Provisions for Indian nurses to work in the UK

Do you aspire to work in the United Kingdom (UK) as a nurse? Yes, it is a country steeped in history with the never-ending list of things to see and do on the earth. It is very cosmopolitan and accepts people from all walks of life and cultures. However, the UK’s tremendous job opportunities make it even more enticing.

Thousands of people many of them especially qualified Indian nurses, come to work in the country every year. The United Kingdom rely significantly on the supply of nurses from India.

Nursing is a popular and stable profession in the UK. Nurses have numerous options for advancement and specialization. We will discuss how to become a nurse and the skills and certifications required for nursing job in the UK.

The National Health Service (NHS) is the main draw for most Indian nurses interested in working there. Apart from the fact that the NHS offers a plethora of nursing jobs available for both native and foreign-born nurses, the NHS packages are also highly appealing.

To work in the UK, keep in mind the following factors:

• Become a licensed nurse

At first, you need a nursing degree and a minimum of one year of experience working as a nurse.

• Ability to communicate in English

To begin with, you must prove your ability to communicate effectively in English by speaking, reading, and writing. Anyone seeking a nursing job in the UK needs to communicate successfully with patients and co-workers. There are two options for testing your English proficiency, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and OET (Occupational English Test).

Because there are substantial differences between the tests, deciding which one to take is a matter of personal preference. There are several versions of IELTS, and you must make sure the one you choose is suitable for entry into the UK as a nursing professional.

Now it’s time to finish your job interview!

An interview via Skype or any other video conferencing platform will be set up by your respective nursing agency in the UK. This will be done once your IELTS or OET scores are out. And this is an opportunity for you to explain why you are a good fit for a nursing job in the UK and ask about any concerns you have about the application process.

Take the computer-based exam and pass it (CBT)

To work as a nurse in the UK, you must first register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). For registration, a computer-based test (CBT) is mandatory. You can take the test at any test centers across the world. The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions.

Provide papers for the NMC

NMC will ask you to provide a range of papers to determine whether you are a good fit for a position in nursing job. You should wait up to 60 working days for a decision letter after the NMC receives the required evidence. Ascertain that your personal information is received by the NHS.

As part of the recruitment process, your agency will provide the essential papers to the NHS. These documents are required to work as a nurse in the UK. Documents such as a duplicate of your completed NHS application, an investigation into your criminal history in your home country, and identification documents need to be submitted.

Before you can apply for a Visa, you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship (COS). The NHS will fill out the application on your behalf as your sponsor. It is for three years, and after five years in the UK, you can apply to become a permanent resident.

Visa application

Indian nurses who wish to work in the UK must apply for a Tier 2 visa. The NHS trust where you are employed may fund all or part of your Visa.

Make your travel plans in advance

In the UK, new life awaits you, so pack your belongings! Prepare to fly to the UK by booking your flights. A representative will greet you at the airport and transport you to your destination. You will also get your phone numbers and other information. Following that, you will be enrolled in the NHS Trust and begin OSCE training.

Complete the Structured Objective Clinical Examination (OSCE)

The NMC registration process continues with the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). The test replicates some of the scenarios that nurses and midwives in the NHS are likely to encounter while caring for patients. There are six stations in the OSCE where nurses and midwives are evaluated on their knowledge and understanding of the assessment process and their abilities to plan, implement, and evaluate patient care. The final stations evaluate clinical knowledge.

The OSCE training timetable will be different for each NHS Trust. If your first two paid efforts to pass the exam fail, you are allowed a third attempt at your own expense. After three failed tries, you must return to your native nation.

Find out what your NMC PIN is!

If you pass the OSCE, you will be registered with the Nursing & Midwifery Council and issued an NMC Personal Identification Number (PIN). With this, your nursing job as a registered nurse will begin!