How to Register in the United Kingdom as a Nurse/ register with the NMC
Are you an international nurse looking for a nursing job in the UK? Working in the UK as an overseas nurse offers a rewarding and challenging career path, but it is not a decision to be taken lightly. Bridge Light Plus can support through the application and registration process for overseas nurses. To undertake a nurse job in the UK, you will need a UK work permit and a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Pin, which will be given to you upon the successful completion of your registration with the NMC.
Bridge Light Plus – How do I register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)?
The first step to finding your next nurse job in the UK is to register with the NMC. Please note that registration with the NMC does not provide the right to work in the UK. The process depends on your nationality and where you have trained, so we recommend checking with the NMC on their site. The registration process may differ depending on if you have trained in or are a national of an EEA (European Economic Area) member state.
CBT and OSCE Testing
If your qualification is not comparable to a UK-approved qualification, you will be subject to two tests in order to assess your competencies. Nurses educated outside of an EEA member state will be required to conduct a Computer Based Test or CBT, which will involve answering multiple-choice questions in a 4-hour examination. This test is available in locations across the world, as well as in the UK.
Overseas nurses will also have to successfully complete the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This must be undertaken within a UK based, approved test centre. You will be evaluated across 6 testing stations, to determine how you plan and administer care in a variety of situations.
What are the language requirements for International Nurses to become Registered Nurses in the UK?
To work as a registered nurse in the UK, you will be required to pass either the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Occupational English Test (OET), to indicate your skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking the English language.
Upon completing the necessary examinations, tests and document submission, the NMC will update you on their decision. If you are successful, you will then receive your NMC pin and you can begin your job search.
Depending on where you have trained, you may have to submit further documentation to the NMC including health and character evidence. Before you can begin to search for an agency nurse job, you will also need to pay the NMC registration fee.
At Bridge Light Plus, we have a variety of nursing jobs available across the United Kingdom. If you are an overseas nurse with a minimum of one year’s clinical experience in a UK hospital or healthcare organisation, register with us or contact our consultant today.