Working and Living as an Indian Nurse in the UK

Are you an Indian nurse who wants to work and live in the UK? If so, you might wonder what it’s like to be part of the National Health Service (NHS), the largest employer in the UK with over 1 million staff. In this article, we will share some insights from Indian nurses who have moved to the UK and some tips on how to start your journey.

Why work and live in the UK as an Indian nurse?

The UK is one of the most popular destinations for Indian nurses who want to advance their careers and enjoy a high quality of life. Here are some of the benefits of working and living in the UK as an Indian nurse:

• You can earn a competitive salary that increases with your experience and performance: As of 2022, the starting salary for a band five nurse (the entry level for overseas applicants) is £25,655, which is equivalent to about 26 lakh rupees per year. After four years, this increases to £31,534, or about 32 lakh rupees annually. This does not include extra pay for working unsociable hours such as weekends and night shifts.

• You can enjoy generous paid holidays, free healthcare, and maternity leave. You will be entitled to at least 27 paid annual holidays plus eight bank holidays. If you work on a bank holiday, you will get extra pay. You will also have access to free healthcare through the NHS and maternity leave that includes two months of full payment, seven months of at least half pay, and an option for another three months unpaid without affecting your career.

• You can explore the diverse culture and nature of the UK: The UK is a multicultural country that welcomes people from different backgrounds and religions. You will find a large community of overseas nurses who can support you and help you settle in. You will also experience the UK’s rich history, art, music, and cuisine. If you love nature, you will be amazed by the UK’s scenic landscapes, beaches, mountains, and parks.

• You can progress your career and skills through training and development opportunities. The NHS works on a grading system known as bands, which shows a clear progression path and ensures fair pay rates across the organization. You must perform competently to move up this system and take up any available training and development opportunities. You can also register with the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC), the professional regulator for nurses in the UK, which provides guidance and standards for your practice.

Challenges of working and living in the UK as an Indian nurse

• You will have to adapt to different work cultures and environments: Working as a nurse in the UK may differ from working as a nurse in India or another country. You may encounter different policies, procedures, standards, and expectations. You may also have to deal with varying types of patients, diseases, and treatments. You will need to be flexible, open-minded, and respectful of the diversity and values of the UK society.

• You will have to cope with high-stress levels and workload: Working as a nurse in the UK can be demanding and exhausting. You may have to work long hours, deal with emergencies, handle multiple tasks, and face ethical dilemmas. You may also have to deal with staff shortages, budget cuts, and public scrutiny. You will need to be resilient, resourceful, and compassionate.

• You will have to overcome the language barrier and communication issues: Although English is the official language of the UK, you may need some help understanding and speaking it. You may have to deal with different accents, dialects, slang, and idioms. You may also have to communicate with patients who speak other languages or have communication impairments. You will need to be proficient, clear, and patient.

How do you work and live in the UK as an Indian nurse?

If you are interested in working and living in the UK as an Indian nurse, here are some steps that you need to take:

• Apply for a Health and Care Worker visa: This is a special visa for health professionals who want to work in the UK. To be eligible for this visa, you need a job offer from an NHS employer, a valid certificate of sponsorship, proof of your English language ability (such as IELTS or OET), evidence of your identity, and tuberculosis test results. The visa fee is £232 for up to three years or £464 for over three years. You will also have to pay an immigration health surcharge of £624 per year, which gives you access to free healthcare in the UK.

• Prepare your documents, certificates, and qualifications: You will need to have your original degree certificate or diploma in nursing, your registration certificate from the Indian Nursing Council or State Nursing Council, your transcript of training or education, your work experience certificates, your passport, and your birth certificate. You will also need to verify your qualifications by NARIC (the National Recognition Information Centre), the official body that recognizes international qualifications in the UK.

• Register with the NMC: As mentioned earlier, you need to register with the NMC to practice as a nurse in the UK. To do this, you need to complete an online application form on the NMC website, pay an application fee of £140, submit your documents and evidence of your qualifications and experience, pass a computer-based test (CBT) of competence, complete an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) at an approved test center in the UK, and pay a registration fee of £120 per year.

• Find accommodation and transportation: Depending on where you work in the UK, you can get accommodation provided by your employer or find your place to rent or buy. The cost of living in the UK varies depending on the location, but generally, Wales is cheaper than England. You can use websites such as Rightmove or Zoopla to search for properties online. You can use public transport such as trains or buses, which is cheaper than driving a car. You can buy a travel pass that lets you travel all over the UK and adjacent areas of England on all rail and bus routes.

Conclusion

Working and living in the UK as an Indian nurse can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. You can enjoy a high standard of living, a diverse culture, a supportive community, and a career progression. However, it also requires a lot of preparation, hard work, and resilience. If you are ready to take on this challenge, we hope this article has given you useful information and tips.