Nursing in France

[Oldude (Dept 53)]

Any British nurses out there who could give me any advise about how to practice in France? I am a practicing, experienced Nurse Practitioner in England working within the primary care sector but moving to France in July 07, to the Mayenne region. I have contacted the Dept of Health in France who have explained that I need to get my qualifications translated etc but not how the system works etc. I am interested in joining a Cabinet d'Infirmiere but not sure how to go about it - how you get paid etc Can anyone out there enlighten me - I need all the advice and help you can offer!!

[Kate Campbell]

I have sent you an e-mail if you want to get in touch. 

[Ann33]

Hi,

I am myself a British Nurse, who worked in the UK in a specialist field. I had to get my qualifications translated by an official translator. They have to show an official stamp on them when they are complete. It is likely you will find the information you need on-line, if you type in "Traductions" in the departmente where you want to practice. You  also need to apply to the Council of Nursing and Midwifery in the UK, for a form,which once completed you  send  back to the NMC with a fee  in order for you to receive from them verification of your UK qualifications ( which you need to show when you try and register in France) once again this information can be found on-line if you go on to  the NMC website Once you are armed with all this paperwork, you need to go to your local DDASS headquaters ( French equivalent to the Dept of Health), usually found in the the yellow pages of the department you intend to work in, and take everything . They then issue you with an ADELI number, which is equivalent to your UK Pin registration number, then you will be entitled to look for work as a registered nurse here.

It is quite difficult to find work in some areas, mainly due to high unemployment here, and also if you are not fluent in French they will be reluctant to employ you until your French improves. You need to persevere with writing to everyone. I wrote to many places over many months to get myself known. Have you CV translated as well, and get some advice on the way the French write theirs , as it is slightly different than in the UK. If you apply for a particular job, your letter of application needs to be hand written, they do not want printed letters, as you will be judged on your hand writing.

Hope this waffle all makes sense, but it will be worth it in the end. I found all this out by trial and error!

Good Luck

Ann33

[Jollity Farm]

Can anyone tell me if they have such a thing as dedicated Day Surgery Units in France- or would you have to attend a private clinic for minor surgery? I would be interested in finding a nursing job in either, though the language needs polishing up a bit first!

[MargaretD]

This has been an encouraging link to read.  We've been living in France but my husband wants to change career and wanted to train as a nurse.  After exploring possibilities here with the local IFSI, he's starting training this September in the UK and then will want to come back out to France after a few years working for the NHS.  The local hospital (in France) has already given him work experience style work, and are willing to give him a job, but THEY didn't know whether they were able to,

so,... perhaps in your intro letter you need to make this clear, unless you know that the hospitals know the rules etc.

Good luck for the future