There’s a moment—right after the plane lands—when it hits you: this isn’t just a trip. You’ve moved.
Welcome to the UK. You’ve likely been dreaming of this day for months, maybe even years—collecting documents, surviving the CBT and OSCE prep, packing your life in 30 kilos of luggage. But now that you’re finally here, the air feels unfamiliar. The accents are thick. The sky may or may not be grey. And your heart is equal parts excitement and “What do I do now?”
This post is your gentle guide to surviving and adjusting during your first month in the UK, especially if you’re coming as an international nurse or worker. I’ll walk you through what to expect practically, emotionally, and culturally, with honesty and empathy—like a friend who’s been there.
1. You’ll Live in Temporary Accommodation
Most employers, especially NHS Trusts, offer free or subsidised accommodation for the first 4–8 weeks. Expect:
- Shared flats or hospital accommodations
- Basic furniture (bed, table, cupboard)
- Bills often included
- Limited kitchen utensils (bring a rice cooker if you can!)
💡 This is not your forever home—just your soft landing.
2. Orientation Will Feel Like First Day of School Again
Your first few weeks include:
- Trust induction
- NHS values training
- Fire safety and manual handling
- Introduction to your ward or unit
Everyone will smile politely, but you may still feel out of place. That’s okay. It gets better. Listen closely, ask questions, and write things down. British humour can be dry; don’t take things personally.
🧠 Tip: Memorise key contact numbers—your ward manager, OSCE coordinator, bank, GP, and buddy.
3. Accents, Jargon, and Culture Shocks
Yes, people will speak English—but the accents vary wildly. You’ll hear:
- “Cheers” instead of “thank you”
- “You alright?” as a greeting (not because you look unwell!)
- “Loo” for toilet, “chips” for fries, and “crisps” for chips
You might smile and nod even if you didn’t catch a single word. It’s okay. You’ll adjust.
📣 Don’t be shy to ask: “Sorry, could you repeat that please?” British people are used to being asked nicely!
4. You’ll Set Up the Essentials
These tasks may sound boring, but they are necessary in your first few weeks:
- Create a UKVI Account (You’ll need this account to view or share your visa details.)
➤ Go to: https://www.gov.uk/view-prove-immigration-status - Register with a GP (local doctor)
➤ Needed for future health appointments and prescriptions - Open a bank account
➤ Try Monzo, Starling, Lloyds, or Barclays
➤ You’ll need proof of address and your BRP/passport - Get a SIM card
➤ GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile, and Lyca are budget-friendly
➤ Most offer flexible data bundles for video calls home
📂 Keep a folder (physical or digital) of your documents—you’ll be using them often.
5. First Paycheck Delay and Budget Adjustments
Most likely, your first salary will be delayed (if you start mid-month or near cutoff). So be sure to:
- Bring at least £200–£400 pocket money
- Learn to budget your weekly groceries
- Explore budget stores like Aldi, Lidl, Poundland
- Cook at home to save (rice + egg + sardines = lifesaver)
✨ The first few weeks are about survival, not luxury. It gets better.
6. Hospital Life Will Be a Cultural Reset
Your nursing or healthcare background matters—but you’ll still have to adapt to UK practice:
- Patients often call you by your first name, and vice versa
- Documentation is everything—be clear, concise, and professional
- You’ll shadow first before handling full patients
- Medication names may differ
- Expect mixed emotions: joy, confusion, “Am I good enough?”
👩⚕️ You are. Keep learning. Stay curious. Ask. Always ask.
7. Weather, Loneliness, and the Quiet Evenings
UK weather can be unpredictable. You may wake up to rain and go to bed with golden light. The silence in the evenings might feel unfamiliar if you’re used to noisy neighbourhoods back home.
You may:
- Miss your family deeply
- Cry without knowing why
- Feel incredibly small in a big city
But remember: this is temporary. The cold will pass. The loneliness will soften. You are growing.
8. Real-Life Tasks Can Be Overwhelming
Washing clothes in a washer-dryer combo (that takes 4 hours!), understanding bin collection schedules, and learning to scan self-checkout machines—it’s all part of the UK life experience.
🧴 You’ll find yourself saying:
“Why is shampoo so expensive?”
“Where’s the vinegar for adobo?”
“How do I use this oven??”
🤎 You’re not failing. You’re just adjusting.
9. Making Friends: Slow but Worth It
In the UK, people won’t always approach you first—but when they do, they mean it. Try:
- Joining your hospital’s well-being or multicultural groups
- Talking to other newly arrived international nurses
- Smiling and offering help—you’ll find common ground quickly
Even one genuine friend can make all the difference.
10. The Quiet Milestone: You’re Becoming
By the end of your first month, you may still feel like a stranger in a strange land. But don’t underestimate how far you’ve come.
You:
- Boarded a plane
- Left your comfort zone
- Braved a new job, new weather, and new culture
- Survived homesickness
- Took your first solo grocery trip
- Helped a stranger, smiled at a patient, folded your uniform after a shift
That’s strength. That’s becoming.
Final Reminders:
| Task | When to Do It |
|---|---|
| starting April 2025, the UK has officially begun to phase out physical BRP | |
| Register with GP | Week 1–2 |
| Open UK bank account | Week 1 |
| Get UK SIM | Week 1 |
| Complete hospital induction | First 2 weeks |
| Receive first paycheck | End of month or next |
| Begin OSCE training (if applicable) | Within 4–8 weeks |
From Me to You
Your first month won’t be perfect. But it will be powerful.
You’ll look back someday and say, “That was the month I learned how brave I could be.”
Hold on. Breathe through the fog. Open the curtains even when it rains.
You are building a life here, one awkward moment, warm cuppa, and patient smile at a time.
Check out my book MIND THE BEDPAN– available on amazon. 🙂
-Anj ❤
superanjventures 
Leave a comment