Nursing license revoked in Jamaica, can I become a nurse in the UK?

[Nurse Beth, MSN]

It is possible to study nursing again in the UK, even if your nursing license was revoked in Jamaica. However, there are some factors to consider:

• Eligibility for admission. To enter a nursing program in the UK, you must meet the admission requirements for the specific university or college offering the program. This typically includes having the necessary qualifications (such as secondary school education or higher), passing English language proficiency exams (like IELTS or TOEFL), and possibly undergoing an interview.
• Requalifying as a nurse in the UK. If you meet the admission requirements, you can complete a nursing program in the UK, which typically takes 3 years for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After successfully completing the program, you would be eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), the regulatory body for nurses in the UK.

Impact of Your Previous License Revocation

• Previous license revocation. Having your nursing license revoked in Jamaica may raise some concerns during the application process for the NMC's registration in the UK, as they will conduct a thorough background check as part of the registration process.
• Disclosure to the NMC. You must disclose any previous disciplinary actions related to your nursing career, including license revocation, when you apply for NMC registration. Failure to disclose this information could result in a refusal or future complications in your application.
• Fitness to practice. The NMC will assess your fitness to practice and determine whether you meet their standards for safety and competency. If your license was revoked due to serious misconduct, the NMC may consider whether that impacts your ability to practice safely. However, since the revocation happened over 15 years ago, the NMC will consider this and whether you have demonstrated rehabilitation.

Steps You Can Take

• Review NMC's requirements. Check the NMC's guidelines on re-registration and fitness to practice, especially around past misconduct. You can find this information on the NMC's website.
• Provide evidence of rehabilitation. If your nursing license was revoked due to misconduct, you may be required to provide evidence of rehabilitation, such as character references, proof of further education, and evidence that you have adhered to any legal or professional requirements since the revocation.
• Seek legal or professional advice. It may be beneficial to seek advice from a legal professional or a nursing consultant who specializes in international qualifications and regulatory requirements. They can help clarify your situation and guide you on approaching the NMC when applying for registration.

Alternatives

If your prior revocation hinders your registration with the NMC, you could explore alternative healthcare-related fields, such as becoming a healthcare assistant, phlebotomist, or another role where you may not require the same level of regulatory oversight.

In summary, you can study nursing again in the UK and potentially qualify as a nurse there. Still, you should be prepared to disclose the circumstances of your previous revocation to the NMC, who will assess whether you meet their standards for practice. Researching the NMC's process thoroughly and potentially seeking advice to ensure you understand the requirements and address any potential concerns is essential.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth