Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 11/30/2009 7:57 PM |
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Credit hours to contact hours are already set up by your school. Each university knows how many each credit hour is worth. For example, a class with 3 credit hours means you meet 2 hours 3 times a week for 15 weeks = 90 which is 30 contact hours per credit hour. This is only an example, so check with your university. They will need to do the conversion based off of their set up calculation.
The Home Office is the UK government that grants entry into the UK. They WILL NOT give you a visa for any nursing job outside what I posted above. I am not sure what type of visa you need from your country to visit the UK for the ONP. That you will have to check with the UK embassy to your country - you can find that information on their website. For me, as an American, I was able to go into the country for a limited time to take the ONP. I did not need a visa; I went in as a visitor to the UK and they stamped my passport saying that I was only a visitor and was not authorized to work or earn any money. Yes, you can only take the ONP in the UK.
The agency or hospital has to sponsor you in order for you to obtain a visa. You will need to obtain a Tier 2 skilled worker visa based on the points system which REQUIRES sponsorship. You can check out more here:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/
Without a sponsor, you will not be able to work in the UK unless you have a EU or UK visa already.
No, no hospital will employ you if they cannot obtain a visa for you. Most hospitals are unwilling to obtain visas for people unless they fulfill a shortage need, such as ICU. You also must pass a English language exam called the IELTS. You must take this before applying to the NMC for a license.
You may want to check with an agency such as Continental Travelnurse to see if they can help you. I am not sure what your RN experience is in, but they could help by telling you if they could get you a sponsorship or not. Without a shortage occupation, you won't be able to find a hospital to sponsor you.
Also, I want to make sure you know that you must be a RN for 1 year to receive a NMC license and most agencies require at least 2 years experience as you have to be able to walk in on your first day and start working - there is no orientation or training with travel nursing.
Hope this helps. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 11/30/2009 8:16 PM |
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Posted By ElleHuber on 08/02/2008 7:08 PM
I am an American interested in getting a year or 2 of experience in the states then moving to England to work as an RN then hopefull become a midwife. I know this is pretty general but what kinds of things would I need to do to achieve this goal? For example, qualifications or tests i might need to take? Visa considerations? What about transfering money- would I keep an American account or would I transfer all my money to a bank in England? Any information would be MUCH appreciated!!! Thanks so much!
Hi Elle - I am an American L&D nurse that is working in the UK (London). I can tell you more about things if you like.
First of all there are no L&D nurses in the UK. They only use midwives and midwife assistants (these are like CNAs). I was not able to work on the midwifery floor, so I took a position as a Blood Transfusion Practitioner and picked up shifts on the gynae ward.
To become registered in the UK, you'll need to do these things:
1. Request a packet from the NMC
2. Take the IELTS test (yes, it is required even if you are from an English speaking country)
3. Send in initial packet and initial fee (info found at Http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1685) with IELTS results
4. Wait for 2nd packet to arrive
5. Have your university convert your transcript from credit to contact hours including your clinicals
6. Submit all of the paperwork, wait on your answer
7. Once you receive your approval, you pay your registration fee to the NMC and enroll in an ONP course.
8. Take ONP course in England - this is required before you can start working.
9. Find employer sponsorship for a visa
10. Employer helps you apply for the visa (see here for more info: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/)
11. Submit passport and paperwork to the Home Office in your country and wait on their decision.
Then you can start working once you receive your visa!
When you live in England, you must have a UK bank account in order to be paid. Everything you earn will be paid into that account and all your bills will be debited from that account. The UK works on a bank draft/debit system, so your phone, internet, mobile, etc., all comes straight out of your account and you MUST have a UK account in order to be paid and pay bills. You can of course transfer money to yourself from your US to your UK account, but it costs £20 per wire, so it is advisable to use your ATM card to draw out money in pounds from your US account and then either deposit that into your UK account or spend as cash.
I hope that helps some and if you have any other questions you can feel free to ask. It took me 1 year to obtain my NMC registration, visa and begin working. I had an agency that helped me obtain my visa and placed me in a hospital. It is very hard to be hired on directly by any hospital if you are not a UK citizen.
Oh! And I almost forgot about the midwifery! I applied to midwifery school at King's College. I was accepted on FULL SCHOLARSHIP! But when I went to be sponsored by the hospital for a visa in order to work in the clinicals (the hospital pays you a stipend while you go to school, so the university courses are free AND you receive a £25/yr stipend), the hospital could not gain a visa for me due to midwifery NOT being on the shortage occupation list. It was heartbreaking. I ultimately lost my spot because I was not able to be sponsored. And no, your visa sponsorships are non-transferrable. I could not transfer my agency sponsorship to my midwifery.
Another thing that you may not know - Midwifery in the US is a Master's Degree and you must be a RN. Midwifery in the UK is a Bachelor's degree and you can either enter as a RN and do a shorter course (18 months) or you can direct entry from high school and it is a 3 year course.
I hope this helps!
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 11/30/2009 8:24 PM |
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For some reason that message above came out in one solid mass! Sorry about that. I do not see a edit or delete button, so I will just repost a cleaner post!
Hi Elle - I am an American L&D nurse that is working in the UK (London). I can tell you more about things if you like.
First of all there are no L&D nurses in the UK. They only use midwives and midwife assistants (these are like CNAs). I was not able to work on the midwifery floor, so I took a position as a Blood Transfusion Practitioner and picked up shifts on the gynae ward.
To become registered in the UK, you'll need to do these things:
1. Request a packet from the NMC
2. Take the IELTS test (yes, it is required even if you are from an English speaking country)
3. Send in initial packet and initial fee (info found at Http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1685) with IELTS results
4. Wait for 2nd packet to arrive
5. Have your university convert your transcript from credit to contact hours including your clinicals
6. Submit all of the paperwork, wait on your answer
7. Once you receive your approval, you pay your registration fee to the NMC and enroll in an ONP course.
8. Take ONP course in England - this is required before you can start working.
9. Find employer sponsorship for a visa
10. Employer helps you apply for the visa (see here for more info: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/tier2/general/)
11. Submit passport and paperwork to the Home Office in your country and wait on their decision.
Then you can start working once you receive your visa!
When you live in England, you must have a UK bank account in order to be paid. Everything you earn will be paid into that account and all your bills will be debited from that account. The UK works on a bank draft/debit system, so your phone, internet, mobile, etc., all comes straight out of your account and you MUST have a UK account in order to be paid and pay bills. You can of course transfer money to yourself from your US to your UK account, but it costs £20 per wire, so it is advisable to use your ATM card to draw out money in pounds from your US account and then either deposit that into your UK account or spend as cash.
I hope that helps some and if you have any other questions you can feel free to ask. It took me 1 year to obtain my NMC registration, visa and begin working.
I had an agency that helped me obtain my visa and placed me in a hospital. It is very hard to be hired on directly by any hospital if you are not a UK citizen.
Oh! And I almost forgot about the midwifery! I applied to midwifery school at King's College. I was accepted on FULL SCHOLARSHIP! But when I went to be sponsored by the hospital for a visa in order to work in the clinicals (the hospital pays you a stipend while you go to school, so the university courses are free AND you receive a £25/yr stipend), the hospital could not gain a visa for me due to midwifery NOT being on the shortage occupation list. It was heartbreaking. I ultimately lost my spot because I was not able to be sponsored. And no, your visa sponsorships are non-transferrable. I could not transfer my agency sponsorship to my midwifery. Another thing that you may not know - Midwifery in the US is a Master's Degree and you must be a RN. Midwifery in the UK is a Bachelor's degree and you can either enter as a RN and do a shorter course (18 months) or you can direct entry from high school and it is a 3 year course.
I hope this helps! |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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akdennis
New Member
Posts:3
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| 12/01/2009 3:47 AM |
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Hi Laura. Fancy finding you here! See your email for some questions I have on the info you've been sharing with the others. I'd rather ask you privately.
-Dennis |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/01/2009 7:43 AM |
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Posted By Lauritasol on 11/30/2009 7:57 PM
Without a sponsor, you will not be able to work in the UK unless you have a EU or UK visa already.
Sorry - this was an error. I meant to say, unless you have an EU or UK passport. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/01/2009 7:45 AM |
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Ergh... sorry! Not sure why my posts are not coming out right.
Above I said, "Without a sponsor, you will not be able to work in the UK unless you have a EU or UK visa already."
Sorry - this was an error. I meant to say, unless you have an EU or UK passport. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/01/2009 8:02 AM |
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Thought this might help... List of shortage occupations:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/workpermits/businessandcommercial/occupationshortagelist.pdf |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/01/2009 8:07 AM |
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Here's an updated list on the UK visa website:
http://www.visabureau.com:80/uk/shortage-occupations-list.aspx#healthcare
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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DaymonF
Active Member
Posts:59
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| 12/01/2009 5:33 PM |
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| very helpful list - that's why I like this site - professionals helping professionals |
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feur09
Junior Member
Posts:26
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| 12/02/2009 1:55 AM |
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@ lauritasol
By the way,can I ask how much does it cost when obtaining the NMC pack at the moment? Can I have specifics with regards to the term "sponsorship"..my apologies but i cant really get this part! |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/02/2009 4:56 PM |
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Information from the NMC website:
How to apply to register as a nurse or midwife in the UK.
We have given you a personal reference number. You will need this every time you contact
us.
Stage 1
For us to begin processing your application
• You will have to pay an administration fee when you apply
• You should return the initial application form with your choice of registration ticked
• You should also send us certified (signed by a solicitor) photocopies of your
• registration certificate
• passport (details page)
• birth certificate
• marriage, civil partnership or deed poll certificate (if you do not use the name on
your birth certificate)
• You should also send us your International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
candidate number and test score
Stage 2
When we receive the documents listed above and the required fee we will send you an
application pack, which contains
• your application form
• your post-registration experience form
• two employment references
• transcript of training form
• registration authority/licensing body form
We will give you detailed information to help you complete the forms and tell you what
information we need.
You must not photocopy the application forms. But you should send certified photocopies
of all your supporting documents as we cannot return original documents. If any of these
documents are not in English, you will need to translate them.
You must fill in the application form in English. No one else must fill in the form for you.
Make sure all the forms are signed and dated.
You must return the completed application forms and supporting documents within six
months. If you cannot do this, we will close your file and keep your application fee. If you ask
us for a second pack, you will have to pay a second fee. If you have difficulty meeting the
six month deadline, you should ask for an extension. We will only give you one extension.
Your application forms and documents should be sent by post or special delivery. We
cannot accept faxed or emailed applications.
All the requirements are listed here:
http://www.nmc-uk.org/aDisplayDocument.aspx?documentID=4649
More information about Overseas Nurse Registration can be found here:
Http://www.nmc-uk.org/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1653 |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/02/2009 5:04 PM |
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@feur
I am not sure exactly how much the cost is for the NMC applications at this time. There are 2 fees - One when you request the packet and one when you registered. I think when I paid it it was £178 for the application and 85 euros for the IETS test and another £200 when I received my license (I think!). ONP was £350 total. I do remember that for sure.
Sponsorship is an employer saying that they will sponsor you to attain a visa in order to work in their country. For example, American Express has offices in the UK and they hire people outside the UK (say Americans or Canadians) and sponsor them so that they can receive a visa to live and work in the UK. This is the same way that must happen with nursing. HOWEVER, most hospitals will not sponsor nurses, so you are more likely to get sponsored by a travel nurse agency. I would recommend you call Continental Travelnurse (www.continentaltravelnurse.com) and speak to them regarding your qualifications. They will tell you whether or not they would be able to sponsor you.
You CANNOT work in the UK as an RN unless you have a UK or EU passport or you have a visa sponsored by an employer. An employer will only sponsor you as a RN if you meet the shortage occupation requirements (ICU, theatre at present). It will be easier for you to be sponsored by a travel nurse agency than a regular NHS hospital. Hospitals are government run and most do not sponsor workers due to government pressures to hire UK citizens first. They use travel nurses or agency nurses to fill in their gaps - not to hire full time/permanent.
I hope this explains things better. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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feur09
Junior Member
Posts:26
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| 12/03/2009 3:21 AM |
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@Lauristol
Thanks!The information helps a lot. Again, my gratitude.Hope you are still available to answer other inquiries. |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/03/2009 8:18 AM |
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| @Feur... I'm still here. ;-) Let me know if you have any other questions. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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medvalev
New Member
Posts:3
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| 12/05/2009 4:24 AM |
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Hi,I'm kinda new in here!
I've been reading all the post and I would like to ask if my experience wiil be sufficient enough
to obtain a license in the UK and a job? I only have 3 months experience in a medical-surgical
ward plus a 9 months expereinc in a dialysis unit. |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/05/2009 5:41 PM |
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These are the practice requirements to receive registration with the NMC:
When you apply you must have been practising as a registered nurse or midwife for at
least 12 months (full-time or the part-time equivalent) after qualifying. Also, if you have
been qualified for longer than this, you must have practised for at least 450 hours in the
previous three years.
If you do meet NMC requirements, but have not practised as a nurse for more than five
years, you will have to take a longer version of the Overseas Nurses Programme. If you
have not gained 12 months post-registration experience after you qualified as a nurse
then you should not apply for registration.
For further questions, you can contact the NMC at overseas.enquiries@nmc-uk.org.
In regard to getting sponsored, I would contact a nurse travel agency like www.continentaltravelagency.com. I cannot say whether a company would sponsor you or not. Only a nurse travel agency would be able to tell you that.
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Niq2009
New Member
Posts:5
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| 12/06/2009 9:57 PM |
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| Hi! I'm new here. I'm a nurse from the Philippines. I just got my initial application pack from the NMC- 3 weeks after I sent a request. I have two years of work experience but I'm currently unemployed. Will this be a problem when I apply for a work visa? Thanks.. |
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/06/2009 10:13 PM |
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@Nig2009
You do not apply for a work visa. Your employer has to sponsor you.
Unemployment will not affect your NMC application for a license. You must meet the other requirements such as nursing for at least 1 year, passing the IELTS and having graduated from a qualified university. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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Niq2009
New Member
Posts:5
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| 12/06/2009 10:21 PM |
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Thank you Laura. That was quick. I have the experience and the IELTS, how do I know if my nursing school is qualified?
I have an employer and they are willing to sponsor me. I'm a Med-Surg Nurse. The Occupation Shortage List is new, right?
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Lauritasol
Active Member
Posts:63
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| 12/06/2009 10:31 PM |
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Your university has to be a recognized school of nursing (in the US our schools that are proper and good are accredited). The NMC will determine if your school and its program qualifies depending on courses taught and clinical and in class hours earned.
The occupation shortage list has been out for some time. They update it as necessary. The points system to be sponsored is new. It just changed to a points based system in December of 2008. If you do not have enough points, you will not be able to be sponsored. I am not sure how they will sponsor you if you do not have an ICU or theatre background, but that would be a question you would have to ask them. There are some companies that I know of that do submit paperwork representing the nurse as an ICU or theatre nurse when that is not the case. |
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Laura, RN, BSN, SNM |
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