After my one year internship, I started looking for employment, armored with my well crafted CV and a heart full of confidence and optimism. I believed that my qualification and passion for nursing was all I needed. If someone had told me that several months down the line, having knocked on all doors of big, medium and small hospitals in Nairobi I would have no meaningful employment, I would have argued that I'm allergic to negative energy. In fact, toxicity.
After some months, the bursts of energy evolve to disillusionment and then frustration and finally desperation. That's when decisions have to be made. Decisions to leave the comfort of friends and family, amazing weather, tasty food and everything you've known all your life. The next few months become like a race against an imaginary opponent, characterized by a roller coaster of anxiety, excitement and fear. But being the determined person I am, exactly six months later, I found myself on a Qatar Airbus headed for London Gatwick Airport. Excited? Yes. Scared? 1000%.
The process of Coming to England and adjusting to the environment is not for the faint-hearted, but it is totally worth it. Therefore, any nurse who is looking for better working condition, good remuneration and even just adventure should consider relocating to the UK and other countries like the US, Ireland, Australia and Canada. The steps to take to become a UK Registered Nurse are:
Making the Decision
IELTS
NMC Registration
Interview
VISA Application
The first step may seem obvious but I believe it is the most fundamental. As I mentioned, the process will be tough. It will demand time, meeting deadlines, printing, scanning, exams, some more printing and scanning, doubt, just to mention a few. This only means that before you do anything, make sure you are in knee deep with both feet. Have the end in mind, know what you want and why you want it because this is all you will have on some rainy days. For me, I wanted permanent and gainful employment. I wanted exposure to quality healthcare. I wanted to learn the ideal nursing procedures. I wanted access to education in the Ivy League. And the end goal, improving nursing in the motherland.
Ps. I will give details of each step in the coming weeks.