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Live events: celebrating and supporting internationally educated nursing staff

The RCN recognises the enormous contribution you make to health and social care as an internationally educated nursing professional. 

We also understand specific challenges you face when you first arrive and start working in the UK. Our live events aim to assist you with some of the challenges and questions you may have.

Watch our informative events to learn about:

  • What is the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register?
  • Understanding the NMC Test of Competence (ToC)
  • Career progression and professional development
  • Starting work checklist and understanding employment contracts
  • Immigration and support with personal matters
  • Tips for settling into the UK.
 RCN live events, setting you up for success. 

Upcoming events

Live event recordings

On arrival and settling in the UK (April 2024)

Topics include:

  • Cost of living
  • Climate
  • Childcare and Education
  • Registering with a GP and dentist
  • Housing
  • General - Welfare
  • Discovering your area
  • Staying in contact with family and friends outside the UK
  • Pay and payslips

Immigration and personal matters (March 2024)

Topics include:

  • Settlement
  • Right to work
  • The Health and Care Visa
  • Bringing family and partner to the UK
  • Leaving employers and your visa/sponsorship
  • No recourse to public funds.

Alongside our team of presenters, we were joined by RCN President Sheilabye Sobrany, who introduced the session.

T&Cs of Employment in Independent health and social care settings (February 2024)

Topics include:

  • Contracts
    • Key terms and conditions
    • Unwritten terms
    • Changes to terms and conditions
    • Resignation.
  • Legal
    • Repayment clauses
    • Dismissal
    • Employer or recruitment agency disputes
    • Immigration skills charge.

RCN professional offer and support for career progression (January 2024)

Topics include:

  • A live demonstration of:
    • RCN Learn - how to access the latest quality assured nursing, health and social care learning resources
    • The RCNi Revalidation Portfolio for nurses and nursing associates, with tips on keeping a personal development plan.
  • Getting involved with the RCN's forums and networks
  • Getting the most out of support within the workplace, including: reflection, mentorship, clinical supervision, preceptorship and management supervision
  • Career resources and support
  • A brief introduction to the RCN's professional framework and nursing workforce standards.

Understanding the NMC Test of Competence (December 2023)

Topics include:

  • English Language
  • Computer Based Test (CBT)
  • Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE).

Charlotte Collings, Recruitment and Retention Nurse and Eastern Region Board Vice Chair, hosts this session and discusses the different components of the ToC.

By the end of the session, you will have gained an understanding and awareness of eligibility for the ToC, the different requirements for English Language proficiency and subsequent registration.

DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this live event is correct as of 12th December 2023. The NMC Test of Competence can change frequently to remain relevant to current practices.

Journey of the internationally educated nursing professional (December 2023)

Topics include:

  • The journey of an internationally educated nurse (IEN), through the initial stages of applying for jobs in the UK, to completing the NMC Test of Competence, and then progressing to their dream job. This session provides delegates with a greater understanding of the route an IEN takes to find employment, and how they can better support their development as registered nurses in the UK
  • The International Recruitment Toolkit by NHS England and the Pastoral Quality Care Awards, which are available to employers who recruit internationally
  • In addition, the session aims to inspire delegates to return to their workplaces to discuss a more rigorous and nationally accepted process for all IENs who travel to the UK to work as registered nurses.

This session was hosting by Charlotte Collings, Recruitment and Retention Nurse and Eastern Region Board Vice Chair.

What is the NMC Register? (November 2023)

Topics include:

  • NMC registration requirements
  • Application process
  • Remaining on the register/revalidation
  • Readmission to the register
  • English language requirements
  • Health and character evidence
  • Transcript
  • Process time and cost
  • Final steps to registration
  • Adding qualifications once on the register
  • Transitioning from Nursing Associate to Registered Nursing
  • Independent health and social care
  • An introduction to trade unions
  • Differences between working in the four countries.

Terms and Conditions of Employment in the Independent Sector (August 2023)

Topics include:

  • Contracts
    • Key terms and conditions
    • Unwritten terms
    • Changes to terms and conditions
    • Resignation.
  • Legal
    • Repayment clauses
    • Dismissal
    • Employer or recruitment agency disputes
    • Immigration skills charge.

This live event introduces independent sector contracts of employment, why they are important, and the things you should check when signing yours. 

The event also looks at what constitutes a repayment clause within an independent sector contract of employment, what costs can be recovered in such a clause and whether such clauses are enforceable in law.

What is the NMC register? (May 2023)

Topics include:

  • Registration requirements
  • Application process
  • Remaining on the register/revalidation
  • Readmission to the register
  • IENs transitioning from nursing associates to registered nurses
  • The independent sector.