The Application Process

Applicants for our international nurse recruitment programme must complete the following steps in order to start the application process with East Kent Hospitals:

1. Apply to the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Find out more on the NMC website.
2. Complete the Test of Competence known as the CBT. Find out more on the NMC website.
3. Nurses that have completed their nurse training in a country where English is not their first language must complete an English language test (International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Occupational English Test (OET). Find out more about English language requirements on the NMC website.
4. Once you have completed the above steps, you can apply for our International Nurse role on our Careers website. We advertise roles on a monthly basis so keep checking our website for vacancies.
   

Our Recruitment Programme

We have a clear plan to support you from when you arrive in the UK to working in our hospitals. The programme has distinct time frames and will provide you with the opportunity to learn and pass the OSCE, as well as be ready to work clinically.

OSCE

Our OSCE training programme is a 10-day intensive study programme designed to prepare you for the OSCE. The training programme is delivered by our dedicated OSCE training team, who are experienced nurses from a multicultural background. An essential part of your training is to complete online e-learning and to complete self-directed learning to support our training programme. Our goal is for you to pass the OSCE exams first time and for our Trust to have a 100% pass rate.

Once you have passed the OSCE, you will then receive you NMC pin, which allows you to practice as a Band 5 registered nurse in the UK.

You can find out more information about the UK Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and joining the register here.

Transition Training

The Transition programme will be delivered the week after your sit you OSCE exam, but before you start working in a clinical setting.

The programme helps you to achieve our Trust aims by including:

• Recording observations using Vital Pac
• Blood glucose recording
• Patient risk assessments
• Falls management
• Tissue viability
• Manual Handling
• Resuscitation
• Communication - handovers
• Escalating concerns, SBAR, outreach teams
• Nutrition
  

Preceptorship

All newly registered nurses at EKHUFT will be offered a 12 month Preceptorship programme to support your transition into the role of a Registered Nurse in clinical practice. The aim of the Preceptorship is to provide you with the support, guidance and development needed to build confidence and achieve clinical competency as an autonomous practitioner. You will be supported by a nominated Preceptor in practice and you will be invited to attend monthly support sessions, which will provide you with the opportunity to network and develop relationships with your peers.

Our Preceptorship programme at EKHUFT offers you:

• Combined Medicines training
• Urethral Catheterisation training
• Monthly support sessions to share experiences and learning from practice
• Workshop resources and monthly themed topics for learning
• Peer feedback and support
• Preceptorship portfolio to record progress available online through Google Classroom
• Online platform for support and guidance from the Workforce, Development, Education and Training team
• Preceptorship Lead to direct any enquiries or concerns to
• Clinical Skills & Learning Facilitator support in practice
• CPD hours for NMC revalidation
• Certificate of achievement on completion of the programme

Find out more about the principles of Preceptorship here

 Our benefits package

We offer the following package to our international nurse recruits who need to undertake the OSCE training programme:

• A 10 day OSCE training programme
• OSCE exam costs
  
• Flight tickets to the UK*
• Employer visa costs
  
• 3 months free accommodation

*Terms and conditions apply

Living in East Kent

With miles of incredible coastline, rolling countryside, lively seaside towns, diverse communities and easy access to London and Europe, east Kent offers the best of both worlds as a place to develop your career.

All of our hospitals are situated within a short distance of our largest town centres which offer a range of shops, bars and restaurants. They are also on the doorstep of some of Kent's most beautiful countryside and beaches.

We provide you with three months free accommodation to help you settle in to the area when you first arrive. We will also provide you with a Welcome Pack that includes information about nearest supermarkets, GP surgeries, schools, public transport and more. Our aim is for you to be as comfortable as possible when you start your career with us.

Click here to find out more information about living in East Kent.

Contact us

Our dedicated International Recruitment team are on hand to answer any queries you have during your recruitment process with us.

If you have any questions about the programme or our current vacancies, please email ekhuft.resourcing@nhs.net