How to Work As a Nurse in the UK & Travel the World

My favorite way to spend my lunch break (remember those?) as an American nurse living in the UK is dreaming up my next European getaway.  The options feel endless.  A weekend city break to Paris or Vienna?  A snowy cabin in Finland with dog sledding, and hand
feeding reindeer?  Lounging in the Italian sun with an Aperol spritz before an evening stroll for gelato (pistachio and chocolate for me, please!).  Or maybe Greece in the Autumn… or Fuerteventura to catch the last rays of sunshine before the grey English winter sets in.

That’s the beauty of living in England and working as a nurse in the NHS. When I clock out, I’m on the doorstep to the rest of the world.  With cheap flights, a little spontaneity, and 7 weeks of paid time off every year, I have the opportunity to see more of the world than I ever dreamed when I was working in the United States.  Many American nurses wonder whether it’s actually possible to work in the UK and build a life abroad, and I can already hear the doubts and fears creeping in.

“That sounds amazing, Rachel, but don’t UK nurses earn a lot less?”

“Could I actually afford that lifestyle?”

“Would I adjust to living and working in a different country?”

As a US-trained nurse who moved to the UK several years ago, I know how big this transition is.  I’ve also spent the last few years helping hundreds of other nurses navigate the process of building a life and career here.  And I can assure you… these are exactly the kinds of questions you should be asking.  Moving abroad as a nurse is a life-changing decision.  It’s exciting, but it’s also challenging, and it requires a lot of adjustment along the way.

But looking back now, I know moving to the UK and working in the NHS has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life.  It pushed me outside my comfort zone, introduced me to people from all over the world, and gave me the chance to live my life in a completely different way.

So, let’s explore why so many nurses consider moving to the UK, what life is really like working there, and how you could leverage your nursing degree to move to the UK and travel the world.

 

Thinking about working in the UK as a nurse?  Before you dive too far down the rabbit hole, there are a few hidden surprises you may encounter along the way.  I’ve put together a free guide called 10 Hidden Challenges Nurses Face When Moving to the UK that helps you understand the realities of the move before you start the process.  You can download it if you’re curious about the obstacles you might face along the way.

 

Why Nurses Move to the UK

When American nurses start exploring international career opportunities, the UK tends to make the short list for a few key reasons…

 

An English Speaking Healthcare System

Communicating with patients is central to nursing, so working in a country where English is the primary language makes the transition much easier.  Of course, you may need some time to adjust to regional accents and different terminology – for example, patients may ask to “spend a penny” if they need the bathroom and IV poles may be called “drip stands”.  But if English is your first language, the learning curve is manageable and most nurses settle in fairly quickly.

 

A Different Healthcare System

Most nurses working in the UK are employed by the NHS, the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system (though there are private hospitals, too).  The NHS sees around 1.7 million patients every single day and operates with a very different philosophy than the US healthcare system.  The NHS provides a comprehensive service which is available to all and based on need rather than the ability to pay, which means nurses are working in a system that prioritizes access and equity.  That doesn’t mean that everything is perfect.  The NHS does face significant financial pressure and nurses coming from the US will notice differences in resources, workflows, targets and expectations.

But… many American nurses find it fascinating to experience healthcare through a completely different lens.  My biggest piece of advice?  Stay open-minded.  What works in one healthcare system doesn’t always translate directly to another.  Context
matters, and learning how different systems approach care can be one of the most eye-opening and rewarding parts of the experience.

 

A Doorstep to the Rest of the World

One of the biggest appeals of living in the UK is its location.  The only thing separating the UK from mainland Europe is the English Channel, making travel to Europe and beyond incredibly easy.  A quick flight could take you to…

• Spain or Portugal for sunshine and beaches
• The Alps for (apres) skiing
• Italy for pasta, wine, and historic cities
• Iceland for thermal spas and northern lights
• Morocco for expanding your horizons to Northern Africa
• Turkiye to visit the only city in the world spanning two continents

With Europe in your backyard and generous annual leave, the travel opportunities are endless.

Instead of planning one big vacation every year, many nurses in the UK take two or three longer. holidays (1-2 weeks each) plus several shorter “city break” trips throughout the year.  When American nurses start working in the UK they often find they have more paid time off than they know what to do with.

For me, that meant I could stop obsessively tracking how many countries I’ve been to and start travelling more slowly and more deeply, revisiting countries to experience regional differences in culture, food and historical influences.

 

Affordable Travel

Although the European travel industry hasn’t been immune to rising costs and changing baggage policies, you’ll be pleased to hear that it still remains affordable.  For the best deals, be flexible with dates and destinations and use functions like Skyscanner’s
“explore everywhere” search engine.  Once you get settled into your new life in the UK, you could go on weekend city breaks every
month if you wanted to! More often if you have a budget that prioritizes travel.

Top tips…

• Ryanair and EasyJet are budget airlines that offer a no-frills flying experience at affordable prices
• Avoid the August school holidays when everything is more expensive and crowded

If flying isn’t your thing, ferries and trains can get you pretty much anywhere you want to go.  The Eurostar can take you from London to Paris or Brussels in just a few hours, connecting you to the wider European rail network with destinations like Amsterdam, Switzerland, Germany, the French Riviera, Spain or Portugal.

For many international nurses, the first 2 years in the UK feel a bit like a working holiday.  Work and life are all about navigating a new country and culture.  And on your days off you get to explore parts of the world that seemed impossibly far away when you were in the US.

 

The Hidden Trade-Off:  Is Less Actually More?

Moving to the UK as a nurse may mean earning less money, living in smaller spaces, and constantly adjusting to living and working in a different culture.  At first glance, it might sound like a downgrade.  But for many nurses, these changes actually create space for a richer life.

 

Earning Less

Let’s talk about the biggest concern first:  Salary.  When American nurses first learn about UK nursing salaries, it comes as a shock which is quickly followed by worry and doubt.

A newly qualified nurse in the NHS earns about £32,000 per year (2026/2027 pay scale).  Compared to US nursing salaries, that number can feel discouraging and even make you question if this move is possible for you.

But, thankfully, salary doesn’t tell the whole story.  What really matters is the much more nuanced relationship between…

• Income
• Cost of living
• Healthcare costs
• Taxes and social benefits
• Quality of life

In the UK, healthcare is provided through the NHS, so there’s no fear of massive medical bills or feeling chained to your job so you have health insurance.  Your salary goes up at least every year, plus you get loads of paid time off and a more humane approach to work life balance.  Groceries on the whole are cheaper than in the US, and the NHS pension is widely regarded as one of the most generous and secure.  This can be the scariest part of the move, and I get it – we all want to make sure we can cover the bills, save for the future, and still have some left over for adventures.  But sometimes the only way to know if it will work for you is to give it a go.

 

Living Smaller

Another aspect of life in the UK that is a challenge is space.  Homes in the UK are significantly smaller than what many Americans are used to.  I guess when you have to fit everyone onto one island, everything has to be a little bit smaller.  I grew up in the Midwest where wide open space abounds, so downsizing and living in such close proximity to others was certainly an adjustment for me.  When I moved abroad, everything I wanted to bring with me had to fit into two suitcases and a carry-on.  My belongings were stripped back to the essentials.  I had what I needed and I needed what I had.

But in that process, something about me changed.

Living with less space forced me to rethink my relationship with possessions.  I became more aware of the effect that American consumerism had on me.  I distanced myself from societal pressure to “keep up with the Jones’s” and instead I started prioritizing sustainable, high quality purchases and experiences.  Travel in the UK and Europe.  High quality products that weren’t temporarily trendy.  Time with friends.  Exploring new places with my partner and our dog.

And for me, that trade-off feels more aligned with my personal values and brings me closer to the human I want to be.

 

A Different Relationship With Work

American work culture is INTENSE.  Long hours, severely restricted vacation time, hardly any maternity leave, and the idea that
employers can fire you “at will” all make it very difficult to step away from work to rest, recover, and reconnect with yourself and those around you.  They are also things that shock my UK colleagues when I describe US working conditions for nurses.

Working in the NHS introduced me to a very different rhythm.  Paid annual leave is generous (7+ weeks), sick leave is protected (and also very generous), most people take 12 months of maternity leave, and work life balance is a priority for everyone.  At first it felt wrong to protect my shift finishing times, to use sick leave when I was unwell (but still able to get off the sofa), to take a week off just to be at home.

But over time, and with a lot of self-compassion, I started to believe something I always knew was true.  Life was never meant to revolve around work.

 

The Emotional Journey of Moving Abroad

Moving to another country doesn’t always feel exciting, and you don’t always feel brave (no matter how many times people tell you that you are so brave).  There will be moments when you wonder why you ever moved away from the only home you ever knew.  There will be culture shock, reverse culture shock, and many moments of frustration when the new culture and systems feel confusing or frustrating.  There will be suffocating waves of homesickness when you miss family, friends and home comforts.  But each of those challenges creates an opportunity for you to examine what is important to you and grow into the next version of yourself.

Becoming an immigrant forces you to adapt, learn, challenge your own values and beliefs, and see the world through different perspectives.  Over time, you develop a deeper understanding of your own story and a greater appreciation for the diversity of experiences around you.  Without a doubt, working in the NHS as an international nurse, where 1 in 5 staff members are
foreign nationals, has been one of the most enriching experiences in all of my nursing career.

 

Could This Path Be Right for You?

Moving abroad as a nurse isn’t for everyone.  But the nurses who tend to thrive in the UK often have a few things in common…

• They’re curious about the world and open to different perspectives
• They’re willing to tolerate some inconvenience for more vibrant life experiences
• They want a life that feels bigger than work
• They’re excited by the idea of living somewhere new, even if it’s a little uncomfortable at first

If that sounds like you, international nursing might be one of the most rewarding adventures of your career.

 

Don’t miss…

• What You Need to Know About Working As a Nurse in the UK

 

How to Move to the UK as a Nurse

If working as a nurse in the UK still sounds appealing, there are 3 main steps involved.

 

1.  Get your UK Nursing License

All nurses practicing in the UK must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).  They are the independent regulator of nursing and midwifery in the UK, sort of like a US State Board of Nursing.  International nurses have to go through a rigorous application process which includes…

• Eligibility and Qualification Application
• CBT (computer based theory exam)
• OSCE (practical clinical exam)
• Registration Application with Supporting Evidence

This process seems simple enough but it usually takes 6-12 months from start to finish.

 

2.  Find a Job

Job searching can be uncertain at the best of times, but trying to do it in a foreign system is no joke.  Add to that the complexities of being a migrant worker and it can be a bit tricky!  Essentially there are 2 options:  Nurses can apply directly to hospitals or work with a recruitment agency.

The UK nursing job market ebbs and flows, so stay open-minded, don’t restrict yourself, and follow the opportunities that come your way.

Pro Tip:  Start browsing NHS jobs to see what kind of nursing jobs are available

 

3.  Secure the Right Visa

If you’re not already a British Citizen, you’ll need to give thought to visas.  Most international nurses work in the UK under work visas like the Health and Care Worker Visa or the Skilled Worker Visa, but some are in the UK on spouse visas, too.

Each visa has its own pros and cons, and the rules change regularly, so it’s important to review the most up to date guidance on the official UK Government website to determine the best option for you.

 

Working in London as a Nurse

London.  The big city.  It’s expensive, but the vibe is unmatched.  If you’re certain that London is your preferred destination (and that you can afford it), you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to hospitals.  A great way to explore your options is through Capital Nurse, an association made up of many of the NHS hospitals in London.  The Trusts work together to create a unified approach to care and recruitment and they use a selection of agencies to recruit.

 

If you’re even slightly curious about working in the UK as a nurse, the best place to start understanding what it involves is to download this freeTimeline for Nurses Relocating to the UK, which breaks down the process even further with anticipated timelines for each step.

 

If you do decide to move to the UK, my best advice is this:  Embrace the experience fully, especially the bumps in the road.  Stay curious and travel often.  Make friends with other Americans in the UK, but also Brits and nurses from all over the world.  Go beyond London.  Explore the countryside, coastlines, and historic places right on your doorstep.  The UK could be your chance to experience nursing and life from an entirely different perspective.

Moving abroad as a nurse is not the easiest path.  It requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to step far outside your comfort zone.  But for many nurses, it opens doors to a way of life they never imagined possible.  Living and working in the UK has challenged my culturally ingrained, underlying beliefs about career, success, and what truly creates a meaningful life.

The paychecks may be smaller.

The homes may be smaller.

But somehow, life itself feels so much bigger.

 

Resources…

• My Nursing Across the Pond Webinar takes a deeper look at what working in the UK actually involves – the good, the challenging, and the practical details
• For nurses who are ready to move forward with step-by-step support, join my group program – Nurse Your Way to the UK, where
  I guide nurses step-by-step through the licensing process, job search, and interviews so they can move to the UK with clarity and confidence

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR…

 

 

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