Phew, Since my last post over 3 years ago(!!) we will be spending our 3rd year in Normandie this december.

Had I realised how difficult it would have been on the job front and the incurring impact it had on the wife and family then we would have certainly thought twice...

In the UK I was at the top of my career, Having left a clinical manager position for a senior CNS position at the UHB, I was in a shock for what was in store for me.

I started the ball rolling with getting my Nursing Diploma recognised whilst still in the UK approx 6 months before departure to France. Thought this was enough time !! Think again!! it took nearly a year and a half in total. I had the advantage of being half French (Talk like an english man though) and therefore entitled me to the RMI/ RSI however this did not cover the basic living expenses.... could go on, however, I ended up finally working as an Aide soingnant in the local Hospital ONLY once my diploma has been rubber stamped and approved by the kind staff at the DASS/ DRASS in Caen. Despite my CV I needed a diploma level qualification to work as a HCA.

The reason I had been "Demoted" to the equivalent of HCA was because it was found that i was "risky" and I was a foreigner whos training was out of date (thanks to the DASS) and had problems expressing ones self. OK true, but there are means and ways, but this little Hospital simply did not know how to deal with this.
(I need to add, I loved working as a HCA "real hands on nursing", however I found myself ever so frustrated knowing I could contribute more)

So a year later having gained confidence in myself , the language and my skills I quit and waved them goodbye for a registered nurse position which was simular to district nursing. And I hasten to add I am loving it...

Basse Normandie is indeed remote for jobs unless you are located in one of the cities, and then competition is high... I recently registered for interim work in Caen, after the interview the head of the office who interviewed me blatantly informed me that in general, my accent will frighten off prospective employers because they do not know what they are getting..... I understood this when I found out that all nursing schools around France practice the same cirriculum. , so a Nurse who studied in Montpelier will or should practice the same way as their colleagues in Rouen... And yes in this sense the French are very "Carre" and uniformed, As indeed so is their schooling system....

So there we are.. Still living in a forgotten remote corner of Basse Normandie, and travelling approx 100kms a day for work, but seeing the kids safe, healthy and bilingual (Youngest now 4years old) the tears and slog have made it worthwile...... so far!

Im glad to hear it's working out for you, Welcome back and dont wait another three years to post again

Eeeeek that makes my situation very scary. I'll be coming over as a new grad (from Australia but hoping to get my quals recognised through the 'cas particulars' http://www.infirmiers.com/votre-carr...en-france.html via UK). It will mean that I'll need to do an adaptation course and work as a AS initially which is fine but your story makes me wonder if it is really possible or if I really need to look hard at my options of possibly transferring to Belgium to finish my degree there so I have a French language EU qualification.

I was hoping to move to Brittany (Cotes D'Armor) but if I go the Belgium option it will need to be Ardennes initially. Do you know if Brittany has the same low vacancies as Normandie. Do you have any advice that may help me?

Hi,
Im new to the forum and enjoyed reading your post. We moved to France in October and my husband is currently renovating the house we have brought there.. I am flying backwards and forwards from France to Uk and working in my job as an Intensive Care Nurse where I was employed before we moved. Having read how long it took to sort out your paperwork I think I will get started now.
My french is not up to scratch but I am trying to improve. I am going to speak to our local Mairie to see if I could do some voluntary work to help improve my language skills when I am home.
Kat

Welcome to the Forum, If you get any issues give me a shout

Hi, can anyone help, my nusing diploma and degree are with DRJSCS Limoges awaiting verification-date set for early september. I had a rdv with them last week and everything appeared to be in order, however today i received a letter requesting"une copie des attestations des autorités ayant délivré le titre spécifiant le niveau de la formation, le détai et le volume horaire des enseignements suivis année par année, le contenu et la durée des stages validés"........... Help!!!

They want details of the whole of your diploma course and degree, year by year, not just the Diploma. I.e. literally, "a copy of the attestations of the authorities having issued the Diploma, specifying the level of training, details of the courses and how many hours of classes attended each year, the content and duration of validated placements..."
Hope this helps!

Thanks for your quick reply, I understood the translation, my RGN was taken 23 years ago, Ba in community healthcare nursing-dn pathway 10 years ago, I thought it might be difficult to explain this to the relevant school of nursing, university.

From my daughters' experiences, French Universities issue a yearly Attestation (maybe not indicating the hours of attendance for non-medical Degrees!), which one keeps forever more, like the original Bac Certificate, to produce when applying to do a Masters, Doctorat, "Grande Ecole", etc... (more selective than at Degree level), taking the exams. to enter the Public Sector, or even applying for a job in the Private Sector if competition is fierce.
When requesting the documents from your school of nursing/Uni, just enclose a copy of the letter with a translation, and keep your fingers crossed!
Good luck!