How to Work As a Nurse in England: Top Recruitment Agencies for US Nurses

As someone who has worked as a nurse internationally (read about my time in Saudi Arabia here), nursing abroad can come off as being pretty dang glamorous online.  And in the case of working in England you might be picturing weekend trips to Paris, a flat in Notting Hill, and easy access to travel throughout the rest of Europe.  But as someone who has navigated the complexities of nursing internationally, working abroad is more complex than just a passport stamp.  From navigating the NHS to the OSCE, if you’re considering working abroad here are the top recruitment agencies that actually specialize in helping U.S. nurses make the move to England.

 

Top Recruitment Agencies for U.S. Nurses Moving to England

 

Capital Nurse London

The goal of Capital Nurse London is to ensure that London has the right number of medical professionals, equipped with the right skills, able to deliver excellent care wherever it is needed.  Capital Nurse London does help recruit international nurses by working with various partner agencies.  You can learn more here.

 

Continental Nurse

Continental Nurse operates more similarly to a travel nurse agency (like in the US), placing nurses for 13-weeks at a time; and they are the go-to recruitment agency for temporary nursing assignments.  And the huge upside of Continental Nurse is that the company covers all of your fees once you move to the UK – generally after you’ve worked for them for one year.  You can learn more about Continental nurse here.

 

Kate Cowhig International Healthcare Recruitment

Kate Cowhig Recruitment staffs international nurses in England, Ireland, and the USA.  Unlike Continental Nurse, Kate Cowhig only staffs for permanent positions, not short-term contracts.  This is ideal for nurses who are looking for sponsorship (health and care worker visa) in order to stay long-term.  I have an American friend who moved to London to work as a nurse, and Kate Cowhig is who she used for her relocation and job.  Learn more about the company here.

 

MMA Healthcare Recruitment

MMA focuses on placing international nurses and healthcare professionals in the UK (and Ireland).  The downside of working with MMA is that they do not refund your fees (taking exams, licensing etc).  If you want to learn more about MMA, you can do so here.

 

How Nursing Recruitment Agencies Work (and Why You Need One)

Think of a recruitment agency as your personal international relocation manager.  When I was looking into nursing abroad, the sheer amount of paperwork felt like a second full-time job.  That’s where these agencies come in.  They aren’t just “job boards”, these agencies/recruiters are a bridge between your current life in the U.S. and your future life in England.  The closest way I can explain it is by saying that they operate similarly to a US-based travel nurse agency (help you move, make sure you’re licensed appropriately, etc).

Essentially, these agencies partner with NHS Trusts or private hospitals to find qualified US nurses.  Once you connect with one, they’ll screen your experience, help you prep for the CBT (that first theory exam), and guide you through the visa sponsorship process.

 

Do You Have to Pay the Agency?

No.  In fact, if an agency asks you for a “placement fee,” run the other direction.  Legitimate UK agencies are paid by the hospitals to find them great nurses like you.  While you might have to pay for your own exams or visa fees upfront (unless you choose an agency like Continental Nurse that covers them), you should never be paying the recruiter to find you a job.

 

Direct Hire vs Agency

You can apply directly to an NHS Trust, but for your first move, I highly recommend the agency route.  When you’re moving 3,000 miles away, having a dedicated recruiter to advocate for your sponsorship and answer your questions goes a long, long ways.

 

Cost of Moving:  Visas, Exams, & Reimbursements

Moving to England is definitely an investment, and if you aren’t careful, those little fees can add up.  Since you’re a US nurse, you have some advantages, but you still need to have your “moving fund” ready to go.

Here is the breakdown of what you can expect to pay out-of-pocket in 2026…

 

The “Paperwork” Costs (NMC Registration)

Before you can even look for a job, you have to get on the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) register.

• Application for Registration:  ~£153.  This is just to get your foot in the door so they can evaluate your US transcripts.
• CBT (Computer Based Test):  ~£83.  You take this in the US and it’s comparable to the “NCLEX-style” theory part of the exam.
• OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination):  ~£794.  This is the biggest fee.  It’s a practical, in-person exam that you usually take after you arrive in the UK.
• Annual Registration Fee:  ~£143.  Once you’re licensed, you’ll pay this every year to keep your “active” status.

 

Visa Costs

As a nurse, you qualify for the Health and Care Worker Visa, which is significantly cheaper than a standard work visa.

• Visa Application Fee:  £304 (if your contract is for up to 3 years) or £590 (if it’s for more than 3 years).
  • Read more about getting a visa here!
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):  $0. This is the best part! While other expats pay over £1,000 per year to use the NHS, nurses and their families are currently exempt.
• Personal Savings (Maintenance):  You must show at least £1,270 in your bank account for 28 days before you apply to prove you can support yourself until your first paycheck hits.  (Note: Most agencies or hospitals will “certify maintenance” for you, meaning you don’t actually need the cash in the bank, but check your contract!)

 

The “Hidden” Moving Expenses

• TB Test & Police Checks:  Depending on where you’ve lived, you might need a TB test (~$150) and a criminal record check/background check ($50–$100).
• Flights:  One-way tickets to London aren’t cheap, especially if you’re bringing extra luggage (which you will be).  Budget ~$800–$1,200.
• The “Deposit” Trap:  Most London rentals require 5 weeks of rent as a deposit plus the first month upfront.

 

Pro-Tip:  Always ask your recruitment agency about reimbursement.  Many NHS Trusts will pay you back for your OSCE and visa fees once you start working, but you usually have to front the cash first!  Also check to see if there is a “repayment schedule” (meaning you’d have to pay the agency back if you quit after a certain number of years).

 

NHS vs Private Sector – Which is Better for International Nurses?

This is the million-dollar question.  In the UK, you have two main paths:  Working for the NHS (the government-funded system) or a -private hospital.

 

The NHS:  The Stability Choice

Most international nurses start in the NHS.  It is the backbone of UK healthcare and offers a very structured experience and is the easiest way to land a job.

• The Pros:  Incredible pension scheme, clear career “Bands” (you know exactly when your next raise is coming), and job security.  They are also much more experienced with international nurses.
• The Cons: It can feel bureaucratic, staffing ratios can be high (ward nurses often have 1:8 or 1:12), and the pay is capped by government scales.

 

The Private Sector:  The Lifestyle Choice

Private hospitals in the UK are generally nicer than NHS hospitals (both aesthetically and easier to work for).

• The Pros:  Lower patient ratios (think 1:4 or 1:5 on a ward), “nicer” amenities like free parking and subsidized meals, and a generally less chaotic environment.  Plus you can usually negotiate a slightly higher base salary.
• The Cons:  The pension isn’t nearly as good as the NHS, sick pay is often more restrictive, and there is less “diversity” in the types of cases you’ll see.  It’s mostly elective surgeries (knees, hips, cosmetics) rather than emergency care.

 

Pros & Cons of Nursing in the UK vs the USA

Here is a brief overview at how the two systems stack up….

*Please note, if you work in London, your salary will be roughly £5,000–£7,000 higher than the standard Band 5 scale due to “London Weighting” (the higher cost of living in London*

 

If you’re hoping to move abroad and work as a nurse internationally, I hope that this guide has helped you!  You have any questions, let me know in a comment below!

 

If you liked this post and want to know more, don’t miss…

• What You Need to Know About Working As a Nurse in the UK (if You’re American)

 

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For more information on things to see and do in England, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinengland” or under my highlights for “England”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “England” highlight

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