8 Step Journey to Become a Registered Nurse in Ireland from India

Can an Indian registered nurse work in Ireland? If so, how to become a registered nurse in Ireland from India? To get a nursing job in Ireland, Indian nurses need to be a part of the Nursing Board of Ireland. This blog will help you get a detailed view of how to apply for a nurse job in Ireland. and  how to become a nurse in Ireland from India

Before starting the registration process to get a nursing job in Ireland, you need to first meet certain requirements. Let us have a glance at each requirement.

• Proof of your identity, which can be either your valid passport or your national identity card
• Your current nursing registration certificate
• Your current professional status certificate
• Your formal Qualifications or Diploma  in Nursing
• You should have proof of your English language proficiency. The accepted language tests are IELTS or OET
• Your Professional Experience 

NOTE: If your documents are not in English, transcripted documents are needed to submit, as NMBI prefers that. 

To become a nurse in Ireland, you should know about the NMBI before starting registration. This is because NMBI maintains the register of nurses and midwives in Ireland.

NMBI stands for the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. It is the regulatory body for nurses and midwives in Ireland. NMBI plays a crucial role in ensuring that nurses and midwives meet the required standards of education, training, and professional conduct to practice in Ireland.

The board is responsible for maintaining a register of qualified nurses and midwives, setting standards for their education and practice, and handling disciplinary matters when necessary. The NMBI plays a key role in safeguarding the quality of nursing and midwifery care in Ireland.

This NMBI verifies the registered nurse in Ireland from India eligibility and other registration processes. All nurses recruitment to Ireland from India is only possible after starting registration with the NMBI.

The NMBI categorized their applicants into three groups.

G1 : Applications fall under the EU automatic recognition pathway, specifically designed for individuals who obtained their qualifications within the European Union. G1 applications undergo an administrative assessment exclusively.

G2 : Applications fall under the general systems pathway. G2 undergoes a comprehensive evaluation, involving both administrative and qualification assessments.

G3 : These applications are not bound by the EU Directive. G3 applications undergo a thorough review, encompassing both administrative and qualification assessments.

Each category needs different documents for the registration process. As an Indian nurse, you are in the third group, G3.

As we discussed, all nurses who are interested in the nursing profession in Ireland must register with the NMBI. NMBI maintains a Register of Nurses and Midwives. If you successfully register with NMBI, your name will be entered in this register. More than 80,000 nurses and midwives are registered with the NMBI.

The demand for Ireland nursing jobs for Indian nurses is increasing due to several factors. The country offers a high standard of living, a robust healthcare system, and a welcoming multicultural environment. Ireland’s strong demand for healthcare professionals, including nurses, has led to numerous job opportunities.

Additionally, the competitive salaries, excellent working conditions, and opportunities for career advancement make it an attractive destination. The English language being widely spoken eases the communication barrier, and the cultural similarities further contribute to the appeal for Indian nurses seeking an international career with a balance of professional growth and a quality lifestyle.

How to Become a Registered Nurse in Ireland from India? Let us begin the registration process.

Steps to become a Registered Nurse in Ireland from India

1. Qualification Recognition by the NMBI
2. Submit the proof of English Language Proficiency
3. Start your registration with the NMBI
4. Finding a Sponsor
5. Getting a Valid Visa
6. Moving to Ireland
7. Taking the Aptitude Test
8. Receiving the NMBI PIN

To start your registration process, you need to create an account on MyNMBI. You should renew your registration annually once you become a part of it. 

Let us dive into each step to become a registered nurse in Ireland.

After successfully creating an account on MyNMBI, you need to login to fill in your personal details. This will take you to the next section on submitting the required documents. You need to pay €350 as a recognition fee.

If you are applying for the NMBI, you should have a minimum of 12 months of experience during the five years as a nurse or midwife if your nursing qualification was completed more than five years ago.

If you are applying for a particular division, for example, Psychiatric nursing, you need to provide your qualification based on Psychiatric nursing to register on NMBI.

As the second step, you need to provide proof of your English language proficiency. As an Indian nurse, it is necessary to prove your English language proficiency. NMBI believes that language competence is one of the critical aspects of patient safety. So as an international nurse, you need to show proof of your English language proficiency.

You should have the minimum score accepted by the NMBI in the four sections, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The accepted English proficiency tests are IELTS or OET. In the case of IELTS, the NMBI accepts the IELTS Academic and IELTS Academic Test for UKVI as evidence of English language proficiency.

The IELTS score for nurses in Ireland is an overall score of 7 with at least 6.5 in any one of the modules. The OET score to register with the NMBI is an overall grade of B with a minimum score of C+ in any one module.

To start your registration process, the above mentioned proof of your English language proficiency and all other required documents needed to be submitted. For the registration process, you need to pay a registration fee of €145.

After providing the necessary documents, NMBI will verify your documents and communicate with you through email. This email will be crucial as it indicates whether the NMBI will proceed with your registration or refuse your registration. Nurses to Ireland without experience are slightly complicated; you need a minimum of one year of experience.

The next stage of your Irish nursing journey is to take the aptitude test. For that, you will get a letter for the aptitude test, which includes the date of the test. You need to take the aptitude test only once you reach Ireland. As you are a nurse from outside the Republic of Ireland, the NMBI needs you to qualify for the aptitude test.

To participate in the aptitude test for healthcare positions in Ireland, individuals are required to have a sponsor, typically an employer within the Irish healthcare system. After a successful interview with the prospective employer, candidates receive a decision letter, which outlines the terms of the job offer.

As you are new to Ireland, finding a sponsor will be more time consuming and difficult. To expedite this procedure and mitigate the risk of encountering fraudulent sponsors, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a reputable agency.

Agencies such as Career Grids, known for their successful placement of nurses across various countries, can be particularly beneficial in this regard. With a proven track record, these agencies can guide individuals through the sponsorship process, potentially reducing processing times and ensuring a more reliable placement.

As we discussed, to work in Ireland from India, you should have a job offer and should complete a Clinical Adaptation and Assessment Programme or a Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) aptitude test before working as a nurse.

Your entry into Ireland for this purpose is allowed through the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS), which is managed by the Department of Justice. This process ensures that non-EEA nurses, including Indian nurses, meet the necessary standards before practicing nursing in Ireland.

To initiate your nursing career in Ireland, attending the aptitude test is a crucial step, and this test can only be taken upon arrival in Ireland. It serves as a requirement for nurses seeking registration with the NMBI.

This process underscores the necessity for individuals to be physically present in Ireland before being eligible to take the aptitude test, further emphasizing the practical and on-site nature of this crucial evaluation for those aspiring to practice nursing in the country.

The aptitude test holds paramount significance for aspiring nurses seeking to establish their careers in Ireland. This test serves as a critical evaluation, ensuring that healthcare professionals possess the necessary skills and competencies to provide high-quality care within the Irish healthcare system.

The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s (RCSI) Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery is responsible for the aptitude test. They coordinate and manage the aptitude tests of international nurses, including Indian nurses. They check whether you can meet their standards.

After the successful completion of the aptitude test, you will receive a PIN(Personal Identification Number). Receiving the NMBI PIN marks a significant milestone for nurses pursuing a career in Ireland. This NMBI PIN will be your last requirement to become a nurse in Ireland.

The aptitude test consists of two parts.

1. Theory test, which includes multiple-choice questions
2. Practical or OSCE Test

Both parts of the test check your ability to perform as a newly qualified nurse in Ireland and are based on the NMBI Standards and Requirements for Nurse Registration Education Programs.

You can have two attempts at each part. You need to attend the test within 12 months from the date on the letter you received after the registration process.

In recent years, Ireland has emerged as a beacon for healthcare professionals seeking a settled career, with nursing standing at the forefront of this trend. Some of the reasons for recruiting nurses from India to Ireland are as follows:

• Robust Healthcare System: Ireland boasts a healthcare system known for its high standards and a steadfast commitment to providing quality patient care. 
• Growing Demand for Skilled Professionals: As the number of Irish Nursing Jobs increases, the demand for skilled healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, is on the rise in Ireland. 
• Competitive Salaries : What is the salary of nurses in Ireland? The salary of a registered nurse in Ireland in Indian rupees ranges from Rs 35,00,000 to Rs 43,00,000. As your experience increases, you can earn more.
• Opportunities for Career Advancement : Nurses in Ireland find ample opportunities for career advancement, with avenues for specialization, leadership roles, and ongoing educational initiatives to enhance their skills.

The life of Indian nurses in Ireland is very beneficial. If you are in search of a nursing job in Ireland, contact Career Grids for comprehensive support.

From NMBI Registration to finding the best employer, Career Grids support will not end. Send your CV to jobs@careergrids.com today to not delay your registration process.