Overseas Recruitment – Welcoming applications from overseas and the EEA
In the past five years CUH has welcomed 895 nurses from overseas.
CUH is proud to recruit nurses internationally and has been travelling all around the world for approximately 10 years to meet passionate, caring nurses who are willing to make the life changing decision to move to the UK. We have a dedicated team of staff working directly with these nurses, from greeting them on arrival to the hospital, to orientating them on what life will be like living in the UK, to supporting them through the NMC (Nursing and Midwifery Council) process to gain their registration. Senior nurses from CUH have attended many recruitment campaigns in countries such as the Philippines, India and Dubai.
As a Trust we have evolved and continued to develop our recruitment processes to ensure we are following the NMC Guidelines as they have reformed. International nurses can apply to be on the NMC register, providing they meet its standards. The NMC will compare the training in the nurses home country with that required in the UK.
The requirements for registration are different for nurses who trained in the UK and EEA to those who trained outside the UK and EEA.
To find out more information about seeking NMC registration follows the link to the NMC website.
We strive to ensure that our new arrivals feel welcomed to the UK and to CUH. We currently offer financial support for their first month’s rent as well as providing onsite accommodation for up to three months. We also provide a welcome pack with bedding, crockery and cutlery to help you settle in your first few weeks.
For more information about working with CUH from overseas, please contact the CUH Careers Team on 01223 217038
At Cambridge University Hospitals, the Clinical Education Support team provide a detailed induction, followed by 11 weeks preparation for your OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) examination. During this first 11 weeks you will be working clinically which will help you build your confidence in your new environment. You will be provided allocated study time to undertake the OSCE preparation programme.
Each nurse is given an OSCE study guide to support them with their learning. At the end of the five week programme, all nurses are offered one to one sessions with one of the Clinical Education Facilitators to consolidate their knowledge and put the finishing touches to their return demonstrations that they will be presenting at one of the OSCE test centres.
The NMC Test of Competence Part 2 is more commonly known as the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). This is your final part in your journey to become a Registered Nurse in the United Kingdom.
Part one – A computer based multiple-choice examination which will be accessible in many countries around the world for applicants to access in their home countries.
Part two – A practical objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) which will always be held in the UK.
The preparation programme combines theory and practice within the class room environment. We offer mini mock exams throughout and in week 8, you will undertake a Mock OSCE prior to attending your exam.
The Clinical Education Support team is not only here to support your exam preparation. We understand how challenging it is coming to a new country to live and work, we are here to support you every step of your journey. Pastoral care and your well being is of paramount importance to us. CUH embraces equality and diversity, a wonderful environment to start and develop your career in the United Kingdom.
We have a large community of nurses who have undertaken the OSCE and celebrate an overall pass rate of 99.5%.
Recruiting Nurses trained in the EEA
The epitome of my career in the Philippines was when after almost a whole year of hard work, I finally qualified for sponsorship to practice nursing here in the U.K. At first, it was a mix of being terrified and excitement that I felt – terrified because I was leaving my comfort zone and excited because of the prospect of being able to develop my career and myself in the U.K. whilst also learning a completely new culture and way of working.
When I arrived, I sat the NMC Test of Competence Part 2 which is more commonly known as the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). After working hard, I was able to pass the OSCE through the systematised and well-structured OSCE Programme of the Trust. It was this that landed me a job as a Registered Nurse in my first permanent placement in Ward J2, which specialises in Neuro-Rehabilitation for Trauma patients.
The utmost and infallible support by the OSCE Team to my cohort – including myself – has paved way for our transition to be as seamless as possible.
Something I am really grateful for whilst being able to work for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is the autonomy and respect given to qualified nurses. The Trust’s commitment for equality and diversity have proven way for multicultural practice and learning to work harmoniously to make us be one of the best hospitals in the whole of the country. I can also affirm the Trust’s value for career progression as being a Clinical Education Facilitator has made me hone my skills and talents more effectively and confidently.
The Trust has truly helped me build my confidence as a nurse and has really guided my progression to my position today which is where my ultimate passion lies – teaching and guiding students and newly-qualified nurses as well. Looking back to how far I have travelled in my career in CUH, giving back through sharing my knowledge and skills to how I saw myself before is truly an honour and a privilege.
My advice to anyone who aspires to become a qualified professional here from overseas is to work hard, enjoy the commitment and compassion that Nursing has called us for, and to always be yourself. Our universal language is the genuine commitment that we have for our patients and that is to provide the most excellent service that we can give.
Mignon came to CUH from the Philippines in May 2016 and undertook the OSCE preparation programme.
“The knowledge, skills and support that CUH has provided me with, and my fellow colleagues from overseas, has been invaluable. I have been encouraged to pursue career opportunities and continue my development in a diverse and highly specialised area. From the tailored OSCE programme and individual support, to continuous professional development, CUH has inspired me to follow my dreams, leading me into my current role as HPB specialist support nurse”.
“With unceasing encouragement and vast opportunities, CUH provides a robust support programme to enable you to settle into your new role and fulfill your dreams.”
Chinese Philosopher – Lao Tsu once said – “A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”. Here I am, 6,754 miles away from my home back in the Philippines and my journey is only beginning as I am constantly learning every day.
From when I started studying nursing in the Philippines, to being able to secure a sponsorship to come and practice here in the UK, the journey to get here hasn’t been easy. But through hard work, determination, the support from my family, and CUH, I was able to qualify as a registered nurse.
The process for international students required me to pass the second part of the NMC which is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). I believe this was the hardest part of the programme because it requires extensive knowledge of nursing theories and the ability to conduct clinical demonstrations with pin-point accuracy. CUH has the best structured OSCE programme to help students from overseas overcome this examination. That combined with the very high pass rate is what eventually convinced me to apply to this Trust.
I would like to give my heartfelt gratitude to the educators who supported us, especially to the Clinical Education and support teams for making the process so worthwhile.
It has been three years since I started working in the Trust and I am still driven to continue for the foreseeable future.
From being a Staff Nurse in a Neuro-Rehabilitation Ward to being one of the Care Team’s Clinical Training Managers , the opportunities that the Trust provided to help me develop my career has been really appreciated, as this has allowed me to continue my journey to become an even better nurse.
All in all, my experience has been remarkable and I would highly recommend CUH, especially to our future overseas nurses.
