Moving to NYC as a newly qualified british nurse? (New York: apartments, rent) - New York City - City-Data Forum

rose91 · 01-25-2009, 11:11 AM

Hi all, i stumbled upon this site while trying to gather information on re-locating to NYC. Have always wanted to move there but wanted to get career and stuff sorted in the uk first. I'm due to start uni in birmingham uk in april and am doing a 3 year adult nursing diploma. I'm basically just wondering if anyone has done a similar thing and could give me some advice about it e.g rates of pay, availability of jobs and if apartments will be affordable in the Queens area on a nursing wage. I'm currently 18 but will be 21 by the time i plan to move. Thanks in advance for any help!

Viralmd · 01-25-2009, 11:27 AM

Before you can move here to work, you need to get a visa that's valid for working. Those are hard to come by, unless your employer is willing to sponsor you. And you need to be licensed by New York State. I'm not sure how foreign-trained nurses go about licensure, but physicians have to supply documentation of training and sit an exam.

Cradal · 01-25-2009, 11:34 AM

Hey,
I can't give you any advice about your career choice in the UK but I can tell you about living in NY. I lived there for a little over a year and if I had a choice I would return in a heart beat. Re: Queens. That part of town is really affordable in comparison to Manhattan and Brooklyn. a two bedroom can go for as low as 1200 +. If you find rent that is on the low side here is what you will find: not newly renovated, far away from transportation, small apartment, and/or in a bad neigborhood.

Areas that I love: Sunnyside, Forest Hills and some parts of Kew Gardens. Sunnyside I think is the best area to live in because it's close to the 7 seven train, which takes you straight into Midtown Manhattan. There are a lot fruit and vegetable markets around, supermarkers, and various cultural trendy restaurants. The mexican restaurants there are FANTASTIC.

If you are open to moving elsewhere: I would consider Brooklyn (Park slope, Prospect Heights, parts of Williamsburg-this area was going through gentrification when I left. They could be done by now. Greenpoint, Fort Greene, Caroll Gardens, parts of if not most of Harlem-This area has chagned DRASTISCALLY over the last 6 years. It is safer, cleaner, and trendier than when I was 21 years old. ). These areas are pretty safe and there are times when you will find great apartments for a bargain.
If you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle but be close enough to drive or take the T. I would consider moving into Nassau County in Long Island (specifically Elmont area. That was where I stayed when I first moved to NY. Town pool was near by, the LIRR and so were the beaches) and/or Riverdale upper Manhattan.

Good luck in your plans

rose91 · 01-25-2009, 11:47 AM

thanks

i will check out those areas aswell.
why did you hate it so much? i have always loved living in a big city here (although NY is loads bigger)
Also, how would i obtain a visa if i come straight after my training and am not employed?

Viralmd · 01-25-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose91

Also, how would i obtain a visa if i come straight after my training and am not employed?

That's the point I was trying to make: you have to inquire to see if employers will sponsore your visa. Otherwise you a) can't get licensed and b) won't be able to work. Do check with the US Consulate in London.

cricketjunkie · 11-07-2009, 01:12 AM

Hi,

I am a British nurse working in Nyc:
a few points- USA is not like England, they willonly take you with extensive experience, there are excessive amounts of nurses here with specialist qualifications.

You need work visa- hard to come by especially in a post 9/11 world, you also need sponsorship ( hospitals only willing to sponsor if you have experience) either thatyou g to texas or alaska

you need to have your credentails evaluated by CGFNS then take NClex exam

finally, NYC is not as glamouros as you think- they are quite different interms of work ethic- also, you only get 2-3 weeks vacation compared with 6 weeks on NHS???

I came here in 1999, then went back to Uk and returned last year2008 - trust I want to come home, but cant rigth now. I would move back in a heat beat

Very diificult to make freinds out here- very dof eat dog, no time for each. They do not socialise like brits e.g. drink after work etc.......

Think long and hard.... dont let the movies and SATC fool you.

Chava61 · 11-07-2009, 08:33 AM

Several years ago (before 9/11) the brother of a friend of mine who is a male nurse (and is NOT a US citizen) was working at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. I believe the hospital helped sponsor his visa at that time.

Cradal · 11-07-2009, 12:58 PM

Hi.
Sorry it took me so long to reply back to you. I left because I wanted to start my nursing career. Otherwise I would have stayed and made a life there. Cricketjunkie is right about NYC. It is not what it cracks up to be. You can and will meet nice and down right bad people. It depends on where you are in town. You could be in the right place but at the wrong time.

I wish I could offer you more info on the visa, but I am clueless when it comes to things like that.

I wish you the best.

nycgirl1616 · 11-07-2009, 03:21 PM

It can't hurt to look into it, but the truth is, the job market for nurses in NYC is pretty bad right now. There are no jobs for experienced nurses never mind newly graduated with no experience.

Usually it takes some time to get a work visa anyway, so in the meantime work there for a year or so to gain some experience, save your money and then re-evaluate.

pixie84 · 09-30-2013, 11:42 AM

Hello my name is Ben Pixton,
I am currently a third year nursing student studying at the University of West of England in Bristol. I would like to move to the United States (particularly California) and work there as a registered nurse. I was wondering if you could help me by providing some more information and the jobs that are on offer and what the criteria is for applying to the United States.