Ended soon
It is commonly argued that the NHS is one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Completely free to the end-user, it was established following World War II and without doubt, it is still an extremely highly regarded system today.
If you’re a qualified nurse based in the US, but you’re looking for work in the UK as part of the NHS, you might think that your goal’s an impossible one. Thankfully, however, the NHS is one of the most welcoming services to foreign internationals, and if you have the right knowledge, practitioner experience and motivation, you’re well on the way to getting your dream job. So, without further ado, here are some guaranteed ways to find a successful nursing role in the NHS.
1 – First Things First…
If you are applying from inside the EU, you’d be able to move over to the UK without much hassle, as every country has free movement from within the union. However, because you’re travelling from outside the EU, you’re going to need to apply for UK citizenship, and this means fulfilling a range of criteria about how and where you intend to work. If you want to do some research into becoming a UK national, just follow this link and you’ll go to the official .Gov page.
2 –Assessment Time
Once you’ve found out whether you are able to travel to the UK, you’re going to need to apply for an assessment by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Registering with the council is a legal requirement, and passing the assessment will be part of the eligibility requirements for you attaining the right to work in the UK.
3 – Passing the Test
The test from the NMC comes in two parts: the first is a simple and straightforward multiple choice exam that you can do from any computer across the world, and the second is a practical ‘Objective-Structured Clinical Examination’ that can only be completed in the UK. If you meet the required standard for both parts of the exam, you’ll pass and be eligible for work.
4 – Finding Work
Although you might be eligible for work as a nurse in the NHS if you pass the test, you won’t be thrown straight into a perfect job. To find a role, you might need a little bit of help, but thankfully the NHS has specialist nursing recruiters who offer a range of RN Jobs.
Ultimately, if you’re from the US, finding work in the UK as a nurse on the NHS isn’t totally impossible. If you follow the advice above, you’ll be able to discover whether you’re eligible, have the right skills, and are qualified for the role. Next all you need to do is book a plane and find somewhere to live – challenges in their own right!
