NMC Charges:

The NMC charges £140 to process applications and then once you have been accepted to the register you will be required to pay a registration fee of £162 that is valid for three years. The assessment process can take up to six months, so be sure to apply well in advance of your planned departure for Britain.

What's the easiest way to find a nursing job in the UK from overseas?

You can register with WORKgateways up to two years before you leave to assist you in finding a nursing position that suits you. By registering with UK-based agencies that partner with WORKGateways, you can get a head start on your job search. These recruitment agencies specialise in connecting working travelers with the best opportunities. 

Do I need a visa or working permit to get a nurising job in Britain?

Registering with the NMC allows you to practise in Britain, but you still must have a valid permit or work visa status when you enter. On a working holiday visa you will be able to undertake ad hoc shifts and rota work.

With a work permit you will need to be sponsored by a hospital, private clinic or company. In that instance you are normally required to commit to at least a year with that employer due to the expenses and paper work involved in sponsoring overseas candidates.

What professional registration do I need to have?

Before you can practise as a nurse you must register with the profession’s regulatory body, the Nursing and Midwifery Council. Midwives and specialist nurses will need to meet further education requirements. In order to register with the NMC, you must 1) currently be a registered nurse in your home country and hold a first-level qualification for nursing; 2) have completed a 3 year training program; 3) have had a minimum of 12 months of experience. The NMC is divided into four categories: adult (general) nursing, mental health nursing, learning disabilities nursing or children's nursing. Most nurses will fit in the adult nursing category, which is the broadest. 

If you've received your training outside of the European Economic Area, you'll have to have your training assessed before regsitering. For this reason, you must attend all or part of the Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP), a 20 day course. In addition, you'll have to pass an English-language test.

Can I choose whether to work on a contract-basis or full-time?

This depends. Nurses with working visas can take on contract work, that is rota work and ad hoc shifts. Working travelers with EU passports, Ancestry Visas or Right to Abode certificates can take on permanent positions in the UK. 

How much will I earn? How are nurses graded in the UK? 

The salary of a registered nurse is structured in a similar way to most other countries, using a graded system. The relatively new NHS Agenda for Change pay system is divided into nine pay bands, with several pay increments within each band. Entry level nurses currently begin in band five with the most senior nursing positions falling in band eight. Levels of pay increase as you gain experience and progress through the increments in each band. The new Agenda for Change system of pay is currently only being implemented in NHS facilities but is expected to influence rates of pay outside the national system in the future.

Nurses who are newly registered will generally make about  £17,000 annually, while those at the most senior level can expect to make roughly £30,000. Generally speaking, nurses who work in private hospitals earn more than nurses who work in NHS facilities. In addition, nurses employed in London can expect to receive a living allowance up to £4,000 p.a.

Will I have to take an English language test to be a nurse in the UK?

If you are from a non-EU country you will need to take the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam. This is a relatively easy step for Australians, New Zealanders, South Africans and Canadians since English is likely to be your first language. For members of non-EU countries the IELTS test is mandatory for certain professionals including nurses and doctors. To find out where to take your exam in your home country and get further information visit the British Council website.

Do I need to have insurance to work in nursing in Britan?

Though you are not required to obtain professional indemnity insurance in order to practise nursing in the UK, we highly recommend doing so. You can join the Royal College of Nurses, which will cover up to £3 million in claims made against you by a patient, colleague or anyone else. The same applies to any injuries you sustain while on the job.  Once you are registered with the NMC they should be able to provide you with advice on insurance options.

Are nursing jobs on the UK's official Shortage Occupation List?

Currently, the only nursing positions listed on  Shortage Occupation List for Tier 2 of the Points-Based System are for specialist nurses working in neonatal intensive care units. These nurses can be sponsored by an employer, which is required for nurses seeking a work permit. Nurses with work permits likely commit to a minimum of a one year contract.