17 Sep How to Be an International Nurse in the UK
Do you dream of wandering Camden market on a sunny Saturday? Perhaps you fantasise about running through the Cotswolds’ flower fields under the midsummer sunset or watching Manchester United beat Arsenal in the flesh. Maybe the cobbled streets of Dublin call to you, or you’d like to see the Loch Ness monster for yourself.
Becoming a nurse in the UK is an exciting prospect. It’s one of the top 5 most in-demand UK healthcare jobs and secures you the opportunity to experience English culture in full force while making a difference. It pays better than many countries, especially third-world countries. Plus, career progression as a nurse in the UK is linear, especially in the NHS.
How does one become a nurse in the UK after studying and working internationally? Let’s discuss what makes you eligible and how to thrive as an international nurse in the UK.
Becoming a Nurse in the UK as an International RN
To become a nurse in the UK, you must meet NMC eligibility requirements and follow their application process. Nursing eligibility in the UK is standardised– the requirements for becoming an RN regardless of whether you opt for England, Scotland, Wales, or Ireland.
Your qualification must equal a UK BSc RN or a foundation degree.
The NMC
The NMC–Nursing and Midwifery Council– regulates registration and continuous development of the nursing profession. When you become a nurse, you’ll get an NMC number that you’ll use to apply to nursing jobs.
The NMC asks that:
- Your passport has more than 3 months left before it expires at the time of your application.
- Declare whether you have ever changed your name.
- Have a qualification that has or would allow you to register as a nurse or midwife in the country you trained in.
- Have your original qualification certificate.
- Your health allows you to practice safely.
- Declare whether you have received a police charge, caution, conviction or conditional discharge.
- Declare whether a regulatory body has declared your fitness to practice impaired.
- Say whether you have been registered with the NMC before.
- Have evidence you speak English.
- Have appropriate insurance or indemnity to practice in the UK.
Then, you’ll need to submit evidence of your identity, namely: identity evidence, evidence of your qualification, evidence of good health, evidence of good character, and confirmation of professional indemnity.
If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency through an approved test like IELTS or TOEFL.
ToC
After you register with the NMC, you’ll need to take a Test of Competence (ToC). You don’t need to do this if you have a European degree that meets the requirements for automatic recognition.
There are 2 parts of the test: CBT (theory-based component) and OSCE (practical component). You’ll need to take parts of the test specific to what nursing speciality you’re involved in:
- Adult nurse (RNA)
- Mental health nurse (RNMH)
- Learning disabilities nurse (RNLD)
- Children’s nurse (RNC)
- Midwife (RM)
Be sure to include this in your application.
CBT
The CBT has two sections: part A covers numeracy and part B covers clinical questions related to nursing. You’ll take it on a computer at a Pearson Vue centre. It’s a multiple-choice test.
OSCE
To sit your OSCE, you’ll need to travel to one of the following test centres:
- Oxford Brookes University
- University of Northampton
- Ulster University
- Northumbria University
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
There is a written and practical component.
Visa
After you’ve passed the ToC and have been awarded an NMC number, apply for a skilled worker (Tier 2) visa. Your employer will provide a certificate of sponsorship, which is required to work as an RN in the UK.
Remember to register with the NMC once you’ve attained a job offer.
Working as an International Nurse in the UK
Working in the UK without knowing anyone can be emotionally draining. Here are a few ways to cope as a nurse in a new culture and not risk compassion fatigue.
Making Friends in a New City
Here are a few tried-and-true ways you can make friends in a new city.
- Meetup: find community meetups befitting your interests anywhere in the UK
- Bumble BFF: find friends near you, dating app style
- Facebook groups: use Facebook groups to find friends in your area
Next, let’s discuss the cost of living.
Cost of Living
Many nurses agree that NHS wages on their own simply don’t cover the UK’s exorbitant cost of living. Many nurses do agency work alongside NHS work to supplement these costs. Agency work rates of pay usually award around 30 pounds an hour.
Proximity Healthcare is a healthcare recruitment and employment agency. With an agency like ours, you can choose exactly where you’d like to work in the UK, and for how long. Our team has helped countless nurses create great candidate profiles and negotiated wages with healthcare institutions on their behalf. There are many areas we’re hiring specially for, especially specialist roles.
If you would like to work with Proximity Healthcare, contact us! We would love to help you find your next best nursing gig.