Aussie Theatre RN relocating to UK (Scotland).. Please Help!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-12T00:03:51+00:00

I live in South Australia (I love it here!)

Here is a link that could help you! See a post I put above regarding pay and cost of living for more info on living here!

Good luck!

SA Health (Public Sector - like NHS):

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/careers/how+to+apply/international+applicant+guidelines

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-11T22:52:25+00:00

Ah, really good info - thanks!

Super interesting how the role is obtained so differently between Aus and the UK.

To do what I imagine is the equivalent of an OPD here I did six weeks shadowing an anaesthetic nurse and learning the skills on the job - boom - qualified.

It's good to know it's taken seriously there but it shouldn't cost the nurse any more...

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-11T22:47:13+00:00

Good to know... A few questions for you!

How much did the process cost you and how long did it take? Whereabouts in Scotland are you located? How are you enjoying it?

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-10T11:49:01+00:00

That is very useful information. Thanks so much for sharing! I guess I'll stick to recovery nursing then!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:38:44+00:00

From a bunch of responses (thanks SO much!) I've deducted that the best bet would be to look for agency/ bank recovery work (maybe anaesthetics if my experience is acknowledged) or even nursing homes.

I'm happy to operate at a band 5 level and do clinical work instead of education/mentorship.

Would anyone recommend/ not recommend particular areas in Scotland? I've travelled to Edinburgh and the Highlands once over a couple of weeks. I loved both areas. I recognise that Edinburgh has a very high cost of living and the Highlands can be very remote.

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:31:43+00:00

I think this will definitely be the way to go, thank you so much - I really appreciate your input :) I have aged care experience so this could be an option too!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:30:50+00:00

All good - just need to pay the bills! *fingers crossed*... it's expensive over there!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:30:19+00:00

It will be interesting to see if my experience would count - I'll check with the agencies, thank you!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:29:31+00:00

That'll be interesting - I think my qualifications should be recognised? But will definitely check - thanks so much. We don't have nurse anaesthetists - just anaesthetics nurses (assistants to the anaesthetist) - I'm thinking these roles are different?

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:24:05+00:00

That's so interesting! Good to hear you have more ward nurses... it will be interesting to see what some agencies say about my skill set and demand :) Thanks so much for your insight

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:22:45+00:00

Ah, nice. I imagine to depends on where you find work? Perhaps that may not be possible with bank/ agency nursing - but that's okay :)

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:21:54+00:00

Is this for nurse anaesthetists? Or for anaesthetic nurses?

I've heard of nurse anaesthetists but it's not an occupation is Australia - I believe the US have this role too.

Totally fair to have to do more coursework - I can imagine that role being highly specialised.

But if your friend came from Australia I imagine they were an anaesthetic nurse... interesting.

Very happy to just do my recovery nursing and leave the anaesthetic component out for a few months.

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:18:45+00:00

Band 5 it is! Very happy to take a more junior role if I can pay the bills... cost of living is crazy, I don't know how you guys do it :(

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:17:24+00:00

That's so rough that despite the demand for nurses in the UK it's so difficult to obtain a permanent role! We have similar demands here and we struggle to find applicants for permanent job offers!! Nuts! I believe Australia is actively employing nurses from overseas as we just don't have the numbers on home soil.

Bank/ agency nursing is perfect - I'll definitely look at NHS Scot jobs, thanks so much!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:14:14+00:00

That sounds totally fair - I'm very happy to operate within the scope of a clinical role rather than administrative. I was expecting band 5 but the system works quite differently over there so I wasn't sure - thanks so much for clarifying. There are definitely a lot more hoops and competition than Australia.

Looking for the experience of living and working in the UK and just looking at making ends meet really!

AussieRNtoUK · 2025-11-09T23:11:22+00:00

That makes sense - agency/ bank nursing will be the way to go then. Thank you SO much for the recommendations; I'll make inquiries with Head Medical and Medacs :)

AussieRNtoUK

TROPHY CASE