Healthcare in the UK is renowned for being safer, better, and of the highest standard for its residents. The NHS in the UK assists medical professionals in providing the greatest standard of service. Because of this, nursing positions with the NHS in UK are a popular choice. It is regarded as one of the most advanced, satisfying, and fulfilling career opportunities. The UK’s healthcare system trains nurses to care for patients in a safe, skilful, compassionate, caring, and honest manner.
The NHS is renowned for encouraging its nurses, midwives, and other healthcare professionals to pursue further education. The NHS assists professionals who apply for nursing jobs in the UK to upgrade their abilities and improve them as nursing practitioners in order to foster their trust, career development, and well-being.
One of the best career decisions ever for any overseas nurse is to choose to work as a nurse in the NHS UK. There are a few crucial things to be aware of if you are an overseas nurse moving to the UK to work with the NHS. Before applying for nursing employment in the UK, it is important to be aware of this step-by-step approach. This is because the registration process of nurses who were trained outside the EU and in the EU is different.
There are several questions that are regularly asked by international nurses who want to move to the UK to work for the NHS. To provide the nurses a clear and complete understanding of the moving process, we will address each of their questions one at a time in this blog.
1. How do I register to become a nurse in the UK?
Registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, or NMC, is the first and most important step in becoming a nurse in the UK. All nurses, including general nurses, nurses who specialise in mental health, and midwives are subject to this rule. Being an international nurse, you'll also need to get a work permit for the UK and register with the NMC.
All nurses in the UK must have a PIN number and be currently registered in order to practice. You may find the necessary information for registering as a nurse or a midwife in the UK by visiting the NMC website. Following completion of the procedure, the NMC will assess your application to determine whether you need to update your qualifications or whether the PIN number can be granted without any restrictions.
You will be informed of this decision as either a registration, a refusal, or the need to engage in supervised practice. You should be aware that the NMC does not grant you the permission to work in the UK; instead, non-EEA nationals must get a visa in order to do so.
2. What does the English Competency Test entail and why is it significant?
Nurses who want to apply for nursing positions in the UK are required to take examinations to prove their proficiency in the language. You can either appear for an IELTS or an OET test to achieve this. This test is a reliable indicator of how well-versed nursing practitioners are in understanding and using the English language.
These exams have sections for speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Whereas the OET requires a grade B to pass the test and for NMC registration, the IELTS demands a minimum overall score of 7 points (6.5 in writing and 7 in listening, speaking, and reading).
Although applicants may also take IELTS, it is encouraged that healthcare professionals who wish to transfer to the UK choose OET instead. OET is an English language test created especially for the healthcare industry, is more significant for foreign nurses who want to work for the NHS. It evaluates language proficiency in particular for medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and midwives who want to register and work in an English-speaking setting.
3. What steps are involved in the hiring process?
If you want to apply for nursing jobs in the UK, the typical hiring procedure for NHS for any international nurse is as follows:
- Passing a test to determine your level of English
- Submitting an application and interview for an NHS hospital
- Getting an acceptance letter from the hospital following a positive interview
- Starting the NMC registration process and making arrangements for the CBT
- Submitting the necessary paperwork to the NMC and getting a decision letter
- Obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship before submitting an application for a Tier 2 Visa
- Having a reservation for a flight to the UK
- Arriving in the UK and starting a Band 4 nurse job in the NHS
- Undertaking the OSCE
- Beginning work as a nurse with the NHS.
4. What are the practice standards for foreign nurses who are interested in nursing positions in the UK?
All foreign nurses who are interested in working as nurses for the NHS in the UK must have worked as registered nurses for at least one year, either full- or part-time. Additionally, this experience must be applicable to the position for which you are applying.
The registration becomes very easy if the nurse possesses legitimate practice documentation. The nurse’s ability to work for the NHS is demonstrated by this practice requirement.
5. What is a computer-based test or CBT?
The next step for a professional who wants to apply for a nursing position in the UK is to take the CBT, or Computer Based Test. This exam, which may be taken at a variety of testing facilities across the world, is mainly a test of the candidate’s theoretical knowledge.
The CBT exam involves a two-part exam Part A and Part B. Even if you have appeared for Part A and Part B together as a part of your CBT exam, you pass or fail independently. You can reappear for the part of the exam that you have failed. Each sitting is regarded as an attempt. You have three tries as a part of one application with a minimum of 10 days between each sitting.
Your application will be closed if you are unsuccessful after making three attempts. After that you need to apply again, and you won't be permitted to take the CBT exam for at least six months.
6. What is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or OSCE?
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination, or OSCE, is a test that must be passed as part of the evaluation process to become a registered nurse working abroad. It is essentially a practical test that requires you to act out and portray several circumstances that nurses frequently encounter when providing healthcare.
After landing in the UK, you can schedule the OSCE and take the exam at the designated locations. It's crucial to get in touch with the centres and reserve a time slot for the OSCE exam.
A clinical environment and patient situations that all registered nurses and midwives are likely to experience when they plan, deliver, and evaluate care are simulated in an OSCE test. It is a test based on pre-registration requirements in the UK. As part of one application, the OSCE offers three chances. There must be ten days between each sitting. If you fail the OSCE on your third try, your application will be closed, and if you wish to register again, you'll have to start a new one. Before taking the OSCE once more, you must wait at least six months.
7. Do you need a visa to work in the UK?
A Tier 2 Visa or a work permit is necessary to work in the UK for any foreign nurses who want to work as nurses for the NHS UK. Nurses can obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship from their individual trusts to use when applying for nursing jobs in the UK. You can use this certificate to support your visa application. Once a visa is granted, the applicant will have very easy access to travel to and from the UK.
8. Are nurses permitted to bring their family to the UK?
The answer is that nurses are permitted to bring their families to the UK, but they must first apply for a visa for them. You must contact an appropriate trust that enables you to bring your family members along. You may get a clear sense of this by talking to your recruiting consultant about the advantages of working for the NHS.
In addition, it is advised against bringing your families to the UK until the OSCE test has been successfully passed. The nurses are permitted to call their family in the UK once the test has been passed.
9. Are accommodations provided for the nurses while they work in the UK?
Yes, upon arrival, a three-month paid lodging is offered. This accommodation is frequently just made for nurses and not for their families. However, there are specific circumstances in which a recruiting consultant might also provide housing for the family. For better clarification, the nurses must enquire with the consultants about every aspect.
10. Do nurses receive pensions?
The NHS Pension Scheme is open to enrolment to all NHS employees. In accordance with this plan, the trust contributes a total of more than 14% of the monthly pension payment, which amounts to roughly 7-9% of the overall salary.
The financial future of nurses in the UK is protected by this pension plan. A happy and secure existence is ensured. Any employee, however, has the option to decline participation if they so choose.
Conclusion
All international nurses who want to apply for nursing jobs in the UK frequently ask the important questions listed above. If you belong to this group, be sure to carefully read all the responses while getting all your questions answered. Your path will be easier, and this will keep you informed about the information you need to know before applying for nursing jobs in the UK.
If you want to clarify any doubts or want advice regarding pursuing a career in the UK, contact our counsellors at MWT Education Consultancy.
