ABSTRACT
This chapter explores some of the key pitfalls associated with social, cultural and religious issues that nurses can encounter in the UK and other countries. It presents an empirical case study from Brunei of stress in nursing. The UK is becoming a multicultural, multifaith society. Consequently, social, cultural and religious issues can, and often present a multitude of potential problems for nursing and the NHS in the UK. Working in another country can be both eye-opening and a source of 'culture shock'. Culture shock is the feeling we get when all our usual norms and values are suddenly overturned. The chapter offers some tips for coping with the stress that can arise out of working in the UK, particularly if you have previously worked in a very different culture. The human element of nursing and the fact of caring for a range of physical, psychological and social issues meant for many students that nursing was stressful than other occupations.
