Working in Nursing in the UK
Nursing professionals are in high demand in the UK. Work is available based on your specialisation, location, and preferences, both in the NHS and private employers. You can choose short-term work and travel in between or search for a long-term position.
The best way to find opportunities is to register with agencies focused on helping people from overseas. These agencies can place you in multiple contract positions or a long-term role with the NHS or private institutions.
They also assist with important paperwork like the mandatory Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration.
The Opportunity
Employment Scope
Find full or part-time positions with the NHS or in private healthcare facilities, across most specialisations.
Demand
Each year thousands of overseas nurses apply for Nursing opportunites in the UK. Agencies help ensure you find work suited to your experience.
Lifestyle
Work continuously or schedule time for travel between contract work.
Available Opportunities
Nursing positions range from permanent to short-term locum positions: High-demand roles include Social Care, Paediatric Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health and Psychiatric Nurses, and Learning Disability Nurses.
Highest Paid Nurses in the UK
- Paediatric Nurse
- Psychiatric Nurse
- Cardiac Nurse
- Research Nurse
- Nurse practitioner
- Midwives
- Neonatal intensive care nurse
- Pain management nurse
- District nurse
- Theatre nurse
Where you work
- Schools
- Clinics
- Hospitals
- Nursing homes
- Home care
NHS vs. Private Sector
The NHS employs 1.27 million people and is the largest employer in Europe. The NHS runs most hospitals, but there is also a significant private sector. Nurses may find working conditions less pressured in private hospitals due to a higher nurse-to-patient ratio, but many specialist positions are part of the NHS system. Nursing recruitment agencies play a vital role in supplying both NHS and private hospitals.
How Much You'll Earn
Nurses in the UK will earn based on NHS’s Agenda for Change pay scales and bands. There are nine bands and nurses usually fit into bands 5 to 9. Newly qualified overseas nurses with over 4 years of experience usually start at Band 5 and can earn up to £34,000 per annum.
Senior nurses are typically offered at Band 6 where the starting salary is £35,000 and the highest possible salary is £42,000 per annum.
Private hospitals usually pay higher rates than NHS facilities. In both environments, you can expect a living allowance if you are in London (due to the higher cost of living), which can be up to 20% of the basic salary per year in addition to your salary as a registered nurse.
How to Prepare
Registering with the NMC
All nurses, midwives, and specialist community public health nurses wishing to practice in the UK must register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
As an overseas-trained nurse, you must have the following requirements before you start to register with the NMC:
- Hold a first-level nursing qualification and have effective registration in your home country (second-level nurses or equivalent, such as vocational nurses or state-certified nurses, will not be registered).
- Hold a nursing license without restrictions
- Meet OET/IELTS requirements.
Note: Specialist nurses and midwives applying for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) also need to meet further education requirements.
Overseas Trained Nurses
Nurses trained outside the UK must have their initial training assessed before being admitted to the register. The nursing practice is divided into four fields:
- Adult nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disabilities nursing and
- Children’s nursing
The type of test you need to take will depend on the field of register you want to join. After completing the Test of Competence, you still need to complete your application with further documentation. See here for the complete guide on how to register. To know if you are ready to register you may get your pre-application checklist here.
NMC Fees
The NMC charges £140 to process your qualification other than that there are also other fees you will incur as you progress depending on your situation. Total fees can amount to £1,170, excluding resit test and visa fees.
| Requirement | Amount |
|---|---|
| Qualification evaluation fee | £140 |
| Computer based test (CBT) cost | £83 |
| Computer based test (CBT) full resit cost | £83 |
| Computer based test (CBT) partial resit cost | £70 |
| Computer based test (CBT) partial resit cost | £50 |
| Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) cost | £794 |
| Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) full resit cost | £794 |
| Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) partial resit cost | £397 |
| Registration fee | £153 |
*The cost is accurate as of writing. To learn more about the fees you may visit NMC cost and fees here.
Once you have completed all the requirements and tests, NMC will try to process your registration within 30 days, so be sure to apply in advance of your planned trip to the UK.
Additional Requirements
Table of Contents
FAQs
Answers to some questions you might have
What's the easiest way to find a nursing job in the UK from overseas?
Is is a good idea to connect with specialist recruitment agencies a few week or months before you leave to help you find a nursing position that suits you.
Do I need a visa or working permit to get a nursing job in Britain?
Registering with the NMC allows you to practice in Britain, but you still must have a valid permit or work visa when you enter. With a working holiday visa (Youth Mobility Scheme Visa), you can take on ad hoc shifts and rota work.
Nurses from outside the UK can apply for roles through the Skilled Worker visa route, which allows for permanent work and potential pathways to staying in the UK. This visa requires a confirmed job offer from a licensed employer and a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS).
In this case, you are usually required to commit to at least a year or two with that employer due to the expenses and paperwork involved.
There are also specific fast-track visa schemes for some healthcare professionals. The Health and Care Worker visa is a potentially excellent way – providing lower visa fees and fast processing.
What professional registration do I need to have?
As an overseas-trained nurse, you are required to register with the UK’s regulatory body – the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Learn how to register and how much it costs.
Can I choose whether to work on a contract basis or full-time?
It depends. Nurses with working visas can take on contract work, such as rota work and ad hoc shifts. Working travellers 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 way similar to other countries – using a graded system. The salary of a registered nurse in the UK is structured using a graded system. The NHS Agenda for Change pay system is divided into nine pay bands, with several pay increments within each band. Entry-level nurses start in band five, while the most senior nursing positions are in band eight. Pay increases as you gain experience and progress through the increments in each band.
Newly registered nurses typically start at Band 5. At Band 5 with 1-2 years of experience can earn around £28,000 – £30,000 annually. Additionally, nurses in the UK can receive a living allowance of up to 20% of the basic salary. The percentage differs on your location.
Will I have to take an English language test to be a nurse in the UK?
If you are trained outside the UK, 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, as English is likely 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 Britain?
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. 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?
Nurses have been on the Shortage Occupation List for a long time in the UK. In fact, as of 2024, NHS is experiencing severe staff shortages. In England alone has 47,000 vacancies in nurse jobs.
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