Looking for some advice: Planning to pursue my nursing career

Hi All,

It's been a long time I haven't keep in touch.

Just a quick update about my status here: I am still waiting for all my paperworks to be completed. They are still on the process. I am still waiting for my NI to be released, I already registered with the GP and Dentist, added my name on some utility bills (electric and gas, and internet) still waiting for the updated bills to arrive, already applied for a bank account, registered at the library. I hope these and the documents I submitted for Family Permit are sufficient enough for my residence card application.

I want to hear some advise from those who are already settled here. I am a registered nurse (batch 2009) with insufficient clinical experience. I am planning to pursue my nursing career. I am thinking of upgrading my credentials by enrolling in a university and get a UK nursing degree equivalent. I believe that my 4-year degree in the Philippines is not enough.

Any advise on the initial steps I need to undergo? I bet it would be very complicated but I would love to hear your experiences.

Regards,

Ven

Ah, I see you've deleted the other duplicate threads, I will have to re-tag Anne

@Anne should be able to help you with this one as I know she was looking into doing the same.

Thank you Timmers. . I posted this thrice. I am sorry. I am thinking of being a full time student if we can afford the tuition fee or a part time working student. Newcastle University and Northumbria University is just 15-30 minutes drive from home.

I don't think you'll regret it for sure, a little time and money spent now to pursue your career will assure your future prospects in the UK. Anne was a nurse back in the Philippines and I know she looked into all the requirements of nursing in the UK before she found out she was with child

She doesn't post like she once did as she has a new baby to look after but I hope she gets round to replying.

You could have a look at the link below meantime, you may find some useful information;

https://www.facebook.com/Philippine-Nurses-Association-of-United-Kingdom-PNA-UK-264460605957/

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/I-am/outside-uk/information-overseas-nurses

Thanks again for giving me the links. I'll do my research on the links you've provided. I hope I can make it.

Be positive, if you were a nurse in the Philippines I'm sure you can be a good nurse in the UK too, nursing is a very well respected profession here in the UK and you will be paid a decent salary which will be above the average UK salary.

Thank you for the encouragement Timmers. I've been stagnant for over six years as I took a different career path in the Philippines. I only had 6 months hospital experience and the rest were in the mining industry, consulting firm and BPO. I had no choice that time though I really wanted to pursue my nursing career. My two brothers wanted to go to college so I sent them to Maritime School and they both finished their studies and apprenticeship. However, they are still struggling to get a job because of bureaucracy in the Maritime Industry.

I already browsed the linked and yes you are right it needs time and money and patience as well.

Hello Timmers and PatVen. I will try to find the info/ thread regarding applying as a registered nurse here in the UK. Not very easy at the moment with a very clingy little one. As far as I can remember, ( info I got from the NHS open day I attended in Cheltenham last January 2015), PH R.Ns should have at least 1 year clinical experience, have at least 7 band score in IELTS Academic module in all categories (listening, Reading, writing and speaking), and passed the tests which NHS requires. Tests include theory and assimilation. In my case, if I have the chance to apply, I have to undergo 3 exams just to be registered here. Based on the cost, with all the exams and application, you'll gonna have to spend £1,500 approx to be registered.

Some nurses chose to be nurse assistants instead due to the time and money you have to spend to be an actual nurse. I almost worked in 1 of the care homes here in Gloucester.
However, decided to be a stay-at-home mum and loving it!

Haven't looked in-depth into schools though but it would be a good idea to have a fresh start as you've said, you haven't been practicing for 6 years. I would do the same if given the chance.

Apologies for the delayed response. I wish you all the best and good luck with your nursing career.

Great reply Anne, sounds like you are enjoying being a stay at home mum

Thank you very much Anne. Seems you are really enoying being a hands on mom. I would do the same as well.

I took the IELTS before however it's already expired last month. I can sense that the requirements are really difficult given that I only have 6 month clinical experience. I am afraid on the exams because I wasn't able to practice it for years and I almost forget everything.

In that case I am considering going to school again. I will have my credentials assessed by UKNARIC first so I will have something to present to the university. I know this will take years but I will try my very best. I try getting some part time job in a nursing home while studying.

Thank you so much...

I'm sure it will be like riding a bike, once you get back on it will be fine

It only takes a couple of weeks to get your degree assessed by UKNARIC and is not too costly, you will need transcripts from your university from what I remember, just check some of the threads on UKNARIC on the forum.

Good luck.

My Filipina ex-wife had no qualifications at all when she first came to the UK (not even high school graduation... through poverty).

Since that time she has taken a university 'Access' course here, and has gone on to attain her degree in nursing (a course which my sister taught for about 10 years).

So, nothing is impossible if you have the determination.

Oh, and it's 'Looking for some ADVICE', not advise... (which is a verb).

I stand corrected Graham. Thank you for this. Sometimes I almost give up thinking of the requirements, the fee and the number of years I will spend on this journey. Thank you for the encouragement. ..

Thank you Timmers. Yes I brought with me my school credentials and certificates. I already registered online and I will just scan my papers as soon as I can.

Thank you..

The first step Pat is finding out what you have already and then seeing what you would have to do moving forward its only then you can move forward from a position of strength , mean time theres plenty of work available in the care sectors that would enable you to gather resources add qualifications and gain cultural language skills

Thank you Keith. Yes, I've noticed that there's a lot of healthcare related jobs here both in BPO and care homes. And it's more practical to work first (utilizing what I have at the moment) and continue the studies afterwards.

Good luck on your journey, @PatVen.

My plan is the same as yours - to pursue career, in a different field though. I initially browsed the engineering council website but I believe I need more info and insight.
I wonder if there are engineers or who have knowledge in the area in the forum who could point me in the right direction as well...

Good luck with your plan

Don't sell yourself short like a lot of Filipinos do in the UK, push your way to the front if any opportunities should arise in your field.

I will keep that in mind. Thank you, @Timmers.

What position did you hold in the Philippines?