Working as a nurse in the UK can be a very rewarding experience, and Latitudes can assist in making this a reality.
We work with a number of partners to ensure that you are best positioned to obtain professional registration as a nurse in the UK. Through this next work of partners we can offer flexible working conditions with employer sponsorship that will suit everybody's requirements.
What are the basic requirements?:
- Be able to speak English. You must take and pass the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.
- Must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- Must obtain a work permit
- Must obtain appropriate work visa
- Must have a formal offer to work in the UK. This means a particular job with a particular employer (Latitudes will arrange this).
The International English Language Testing System Test (IELTS):
- You will be tested for English language proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
- You must obtain an overall score of 7.0 with a minimum score of 7 in each band.
- There are more than 200 centers in 100 countries where this test is administered.
- Test centers offer courses to prepare for the IELTS and there are study guides available online and in book stores.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC):
- The NMC regulates nursing and midwifery in the UK.
- This organisation maintains a registry of nurses, midwives, and health visitors. The NMC is similar to the nursing boards in the United States.
- The NMC assesses each application individually. Some nurses may require supervised clinical experience or additional training before being fully registered by the NMC. This is usually refered to as the Overseas Nurses Program, or ONP. The ONP can require a minimum period of 20 days of protected learning, or orientation programs from 3 - 6 months. More information about the ONP can be found at various websites including the NMC.
How do I obtain a work permit?
This is where Latitudes can really help. We have employers that are interested in sponsoring nurses to work with them for contract of 12 months or more.
Some candidates from certain countries may be eligible for visas that do not require employer sponsorship. These candidates would be eligible for:
- Working Holiday or Youth Mobility Visas
- Ancestral Visas
- Be a citizen of the EU
You must keep in mind that:
- It is against the law for a foreign nurse work in the UK without having a valid work permit.
- Work permits are granted for a particular job with a particular employer. The work permit is not transferable to another employer.
So which ever way you look at this, having the assistance of a professional agency such as Latitudes will assist you to navigate the requirements, locate a suitable employer, and get you on your way to working in the UK.
