O. R. SalahudeenThe main point of this write-up is to explain to you in detail the current requirements for doctors and nurses to practice in the UK 2021, please follow them attentively.
REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSES AND DOCTORS TO PRACTICE IN UK 2021
Now that the UK has exited the European Union you don’t need a soothsayer to tell you that there will be a shortage of health care professionals currently, therefore this is the best time to take advantage of the current happening in the UK and meet up to their requirements and be part of the workforce without European Union restrictions.
REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSES AND DOCTORS TO PRACTICE IN UK 2021
In order for a Nurse or a medical doctor to qualify to practice in the UK, there are English tests you must pass regardless of your background in English. They include the following:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
OET (Occupation English Test)
PTE (Pearson Tests of English)
The PTE (Pearson Test of English was recently approved and included.
Please note that each of these English tests is accepted for admission to study and for a work visa, however, each of them entails different band scores.
The Band score are as follows:
1. Band score for studies is 5 (five)
2. Band score for work especially nurses is 7 (seven) out of 9 overall
3. Band score for a medical Doctor is 8 (eight) out of 9 overall
BE SURE YOU WRITE THE EXAM
It’s advisable you write the exam before living in your current country of residence unless a particular examination is not available in your country. You need to find out the details on how to apply for the exam and the city where the exam is being conducted. It’s equally important you find out the timetables of those exams and be focused on how to tackle them without allowing frivolous distractions.
THE NEXT STEP
After you pass or obtained the required score level of the English test the next step is to apply for CBT (computer-based tests). You can equally write this test in Nigeria. When you pass the CBT (Computer-based Test), it’s advisable you search for an agent or recruiter who will be responsible for getting you a job in the UK.
Be sure you get a recruiter with a good track record and not a ‘mister know it all’ who is interested in your money and who will promise much and delivered nothing
A good recruiter only accepts you if you pass the exam. Some may sometimes sponsor everything for the applicant including the fund for the CBT including the flight tickets and accommodation if they’re sure of a readily available job. You really need them in your quest for a better job and importantly they know how to get you an employer who will stand as your sponsor.
THE COMPONENTS OF THE TEST UNDER THE IELTS OR OET
These are the various components of the test under the IELTS or OET:
The IELTS include: speaking, reading, writing and, listen. These are the four components. At a straight, you must have a score of 7 for a Nurse and for a medical Doctor, the straight score should be 8 out of 9 overall.
That is applicable to work in the UK. However, If you have less than straight 7 scores you’re free to rewrite within 6 months and combine the score to make up for the deficiency in some areas.
The score for writing is now reduced to 6.5 scores, and other scores stay at 7 scores.
EXAMINATION CENTRE FOR IELTS IN NIGERIA
Currently, there are opportunities to write the IELTS in multiple States of the Federation, however, for OET the centre remains the commercial city of Lagos.
WRITING IELTS FOR STUDIES
For any professionals who intend to study in the UK before working the score is 5 minimum. Hence if you achieve a minimum of 5 scores you’re good to apply for studies in the UK currently.
GOING TO THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND – IELTS SCORES
For anyone focusing on the Republic of Ireland. If you’re able to achieve a score of 6.5 overall it is well accepted. Let state it in the following order: 6.5 in writing, 6.5 in listening 7 in reading and 7 scores in speaking. Realistically getting a job in the Republic of Ireland is less cumbersome than in the UK. The early you know it the better for your decision making.
IELTS SCORE IN THE UNITED STATES
For anyone interested in working in the United States IELTS scores is also the basic requirement, 7 scores are also the standard requirement in all categories however it’s possible to see some States in the US accepting between the range of 5 to 7 scores.
SHORTAGE OF NURSES AND MEDICAL DOCTORS AND RELAX FOR VISA.
Before the UK exist from the European Union (EU) there are shortages of health care professionals such as nurses and Medical Doctors, currently the shortage is persisting, and the UK Government is relaxing the rules for visas for health care professionals, therefore there are no such restrictions on the number of work visa that can be approved currently.
LUCK YOU
You’re lucky if your country or region of residence is allowed to apply for practice as a Nurse or medical doctor in the UK. Countries such as Albania, Kenya Turkey and four Indian states are not accepted to practice due to a shortage of nurses and medical doctors in their own countries. They were compelled to stay back for the time being. To allow for ethical recruitment the UK government Department of Health has compiled a list of certain countries from which applications should not be accepted.
STILL ON REQUIREMENTS FOR NURSES AND DOCTORS TO PRACTICE IN UK 2021 – REGISTRATION WITH THE UK NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL (NMC)
When you scaled the hurdle of passing the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and you successfully secured a job and obtained a work visa to the UK. On arrival, you must ensure you do the mandatory registration with UK Nursing and Midwifery Council before you can start to practice. Furthermore, you will be made to undergo a 20 days programme of protected learning and more.
That’s all for this part on requirements for Nurses and Doctors to practice in the UK. The related article on how to get a job in the UK as a Nurse shall be published in due course.
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