According to the National Health Services of United Kingdom, they are experiencing shortage of nurses with not enough new recruits to fill the gap. This is why the UK considered bringing in nurses from other countries to address the increasing demand of Nursing services in their country. Due to the multitude of nurses in the Philippines and the reputation we have as competent, efficient, compassionate and extra caring nurses, our country became the target of recruitment drives by NHS Trusts and private care homes.
In connection to these, I made this blog post to help my fellow aspiring UKRNs on how to go about the application process of NMC Overseas Registration.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council is the regulating body of nurses and midwives in the UK. The have set strict standards for nurses which is why before you can register you must make sure you have these requirements:
- Education Requirement (at least 10 years school education before starting Nursing Program)
- Practice Requirement (at least 1 year post-registration clinical experience)
- Language Requirement (IELTS band score of at least 7 in each area)
I. Aquiring your IELTS Certificate
According to NMC, "Applicants must be able to show that they can communicate clearly and effectively in English. They must complete the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and achieve a minimum score of at least seven in all areas."
Last 2016, they modified the rules in which candidates may use two IELTS test results to meet the requirements, provided that the scores don't fall under 6.5 in any categories. Also, the two test sittings must have a gap of only six months or less.
For instance, if you took the IELTS last December 2016 with a result of 7 in Listening, 6.5 in Reading, 6.5 in Writing, and 7 in Speaking, your second take should be on or before June 2017 and it must have a result of 7 in both Reading and Writing to be able to use both test results.
If by any chance your second take is still 6.5 in Reading or Writing, you cannot combine both. If you were able to reach the band score of 7 in both Reading and Writing but your scores in Listening and Speaking are below 6.5, then you still cannot use both results.
There are news of NMC evaluating the minimum score requirement because most of the foreign nurses cannot achieve the minimum band score, but they have not confirm any changes yet.
If you have taken the IELTS and achieved the required band scores in IELTS, you are now ready to proceed to the next step. Although, you must first wait for your IELTS Test Report Form to arrive via mail because you will need the TRF number for verification purposes.
II. Eligibility
The next step would be the Eligibility stage. All nurses trained outside Europe (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) needs to register in the Overseas Registration Applications.
1. To begin the process, first, create an account in NMC and activate your account by clicking the link sent to you on your email address. (Reminder: Do not create multiple accounts because this will create problems during your application.)
2. After creating your account, log-in and fill out the Personal Information and Eligibility Tabs (This is where you will input the IELTS TRF code).
3. After verifying your eligibility, NMC will send you an email (usually within 24 hrs) indicating you have passed the eligibility stage of registration. This will also be reflected on your NMC account.
2. Type 'NMC' on the input box and wait for 'Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)' to appear then click it or you can click here.
3. Once you are in the NMC page, read the overview of registration process and instructions in booking the exam. Afterwards, go to the sign in page and enter your username and temporary password. You will then be asked to change the password and create security questions.
4. Upon logging in, click your Pre-approved Exam. In most cases, it would be RN1: Registered Nurse - Adult.
5. You will then be asked to choose for a testing center, after which, the test date. Pearson Vue do not conduct exams during weekends and holidays. Also, Manila test centers have 6 test time slots while the Cebu test center has only 2 time slot (morning and afternoon).
6. After reviewing the Test Appointment and Location, you can now checkout and pay the exam. The current price of CBT as of 2017 is 130 British Pounds (which is about 8 Thousand Pesos). After payment, you will also receive the appointment details on your email.
STUDY REFERENCES FOR CBT:
1. The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures - 9th Edition
- You don't need to memorize everything in this book. Just read and understand then answer the multiple choice questions in their website. (Click here)
2. The Code for nurses and midwives (NMC)
- Read this several times if you can and digest every principles in your heart.
3. NMC Nursing Blueprints
Domain 1: Professional values
Domain 2: Communication and interpersonal skills
Domain 3: Nursing practice and decision-making
Domain 4: Leadership, management and team working
Last 2016, they modified the rules in which candidates may use two IELTS test results to meet the requirements, provided that the scores don't fall under 6.5 in any categories. Also, the two test sittings must have a gap of only six months or less.
For instance, if you took the IELTS last December 2016 with a result of 7 in Listening, 6.5 in Reading, 6.5 in Writing, and 7 in Speaking, your second take should be on or before June 2017 and it must have a result of 7 in both Reading and Writing to be able to use both test results.
If by any chance your second take is still 6.5 in Reading or Writing, you cannot combine both. If you were able to reach the band score of 7 in both Reading and Writing but your scores in Listening and Speaking are below 6.5, then you still cannot use both results.
There are news of NMC evaluating the minimum score requirement because most of the foreign nurses cannot achieve the minimum band score, but they have not confirm any changes yet.
If you have taken the IELTS and achieved the required band scores in IELTS, you are now ready to proceed to the next step. Although, you must first wait for your IELTS Test Report Form to arrive via mail because you will need the TRF number for verification purposes.
II. Eligibility
The next step would be the Eligibility stage. All nurses trained outside Europe (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA) needs to register in the Overseas Registration Applications.
1. To begin the process, first, create an account in NMC and activate your account by clicking the link sent to you on your email address. (Reminder: Do not create multiple accounts because this will create problems during your application.)
2. After creating your account, log-in and fill out the Personal Information and Eligibility Tabs (This is where you will input the IELTS TRF code).
3. After verifying your eligibility, NMC will send you an email (usually within 24 hrs) indicating you have passed the eligibility stage of registration. This will also be reflected on your NMC account.
4. At this point, you will just have to wait for Pearson Vue to email your Authorisation To Test (ATT) and your Pearson Vue Web Account Confirmation which contains your username and temporary password.
You are now ready for Step 3!
III. How to schedule your NMC-CBT (Test of Competence - Part I)
1. After receiving your web account details from Pearson Vue. Go to the Pearson Vue website. Under 'For Test Takers' menu, click 'Schedule an exam'.2. Type 'NMC' on the input box and wait for 'Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)' to appear then click it or you can click here.
3. Once you are in the NMC page, read the overview of registration process and instructions in booking the exam. Afterwards, go to the sign in page and enter your username and temporary password. You will then be asked to change the password and create security questions.
4. Upon logging in, click your Pre-approved Exam. In most cases, it would be RN1: Registered Nurse - Adult.
5. You will then be asked to choose for a testing center, after which, the test date. Pearson Vue do not conduct exams during weekends and holidays. Also, Manila test centers have 6 test time slots while the Cebu test center has only 2 time slot (morning and afternoon).
6. After reviewing the Test Appointment and Location, you can now checkout and pay the exam. The current price of CBT as of 2017 is 130 British Pounds (which is about 8 Thousand Pesos). After payment, you will also receive the appointment details on your email.
STUDY REFERENCES FOR CBT:
1. The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures - 9th Edition
- You don't need to memorize everything in this book. Just read and understand then answer the multiple choice questions in their website. (Click here)
2. The Code for nurses and midwives (NMC)
- Read this several times if you can and digest every principles in your heart.
3. NMC Nursing Blueprints
Domain 1: Professional values
Domain 2: Communication and interpersonal skills
Domain 3: Nursing practice and decision-making
Domain 4: Leadership, management and team working
Adult nursing: Field specific competencies
- Honestly, I did not read the table. hehe. I just clicked the recommended readings at the end of each PDF.
4. The NMC website has a lot of resources in which you can read which includes:
Standards for competence for registered nurses
Standards to support learning and assessment in practice- Honestly, I did not read the table. hehe. I just clicked the recommended readings at the end of each PDF.
4. The NMC website has a lot of resources in which you can read which includes:
Standards for competence for registered nurses
Standards of proficiency for nurse and midwife prescribers
Standards for medicines management
Raising concerns: Guidance for nurses and midwives
Social media guidance
Guidance on the professional duty of candour
Enabling professionalism in nursing and midwifery practice
Safeguarding resources and best practice
5. Good Practice for Drug Calculations (Baxter)
- There aren't really much drug calculations in the exam, but still review and practice basic medication calculations before the exam.
6. RCN website - Royal College of Nursing (practice and policies)
Accountability and delegation
Quality and safety
Principles of nursing practice
5. Good Practice for Drug Calculations (Baxter)
- There aren't really much drug calculations in the exam, but still review and practice basic medication calculations before the exam.
6. RCN website - Royal College of Nursing (practice and policies)
Accountability and delegation
Quality and safety
Principles of nursing practice
7. NICE website - The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (evidence-based guidelines)
8. NHS website - The National Health Service (symptoms, conditions, medicines and treatments)
9. eMC website - The electronic Medicines Compendium (information of medicines licensed for use in the UK)
10. Resus website - Resuscitation Council UK (resuscitation guidelines)
REMINDERS & TIPS FOR CBT:
8. NHS website - The National Health Service (symptoms, conditions, medicines and treatments)
9. eMC website - The electronic Medicines Compendium (information of medicines licensed for use in the UK)
10. Resus website - Resuscitation Council UK (resuscitation guidelines)
REMINDERS & TIPS FOR CBT:
- Please double check your birth date in your NMC account and make sure the details on your passport and NMC account is the same. (Some candidates were refused admission because of wrong birth dates)
- You only need to bring your Passport during the exam. But it is better to have a copy of your appointment details (printed or saved on your phone) to avoid confusion on your CBT test date and time.
- Try to arrive 30 minutes before your test time so that you can request for better exam cubicles. When I took the CBT, I was placed in the most uncomfortable location (beside the door and facing the corridor). During the exam, I can see silhouettes of people passing by and whenever someone enters or leaves the room, the sound of the door was driving me nuts. I had no choice but to endure it since the exam room was already full.
- Maximize the time given during the exam. I know some might feel that 4 hours is too long for a 120-item exam, but it really pays to review your answers (I triple checked my answers).
- Do not over-analyze and do not assume. Just answer what is asked from you.
- If you find your self clueless with the question asked or confused with the choices, just go back to the nursing principles and the code. Always prioritize the patient and act on their best interest.
- Above all, pray and commit everything to God. 1st Corinthians 2:5 says "Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." You see, no matter how hard we study and no matter how intelligent we are, it is still God who is in control of everything. We must first rely on Him and believe that His power is greater than anything else. If you are reading this and you plan to take the CBT, I pray that on the day of your exam God's power will move upon you. Claiming victory on your exam, in Jesus' name. Amen!
Upon passing the exam, you will now proceed to the Full Application and Assessment Stage. This would be the Part 2 of my blog post. (Will be posting it soon.) God bless!
