The healthcare sector in the United Kingdom is robust and requires trained professionals, particularly nurses. The shortage of trained and professional nurses among residents and citizens led employers to hire eligible candidates for nursing in the UK. Many candidates from India who fulfill the nurse requirements join the healthcare sector in the UK. Read on to understand the requirements for nursing in the UK.
Nurses trained outside the European Union require registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to work as nurses in the UK. They can be employed under Tier 2 (General) work visa arrangements.
Candidates who have studied and trained outside the United Kingdom in nursing must register as a nurse or midwife with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK by applying. Candidates should understand the eligibility criteria and process by completing an online self-assessment. Facilitated by the NMC, this online evaluation will help interested applicants know their skill level and their professional nursing training in the UK.
The NMC decides through an online assessment about applicants’ necessary training, practice, and experience in nursing or midwifery. The candidates' skills, knowledge, training, and experience must match the NMC standards and job positions. It is important to understand that registration with the NMC is not a guarantee or assurance of having the right to work in the United Kingdom. It is simply the first step towards applying for nursing in the UK. The NMC generally notifies qualified candidates within 14 days after assessing their online test.
The NMC registration for nurse requirements in different jobs in the UK can be broadly divided into four fields of training and practice, which are mentioned below -
Applicants who have trained and practiced as general nurses in India must apply for registration with the NMC as adult nurses. Applicants willing to register for more than one field of training and practice must apply for each profile and field simultaneously after fulfilling all requirements.
Applicants with a nursing degree should also clear mandatory English language tests to showcase skills in writing, speaking, listening, and reading the language.
The benchmark scores in the International English Language Test System (IELTS) and the Occupational English Test (OET) are considered by the NMC. It is important to note that the test scores remain valid for two years after the announcement of results by the approved organization.
Eligible candidates with a nursing degree can appear in job interviews conducted by registered employers in the United Kingdom. They can secure a Certificate of Sponsorship from UK employers, which will help them to submit a Tier 2 Health and Care Worker visa application to join job positions in nursing in the UK.
A Registered Nurse (RN) in the United Kingdom receives an average annual salary of £24,907. Skills, practice, and experience are key determinants of nurses’ salaries in the UK.
Trained and qualified nurses earn approximately £22,128 to £28,746 per year. The salary bracket goes up to £26,565 to £35,577 per year for senior positions in nursing in the UK. Modern matrons and nurse consultants get around £31,696 to £69,168 per year for senior nurses or nurses working in advanced care units.
After clearing the mandatory online assessment test for NMC registration, eligible candidates must complete the first part of the test of competence in the next six months. The application is rejected after the deadline of six months. Eligible candidates can have two attempts (an initial sitting and a re-sit) to pass the online tests, with a minimum of 28 days between each sitting. The results of online tests are mailed to selected candidates in the next two working days. The result remains valid for two years, and the exam fee needs to be paid in full by candidates appearing in the online test.
After clearing the online NMC registration test, candidates will be informed to take the English language ability test. Eligible or NMC-registered candidates should clear the language proficiency test within the next two years of clearing the online registration test. The results of language ability scores are mailed to selected or successful candidates within five working days of appearing in the exam. This will equip candidates to go for job interviews with registered employers in the UK and secure a Certificate of Sponsorship to apply for a visa.
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