NMC delay and ONP Course at Bournemouth

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 22, 2013

NMC website stated putting decisions on hold until at the earliest end of Feb so would be surprised if anyone has heard anything

skylark, BSN, RN · Feb 26, 2013

NMC has always been slow processing overseas nurses.

I used to contact them on behalf of Filipino colleagues on an almost daily basis, and they were useless, it was taking around 6 months each time and that was before the 'hold'.

Don't hold your breath . . . .

blueice08 · Feb 26, 2013

First of all, im a Filipino. And i have submitted my application since October 2012. I have constantly calling them for any news on my application and was always told that its in the queue. Until i received NMC's letter early this February that they put all application on hold. This is taking like forever. Very anxious..

skylark, BSN, RN · Feb 27, 2013

First of all, im a Filipino. And i have submitted my application since October 2012. I have constantly calling them for any news on my application and was always told that its in the queue. Until i received NMC's letter early this February that they put all application on hold. This is taking like forever. Very anxious..

Like I say, the NMC is slow, and don't hold your breath.

Most Filipinos I know in London waited around 8-12 months for NMC, and had to work as care assistants during that time.

Sometimes you can move things along by actually going to the NMC and trying to resolve it face to face. Take a packed lunch and something to read as you will sit for a long time and they try to bore you into leaving : )

Nursing bureaucracy is bad everywhere. I've been waiting for my Illinois licence since October too, so I know how you feel.

loz_newby · Mar 3, 2013

The latest update is that they aren't processing anymore applications until end of march. The audit is "taking longer than predicted". I started my application back in May 2012, and just finished my ONP 4 weeks ago... and I havent heard anything from the NMC, not even a letter to say that they are doing an audit. I am currently hanging out in London waiting for them to do something!! Ive got a job and accommodation lined up but nothing is going ahead because of this audit. The agencies are trying so hard but typical NMC style they couldnt care less. So close to throwing in the towel and going home.

This whole experience has really put me off uk nursing. Disappointing.

skylark, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2013

The latest update is that they aren't processing anymore applications until end of march. The audit is "taking longer than predicted". I started my application back in May 2012, and just finished my ONP 4 weeks ago... and I havent heard anything from the NMC, not even a letter to say that they are doing an audit. I am currently hanging out in London waiting for them to do something!! Ive got a job and accommodation lined up but nothing is going ahead because of this audit. The agencies are trying so hard but typical NMC style they couldnt care less. So close to throwing in the towel and going home.
This whole experience has really put me off uk nursing. Disappointing.

Probably doesn't help but its the same the world over. I have had just as many problems and delays with US state boards as with the NMC.

Been waiting over five months now for Illinois state board to do the job its paid to do.

They don't seem to appreciate that this is people's careers, income and lives they are messing with. It doesn't occur to them that we are stuck living off savings while they meander thru paperwork at their own dozy pace.

Can you work as an HCA until this is ready?

Or even just take a random temp job off Gumtree?

If you are in London, i would recommend going to NMC and insisting on talking to someone face to face. They will stall, and say they have to email and see who is in the office today, but don't take any BS, just plan to spend the day there, and take food and a good book!!

loz_newby · Mar 5, 2013

I did just that yesterday. Met a lovely guy in the NMC who was very apologetic and said there was nothing he could do. He said he knows as much as I do and that "they" wont let him process anyones registrations- little weird considering he is them!!! he works for the NMC. strange. He said at best I would receive my registration in April but this audit may show they need to ask candiates more information so they may come back to me in april and ask for more documentation or ask to start the process from the beginning- can you imagine!!!! . Decided Im going back every week until they give it to me.

Starting HCA work in the next week or two. Not as easy as it sounds but, you have to do mandatory education days ect and due to the audit most of them are booked out 3 weeks in advanced.I dont mind doing HCA work in the interim I just think those jobs should be given to our nursing students to practice their skills, I have 2 post grad degrees!

skylark, BSN, RN · Mar 5, 2013

I dont mind doing HCA work in the interim I just think those jobs should be given to our nursing students to practice their skills, I have 2 post grad degrees!

I have two degrees as well, and I'm working in a wine bar while I wait for my licence!

Five months so far and still waiting.

NMC seems to employ a lot of agency admin staff, I'm not sure how much they can actively do when working against a slow and incompetent system.

But keep pestering them, and whenever you meet with them, take a notebook, and make sure they see you writing notes from your conversation and taking their name. things seem to happen a little faster when you do that : )

newshark · Mar 6, 2013

Appreciate the tips, skylark!

I was thinking about going to the NMC after they were delaying my application decision since Sept 2012. First they put me into the decision queue and then wanted my work references re-done, then it was my education history that they didn't understand. It was all very straight forward and easy to understand (assuming they have processed other US applicants' paperwork--I'm sure mine wasn't too different!)

And then to find out they have an audit, or however they are calling it--I'm pretty sure they were 'keeping me on the leash' until February since they knew this was coming.

I am extremely frustrated as well! Did NOT anticipate such a delay with this, and moved over to London right after submitting all paperwork back in September. Currently working as a waitress, and just recently starting applying for HCA jobs after I realised this process has no end in sight.

I am also anxious that they could request more information or documents (or even experience). I just met the minimum requirement for 1 year RN experience (having only 1.5 years).

Think I may take skylark's advice and go catch up on my reading in the NMC office....

Oyeee....good luck to everyone. Keep posting if you hear anything!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 6, 2013

I think you also have to be aware that the government is causing a lot of these issues I recently read a news article indicating this with main focus on nurses being disciplined (taking too long) and that the NMC has to be more strict on the application process.

loz_newby · Mar 7, 2013

Newshark when did you finish your ONP???

yeh the man I spoke to at the nmc said majority of their funding goes towards the "fit to practice" section of the nmc and therefore there is not much money left for the overseas's applications department.

NMC seems to always be in the news over here!