which is much faster-than-average growth for all occupations.

RELATED :  RN License Transfer and NLC Guide

Travel nursing has many incentives for nurses regarding pay and benefits including:

• Travel reimbursement
• Free housing
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Assistance in obtaining passports/work visas
• Choice of location
• Selection of hours/shifts worked
• Competitive pay
• Higher-than-average pay for RNs

According to Indeed, the average yearly salary for a travel nurse is $75,109. However, since pay is competitive in travel nursing, some companies are offering salaries of around $100,00 annually for domestic travel nurses.

International travel nurses tend to have lower salaries than domestic, except for assignments in some middle eastern countries. This is because, for the most part, nurses tend to make less outside of the U.S.

Salary is dependent on the agency, and nurses should research each company to find the right salary and benefits that best fit their needs.

• International Council of Nurses
• Professional Association of Nurse Travelers
• National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations
• American Travel Health Nurses Association

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• Is Travel Nursing the Right Adventure for You?
• An Ocean-Lover's Dream: Working as a Nurse at Sea
• 10 Pros and Cons of Becoming a Travel Nurse
• 5 Specializations For Nurses Who Enjoy Travel
• Tips on Maintaining a Healthy Diet as a Traveling Nurse
• See all Nursing Articles

Politics latest: 'When they start caring about us, maybe we'll care back': Why have politicians lost people's trust - and can they win it back?

A special edition of the Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge - live from Grimsby - explores the issue of trust in politicians with a studio audience.

Friday 26 April 2024 06:51, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

• Humza Yousaf's future in the balance as Greens back no-confidence motion
• Connor Gillies  on why the balance of power now potentially rests with one MSP
• 'When they start caring about us, maybe we'll care back': Politics Hub special explores breakdown in trust between voters and politicians
• Beth Rigby on why a horrible reality check waits for Rishi Sunak
• Live reporting by Charlotte Chelsom-Pill

Former Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said the collapse of the power-sharing deal between the SNP and the Scottish Greens today is a "pretty bitter divorce".

Speaking on Sky News' latest Electoral Dysfunction podcast, the Tory peer says: "This isn't a conscious uncoupling like Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin. I mean, this is a proper a bitter doozy."

She says it will be "really interesting" to see whether the Greens are "so angry" that they vote with other opposition parties in Holyrood, having previously been "pretty willing allies of the SNP". 

"It will be really interesting as we go forward to find out whether they want to exact revenge or whether they're going to be more independent-minded than they have previously been in previous parliaments," she says.

Earlier, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie said the SNP can no longer rely on its votes in parliament after First Minister Humza Yousaf terminated the deal ( see post at 1.31pm ).

Mr Yousaf will now lead a minority government ( see post at 10.16am ). 

Ruth says the move was a "sign of weakness" from Mr Yousaf. 

"He had to pull the trigger before he was dumped," she says. 

You can hear Ruth's comments in full on Sky News' latest Electoral Dysfunction podcast.

👉 Tap here to follow Electoral Dysfunction wherever you get your podcasts 👈

Email Beth, Jess, and Ruth at  [email protected] , post on X to @BethRigby, or send a WhatsApp voice note on 07934 200 444.

By Connor Gillies, Scotland correspondent

This has become a political bloodbath for Humza Yousaf.

He began the day under pressure to stamp his authority at the looming prospect of the SNP's government partners, the Greens, walking away in a row over ditched climate targets and growing scepticism of the Cass report on gender identity services for children.

The SNP leader and Scotland's first minister wanted to reset the narrative, to show he is in control.

He hauled Green ministers in for an 8am appointment, which I understand was very tense.

They were sacked on the spot.

In a hastily arranged news conference, Mr Yousaf told me I was wrong to suggest he is not really pulling the strings.

Let's remember he had hailed the SNP-Green alliance as "worth its weight in gold" fewer than 48 hours earlier.

Whatever his early morning intentions, it is not unreasonable to suggest it has spectacularly backfired.

Read the full analysis:

By Connor Gillies , Scotland correspondent, and Jennifer Scott , political reporter

The Scottish Green Party will join with rival MSPs to back a no-confidence motion in First Minister Humza Yousaf next week, after the SNP kicked its coalition partners out of government.

Mr Yousaf announced his plan to cut ties with the Greens earlier on Thursday, following a bitter row over the SNP's climbdown on climate targets.

And soon after, the Scottish Conservatives announced it would lodge a vote of no-confidence in him, claiming the first minister had "failed" in his role and had "focused on the wrong priorities for Scotland".

Both Labour and the Liberal Democrats agreed to back the motion, with its success hanging on whether Green Party MSPs joined the attack to give SNP critics a majority in Holyrood.

Its co-leaders Patrick Harvie and Lorna Slater have now confirmed their party they will join forces to condemn Mr Yousaf's leadership, with Green sources telling Sky News there was serious anger among the ousted party.

Read more here:

Good morning!

Welcome back to the Politics Hub on Friday, 26 April.

Here's what's happening today:

• Humza Yousaf's future as Scotland's first minister hangs in the balance as his former allies the Scottish Greens say they will vote against him in a motion of no confidence;
• He will deliver a speech later today on the future of the labour market in an independent Scotland;
• Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves will be in Tees Valley today discussing cost of living.

We'll be discussing all of this and more with:

• Jonathan Reynolds , shadow business and trade secretaryat 8.15am;
• Baroness Patricia Scotland , Commonwealth secretary-general at 8.30am.

Follow along for the latest political news.

Thank you for following the latest political updates throughout the day, make sure to join us again tomorrow.

Before you go, here are some of today's top stories:

Today's rail plan by Labour is a landmark moment.

Unlike many aspects of the party's policy offers to date, it is detailed, comes with a blueprint for what will happen on day one, and Whitehall will understand how to implement it.

It is, after all, winding back the clock.

Even the rail companies themselves say change to the train network is needed - though they inevitably don't like this version of their future - and it is not without controversy.

But the row is a fight Labour want to have.

After months of a pro-business love-in from Rachel Reeves and the Labour leadership, it is the single most concrete measure worrying business so far, according to figures from FTSE 100 firms I talked to this week.

They are watching closely to see whether the tendency to squeeze and bash business, evident under ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn, remains in the party's DNA, even if it is well hidden.

Sir Keir Starmer's plan allows the railway companies to come back into public ownership within five years.

But will it leave the railways better off?

Read the full analysis here:

By Serena Barker-Singh, political correspondent

The battle for a town that no one there wants.

Sky News is reporting from Grimsby in the run-up to the general election as one of its Target Towns - a key constituency prized by both Conservatives and Labour - Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes.

But it turns out that Grimsby doesn't really want them.

It hasn't always been a town doused in apathy. In 2016, 70% of people here voted to leave the EU - one of the highest results in the country - and in the 2019 election, the constituency turned Tory for the first time since the Second World War.

But five years on, polling by Sky News found that since then, the number of people saying they "almost never" trust the British government to place the needs of the nation above the interests of their own party has nearly doubled - from 26% to 49%.

It's a stark but bleak view. Voters tonight described both leaders as uninspiring and uninteresting.

When asked what they make of the current prime minister, words like 'weak' and 'performative' were used. Voters couldn't make their minds up about the Labour leader, saying they were unsure about him or his policies.

The lack of a clear dividing line between the two parties could be a problem in the general election, especially as both parties have been trying to show a bit more leg this week ahead of a fully-fledged election campaign.

Labour has shown a hint of more radical policies today, with their announcement on aiming to nationalise railways within five years. But have they waited a bit too long to impress the people of Grimsby?

The Conservatives ratified their Rwanda policy into law today, but voters here weren't hugely enthused by that either, with one member of the audience tonight proclaiming they care much more about housing and the environment. They asked - why is the centre of political debate about Rwanda and a policy we don't really care about?

Apathy might override this election.

Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf will not resign tomorrow, Sky News understands.

A source close to Mr Yousaf told Sky News's Scotland correspondent Connor Gillies he will not resign tomorrow, despite the speculation.

They said: "He is not resigning and is coming out fighting".

Mr Gillies said it was "unclear though whether a speech on independence will go ahead as planned on Friday."

Mr Yousaf is facing a political crisis after the Scottish Greens said they would vote against him in a motion of no confidence.

The first minister had decided to bring the power-sharing deal between his party the SNP and the Scottish Greens to an end this morning, sparking the dramatic row.

The power-sharing deal between the SNP and Scottish Greens was "a useless deal," former first minister Alex Salmond has said.

Humza Yousaf's future hangs in the balance after the Scottish Greens said they would vote against him in a motion of no confidence.

The dramatic fallout was sparked by the first minister's decision to bring the power-sharing deal to an end this morning.

"The agreement had to go," Mr Salmond told Sky News. "But the way that Humza has done it, he's painted himself into an incredibly tight corner.

"It would be fair to say that his first ministership is hanging by a thread."

Mr Salmond, leader of the Alba Party, said the balance of power hangs with Ash Regan, former SNP leadership candidate and Alba Party MSP.

"The Alba Party will write him [Mr Yousaf] a letter setting out our concerns and priorities for the parliament, and Humza's future will depend on his response to that letter," he said.

"If he wants to remain as first minister, then he better give a response which is convincing not just to Ash Regan, but to the Scottish people."

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