Are you an international nurse looking for a nursing job in the UK? Working in the UK as an overseas nurse offers a rewarding and challenging career path. It is not a decision to be taken lightly, but Mayday Healthcare understand the application and registration process for overseas nurses. To undertake a nurse job in the UK, you will need a UK work permit and a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Pin, which will be given to you upon the successful completion of your registration with the NMC.
Mayday Healthcare requires agency nurses to have at least 1 year clinical experience in a UK hospital or healthcare organisation.
We recommend keeping your documents including identification documents, qualifications and training information handy throughout your registration, as you may be required to include these during a number of steps in the process.
How do I register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)?
The first step to finding your next nurse job in the UK is to register with the NMC. Please note that registration with the NMC does not provide the right to work in the UK. The process depends on your nationality and where you have trained so we recommend checking with the NMC here. The registration process may differ, depending on if you have trained in or are a national of an EEA (European Economic Area) member state.
Testing
If your qualification is not comparable to a UK approved qualification, you will be subject to two tests in order to assess your competencies.. Nurses educated outside of an EEA member state will be required to conduct a Computer Based Test or CBT, which will involve answering multiple choice questions over a 4 hour examination. This test is available in locations across the world, as well as the UK.
Overseas nurses will also have to successfully complete the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This must be undertaken within a UK based, approved test centre. You will be evaluated across 6 testing stations, to determine how you plan and administer care in a variety of situations.
Other documents
Depending on where you have trained, you may have to submit further documentation to the NMC including health and character evidence. Before you can begin to search for an agency nurse job, you will also need to pay the NMC registration fee.
What are the language requirements to become a nurse in the UK?
To work as a nurse in the UK, you will be required to pass either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET), to indicate your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking the English language.
Upon completing the necessary examinations, tests and document submission, the NMC will update you on their decision. If you are successful, you will then receive your NMC pin and you can begin your job search.
At Mayday Healthcare, we have a variety of agency nurse jobs available across the country. If you are an overseas nurse with at least 1 year clinical experience in a UK hospital or healthcare organisation, get in touch with our team today.