How to get a nursing job in UK
Working as a nurse or midwife in the United Kingdom is the dream of most registered nurses and nursing students around the world, in this article, I will show you how to get a nursing job in UK. As a registered nurse in any country, you may wish to relocate and work in the UK because of favourable working conditions or maybe a higher pay. Well, nurses in the Uk are among the highest-paid they earn up to £35,088 annually or £17.99 per hour. The UK has a significant unmet high demand for nurses. They usually recruit nurses from other countries, and the UK Government encourages more nurses trained abroad to work in the UK. Firstly, let us look at the basic requirements for Nurses in Uk.
Basic requirements for Nurses in Uk
- Be a qualified nurse with a degree or diploma in Nursing from any Institution.
- Prove your English Speaking Skills by obtaining a certificate in IELTS or OET
- Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Uk
- Apply for a Nursing Job in Uk through any international nursing recruitment agency
- Get a Tier 2 visa
- Pass the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) exams which will be written when you get to the Uk and get your NMC Pin
Steps on how to get a nursing job in UK
Here I will be giving you some basic steps on how to get a nursing job in UK. From securing a job to relocation.
Be a fully registered Nurse
The very first thing is to ensure that you are a qualified nurse with a nursing degree or diploma from any institution with a registered nurse license.
Prove your English speaking skills
Before you start any registration or application you will need to prove your ability to communicate effectively in English, by completing the IELTS or OET tests.
International English Language Test System (IELTS)
- at least 6.5 in the writing sections
- at least 7.0 in the listening, reading and speaking sections, and
- at least 7.0 overall.
Occupational English Test (OET)
If you have completed an OET examination you must have a certificate that shows:
- at least a C+ grade in writing, and
- at least a B grade in Listening, reading and speaking.
Register with NMC
If you acquired your nursing degree and were trained outside Europe and would like to work as a nurse or midwife in the UK then you need to first apply to register with NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) UK.
Applicants must complete an online self-assessment of their eligibility to apply before beginning the application process. In this assessment, you will need to meet health, good character and English language requirements.
After the self-assessment next step involved in Registering with the NMC is to take a Computer Based Test (CBT). This test can be taken in multiple test centres around the world. The test is usually made up of 120 multiple-choice questions.
After this, You will have to submit a number of documents to the NMC as required on this page, so they can assess whether you’re a good fit to practice in the UK. Once NMC receives all required documents, your application will be assessed by a member of the International Registrations Team. They will review your application within 30 days. Then they will contact you by email to give you their decision and your next steps.
It is important to note that You must make an appeal against a decision on registration within 28 days of the decision.
The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is the second exam required for NMC registration. The OSCE will assess your clinical knowledge and can only be completed when you move to the UK.
The OSCE simulates a clinical environment and patient scenarios which all registered nurses and midwives are likely to encounter when they assess, plan, implement and evaluate care. When you pass the OSCE, you’ll be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council and immediately receive your NMC Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Apply for a Nursing job in Uk
I will recommend that you apply for a nursing job in the Uk through the Global Nurse Force. This is an agency that will help you secure a job and get your NMC license. You can Start Your application by clicking here.
During the recruitment process, you will have to submit several documents to Global Nurse Force, which will be sent on to your employer. These required documents ensure you can safely and legally work as a nurse in the UK.
Some of these documents include:
- NHS application form
- A police check from your home country
- Proof of address documents
- References
Get Your Visa
After getting a job the next step is to apply for your Visa, as a nurse coming to work in the Uk you will need to apply for a Tier 2 Visa. This visa allows skilled workers to come to the Uk and work for an approved licensed employer. Your Employer will sponsor your visa or refund the costs of your visa.
Book Your flight to the UK
Finally, you will need to book your flight to the UK after securing your accommodation. Your Employer will pay for the cost of your flight ticket or refund your money on arrival.
Congratulations! you are Now a registered nurse in the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions on how to get a nursing Job in Uk
Here are some of the popular questions people have been asking
Can I work as a nurse in UK without experience?
Yes, you can get a job as a nurse in the Uk without any working experience. Most employers look out for your IELTS or OET score rather than your experience and the nursing job is currently in high demand in the UK.
Can I work as a nurse in UK without IELTS?
No, international nurses outside Europe are required to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and you cannot complete your registration without your IELTS certificate. However, it all depends on the country you are applying from
Age limit for nurses to work in UK
There is no fixed age limit for nurses in the Uk, there are still nurses working in their 70s and 80s. However, before applying to be a nurse in the Uk you have to be strong and healthy enough as your health status will be checked.
Conclusion
It will be advisable you use an international nursing recruitment agency to make things easier. Some agencies will help you with Visa processing, getting a job and getting registered with the NMC. Goodluck.