The Process of Relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse

The process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse is an endeavor filled with challenges and opportunities alike. With the increasing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in the UK, particularly in light of nurse vacancies for Kenyans, there arises a promising avenue for Kenyan Registerd Nurses to explore job opportunities abroad. Kenyans working in the UK, particularly Kenyan nurses in Britain, contribute significantly to the healthcare system, enriching it with their diverse skills and experiences. For Kenyan Registered Nurses aspiring to relocate to the UK, understanding the intricacies of the process is crucial.

In this article, we delve into the various aspects of how to relocate to the UK as a nurse from Kenya, shedding light on the steps involved, requirements, and key considerations for Registered Nurses in the UK.

How To Relocate From Kenya to Work In The UK as a Registered Nurse

Step 1: Apply for a Kenyan Police Clearance Certificate (the first process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse)

To apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in Kenya; visit the ECitizen website, navigate to the DCI section, and scroll to the Police Clearance Cerificate section. Check it out here; https://dci.ecitizen.go.ke/auth/login?redirect_to=%2Fservices%2F1%2Fapply%2F1

To apply for a Police Clearance Certificate in Kenya, you must pay 1,050 Kenya Shillings.

Step 2: Apply for a Travel Passport & Have a valid Birth Certificate

To apply for a Kenyan passport, applicants have to pay 7,500 Kenyan Shillings. Here are the steps of applying for a Kenyan passport; https://immigration.go.ke/passport-section/application-steps-for-passport/

Step 3: Pass the IELTS exams (English exams)

The dreaded IELTS exams is the hardest step which many Kenyan Registered Nurses never get past. The IELTS exams are divided into 4 sections which are; Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing.

• For Speaking, Listening, and Reading, the required passmark is Band 7.
• To pass the Writing section, the required grade is Band 6.5.

To apply for the IELTS exams, one has to pay around 30,000 Kenyan Shillings.

Due to the seriousness and difficulty of the IELTS exams, some Kenyan Registered Nurses do pay private institutions or individuals for training. The average cost of training may be 10,000 Kenyan Shillings.

Step 4: Register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

To register with the NMC, Kenya nurses have to pay between 25,000 to 28,000 Kenyan Shillings (the Kenyan shilling tends to fluctuate a lot).

Avoid making mistakes when registering with the NMC because it may be difficult to reach the NMC to rectify the mistakes.

When registering with the NMC, you have to be specific on whether you’re specialized in a certain area e.g Pediatric nurse.

The specialty you choose while registering with the NMC, is the one you do exams for. For example, if you choose Mental Health Nurse, you’ll do a CBT exam for Mental Health.

Research widely before you choose a specialty; if not, just choose the General Nurse option.

• Note: You don’t need any specialty to relocate from Kenya to the United Kingdom as a nurse.

The NMC sends a link to the NCK and requests for your verification.

Step 5: National Council of Kenya (NCK) Verification

You have to pay around 12,000 Kenyan Shillings to be verified by the NCK.

You also have to have the following documents; high school certificate, NCK certificate, medical letter, National Employment Authority form duly filled and printed, Police Clearance Certificate, and Nursing School certificate.

The NCK gives you a form for auto migration. Fill that form and refrain from mentioning negative things about why you’re leaving Kenya (e.g saying that you hate Kenya) because they might prevent you from proceeding to the next step). To be on the safe side, you could mention that you’re relocating for career development/advancement.

The NCK takes 1 or 2 weeks to reply to the NMC to inform them that you’re (the nurse) licensed.

Step 6: NMC emails you (6^th step of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse)

The NMC will now email you to inform you that you’ve been verified. Keep the email because you’re going to need it later. Keep the email from the NMC in PDF format. The email from the NMC is an important step in the process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse.

Step 7: Pearson VUE emails you

Pearson VUE will email you to give you your account logins, which you will use to book the CBT exams.

Step 8: Pass the CBT exams (8^th step of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse)

To book the CBT exams in Kenya, you have to pay around 15,000 Kenyan Shillings.

The CBT exams are said to be much easier compared to other exams.

For the CBT, you get the exam results within 30 minutes after leaving the exam room.

Step 9: Decide whether or not to do the OSCE exam in Kenya (or wait and do it in the UK)

The OSCE exams can be done either in Kenya or in the United Kingdom after relocation.

• Note that not doing it in Kenya can never affect the process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse.
• If you fail the OSCE exam, you can do the exam again after 6 months. However, if you fail the OSCE 3 times, NHS contract states that your Certificate of Sponsorship shall be withdrawn, which could lead to Kenyan deported from the UK.

Step 10: Applying for Registered Nurse jobs in the UK

When applying for a job remember to structure your CV well to UK standard, and also optimize your application letter to the keywords mentioned in the job posting. Read the job description well to fill in good supporting information.

Cold emails: Sending cold emails to potential employers can open doors to unexpected opportunities, allowing you to showcase your skills and enthusiasm directly to decision-makers. It demonstrates proactive initiative, showing that you’re willing to go the extra mile to pursue your career goals. Additionally, it can lead to networking connections and job interviews that might not have been possible through traditional application methods. Check out our cold email templates.

Best Platforms for Kenyan Registered Nurses to Look for Nurse Jobs in the UK

(a) TRAC Jobs (you have to create an account in order to log in)

(b) Indeed.com

For many job seekers, Indeed.com has been helpful in the process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse.

(c) LinkedIn

LinkedIn is an awesome avenue to explore for people thinking of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse.

(d) Recruitment agencies. For example; HCL Workforce Solutions, TFS Healthcare, Pro Health 24 Limited, Cpl Healthcare, Pulse Nursing, Day Webster, and Virtus Recruitment. For some, recruitment agencies are important for the process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse.

(e) Healthcare Facility Websites: Some hospitals and healthcare facilities in the United Kingdom post job openings directly on their websites. It’s worth checking the career sections of specific hospitals or healthcare organizations. Send cold emails to potential employers, even though the haven’t advertised for job opportunities yet.

(f) Specialized Nursing Websites: There are websites dedicated to nursing jobs, such as Nursing Times Jobs and RCN Bulletin Jobs, where international nurses can find job listings and resources specific to the nursing profession.

(g) Government Programs: Some government programs facilitate the recruitment of Kenyan Registered Nurses to address staffing shortages in the healthcare sector. These programs often have specific eligibility criteria and application processes. One of the programs that recruit Kenyan nurses to work in the UK and other countries includes the NHS International Recruitment.

(h) Professional Nursing Associations: Professional associations like the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) may offer job boards or resources for international nurses looking to work in the United Kingdom.

Step 11: After getting a job, the employer sends you the job offer

Please read the job offer thoroughly. Some job offers may state that you have to pay the employer thousands of pounds if you break (fail to complete) the contract. Some jobs have an employment contract for up to 5 years, which may be torture if the work environment is toxic. For most jobs, the contract is 3 years. From the job offer, make sure you know how much is the salary and if the employer provides accommodation for you.

Step 12: You receive the Certificate of Sponsorship (COS)

Job offers are normally followed by the long-awaited Certificate of Sponsorship. You need the COS to apply for a visa.

Step 13: Pass a TB test (13^th Step of the Process of Relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse)

The TB test in Kenya is done in Gigiri at the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The TB test cost in Kenya is around 16,500 Kenya Shillings.

Step 14: Visa Application

For the UK visa application, you need to pay around 36,000 Kenyan shillings. You also need to pay an extra 3,500 Kenya shillings for visa processing.

After paying for the Visa, go to the TLS building for the biometrics. Remember to carry documents such as passport, TB certificate, IELTS certificate, CBT certificate, NCK certificate, university/nursing certificate.

The 5-year UK Work Visa costs about 72,000 Kenya shillings.

The 3-year UK Work Visa costs around 36,000 Kenya shillings.

You need to have a Police Clearance Certificate which should not be older than 6 months by the time of visa application.

• Note that it takes about 14 days to get the Police Clearance Certificate unless it is a priority visa (you pay more for a priority visa).

Some employers may sponsor your visa, others require you to pay for the visa.

It takes about 3 weeks to get a United Kingdom visa after application.

Step 15: Book your flight from Kenya to the UK (the final process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse)

After receiving your visa, you need to book your flight. A plane ticket from Kenya to the UK costs about 70,000 Kenyan shillings.

Diverse Employment Opportunities for International Registered Nurses in the UK

Kenyan Registered Nurses in the United Kingdom can find employment opportunities (or part-time jobs) in various settings beyond hospitals and nursing homes. Here are some examples:

• Community Health Centers
  
  
• Mental Health Facilities
  
  
• Rehabilitation Centers
  
  
• Hospices
  
  
• Schools and Universities (as school nurses or nurse educators)
  
  
• Government Agencies (such as public health departments)
  
  
• Private Clinics and Medical Practices
  
  
• Occupational Health Services
  
  
• Pharmaceutical Companies (as medical representatives or research nurses)
  
  
• Nonprofit Organizations (providing healthcare services or advocacy)
  
  
• Military Healthcare Facilities
  
  
• Home Health Agencies (providing in-home care services)
  
  
• Telehealth Companies (providing remote healthcare services)
  
  
• Corporate Health and Wellness Programs
  
  
• Medical Research Institutions and Clinical Trials
  
  

These settings offer diverse opportunities for Kenyan Registered Nurses to apply their skills and contribute to various aspects of healthcare delivery and patient care in the UK.

Conclusion

The process of relocating from Kenya to the UK for a Kenyan Registered Nurse may seem complex but it is quite fulfilling, once completed. With the increasing availability of job vacancies in the UK for Kenyans, especially in the healthcare sector, the prospects for Kenyan Registered Nurses working abroad continue to be promising. As Kenya Registered Nurses in the UK, individuals contribute not only to their personal and professional growth but also to the enhancement of healthcare delivery in both nations.

While navigating through the relocation process, aspiring nurses need to stay informed about overseas jobs for Kenyans and the requirements, including Registered Nurses exams in Kenya and the UK. By equipping themselves with the necessary knowledge and resources, Kenyan nurses can embark on this transformative journey with confidence, enriching their careers and embracing new experiences in the United Kingdom.