How Can I Get a Job as a Nurse in the UK?
Becoming a nurse in the UK is a rewarding career choice that not only offers the chance to make a significant impact on patients’ lives but also provides a stable and fulfilling profession. The question how can I get a job as a nurse in the UK? Is a common question that many recruitment agencies hear. The process can be simplified by partnering with a reputable healthcare recruiter who specialise in placing nurses from around the world into UK healthcare roles, providing a wealth of support and resources.
At Servisource, we offer a full 360 recruitment experience. We manage all aspects of the entire recruitment process including interview scheduling, compliance checks, and even welcome international candidates to Ireland by meeting them at the airport. The onboarding of our candidates is what makes us unique, our candidates often comment on the little touches such as the sim card we give them at the airport so they can ring their families to let them know they arrived safely or the welcome pack we supply them with. Servisource spoke to our very own Recruitment Consultant Divya Ram to gain her expert advice on healthcare recruitment and employment in the UK.
An interview with our Recruitment Consultant Divya Ram
Q1. Hi Divya, how long have you been working with Servisource and what is your position within the company?
I am with Servisource since November 2022, I joined as a recruitment consultant for the UK perm team and I have now moved to the compliance team with Care 24-7.
Q2. Why is it important for healthcare workers to work with a recruitment agency?
Recruitment agencies act as a bridge between employers and healthcare workers. Recruitment agencies will explain the recruitment process, relocation process, help them with visa applications and pastoral support. They ensure the right people are available in the right place.
Q3. What advice would you give someone starting their nursing career?
Do your research on all the recruitment agencies and employers before applying to jobs. Make sure they are legitimate and the employers are on the A-listed sponsor list. Do not give money to any agencies as it is not ethical to get money from the candidates. You can check the agency list by using the following link: Ethical Recruiters List | NHS Employers. Read all the information on the legitimate website and you can also find out more information in our previous blog whereby we outline all the requirements needed for a nursing career in the UK.
Q4. What support do Servisource offer clients in order to prepare for their new position abroad?
The Servisource team will be with you throughout every step of the process. We have immigration solicitors who help you in getting a sponsorship license and also handle the sponsorship management system if you do not have one. We will give you all the costs involved in overseas recruitment and the fees the clients can reimburse to the candidates.
We will arrange interviews with candidates, helping with offer letters as well as helping to book for OSCE training providers. We also provide pastoral support to the candidates.
Q5. What advice do you offer family dependents moving to the UK?
I would advise family dependents to come to the UK after the candidates obtain their NMC Pin. All the candidates need to take their OSCE exam within 3 months of their arrival. By this time, the candidates know about the area they will be living in and can get their rental properties for their families.
Q6. What are the benefits of working as a nurse in the UK?
You will have great exposure to advanced medical knowledge and clinical practices. They have multiple career options to try different specialities across the UK. You have better pay, a flexible work schedule and opportunities to learn.
Understanding the Nursing Profession in the UK
Nursing in the UK is regulated by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which sets the standards for education, training, conduct, and performance. Their purpose is to make sure that the practices of nursing and midwifery are secure, effective, and compassionate. They oversee and monitor these professions and the public, to ensure their well-being.
Qualifications and Training
Equivalent Nursing Qualification: Nursing qualifications must be equivalent to those recognised in the UK. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) will assess credentials to ensure they meet UK standards. Typically, a nursing degree or diploma from a recognised institution is needed.
Clinical Experience: Practical experience is crucial. The NMC usually requires evidence of recent clinical practice to ensure that skills are current and relevant.
I found out about Servisource from a friend. Contacted the agent and in no time at all, they had added me to their database. The agent Marta, is very friendly and patient. Servisource facilitated the booking of interviews, and the issuing of visas and flights. They only do placements with the best care facilities. Thanks to Marta and team, I’m living my dream. I definitely recommend Servisource to nurses who are serious about relocating to the UK.
English Language Proficiency
Building CapacityBuilding Capacity
Proficiency in English is vital for ensuring effective communication in clinical settings. The NMC mandates that international nurses demonstrate their English language skills and there are three types of evidence that are accepted in order to demonstrate this to practice in the UK. The NMC accepts one of these three types, outlined below, without needing further evidence. Applicants must achieve the required score in each of the four areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking.
These three types of accepted evidence:
If you have completed an NMC-approved pre-registration nurse, midwife or nursing associate programme that was taught and examined in English. They will accept this as evidence that you have the necessary knowledge of English.
To demonstrate that you have practised in English, you must provide us with evidence that you have recently practised for one year as a nurse, midwife or nursing associate in a country where country where English is a majority spoken language.
There are two language tests as evidence of your ability to communicate effectively in English: the International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic and the Occupational English Test (OET).
There have been changes to the NMC’s English language requirements which were approved by their Council last September. They ensure that the high standards of language skills needed by professionals will remain while keeping the process as fair as possible. Our blog Recent Changes to the NMC Registration Board with the ILETS/OET Exams goes into further detail surrounding these changes.
While the process of how to become a working nurse in the UK can seem daunting, partnering with a recruitment agency can transform this challenge into a smooth and rewarding experience. Agencies offer unparalleled support, from visa processes to securing job placements and facilitating the transition into the UK’s vibrant healthcare environment. By leveraging the expertise and resources of a recruitment agency, healthcare workers can focus on what truly matters, delivering compassionate care and making a significant impact on patients’ lives. The journey to becoming a valued member of the UK’s healthcare community starts here, with the guidance and support that only a dedicated recruitment agency can provide.
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