So, you want to become a Uk registered nurse? In this post you will learn step by step how to become a registered nurse in the UK.
Below are the quick links to the contents of this post.
Does a UK registered nurse applicant need to Pass an English Proficiency Exam?
First things First! If you want to become a UK registered nurse, you should know that an English proficiency exam is a MUST.
The two most common English proficiency exam taken by foreign nurses are the OET and the IELTS
Both exams have similarities when it comes to their components, they both have the listening, reading, writing and speaking as part of the exam. Therefore, you will have to pass every component of the exam in accordance with the passing mark stipulated by the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council).
The only difference between the two however is on how they evaluate their examinees in the writing part of the exam. Clearly you will be writing different types of letters depending on the case notes in OET and for that reason it could be a referral letter or a discharge letter.
You will be asked to describe a diagram or set of data in IELTS Part A, while the other part is a 250-word academic writeup of a certain topic is required of you to complete.
Just take a pick. Or should I say choose your poison? Lol.
Required English score for nurses in the UK
When you apply as a registered nurse in the UK, the NMC will ask for evidence of your knowledge of English. The NMC will require you to have the following English scores: In IELTS a band score of 7 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and 6.5 in Writing; or an OET Score of C+ in writing, and the remaining subtest a B grade.
Never fret if you were not able to get the required score because there’s what we call clubbing or combining of English scores.
How about the IELTS UKVI should you need to take another IELTS exam for the VISA application? It is no longer needed. For as long as the NMC, which is our relevant regulating body, accepts either the OET or IELTS, we no longer need to have an IELTS UKVI for Visa purposes.
Either of the two previously mentioned exam will suffice.
Once you pass your English exam, you can now find an agency that will facilitate your application.
Again, it is important that you must have an English certificate before you look for an agency. Surely the first requirement they will require for you to apply and become a registered nurse in the UK.
You need to Create an NMC Account
While waiting for the perfect agency to facilitate your application you can start creating your NMC Account and start complying with the requirements. Once done, you will have to upload your credentials, your school diploma, transcript of records, registration certificate, and other important documents. Just follow the steps.
After that the NMC will send a verification link to your local registry and require a third-party verification in order for your application to proceed. In the Philippines you have to request for a State Board Verification from the PRC and you will have to state your purpose — for NMC verification.
Pass the CBT and become a UK registered nurse
After the third-party verification, your NMC portal will be marked with a green check in the Eligibility and Qualification section, which would mean that you are now ready to book for a CBT (Computer Based Test).
The CBT is a two-part test which consist of Part A, a 15-item numeracy test and Part B, a test which consist of 100-item theory-based exam.
Once you pass the exam, you can now proceed with the second stage of your application. The second stage of your application begins after you submitted and paid for your application in the NMC portal.
Medical Practitioner verification and References
After completing your English and CBT exam, you have to note during this stage is to be active in doing follow-up with the medical practitioner and the references. Both of this part of the application tends to lag due to some technical issues.
Once you submitted your doctor’s information to the NMC, they will email the medical practitioner to verify all the declarations you have made. Your doctor will then have to fill-up some details on that digital form, this form sometimes goes to the spam section, which not all doctors are aware of. That’s why you have to remind them.
The NMC portal does not indicate references as part of the requirement however most agencies, like mine, will ask you to submit two references coming from your most recent employment. This may cause a delay as some companies like mine usually have a multiple departmental audit which most HR Department could go busy loco nonetheless with persistence you can get this done in no time.
You are now ready for deployment once your NMC portal appears to be like the one I posted above, hurray!
Agency and NHS Employer
Just to share my story. I am a returning nurse. I have been away from nursing practice for a decade and decide this year, 2023, to pursue and become a UK registered nurse.
In January, I started working as a company nurse as I know that a recent nursing experience is necessary to land a role in the UK. But surely after I took my English test, I applied for a role in some of the agency.
I was offered Two nursing roles in the hospital and one community nurse role coming from 3 agencies. After careful consideration I decided not to be picky when it comes to a role. Decidedly, I chose PNI International and accepted the community nurse role which also has a good career progression.
Know your career path as a UK registered Nurse.
If you want to work as a UK registered nurse in the hospital, the safest thing to do is to work as a hospital staff nurse in your country because this will be the basis of most agencies and NHS Employers when you apply.
You have to take note that most of the agencies require a 6-month to a year of clinical or hospital experience. However, there’s no hard and fast rule about this, it just depends on the agency. Some agencies hire nurses to work in a hospital even without hospital experience.
Initial role as a community nurse is not a bad thing because I knew some registered community nurses in the UK were able to transfer to a hospital setup as soon as they finished their initial contract.
Choose an Agency that is Right for You
Commonly, you have to choose for the right place where you would want to work. Like me, I initially thought of whether to work in the city, where there are plenty of amenities to choose from, or the countryside, where the location is a bit laidback, and the cost of living is cheaper.
One thing to consider as well is the pros and cons of living in the cities, as these are the places where the majority of the community nursing roles are being offered. Should you initially choose to work as a community nurse.
Different agencies cover different NHS Trusts
There were agencies who cover both trusts located in the cities and countryside, and those who only deploy to a limited location. Thus, apart from the nursing role, being able to understand where to situate yourself is I think one of the important things to consider.
Visa Application
If applying in to become a registered nurse in the UK, you will be required to complete many forms to declare pertinent information about your health and travel history. If you reside in a TB endemic country like in the Philippines, you will have to comply with the TB screening before a certificate is to be issued.
Then a chest Xray is performed to check for any findings suggestive of an underlying Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Once the results are out and clear, you may be able to finish your clinic visit in just an hour.
Always remember that a certificate is required for the success of your visa application. There were those coming from the middle east who have stayed less than 3 months in the Philippines and were never required to have the screening done.
Depending on the declared medical information a blood and other studies may further be conducted apart from the TB screening.
There are other clinics for you to have your medical screening for your visa application, but I had mine done in IOM. You have to comply with the requirements before you book for a schedule.
Pass the OSCE and be a UK registered nurse.
As you’ve previously seen, the OSCE part in the NMC portal prior going the UK was left unchecked. This is because you’re going to take the exam in the UK.
Once you arrive, you will have to study for you OSCE exam while starting your work as an HCA. This will be your role for the meantime before you receive your NMC pin — because technically you are not yet a full-pledged UK registered nurse.
Currently, as mentioned, I am still for deployment, but I already have an employer. I will be taking the OSCE Exam in 2024, because the schedule of the exam is yet to be given to me by my employer. I will have to update this section once I’m done with the exam.
For now, what I know is that this exam is not for the faint hearted. You will be moving from one station to another and answer the questions asked in every station, based on the NMC marking criteria.
Others equate the success in taking the OSCE based on how well you prepared for the exam and how well you composed yourself during the exam.
Is OSCE self-review doable?
There are few brave individuals who passed the OSCE without attending any review centers for the NMC OSCE.
It would entail a lot of discipline, surely, if you want to pass the OSCE revising on your own. For me, studying with a group is better because you will be motivated with how your cohort study for the exam.
After you passed the OSCE exam, it’ll be reflected on your NMC Portal, and another set of requirements will be added for you to comply. At this time, enjoy your victory and the euphoric feeling as you comply with the remaining requirements to complete your registration.
That being said, since I am not a brilliant person, I guess I have to start revising for the upcoming OSCE. Adios!
Might want to read something: About me.
Now that you are already a registered nurse in the UK, it’s about time to think of your future. You might want to read the following posts:
- Credit Card Companies the Real life Bandit?
- Update: Living a Peaceful Nursing Life in the UK
- How to Become a UK Registered Nurse the Ultimate Guide
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