Introduction
This article aims to provide prospective Registered Community Nurses (RCN) traveling to the UK with a comprehensive budget overview. Many candidates are unaware of the cost of making their dream of working in the UK a reality, and we hope to shed light on the expenses involved, so they can plan accordingly. Our goal is to give Registered Community Nurses (RCN) a general idea of the cost of traveling to the UK.
Many Registered Community Nurses now, Public Health Nurses (PHNs) who have successfully completed their program and are licensed to practice in their home country.
Nurses in this category have been in dilemma for many years over rumors that, they are not qualified to work abroad, especially in the Uk.
The good news is that, Every Nurse including RCNs are eligible to apply and work abroad.
It is only the nursing board in the country where he/she wants to apply will determine whether you are qualified to write their nursing licensure.
Many Registered Community Nurses, now known as Public Health Nurses, who have completed their programs and hold a license to practice in their home country have long been confused and uncertain about their eligibility to work abroad, specifically in the UK, due to rumors suggesting they are not qualified.
The good news is that all nurses, including RCNs, are eligible to apply and work abroad. The nursing board in the country where an individual wishes to work will ultimately determine if the nurse meets the qualifications to take the licensure exam.
Requirements to become a Registered Nurse in the UK as an RCN
We have outlined all the requirements(documents) necessary for all nurses who wish to work in the UK as a nurses in the link below:
We have also written a detailed article on the steps to follow to land in the UK as a UKRN or UK Nurse:
Step-by-Step Process of Becoming A United Kingdom Registered Nurse (UKRN)
Before delving into the budget, it is important to note that one should check the current exchange rates of their bank at the time of payment for a specific product or service, rather than relying on the exchange rate at the time of planning google.
Explanation of cost of travel to the UK as a UKRN, including IELTS/OET, CBT & Visa fees for Registered Community Nurses (Public Health Nurses).
Cost of Ministry of Health Clearance (Ghanaian Diploma RCN/PHN Only):
This clearance is a form of authorization given to the candidate by their government through a state body like the Ministry of health in Ghana
The cost of clearance is now GH₵ 100.00 approximately £5.84, as of December 1. 2022.
Cost of NMC UK portal registration & Evaluations
In addition to Ghanaian diploma RCNs/PHNs who have begun the process of obtaining their Ministry of Health clearance, all other RCNs/PHNs can begin preparing for the required English language proficiency test (OET or IELTS) and proceed to the next step of creating their NMC UK Portal Account by completing a checklist of questions available through the steps to register for NMC UK. This applies to Nigerians and all other international nurses/midwives, including PHNs.
According to the NMC UK, Every Nurse is allowed to apply, there is a board responsible for authorizing who is eligible to take the CBT exams after evaluating your credentials.
If the credentials of an RCN has been evaluated and authorization is given, the registered community Nurse or the Public Health Nurse will be normally eligible to take the Registered Adult Nurse: NMC_RNA, Some people also prefer to write CBT any other category of CBT as outlined below Cost of Computer-based test (CBT) for RCNs/PHNs.
The cost of the registration is £140, Convertible to your local currencies.
Cost of NMC Foreign Verification by your Home NMC
This verification is done by your home NMC, it is usually done after your clearance has been approved by MOH Ghana and sent to NMC Ghana, you will be required to make payment to ADB bank for your foreign verification.
For Degree Public Health Nurses (PHNs) in Ghana who do not require clearance can proceed to the NMC headquarters in Accra to make payment for foreign verification after creating the NMC UK portal.
Nurses in Nigeria can do their foreign verification online via the NMCN Portal after making payment via REMITA.
it is necessary to specify your preferred Country which in this case is the UK.
The cost of verification in Ghana for NMC UK is GH₵ 550.00 (£32.11)and N21,875 (£40.41) for Nigerians.
Cost of English Proficiency Test (IELTS) or (OET)
According to the Nursing and Midwifery Council and the government of the UK, A foreign trained Nurse who wants to work in the UK as a registered Nurse must Present evidence to prove their knowledge of English.
The accepted English Language tests are;
- The International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic
- The Occupational English Test (OET).
- A pre-registration nurse or nursing associate qualification was taught and examined in English.
- Recent practice of at least one year in a majority English-speaking country.
The cost for the exams alone varies per country due to the exchange rates.
The International English Language Test System (IELTS) Academic
In Ghana, the Academic IELTS cost GH₵ 2660.00 approximately £155.80.
In Nigeria, the Academic IELTS cost N83,000 approximately £153.31
The Occupational English Test (OET)
The cost of OET is AU $587 approximately £324.04 that is GH₵ 5549.51 and N175352.42 cedis and naira equivalence respectively.
Note: You need just one either IELTS or OET
Cost of Police Clearance Ghana & Nigeria
Police clearance is a requirement for Nurses or Midwives who want to work in the UK healthcare setting, it serves as a form of a background check.
The cost of the Police clearance according to the Ghana Police Service website is 50.00 but we estimate 100.00 (£5.84)excluding transport fare to the police Headquarters.
How to apply for a Police Clearance certificate in Ghana
Nigerian Police charge N40,000.00(£73.90) for Police Character Certificate (PCC), also known as a police clearance.
Here is an article on the 3 Ways To Obtain Police Clearance Certificate in Nigeria
One major thing the potential applicant should be worried about is that they will most likely pay double the official price.
Cost of Computer-based test (CBT) for RCNs/PHNs
Once NMC UK has told you that you will need to take the CBT, you may book your CBT online or over the phone. The NMC UK will let you know by when you must complete your CBT, and they are not able to change this date. Bookings can be made up to one working day in advance.
You will receive notification of any bookings, reschedules, and cancellations by email. All correspondence from Pearson VUE will end with “@pearson.com”. The organizers of the exam.
Please ensure that you check your email ‘junk’ folder for emails.
Candidates must ensure they book the CBT that is consistent with their application type. For example, if you’re applying for registration as a Registered Nurse, you will need to select and book the Registered Adult Nurse: NMC_RNA CBT. A full list of CBT exam series codes are provided below:
Registered Adult Nurse: NMC_RNA
Registered Childrens Nurse: NMC_RNC
Registered Mental Health Nurse: NMC_RNMH
Registered Learning Disabilities Nurse: NMC_RNLD
Registered Midwife: NMC_RM
Registered Nursing Associate: NAR
The cost for the CBT is £83.
Cost of NMC UK registration
Successful candidates who have passed their CBT will need to login to their NMC UK Portal to continue the registration process. At this stage we believe you have completed all processes on NMC UK portal, check the link below to be sure you have submitted every document.
All you need to know about NMC UK
Pay an amount of £153 to complete your NMC UK registration.
Cost of Tuberculosis (TB) Test
According to the UK government, You must be tested for tuberculosis (TB) if you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 months. The test must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office and you will need to obtain an IOM medical certificate confirming that you are free from TB. UK government will not accept a TB test certificate from a clinic they have not approved.
The United Kingdom Tuberculosis Detection Programme (UKTBDP) involves the pre-departure testing of tuberculosis (TB) for individuals who intend to apply for a UK visa for longer than six (6) months. The UK Government designated the Migration Health Department of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to conduct the screening of applicants and issuance of certificates according to the UK Department of Health Protocol.
The test cost $130 approximately £106.74.
Cost of Visa application
There are varieties of work visas to apply for, but midwives who want to work in the UK fall under the Skilled worker visa formerly known as Tier 2 visa.
A Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.
Skilled worker visas are also sub-classified but average travelers pay between $308 – $767, so we will say the visa application fee is $318 for both countries thus Nigerian and Ghanaian Nurses.
Cost of flight to the UK
Moving to the UK can be done in many ways, it’s either you book a transit flight or a straight flight to the UK. The cost usually depends on the individual traveling and the airline.
We have given the range of economy flight costs for both Ghana and Nigeria to London-UK.
The cost of an economy flight from Ghana to London ranges from $301 – $2480 depending on the day of booking and the above conditions, While an economy flight from Nigeria to London ranges from $2777 and above.
The cost of a flight may be less or more depending on your preference.
Pocket Money
All travelers must have some cash with them either physical cash or electronic cash, Physical cash must be declared at the airport including food at the agriculture department.
We advise you to save as much as you can for your own good.
Summary of cost of travel to the UK as a UKRN
| Ghana Process | Cost | Nigerian Process | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOH Clearance Form (Diploma RCNs/PHNs only) | GH₵ 100/£5.84 | ||
| NMC UK portal registration & Evaluations | £140 | NMC UK portal registration & Evaluations | £140 |
| Foreign verification at NMC-Ghana | GH₵ 550/£32.11 | Foreign verification at NMC-Nigeria | N21,875/£40.41 |
| English language Test | – | English language Test | – |
| IELTS | GH₵ 2660.00/£155.80. | IELTS | N83,000/£153.31 |
| OET | AU $587/£324.04 | OET | AU $587/£324.04 |
| CBT | £83 | CBT | £83 |
| Police clearance | GH₵ 100/£5.84 | Police Character Certificate (PCC) | N40,000/£73.90 |
| NMC UK registration fee | £153 | NMC UK registration fee | £153 |
| TB test | $130/£106.74 | TB test | $130/£106.74 |
| Visa application fees | $317/£260.29 | Visa application fees | $317/£260.29 |
| Flight cost | $301 – $2480 | Flight cost | $2777 above |
| Self pocket money | Self pocket money | ||
| Total (Ghanaian Process) | £1266.66/ GH₵21770.26 | Total (Nigerian Process) | £1802.88/ N978749.48 |
This cost depends on your exchange rate, kindly re-calculate based on your current exchange rate.
Conclusion
We hope this article will guide you through your journey to your dreamland, we hope to hear from you as soon as you arrived in the UK.
You can as well make your own budget by referring to the official websites of the various providers in as listed below.
Step by Step guide to register on NMC PortalReference Links
Nigeria Police refer to the police clearance section above or click here.
List of Related Topics
- Green Card Opportunity for International Nurses Without NCLEX & IELTS
- The total cost of travel to the UK as a Nurse, including IELTS/OET, CBT & Visa fees.
- The United Kingdom (UK) relocation process for Nurses & Midwives
- Nursing in the UK and the USA
- Professionally written CV Samples for UK Nurse
- What You Need to Know About Registered Nurse Resumes (CV) – USA
- Free UK NMC CBT for overseas nurses and midwives
- Jobs for International or Foreign Nurses and midwives
- Nursing Abroad Agencies Worldwide
- Guidelines to apply for Nursing/midwifery Jobs Abroad
- International Nursing Recruitment in Australia
- How to apply for a police clearance certificate
- Free IELTS Test (reading, listening, speaking & writing) materials with answers
- All you need to know About English Proficiency test IELTS
Source: Nanelle Griselda
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
CBT or IELTS which should i take first?
According to NMC UK, whichever comes first, all you need to do is to satisfy the council’s requirement before finally submitting your application, This means that you respond to what you have at a certain time via your NMC-UK portal.
Why do clearance?
Clearance is necessary for Diploma Midwives who want to leave the country for further education or in search of greener pastures. This is to certify that you are not owing the government in any way.
Some Ghanaian-trained Public midwives (Diploma) received allowances during their training and have to serve the government for a specific period of time called “bonding”
Also, Professionals (Diploma and Degree) who have taken study leave or support of any form from the government or their institutions have to obtain clearance from the ministry.
How long is it going to take?
There are a number of factors to take into account, including preparing the evidence you need to show you meet our registration requirements and how much preparation time you feel you need before your take your CBT and OSCE. It might take 15 -30 days complete the registration application, once NMC UK received your supporting health, character and language evidence, where applicable your CBT and OSCE results, and your registration fee.
When should i book for my TB test?
It is advisable for applicants to do the TB test at least 10 weeks prior to their application because if chest x-ray findings are suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis, they will have to do further testing (Sputum Smears/Culture) for 6-8 weeks before the results will be available. The certificate will be issued to applicants whose results are negative. If results are positive, the applicant will be referred for treatment for a period of at least 6 months.
How do i learn for IELTS, OET and CBT?
Most people do self-learning by downloading test materials via our website and other outlets like the various official websites, some also get it from friends whiles others buy the official learning materials. Some also attend classes organized by individuals and organizations.
Can i change my category of nursing when registering with NMC UK?
Yes, People are of the view that you can decide which exams to take, but the council decides whether you are qualified to take the exams of the category of nursing you chose. If granted all will be dependent on you to learn and pass.
