Information for Nurses & Midwives trained outside the UK seeking Healthcare & Nursing Jobs in the UK.
The Nursing Midwifery Council (NMC) is the regulatory body and competent authority for the register of nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses. In order to practice as a nurse or midwife in the UK, you must be registered with the NMC and have the necessary visa/work permit.
The Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP) came into effect on the 1st September 2005. Nurses and midwives trained outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who wish to register in the UK have to successfully complete the ONP. The ONP is a compulsory 20 day period of protected learning and where appropriate a period of supervised practice. The content includes UK law, health and safety issues, record-keeping, drugs administration and the NMC Code of Conduct.
International English Language Tests (IELTS) - All overseas nurses who trained outside the European Economic Area (EEA) will have to sit the (IELTS). The following scores have to be achieved by all nurses and midwives.
At least 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
At least 7.0 in the writing and speaking section
An overall average score of 7.0 (out of a possible 9.0)
NMC Registration - Once you have completed the ONP and if necessary a supervised placement, you will be required to pay a registration fee to the NMC. You will then receive a card showing your Personal Identification Number (PIN).
Qualifications - All nurses who have undertaken a basic nursing programme that lasted eighteen or twenty four months are not eligible to get onto the NMC register. An enrolled nurse, licensed practical nurse (LPN) and vocational nurse (in the USA), community nurse, state certified nurse, staff nurse (in South Africa), mother craft nurse and nursery nurse, are all not recognised as first level registered nurses in the UK. A person with one of these professional nursing qualifications would not be able to work in the UK as a qualified nurse, since these are considered to be second level qualifications and are not accepted by the NMC.
Qualifed nurses and midwives who do not meet NMC requirements - For overseas trained nurses and midwives living in the UK currently the only method of upgrading overseas nursing qualifications to the European first level nurse criteria is by going to a school of nursing based at a university.
The first year of the training will be credited on the basis of prior experience and learning, that is by going through a process of Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL). Every university should have a system in place to help individuals in the APEL process. This option is only available to people living in the UK for over three years.
Refugee/asylum Seeker nurses and midwives do not need to pay the NMC any fees to apply for registration. You must however send to the NMC a copy of the Home Office letter confirming your refugee status.
Immigration - Only applicants for entry to the UK to undertake the Overseas Nursing Programme can apply to enter the UK as work permit holders, providing they hold an offer of a nursing post in the UK and the prospective employer has obtained a work permit. For further advice contact: www.workingintheuk.gov.uk
Applicants who are required to undertake supervised practice/adaptation in addition to the Overseas Nursing Programme are required to apply to the British High Commission/Embassy for entry clearance as an overseas qualified nurse/midwife and obtain a permit-free visa. To find your next nursing job or job in healthcare, please look at our clients’ current nursing and healthcare jobs.
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