We helped registered Nurse Manuel M. Mabulay Jr. (Manny) and his family relocate to the UK in 2017, where he worked in the cardiology department at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.
Find out more about his experience of working and living in the UK.
Can you tell us about your nursing career?
“I graduated from Our Lady of Fatima University and started my nursing career in the Philippines. After I passed the Nurse Licensure Examination, I worked in accident and emergency and emergency medical units in both public and private hospitals. I also gained work experience with the Philippine Red Cross and the Pampanga Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council. In 2006, my family and I moved to Madrid where I studied further and worked in a more challenging role as a Nurse Coordinator before leaving last year to work in the UK.”
Why were you interested in moving to the UK?
“I wanted to secure a better future for my children and advance my career.”
How do you find living in the UK?
“I found it difficult at the beginning because I relocated alone. It was hard for me to not have my family by my side when I needed them the most. My landlord Diana was very supportive and when my family arrived three months later, she also helped them to settle in. Our flat is a few minutes walk from the hospital where both my wife Rebecca and I work. My children are very happy and are doing great in their respective schools. We are spending most of the weekends and holidays together. There is nothing more I can ask for.”
What do you think are the key benefits of living in the UK?
“In the UK there is what you call equality. Everyone has equal rights including the right to live peacefully, the right to have fair compensation, and the right to be treated fairly. Children have the benefit of free education. NHS employees benefit from paid holidays, a pension scheme and free continuing professional development (CPD) training. There is a lot of support available when needed.”
How do you find working as a nurse in the UK compared to other places you have worked?
“As a nurse, you need to work closely with other healthcare professionals including the allied health team to achieve a common goal towards patient care and wellbeing. There is no such thing as revalidation in the Philippines or Spain, and regulations and protocols for the health and safety of workers and patients are not as strictly followed. There is also limited access to free training courses in other countries as CPD is not compulsory for healthcare professionals.”
What would you tell another healthcare professional who is thinking of relocating to the UK?
“I have encouraged many of my nursing colleagues from Spain and the Philippines to get qualified and relocate to the UK. You get exposed to a diverse range of nursing practice, including nursing research and education. Depending on your interests, there are more options available to develop your specialty and progress in your career. The pay is high enough for you and your family to settle in the UK.”
What support have you received from the hospital?
“I enjoy working with the cardiology team. I am lucky that my co-workers are very kind and supportive. I receive a lot of professional support from my mentor and manager, and I am learning a lot of things while enjoying my new workplace.”
What have you discovered since your relocation?
“Nurses are in high demand in the UK. It’s up to you to choose your specialty area and where you want to live because wherever you go in the UK, there will always be a place for you to live, work and play.”
Can you briefly describe a typical day?
“I usually work long days, from 7.30 am to 8 pm, so that I can spend my time off with my kids. My typical day begins with a safety briefing and handover from the night shift nurses. I am usually assigned to look after a bay of six patients and a side room. These are some of the activities that make up my day:
- Conducting the medication round
- Observing patients and making sure their charts are up to date
- Checking-in with the healthcare assistant
- Ensuring patients are eating and drinking well
- Joining the doctors and nurse practitioner on their daily ward round
- Ordering any additional medication
- Managing complex discharges
- Looking at care pathways for patients who are due to any clinical cardiac procedures
- Taking blood samples
- Carrying out routine or emergency ECG, catheter insertion, cannula insertion, and nasogastric feedings
- Updating family members about the patient’s condition.”
What are your career aspirations?
“I feel settled as a registered nurse in the cardiology ward but my plan is to become a specialist heart failure nurse or a cardiology nurse practitioner.”
How would you rate the support you have received from Medacs Healthcare with your relocation?
“I have received a huge amount of support from Medacs Healthcare. Sergio found me my nursing job and arranged the skype interviews and examinations. Jessica negotiated the salary with the NHS Trust and helped me with my accommodation, relocation costs and travel plans.
“During my journey from Madrid to Bath, my flight was delayed and then rerouted to London which meant my hotel and taxi bookings needed changing. The team at Medacs Healthcare informed the hospital’s HR department about the delay and guided me until I arrived at the hospital. The team supported me throughout the entire journey and I am very thankful for it. I will never forget that experience.”
Find out more
If you’re interested in working in the UK, take a look at our UK jobs section or register to get in touch with our expert consultants who can support you with your relocation.
Originally published: April 2017
