Tough times for UK Nursing? Not if you think big!
18th Jan 2011
With the much talked about budget cuts coming into effect in 2011, it looks as though things will get worse before they get better for UK Nurses and AHP staff.
Anticipated NHS recruitment freezes will make it hard for new graduates or those returning to Nursing to find a position. In stark contrast to a few years ago, when the UK had a major shortage of nursing/medical staff, the job market will have little to offer. Then, Nursing in the UK historically offered medical professionals from overseas and students, encouraged to study nursing, a promising and bright future with the virtual guarantee of a job. Four years later and it is a very different story.
Not only will newly qualified nurses struggle to find work in the New Year but those with many years valuable experience will find themselves in uncertain times as hiring freezes are only part of the wider landscape of cuts. The reality is that the NHS has to reduce spend and inevitably staffing numbers will suffer. An article in the Telegraph in December states that Government recognises that 10% of NHS staff will have to be cut if budget targets are to be met.
In addition PCTs are to be dismantled and replaced with a new system of GP led consortia which is creating a level of uncertainty and confusion over the way health provision will be purchased in the future.
So how do nurses survive the next few years of uncertainty?
Simple, they should make the landscape bigger! It is our turn to see the global opportunities for UK professionals in healthcare.
Other countries such as the US, Australia, Far East and the Middle East have ongoing shortages of trained medical staff. UK trained Nurses and AHP’s are in massive demand as they are seen as being the best in the world. Now is the perfect time to experience working overseas, and to reap the considerable benefits of doing so. It’s a chance to earn enhanced salaries and enjoy a better lifestyle. From a career point of view, you get to work in some of the most modern facilities in the world as well as use and develop your clinical skills; an attractive attribute for employers should you return to work in the UK. Not only will it demonstrate your initiative and desire to develop your career, it also maintains clinical hours to keep your NMC registration in order and adds a cultural dimension to your CV which can only be gained from working overseas.
More and more nurses are seeing the benefit of working abroad and, more importantly, realising that the demand for nursing is always going to be in a state of flux. Viewing the job market as a global one is the best way to ensure you get the most out of your skills and abilities whilst avoiding the forthcoming UK’s budget cuts. Why struggle in the UK for the next few years when a secure position, a modern facility and a fabulous lifestyle is waiting for you? The real question is....why not?
We have a number of positions available overseas, get in touch with us to see how we can help open up a whole new world of opportunity for you.
Visit our specialist site for job vacancies here.
For International Resourcing enquiries contact us on t:0207 129 8032 or e: international@carevisions.co.uk
