Today, we will be exploring how Brexit has influenced nursing migration to the UK, its effect on the healthcare system, and the potential future of international nursing in the country.
Brexit, the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, has had far-reaching consequences on various sectors, including healthcare. One area of particular concern is nursing migration to the UK. This post will discuss the impact of Brexit on nursing migration, its effect on the healthcare system, and what the future may hold for international nursing in the UK.
Brexit and Nursing Migration: Key Changes
The End of Free Movement
One of the most significant changes following Brexit is the end of free movement between the UK and EU countries. Previously, EU nurses could easily work in the UK without a visa. However, with the introduction of the new immigration system, EU nurses now face the same immigration requirements as non-EU nurses, making the migration process more challenging.
New Points-Based Immigration System
The UK introduced a new points-based immigration system in January 2021. Under this system, international nurses, including those from the EU, must meet specific criteria, such as having a job offer, English language proficiency, and a minimum salary threshold, to be eligible for a visa.
Health and Care Worker Visa
As part of the new immigration system, the Health and Care Worker visa was introduced. This visa aims to streamline the process for eligible healthcare professionals, including nurses, to work in the UK. It offers reduced fees and faster processing times compared to other work visas.
Effects of Brexit on the UK Healthcare System
The decline in EU Nursing Migration
Since Brexit, there has been a noticeable decline in the number of EU nurses migrating to the UK. The increased immigration requirements and uncertainty surrounding Brexit have deterred some EU nurses from pursuing employment in the country.
Increased Reliance on Non-EU Nurses
With a decline in EU nursing migration, the UK has turned to non-EU countries to fill the nursing shortage. This shift has led to an increase in nursing migration from countries such as India, the Philippines, and Nigeria.
The strain on the Healthcare System
The decrease in EU nursing migration and the ongoing nursing shortage have placed additional strain on the UK healthcare system. Hospitals and care homes have struggled to maintain adequate staffing levels, potentially impacting the quality of patient care.
So, let’s talk about what the future holds.
The Future of Nursing Migration to the UK Post-Brexit
Undoubtedly, there will be some impacts. The UK will have to do what they deem fit to sustain itself as a country. This will include the following:
Continued Reliance on International Nurses
Despite the challenges brought on by Brexit, the UK will likely continue to rely on international nurses to address the nursing shortage. The Health and Care Worker visa and other initiatives demonstrate the country’s commitment to attracting qualified healthcare professionals.
Investing in Domestic Talent
To ensure a sustainable healthcare workforce, the UK must invest in domestic talent by increasing funding for nursing education and training and improving working conditions to retain existing nursing staff.
Strengthening Global Partnerships
Post-Brexit, the UK must continue to build and maintain strong partnerships with both EU and non-EU countries to facilitate the exchange of healthcare professionals and promote nursing migration.
Brexit has undeniably impacted nursing migration to the UK, leading to a decline in EU nursing migration and increased reliance on non-EU nurses. To maintain a robust healthcare system, the UK must continue to invest in domestic talent while fostering global partnerships to support nursing migration. By adapting to the post-Brexit landscape and addressing these challenges, the UK can ensure a sustainable and diverse nursing workforce that meets the needs of its population.
If you like this post, do comment, share and subscribe to my blog.
This piece gives an idea of the challenges many Nigerian nurses face as they seek for better working opportunities to practise nursing in the UK.
The idea of career progression is what we all desire at some points in our lives. There is no exemption in professions like nursing.
Who wouldn’t like to earn more while doing what they love.
Since my post on migrating to the UK from Nigeria to practice as a registered nurse, I have gotten some questions from applicants. The post can be seen here.
Below are some of the questions and my responses.
Before I jump into that, I would like to think that coming to the UK to practice is the end goal of any applicant.
In as much as how you go about it and what you would do matters, the goal remains to come over to the UK to work as a nurse.
I am fully cognizant that one ought to maximise their chances at any given time but I have some reservations here.
Now, let me share with you the kind of questions I have been asked by some Nigerian nurses who have passed their exams and awaiting jobs.
1. I have made several applications but have only gotten an offer from a trust that wouldn’t sponsor my MSc afterwards. What do you think?
In as much as NHS Trusts offering MSc are better, I guess there is only one main question.
Are you interested in coming to the UK as a nurse?
Or
Are you simply keen in the MSc?
No doubt you can have both, besides some already had it but …
If your current sponsors don’t offer MSc wouldn’t you accept and come over to the UK first?
It is your choice I guess.
2. I have applied to London hospitals and awaiting offer letter but people are telling me London is very expensive. What are your thoughts?
London is quite expensive but nurses live and work there.
I mean, that’s the shortest answer to that.
Now let’s look at it this way, if all you see is London nurses jobs, why don’t you apply for it and come to London first. Isn’t it the goal again?
When you have stayed in London and think London isn’t for you then you can choose to live and work outside London.
In the UK, there are so many nursing jobs. Nurses are always in demand. There is ongoing shortage of nurses.
So do not worry. Come over first.
There are so many jobs in different cities to choose from.
It is important to know that you would have to complete your agreed time with your sponsor before you go to a different job.
3. I am preparing for an interview with a nursing home instead of hospital, should I take it serious?
Okay. You applied for this position meaning you wanted it, so what has changed now?
If it is worth your time, then take it serious.
Go ahead, prepare and ace your interview.
4. I have applied for so many jobs and nothing has clicked yet. How can you help me jobs?
I have heard this question a lot of times now. Some many people are in this category.
First things first, UK is in very high demand for nurses.
Again, the shortage is alarming. The pressure and the workload seems to be getting worse by the day.
Sorry, I know I’m repeating myself but that’s just me laying emphasis on the obvious.
I would like you to make more search. Search and keep searching till you get a job.
You already have a statement. Do read job specification and make sure your statement is targeted.
Do not use same statement for hospital to apply for a care home. More so, do not use the exact one for a nursing home for a residential care home.
When you apply to different units, do know the job differs and your skills should be demonstrated for the different roles respectively.
Keep searching and applying till you get offers.
Apply to both private and NHS hospitals and care homes.
The isn’t an exhaustive list but just to mention a few.
Bonus Tips
• Just in case you are wondering, a colleague used this same statement and got offers instantly. Why isn’t it my case now?
Different things work for different people. It is also possible times have changed. Let’s just focus on you now.
• It wouldn’t be out of place to think the application process is becoming more competitive. So, you need to up your game and do what needs doing to land you the desired UK nurse job.
•Getting a UK nurse job remains the focus. There is no room for distraction.
•Learn how to sell yourself during interviews. You need to convince a recruiter that the job is specifically made for you.
• Do not worry about job locations in the UK yet. There is good transport and amenities across the UK. Get the job first and you can move to a preferred city later on.When I did my adaptation years ago, I moved to a different city. I was there for months and left what I had gotten what I wanted. Most times all you need is to be prepared before hand for some unforeseen circumstances.
When I did my nursing adaptation years ago, I moved to a different city. I was there for months and left what I had gotten what I wanted. Most times all you need is to be prepared before hand for some unforeseen circumstances.
• Oh! Least I forget. For those yet to pass IELTS, do see it as part of the preparation. You now know what the real test looks like. Prepare better and write again. Book for another test till you get the desired result.
• Have an open mindset. There are opportunities out there.
Detailed guide on becoming a UK registered nurse is a step by step process. All the information you will need is contained in the post.
If you like this post, please comment, share and subscribe to my blog.
These are practical guide on how an international nurse (e.g. a Nigerian trained nurse) can become a registered nurse and practise in the UK. There are better job opportunities in the UK.
For most nurses in Nigeria, traveling abroad to practice as a nurse will mark the peak of their career. It will make a difference in their practice, learning and improve their income.
As a registered UK nurse, I will simplify this post in manner that anyone who have longed to take those bold and brilliant steps can go ahead and do it.
People have done it in the past and so can you.
Things you need to do:
1. You need an international passport
Apply for this if you do not already have a valid one. Ask for the booklet availablity and duration of processing before you do so as collection dates trends to differ in different cities.
2. Prepare and write IELTS/OET exam
This can be started as soon as possible because an acceptable result is needed to initiate the process.
– International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – You will need to have an overall score of 7. For each section, a minimum of: Listening -7.0 Writing – 6.5 Reading – 7.0 Speaking – 7.0
– Occupation English Test (OET) – You will need a the following grades; Reading – B, Writing – C+, Listening – B, Speaking- B.
Both exam result can be achieved in two sittings.
This information can be found on NMC UK page here.
3. Create an NMC UK account This can be done here.
The cost of IELTS is about #75,000 while OET is about #200,00. I was meant to understand that OET is much easier to pass. Possibly that explains the higher price.
4. Make a payment of £140 using a Mastercard. Afterwards upload the following: – Data page of your international passport – Nursing Certificate. – IElTS/ OET result( this is optional at this point).
Progress can be monitored through your personal NMC portal.
5. Pay #17,500 on remitta. If you don’t live in Abuja, pay online and get someone to help you submit it. Otherwise, you can easily pay online or in a bank.
6. Send the following to NMC Nigeria in Abuja: – Certificate – Nursing license (front and back) – Letter for verification and good standing; including your CRM number. This number is found on the NMCUK £140 payment confirmation letter. The letter should state clearly what it wants from NMCN (request for a verification and good standing). – Birth certificate The wait to be verified. Thus can take weeks or can be facilitated.
7. Get an authorization to test email from Pearson to book CBT.
Pearson is an organisation that handles CBT.
8. Book for the CBT and write the exam.
It cost about £83. This can be done here via voucher here.
9. Complete ALL the forms from NMC UK.
Your IELTS /OET test result is mandatory at this point.
10. Make a final registration fee of £153 to NMC UK.
This is for your UK Nursing pin number; more like your license to practise in the UK. Then wait for NMC Ng to complete your good standing.
11. Begin looking for jobs.
Use popular job sites like NHSJobs, Tracjobs and indeed.co.uk for hospital jobs. Care home jobs can be found here. For someone that wants to learn more or for better career development, you should go for hospital jobs. Otherwise, just get to be a registered nurse in the UK and that’s it.
12. Read job offers carefully.
When you get offers, carefully read it before signing. Then send it back to the recruiter. Do not accept so many offers at the same time.
If you apply directly, then know that you are to fund your visa and ticket fees.This is not the case for some, who use agencies and the agencies make an upfront payment for them.
Do know that agencies are available and not cheap.
13. Wait for Certificate of sponsorship (COS).
This replaces documents such as bank statements that those who have applied directly would have to submit for visa. It shows someone will be sponsoring your stay in the UK.
The COS contains an employment start date. Make sure you don’t have 2 recruiters processing this for you to avoid having problems with the UK home office. Besides, it will be unfair the other recruiter that won’t be needed.
14. Have a discussion with the recruiter, hospital or agency and make an appointment for your visa application. You can buy your ticket.
Other protocols such as : tuberculosis test, police clearance follows.
15. Objective structured clinical examination (Osce) Exam in the UK: This is the last stage. It is written in few Universities in the UK. Some hospitals do offer to support with OSCE preparation. Do consider this during job application and whilst accepting offers.
Recently, I ran into a newly qualified UKRN as she thanked one of the tutors that helped her and her colleagues prepare for their OSCE exam.
Lastly upon the successful completion of the OSCE, the applicant goes from a Band 3/4 healthcare assistant to a band 5 UK registered nurse.
I am pleased to write a health related content. It’s been a while and I have missed it.
I got to know about brachytherapy for the very first time last year.
Brachytherapy is a method of delivering radioactive treatment internally to a cancer site to maximize chances of cure.
Simply say, the introduction of treatment to the cancer in a person to increase cure rate.
It can be done alone or as a part of other treatment.
There are two types of Brachytherapy:
– High dose rate (HDR) : This can be done with the aid of a plastic Catheter inserted under general or spinal anaesthesia via the perineum to the prostate or through the vagina for delivering radioactive substances.
– Low dose rate (LDR): In this, a permanent implant is placed and only for prostate cancer.
Preparation
-Patient should be admitted a day before the surgery for enema administration
– Nil by mouth from midnight.
After care
– CT and MRI scans will be carried out. – Patient is nursed lying flat as the implant is in place. – Strong analgesics like morphine and the likes are administered. – Heads can be raised during feeding only.
Removal of catheter
– When removed, patient is monitored to ensure urine is passed freely prior to discharge.
I hope this gives you an idea of what brachytherapy is and what is involved.
On one occasion, the patient was very dependent on morphine and would scream in pain most of the time.
It is truly hard to see someone in pain all the time. However, I haven’t seen that much morphine given in a short while.
The Dr had to intervene and speak with the patient regarding so much morphine given and the risks. The patient still demanded for more.
If you name one person in the pic behind me I will name two😄
In this leadership training session, we were introduced to Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA). The session was focused primarily on “awareness” during presentation or before an audience. It is important that we know that the audience feel before they think. Be aware of this. It is an essential tip for any leader or aspiring leader.
Lecture note
A leader should be aware of their Status. In this instance, status means space and time, which makes up voice. At any given time, it is important that a leader know their status as this will affect how they are being perceived by others.
There are high(loud), low(sympathetic) and optimal status. For example, the Obamas of this world can pass for optimal status while Trump can be seen as high status. You can come up with a low status person, I don’t mind reading.
Another factor is Hoisting– This involves speaking with authority and confidence whilst being relaxed at the same time. For instance, your approach when you are in your home.
The way you treat people when you see them at your doorstep should be similar to how you treat them any other place ( i.e work, Uni. etc). You would want to welcome them and treat them nice, I suppose😄. That energy should stay same. In another post, I will be talking about energies in leadership.
A good host can be a good influencer because they know what to say and know exactly how they want their audience to feel. To be honest with you, I enjoyed this very session. I will like to know what you think too. These are very practical approaches anyone can adopt and improve on themselves.
To be continued.
If you like this post, do check this out and subscribe to my blog.
This is a piece from a Leadership course I attended recently. Thanks to Florence Nightingale Foundation. I had mentioned earlier that I will be sharing some valuable tips.
Have you heard of BRAVING?
Anatomy of Trust by Brene Brown is a very insightful piece that enables one to truly understand what trust truly means. The very first time I came across it, I was like there’s no way I’m not gonna share this with you😄
You need to know it and inculcate it in your persona. I have learnt that there is more to the word trust than mere 5 letters.
For instance, what are the little things that people can do for you to trust them? Are they worth a spot in your marble jar? Do not ask me what is marble jar 🏺 please😄
The course made me aware of the weight of the word TRUST. It is very important that the various elements of trust is understood by everyone. Do take a close look at the picture below.
For instance, in Boundary, it is important that each other’s boundaries are clear, well defined and respected.
Reliability implies that over time you will still stay true to your values.
In same way, vault demands that when one shares information with you in confidence you able to conceal it from others. Is their information going to leak?
Generosity: Are you able to make a general assumption of me in my absence? Can you boldly say I am capable of “doing this and that” confidently in my absence?
Can I really trust you?
I await you response in the comment section. Do let me know if you want similar posts. If you like my posts, please subscribe and share links with your friends.
Few weeks ago, I looked after a very sick patient who was treated for a rare disease condition. Oh! Well, rare because I’ve never heard or come across the condition till that very day.
Bullours pemphigoid is a harsh skin condition whereby the sufferer gets blisters all over their body. As the blisters get bigger and bursts newer ones develops. I haven’t seen anything like that before. In the picture above, the skin looks dry but Vera’s were mostly weeping blisters and the almost constant cream application made her skin moist most of the time.
Causes
It is triggered by a disorder of the autoimmune system which attacks the inner layer of the skin
Signs and symptoms
Appearance of blisters
Burning skin
itchiness
Red skin around blisters
Nose bleeding.
The appearance of the skin can be quiet similar to the skin of a burns patient. Looking at Vera lying on her sick bed, I recalled a few years back when I had visited a schoolmate that had suffered severe burns which made her wound dressing takes more than half of the shift to complete.
Vera was nursed in a theatre gown as the usual cotton hospital gown would stick onto her skin.
Her care regime included cream application every two hours. You heard me right every two hours and Dermovate for areas without burst blisters.
Dermovate: this is a steroid cream tha that is used in severe skin conditions medication used to treat skin conditions that have not responded well to other corticosteroids, including severe psoriasis and eczematous dermatitis.
Vera was very unwell as she had sepsis; which was the main reason for admission to our unit.
There are different kinds of pemphigoid. Have you looked after someone with this condition? I will like to know your experience.
P.S.
Confidentiality was maintained through this post.
For my new readers, I’m a nurse by profession and do blog about health and health conditions too. Other health related post can be found in the health category.
Hello Friends, I’m posting a health related post today. Hope you had a great weekend?
I will be taking about HIV and our perception of sufferers.
I cared for a man who was in his late fifties last week. He was diagnosed with HIV about eight years ago but over time deteriorated as he wasn’t taking his medications judiciously as required of him.
“Vivien you always treat me very differently” he said to me. “People are always in a hurry to leave my room but you take your time”
I told him I was only doing what was required of me. This gentleman was so frail and needed lots of persuasion. In my opinion, it was quite draining especially emotionally, as he at times declined most nursing acts and I could see he was weak. He would tell me he wanted to be left alone.
Genuinely, I think anybody ill will want to get better and would comply with medical advice but when I come across patients like this I tend to believe that they are fighting a battle with their condition and even the tiniest acts can upset them. My first day with him was challenging but days went by and I had him again.
He was happy to see me this time, like old friends, we stayed friends all through that day. I felt fulfilled and better compared to the first day.
As a health personnel, we all become very protective and extremely cautious when we know patients have certain conditions. Please don’t blame us because no one would want to jeopardise their health in the course of saving the lives of others.
Nevertheless, I will urge my fellow nurses, doctors and other health staff to show love and affection to HIV/AIDS patients. With standard precaution measures; which ought to be part of our everyday practice, one should be able to practise safely.
The condition alone is a cross for them, let’s not make it any worse. They know what they have, they wake up every day and the condition is still same, any act to take their mind of it is much needed.
I don’t want to stress much in this post about the stigmatisation associated with HIV, it still exists regardless of the numerous awareness programmes. Unfortunately.
I have previously discussed HIV/AIDS in details. The post outlined what HIV/AIDS is, it’s symptoms, prevention and stigmatisation. It can be found here.
I will like you to read that too.
I have a soft spot for this condition, I’m happy to discuss and answer questions. Do leave a comment or contact me if you are affected by this post.
Other health posts can be found in the health category.
P.S: Confidentiality was strictly maintained throughout this post.
