Future of EU nurses after Brexit

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Hello Allnurses,

I am Daniel, an EU trained nurse from Central-Europe who is really thinking about the relocation to the UK in the future, probably next autumn. I am writing you to get some of your opinion about this idea as Brexit is coming very soon. First of all, I am completely familiar with both the registration process as an EU trained nurse and the work climate in the UK. I am an cath lab nurse with five years experience. In addition, I worked as an ICU nurse for three years. I checked the NHS's website and I found plenty of open vacancies in both of this area, so finding a job doesn't seem extremely difficult at the moment. I am absolutely aware that I will not be a millionaire in the UK as a nurse, I am seeking some challenge, something change in my life, so that is the reason I want to relocate. I have been many places around the World, and the United Kingdom is one of my favourite. I like the atmosphere there, the environment and basically everything related to the place. :-)

On the other hand, I am worried about my rights to remain and work in the UK as EU citizen in the future. According to some of my friends who lived in the UK for a longer period, there is a critical shortage of medical staff. Experienced nurses are in great need. So, should I worry about the issue? Brussel and London couldn't agree until now and a no-deal scenario has become a possibility. Sometimes politicians cannot be logical...

And what about the registration? It is an another concern. It is quite easy to obtain a PIN number now. All I need to do is just send some documents, pass a language exam and pay the fee in order to register as a nurse. But can this change in the future? All the degrees obtained in the EU can be registered in a different EU country without any further requirements such as competency tests. Can I expect a sudden change, from one day to another? It would sound very strange.

NHS employ a huge amount of foreign staff. It seems a welcoming, multicultural place what I would be happy to be part of. Can this change after the post-Brexit era? What is your insight?

Everything is so uncertain now. I have many questions to ask, but there is no one to answer them. I fear that I start a long and expensive process without any result. Please give me some hints. I welcome any advice that helps to make my decision. Many thanks for your time.

Daniel.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

The NHS relies on foreign trained staff but thanks to the xenophobes in UKIP and the "little Englander" mentality we are going into a state of crisis.

The simple answer to your questions is that no one knows.

Sorry, I don't think anyone can help you with this - maybe someone here can tell otherwise.

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Specializes in Critical care.

I don't know what Brexit is going to lead us to, whatever it does I doubt it'll be positive tbh.

I would suggest sorting out your NMC registration as a matter of priority though, before Brexit makes it more difficult if you're still set on coming to the UK. Brexit or not, you'd be welcomed into work with open arms, we need experienced critical care nurses.

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Brexit: NHS managers warn about impact of no deal - BBC News

I have just came across with this interesting article. It seems that not only the supply of foreign trained staff could be affected negatively by a no-deal Brexit scenario.

Hopefully, all of the difficulties will be overcome by logical thinking during this harsh period. Politicians from both sides should work toward the most beneficial agreement. We will see.

Anyway, many thanks for your suggestions. Finally, I made my decision so I am going to start the registration process within few months. I am planning to complete it before the date of Brexit.

Your help is appreciated.

Daniel.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

Hopefully, all of the difficulties will be overcome by logical thinking during this harsh period. Politicians from both sides should work toward the most beneficial agreement. We will see.

Oh dear... You have more faith in politicians than I do. Politicians do not do logical thinking and definitely do not work well with "the other side."

A small bit of advice I would give is; don't wait a few months to start the process, start it now. It can take a while to get an NMC PIN. See other posts about that.

May I reiterate what Spacemonkey said - you will be welcomed onto the wards regardless.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Tbh, our government is using the Blackadder doctrine when it comes to the absolute car crash that is Brexit

"Don't worry chaps, nothing can go wrong, because I don't have a plan!"

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Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.
Tbh, our government is using the Blackadder doctrine when it comes to the absolute car crash that is Brexit

"Don't worry chaps, nothing can go wrong, because I don't have a plan!"

It was amazing while I was back in Ireland right beside the NI border. Nothing confirmed about anything for a potential border again between NI and RoI. There are people who farm cross border that are more across the issues than the politicians

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Specializes in Practice educator.

In my opinion they'll make you do the OSCE exam like the overseas nurses. My belief for this is because currently the NMC make millions a year from over seas nurses, there is no way they are going to ignore that gravy train.

We actually get more overseas nurses than EU nurses now, Brexit has been a monumental disaster for the NHS and it will only get worse.

Get your pin ASAP because soon you'll be footing at least £1000 just to sit an exam.

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Many thanks for your suggestions. That is the scenario what I am willing to avoid entirely. I have no problem to overcome all the bureaucratic obstacles to get my PIN at this moment including paying the registration fee, passing a language exam and paying a great amount of money for many types of documents such as translations etc.

Anyway, I would not be happy to sit the OSCE exam, and if it was a stipulation in order to register, I would really think about this whole thing again.

In my opinion, the NMC has no right to change its policy about the registration process until the UK leaves the European Union legally. In that case, I have approximately seven months to acquire my PIN number.

I will order the registration package next week and I have already started to practice for the OET (Occupational English Test). We will see.

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Specializes in Practice educator.
Many thanks for your suggestions. That is the scenario what I am willing to avoid entirely. I have no problem to overcome all the bureaucratic obstacles to get my PIN at this moment including paying the registration fee, passing a language exam and paying a great amount of money for many types of documents such as translations etc.

Anyway, I would not be happy to sit the OSCE exam, and if it was a stipulation in order to register, I would really think about this whole thing again.

In my opinion, the NMC has no right to change its policy about the registration process until the UK leaves the European Union legally. In that case, I have approximately seven months to acquire my PIN number.

I will order the registration package next week and I have already started to practice for the OET (Occupational English Test). We will see.

Its probably wise, I am convinced they'll make you do the OSCE but I could be wrong, best not to risk it in my opinion.

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