UK Overseas Nurses Program?

Fonenurse · Nov 15, 2005

If you use the link at http://www.nmc-uk.org/(ieyjgsexxe5bsavy1wisexij)/aFramedisplay.aspx?documentID=1054 and download the sheet there, you will find the names and contact details for ONP contacts - I suggest you contact the course providers direct. There are some email addresses and phone numbers on this list.

steve0123 · Nov 16, 2005

Dear sweetnlow121,

I could go on for pages and pages and pages and pages about why the NMC puts me off my dinner, but I've summarised the most annoying points in an earlier post ( https://allnurses.com/forums/f124/20-day-protected-learning-and-why-i-loathe-nmc-120172.html ). Basically, the answer to your question is this:

The NMC, in a process that would make Sir Humphrey Appleby burst with pride at the bureaucratic machinations of the civil service and the QANGO, held a long "consultative" process where many pieces of important paper were tabled, and people with opinions on everything stood on a soapbox. The end result has been the introduction of the new ONP, and a longer more obstructive set of requirements for non EU educated nurses (even for those of us born and raised in English speaking countries, with degrees from universities with courses conducted entirely in English, etc etc etc).

So anyways, they decided that instead of admitting people straight to the register (as most nurses from the US, Aus, NZ, SA, etc previously were), applicants would have to undertake a 20 day period of protected learning to learn about UK drug regulations, the NHS, etc. All relevant and useful things that I'm sure most reasonable nurses wouldn't object to doing.

BUT! So far they have only approved about 1000-1500 places per year, which is far short of the minimum 10000-12000 places needed (potentially up to 50000, but a lot of applicants don't make the grade). The institutions offering them are full. The current rumour on the grapevine is that preference is being given to nurses who work as health care assistants for the NHS. This is why it is nearly impossible for people like you and I to enrol in an ONP. And that's not even mentioning the prohibitive costs! Do you have a spare minimum 800 GBP lying around?

Anyways, personally I think the whole thing is a sham. Its something that Patricia Hewitt et al sniffed on the air and prematurely ran with to score some cheap political points ("...and just LOOK at what we're doing to improve the NHS... no more of these damn foreign nurses who can't speak English and don't wash their hands..." - not a transcript from Hansard, for those who couldn't figure it out). But I think the consequences for the NHS will be worse with the new regulations. Many of my colleagues who were also planning on nursing in the UK are changing their plans to go elsewhere (Canada seems to be the flavour of the month at the moment).

If you take anything away from this rant of mine, let it be the following titbits of advice:

Keep copies of EVERYTHING you send the NMC (they WILL lose something),
Allow 3 months after posting your forms for a decision letter,
Don't expect NMC telephone staff to be helpful or polite,
You are the one with the problem, not the NMC,
Vent your anger on allnurses.com every now and then.

bulletproofbarb · Nov 16, 2005

I'm loving your post Steve.

I hope that the 20 day thing won't apply to nurses already registered in UK. I registered almost 3 years ago and worked. I was going to reregister but aren't sure if that 20 day saga will apply if I decide to go back. Anyone know this?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 16, 2005

I'm loving your post Steve.
I hope that the 20 day thing won't apply to nurses already registered in UK. I registered almost 3 years ago and worked. I was going to reregister but aren't sure if that 20 day saga will apply if I decide to go back. Anyone know this?

I wouldn't have thought so, would think it was just for newly registered RN's

Bill_ER, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

Thanks for the advice Steve. Has me a bit worried about my future endeavor now though, looks like it's gonna be a rough ride.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 28, 2005

It isn't just the issue of registering with the NMC but going thru the entire immigration process, just like the UK nurses are required to do to work here.

It will take about 18 months until everything is done and you are ready to begin work over there. You need to take that into account as well.:)

Bill_ER, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2005

Where's the right place to start then?

A. Register with NHS/NMC

B. Start the immigration process

C. Find a job

D. Combination of the above?

I guess that's what has me the most confused. Need the recipe on this one.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 28, 2005

Definitely not the immigration process, as you do not have proof of having a license thru the NMC. Same thing with those form the UK, they cannot begin any process until they have actually passed the NCLEX ro CGFNS exam , before they can beign everything to work in the US.

I would get things started with NMC first.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 28, 2005

Where's the right place to start then?
A. Register with NHS/NMC
B. Start the immigration process
C. Find a job
D. Combination of the above?
I guess that's what has me the most confused. Need the recipe on this one.

start NMC as they need to verify your a RN next would look at finding a job as you need job to get work visa. Kaylesh would be a good start as she is a US nurse successfully done the transition to UK nursing :)

Kaylesh · Nov 28, 2005

Kaylesh here..

Yep i've been here so long it was still the UKCC when i started LOL...

I came over here in July 99. I had already gotten my registration done probably 6 to eight months before that as i had gotten the bee in my bonnet of wanting to come to the UK.. So i didn't have to worry about that cos it was already done.

I got my first position in a NHS hospital up in Aberdeen via a nursing agency based down in England which is no longer around.. Also didn't have to worry about the new regs so i have no idea what that entails.. The agency i went through helped arrange a phone interview then i came over here on "holiday" and interviewed in person. They also helped the hospital deal with the work permit stuff. Its been so long now i don't remember how long it was from initial contact with agency till i found out that i had the job..

Hope that helps..

Kaylesh....

globalnursing · Nov 28, 2005

Thank you so much for the quick, informative replys. I am so glad to have stumbled upon this site..

I hope to be in the uk by april and would like to meet up with anyone interested in a new face to the country. It would help me immensely to be in touch with other nurses who have been around.

Any suggested hospitals for someone with 12 years experience in critical care/icu? Places to live in or around the city that are nice and reasonable?

Anything you wish you might have known or done differently when you first moved to london/uk? What do you know about hospital provided housing?

Any recommended agencies to work with? THANKS SO MUCH....:)