UK Immigration update - November 2010

Earlier this year, The Home Office introduced a temporary cap for work visas for non-EU nationals.

From April 2011, this limit will be replaced by permanent measures.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its report regarding the annual limit on immigration through Tiers 1 and 2 of the points-based system.

It is anticipated that the government will cut the number of migrant workers coming to Britain from outside Europe by 13% and 25%.

You can download the MAC's report here

Nurses are under the Tier 2 (Skilled Workers) category.
It is already quite hard for Overseas Nurses to find employment in the UK.

If you are a bit lost about the current immigration process for Overseas Nurses, please see below.

Immigration and Information about the Certificate of Sponsorship

Currently a Certificate of Sponsorship (equivalent to the old Work Permit)is only being issued to nursing personnel who will be working in Theatres, Anaesthetics, Recovery, ICU and NICU.

Certificate of Sponsorship can only be applied for by the Hospital once a job has been offered and accepted.

Certificate of Sponsorship is issued for a maximum of three years.

When approved by the Home Office, a sponsorship number is forwarded to the applicant who must then file an Out of Country Application with the British Embassy in their home country.
This must be done within 3 months from date of issue.

Certificate of Sponsorship may be obtained for nurses not on the skills shortage list ONLY if hospitals can prove that they have unsuccessfully tried to recruit within the UK and EU.

Please remember: all nurses wanting to work in the UK must be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
Details Here

Here is also a very good article I found in the Guardian today: Article

To view all our current jobs and get help with your job search, please visit: www.nursefindersuk.com

2011 New Nursing Job for you?

Do you feel stuck in your current post? Do you feel it is time to move on?

NurseFindersUK has some great opportunities for nurses looking for a new challenge.

Our clients offer support with professional development, a salary to match your skills, great benefits and help with your relocation if needed.

We would particularly like to hear from you if you have recent experience and would like to progress in the following specialities: Acute Surgical, Paediatrics, Intensive Care, Theatres (all areas), Oncology, Cardio thoracic.

To register your interest, please click HERE

News update

Here are 3 news stories that drew my attention recently.

The UK Government is planning to scrap the NHS Direct helpline, creating fury amongst the population.
Article

Immigration cap: here is another story from an Australian point of view.
Article

The decline of NHS jobs. Read about the figures...
Article

From a Nursing Recruiter's point of view, I can reassure nurses that there are still many great jobs out there but you may want to consider the private sector. It is currently our biggest client base.

You can view all our current vacancies HERE

Online Nursing-related articles round-up

The Nursing Times has published an article about fears nurses could go on strike following new Government's plans.
Full article

In the Daily Mail, issues are raised about safety checks for Overseas nurses being lifted.
Full article

For a list of all our current Nursing jobs, please visit our website HERE

London Calling!

Are you looking for a new challenge?

Have you always wanted to live in London but never had the opportunity?

If you are a nurse with at least 1 year post qualification experience, here is your chance!

NurseFindersUK has been working with some of London's best private hospitals for many years.

We currently have many vacancies in a wide range of settings particularly in: Oncology / Haematology, Paediatrics, Cardiothoracic, ITU/ICU, General Surgical (including Urology, Colorectal, Orthopaedics, Hepatobiliary, Gynaecology, Plastics...), Theatres, Cath labs, Endoscopy, Outpatients...

You will work in modern facilities using the latest equipment available.

All our clients are in upmarket areas of London with close links to public transports.

You will be given the opportunity to develop and progress in your career thanks to various courses and programmes offered to you.

Help with relocation is also available.

If you are NMC registered or have already started the process, get in touch and we will call you to discuss your brand new adventure!

To register your interest, please go HERE

Immigration Limit - Update

The UK Government is planning a limit on skilled and highly-skilled workers from outside the European Union coming to live and work in the UK.

This will of course affect Nurses and other Healthcare professionals from overseas.

The new scheme will start on the 19th of July 2010, when the UK Border Agency will introduce a limit on the number of certificates of sponsorship that each sponsor can assign to migrant workers under Tier 2 (General).

For us, it means Hospitals and Healthcare Employers who are currently sponsoring staff from outside Europe will now have a limit.

You can read the latest news HERE

I will post updates as I get them.

For all my current vacancies, please visit: www.nursefindersuk.com

Nursing jobs update

Last week, the UK Government announced an Emergency Budget.
The announcement included a proposal of a pay freeze for 2 years for people working in the public sector.
This means Nurses working in the NHS could see no change of salary in the next 2 years.

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN)was quite alarmed by this and has been calling for a meeting with the Government to discuss the proposal.

You can read the RCN's article HERE

The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement has also issued a document telling nurses it was their "professional and moral responsibility” to help the NHS cut waste and save money.
You can download the guide HERE

I think many nurses will start looking at moving to the private sector.

NurseFindersUK works with many private hospitals that offer opportunities for professional development, great benefits and modern facilities.
You can see all our current vacancies HERE

NMC Site, new Government Spending cuts...

This week, the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has launched their new website.
It is supposed to make it easier for everyone to find relevant information.
Judge for yourself HERE

I personally like the new site. The registration area certainly looks more user-friendly

On the Government front, the new Chancellor,Geoge Osbourne has just announced his first spending cuts for the UK.

According to The Times Online, he stressed that the “front line” of key services such as the NHS would be protected, and said that the longer-term effect of cuts would be to boost employment, rather than reduce it.

Let's hope we will see more opportunities and support for dedicated nurses and Healthcare professionals. Time will tell!

Full article HERE

Looking for a new jobs? Please contact us and visit our website!
http://www.nursefindersuk.com/

New Vetting and Barring Scheme - What does it mean?

From July 2010, people who apply to work with children or vulnerable adults will be able to start to apply for ISA registration (Independent Safeguard Authority) via the Criminal Record Bureau.
This will be a mandatory step from the 1st of November 2010 .

The registration will cost £64 but it is a one-off fee (the certificate will be valid if you change jobs).

According to the Government's website: "It’s the same process as the current system of getting a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. You’ll be able to apply for an enhanced CRB check at the same time for no extra cost."

By July 2015, everyone who currently works with children or vulnerable adults will have to be registered under the new scheme.

You can read about the new Vetting and Barring scheme HERE

If you are a Nurse looking for a new role, you can register with us HERE and take advantage of our knowledge and expertise on the road to finding a new job!

New UK Government - Will it help Overseas Nurses?

What is the current situation?
Currently, only nurses on the skilled shortage list can be considered straight away for a sponsorship visa under the Tier 2 point system.

This means that it is difficult for non EU citizens to obtain a sponsorship visa (which replaced the old work permit).

The current Shortage List for nurses only includes the following:
•Operating Theatre Nurse
•Neonatal Intensive Care

If you are not specialised in Theatres or Neonatal Intensive care, you might get a Sponsorship Visa ONLY if a hospital can prove that they have unsuccessfully tried to recruit within the UK and EU first.

It is therefore very hard for Overseas Nurses to get a post in the UK.
Remember you have to get your NMC registration as well (see previous blog about the NMC registration process).

New Government - New rules?
Under David Cameron's new coalition government, it looks like skilled professionals will find it even more difficult to come to the UK.

A cap on UK immigration has already been announced.
It means the new government will put a limit on the number of non-EU people being allowed to live and work in the UK.

For now, all we can do is wait for further details on forthcoming policies.

You can read the first announced policies on the BBC News site HERE

To see my current vacancies, please visit: www.nursefindersuk.com

International Nurses Day

International Nurses week is celebrated all around the world from the 6th to the 12th of May.

It is a time to remember dedicated nurses and the big contribution they give to people worldwide.

The 12th of May is the day for the main event as it is the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth.

You can read more about a tradition that has been running since 1965 here.

This year's theme is "Delivering Quality, Serving Communities: Nurses Leading Care Innovations".

Nursing in the UK - First Steps!

Everyday, I help nurses find a new permanent job in the UK.

It is not always an easy path, especially for those who want to relocate from Overseas.

So, let's start with the basics!

All nurses who want to practice in the UK must be registered with the NMC.
It doesn't matter what country you are from (even British nurses must be NMC registered).

Visit the NMC's website and have a look under registration to learn more about the process.

However, if you are from Overseas, NMC registration doesn't guarantee you will be allowed to work in the UK.
Please make sure you go on the UK Border Agency's website to read about Working in the UK.

If you are NMC registered and would like to find a new challenge, please visit my site: NurseFindersUK.