How to Become a Registered Nurse in UK From India?

If you are planning to become a registered nurse in UK from India, for a career with a high salary and a satisfying work life, then the UK will be best for you. In recent years, As compared to 2022, an increase of 12,300 nurses is now in the NHS. Can an Indian registered nurse work in UK. This might be a  transformative question, but you will become excited with the answer of this. The UK recruited many overseas nurses in 2023; among them, 46% are Indians.

The role of a registered nurse in the UK is pivotal, as they have direct interaction with the patients. They are responsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care and should  ensure that their patient care meets the highest standards of safety and quality. Whether you’re a fresh nursing graduate or an experienced nurse looking to work as a registered nurse in the UK from India, this blog will be helpful for you. From this blog, you will get knowledge about the registered nurse in UK from India eligibility, the requirements, and the registration process.

For every profession, it is necessary to meet some eligibility criteria. It is difficult to step forward for nurses to UK without experience. So, to become a registered nurse in UK from India you need to have the following eligibility,

• Should complete BSc Nursing or GNM.
• Should have a current nursing license or current registration.
• Should provide proof of English language proficiency tests.
• Should have a minimum of six months of experience as a nurse in your home country or any other country.

You might be confused about which proficiency tests are accepted to begin the registration process. IELTS and OET are accepted for registration.

Nurses recruitment to UK from India are increasing annually. To work as a nurse in the UK from India, it is required to register with NMC. What is NMC? The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) in the UK is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and maintaining the standards of nursing and midwifery practice, and they ensure that healthcare professionals provide safe and effective care to patients. They play a crucial role in the registration, regulation, and education of nurses and midwives across the UK. The three main steps for the NMC registration process include:

     1. Understanding the NMC

Understanding the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is essential for those seeking NMC registration in the UK. To become a registered nurse in UK from India, aspiring nurses must successfully apply to the NMC, meet their educational and language proficiency requirements, and pass their examinations, including the Computer-Based Test (CBT) and the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). Upon successful registration with the NMC, nurses gain the legal authority to practice as registered nurses in the UK and contribute to the country’s healthcare system.

     2. Registration requirements

The NMC asks for the following requirements for nurses from India to UK to start their careers: 

• Educational Requirements and License
• English language requirements
• Health and character check
• A transcript of your documents
• Test of Competence(CBT and OSCE)
• If you have a travel history in any country other than India with more than a 12-month stay, you need to provide a Police Clearance Check(PCC).

     3. NMC registration process

To begin the process of recruiting nurses from India to UK, you need to first check whether you have all the eligibility and qualification applications. Then submit the application. As the next step, you need to attend CBT, the first part of the Test of Competence. You can attend the CBT in India itself. After the successful completion of CBT, you can start your documentation process in the NMC portal. Part 2 of the Test of Competence, known as OSCE, can be attended while you reach the UK. For the registration process, it will cost Rs 25,000 . The cost of the OSCE and CBT will be discussed below. Once these steps are completed, you will get an NMC PIN and start your dream job in your dream country.

The processes are very simple, that’s why many Indian nurses prefer to start a nursing career in the UK. But to reach the UK, you need to apply for a valid visa. Keep reading to understand how to get a valid visa to go to the UK and attend OSCE.

It is necessary to find an employer and to search for a job in the NHS trust.  The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK is an autonomous organization responsible for providing healthcare services in specific regions or areas which  manage hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities. They play a critical role in delivering healthcare services, upholding patient well-being, and contributing to the overall functioning. There are 215 NHS trusts in the UK. There are many benefits of choosing the UK for your dream job. One main benefit of this is that your recruitment will be free, and there is no need to pay service charges for your agency as trust will pay for you.

There will be an interview with the trusts or hospitals of the NHS, which is necessary for your sponsorship. These can be arranged by an agency, which will be the intermediary between you and the trusts. Once you pass the interview, you will get the CoS, which is mandatory for Indian nurses to reach the UK. The salary of a registered nurse in UK in Indian rupees is between Rs 28,67,870 – Rs 34,90,940 per year depending on your experience and specialization.

A Tier 2 Work visa, which is a skilled visa, is needed to get UK nursing jobs for Indian nurses. If you want to work in the UK, you need to apply for a UK Tier 2 Work Visa ,For this, you need a sponsor and a Certificate of Sponsorship(COS). Your Visa can last up to five years. You can extend your visa there or get a permanent visa within the next 5 years.  

Now you have ideas about the registration process, but is that enough? No, completing a Computer-Based Test (CBT) and OSCE is important, as previously stated. Be ready for CBT and OSCE by understanding the formats of these exams. 

The NMC CBT examination, often referred to as Part 1 of NMC registration, is a crucial step for becoming a Registered Nurse in UK from India. CBT consists of two parts, Part A and Part B, with a total of 3 hours of testing. In Part A, you need to face numeracy questions, and in Part B, there will be 100 multiple-choice questions with four options for each question. You need to complete Part A within 30 minutes and Part B within 2.5 hours. This is the latest update of CBT. 

If you opt for agency assistance, they can help with CBT registration and selecting testing centers. The CBT fee is Rs 9,000, subject to slight variations due to changes in the pound’s value.

OSCE evaluates candidates’ clinical skills, theoretical knowledge, and competence in a simulated clinical environment. Candidates may attempt OSCE up to three times, with a cost of Rs 80,500(£794).  OSCE assesses candidates’ ability to apply nursing theory and practical skills in real clinical situations, ensuring safe and effective care. OSCE includes various stations, each representing different clinical scenarios, testing skills like patient assessment, medication administration, and communication. 

The advantage of moving to the UK is that all costs you paid for the registration and for the CBT and OSCE are refundable by the trusts. But you can only attend the OSCE three times. The OSCE fee will be paid by the trusts twice. If you fail to pass within that, you need to return to India and start your registration again. It is very easy to pass the OSCE, and you can pass the OSCE on the first attempt itself.

Indian nurses relocating to the UK face significant cultural and lifestyle adjustments, along with professional growth opportunities. Adapting to the UK’s diverse culture and healthcare system can be both exciting and challenging. Fortunately, tailored support networks for Indian nurses provide a sense of belonging, resources, and guidance to manage homesickness and stress. Striking a balance between their nursing career and personal well-being is essential for a successful adjustment in the UK. Cultural sensitivity, an open mindset, and active engagement with support systems are key to a fulfilling nursing journey in the UK.

The UK also allows their nurses for professional development. Professional development in the field of nursing encompasses continuing education opportunities that help nurses stay current with the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. It also includes career advancement prospects, such as pursuing higher qualifications, specializations, or leadership roles, offering growth and increased responsibility. Moreover, networking and joining professional organizations are crucial for connecting with peers, sharing experiences, and accessing valuable resources, all contributing to a dynamic overseas nurse recruitment UK.

Did this blog help you understand how to become a registered nurse in the UK from India? Moving to the UK with a trusted agency makes your journey smooth and safe. Career Grids is one of the agencies that will not charge any fee for their UK recruiting service, and we are on the list of NHS Ethical Recruiters. You will get support from Career Grids even after you reach the UK.