So, if you’re considering being a nurse in another country, you may be wondering what the benefits are of a nursing career in the UK. Nurses in the UK, if they don’t work in private healthcare facilities, generally work for the National Health Service (NHS). This is a publicly funded health care service. And it’s the largest employer in the UK with over 620,000 nurses on its books. According to a data by NHS, there are about 40,000 nursing jobs open in England alone. The UK is actively searching for foreign talent to make up for the lack of domestic demand in the upcoming years as a result of this lack of demand.
Before we begin, as an overseas applicant you must meet the following requirements to begin your application with the NMC;
- Hold a Nursing Diploma/Degree.
- Hold current nursing registration or a nursing license without restrictions.
- Meet OET/IELTS requirements.
FOUR ACTIVE STEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
- Step 1: Self-Assessment
- Step 2: Successfully pass the CBT exam.
- Step 3: Documentation
- Step 4: Complete Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
STEP 1: SELF - ASSESSMENT
To ensure you are eligible to apply, applicants must complete a self-assessment online. Once this is complete you will receive confirmation of eligibility and authorization to book the CBT exam, from the NMC.
STEP 2: SUCCESSFULLY PASS THE CBT EXAM.
This test of competence examines your understanding, knowledge and application of professional skills. You will be tested on areas such as acute care, long-term care setting, caring of healthy people, caring for patients with complex needs and illnesses, and caring for people in a community setting such as their own home.
The CBT exam is a computer-based exam made up of theoretical practice-based knowledge. It is all multiple-choice questions and it will take place in a test centre or can be completed online, depending on the country you are applying from.
Exam results are emailed to candidates within 48 hours after taking the examination and you will be awarded either a pass or a fail. The CBT is valid for two years. The exam costs £130 and will be refunded by the Trust upon arrival.
NMC aim to process the application within 60 days, once we have received all required documents. When everything is completed, you will be invited to complete the OSCE exam in your assigned UK hospital.
STEP 3: DOCUMENTATION
Once you are successful, you then pay the NMC registration fee which opens up a portal. The portal is where you upload the required documents.
Submit your application on the NMC portal once you see that all documentation has been received by the NMC. It may take up to 15 days for the documentation to be uploaded once the NMC has received it by courier.
After your files have gone through the assessment stage you will be issued a Decision Letter via email. This decision letter is an invitation to complete the next step, which is the OSCE Exam.
This process can take between 40-60 working days once all documentation has been submitted. This is often the longest part of the process.
STEP 4: COMPLETE OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION (OSCE)
This exam may only be completed in the UK. Once KCR have successfully placed you in a hospital, you will be provided with an OSCE training programme by the Trust, followed by the final exam. You have three attempts to pass this exam.
This exam costs £992 and may be reimbursed by the Trust, depending on what hospital you are placed in.
The exam is a practical exam and is made up of different nursing scenarios along with separate skills stations. Each station has a strict marking scheme in which all candidates are assessed against. You will be assessed by a panel of examiners.
The exam will take place roughly 4-6 weeks after starting in the hospital, this gives you a sufficient amount of time to adjust to your new working environment and become more comfortable with the apparatus etc.
Once you have successfully completed all of the above you are now a fully registered nurse and officially part of the NMC. Congratulations!!
If you are seeking employment as a nurse in the UK, let us help you find the most suitable position. We look forward to hearing from you!