I'm a Nurse living in Surrey (just outside London) where the cost of living/ rent is extremely high. I recently finished my studies to become a Nurse which my hospital paid for in an apprenticeship scheme (two days at work and 2 days at uni). Honestly despite the poor pay I wasnt disheartened as they were paying for my degree while still earning a full time salary.
I was living with my parents who were not charging me rent while I was studying/ working. Now that I have finished they are planning to move elsewhere and go into semi retirement. This was always their intention and I was planning to travel/ work for a year. After hading in my two month notice (minimum for UK Nurses) I was told I had to commit a minimum of 3 years to my hospital. There is 100% no legal requirement for this and I never signed anything to agree to this. I was then told a week later that I was being reported to the NMC (UK nursing board) for unprofessional behaviour. Even if I wanted to stay it's not like I could afford to live in the area with the poor pay Nurses get.
I don't think anything will come of it (I leave the country in a month) but I have received ot of intimation from higher ups in the hospital. My ward manager advised I just ignore it as even if they are not lieing about following it up it would be to much admin to do and it would get lost in a sea of paperwork.
I've heard Nurses on reddit trying to move to the UK to work. Believe me, not worth it at all.