Applying For A Nurse Job
Nursing can be a fulfilling career as you get to support people when they are at their most vulnerable state. However, if you wish to become a nurse, it is important to know what are the requirements you will have to fulfill to join the field. It is also important to know what the job application process for a nursing job in the UK looks like. Even if you fulfill the requirements, applying for a job can be scary without proper guidance. If you are a nurse wanting to re-enter the field, you would want to know beforehand how much the industry has changed.
Here’s a breakdown of everything from requirements to the job application process for nurses in the UK:
Qualification
Before you can apply for a nursing job in the UK, you have to make sure you have the right qualifications. For students still in school, it is important to know which degree to go for in order to become a nurse. However, one thing to keep in mind is that there are different fields of nursing. As a result, there are also different types of nursing degrees you can enroll in. You can choose from the following four fields of nursing:
- Adult nursing
- Children’s nursing
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
Once you have decided what kind of nurse you want to become, you can enroll in the relevant degree. It is important to know that nursing degrees are not only about the theoretical aspect but also give you plenty of hands-on experience in a medical facility.
How to Apply for a Nursing Degree?
The process of applying for a nursing degree will vary depending on the type of course you want to enroll in. If you want to study a full-time nursing course, you can apply through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service or the UCAS. However, if you want to sign up for a part-time course, you will have to reach out to individual universities to find out about their application process.
Since January 2021, multiple universities in the UK are also offering blended courses, also known as online courses. If you enroll in an online course, you will be able to learn the theoretical part online.
NMC Registration
After completing your degree and training, you will have to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council or the NMC. The NMC is the professional regulator for all the nurses in the UK. NMC has set the standards of practice and behaviour that nurses in the UK must adhere to.
In order to register with the NMC, you will have to take a competence test and an English language test. If you successfully clear these tests, you will be rewarded the certification that makes you eligible to work as a nurse in the UK.
Applying for a Nursing Job in the UK
Once you have completed your degree and received the certification from NMC, you can start working as a nurse in the UK. However, you will have to start applying for the job to find the right workplace. It is worth remembering that a lot of medical facilities underpay their nurses, which is why it can be difficult to find a job that values your services.
There are different ways you can find a nursing job in the UK. Make sure to pick the option that can be the most beneficial for you.
Searching for the Job Yourself
Most of the time freshly graduated nurses think that they have no option but to look for nursing jobs themselves. They spend their time on job boards trying to find a nursing job that best fits their preferences. A lot of freshly graduated nurses end up compromising on some of their preferences and settle for a job that offers an average salary. Working in such jobs is not only a waste of your talent but it also offers you zero opportunities for growth.
Finding a Nursing Job with the Help of an Agency
Recruitment agencies connect healthcare institutions with qualified and skilled nurses. They also negotiate with medical facilities on behalf of nurses during the hiring process. With the help of recruitment agencies, nurses can get well-paying jobs. However, since the primary clients of these agencies are hospitals, they may not always make the best decision for nurses.
If you are a nurse in need of a well-paying job, reach out to ESGO today. We make sure that both nurses and hospitals benefit equally from using our platform.
