|
The UK
regulatory body for the nursing and midwifery
professions today advised Bulgarian and Romanian nurses
and midwives coming to work in the UK to check that
their qualifications meet European Union standards.
Welcoming the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to EU on
1 January 2007, the Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC)
reminded all EU nationals that they must be registered
with the NMC in order to practise in the UK.
In order to register with the NMC, applicants must
demonstrate that they possess relevant and recognised
professional qualifications. Not all Bulgarian and
Romanian nationals who have been working as nurses and
midwives in their home countries will be eligible to
practise in the UK. Only those holding qualifications
that comply with the European
Nursing Directive will be able to do so.
Bulgarian nurses will only be able to apply for
registration if they hold a specific qualification,
which has been awarded since 1 January 2000.Those
holding older qualifications, i.e. those issued in
Bulgaria before 31 December 1999 will not be allowed to
join the register.
Bulgarian midwives will similarly only be able to apply
for registration if they hold a specific degree-level
professional qualification.
Romanian Nurses holding a certificat de competente
profesionale de asistent medical generalist with post
secondary education from a scoala postliceala will be
eligible to apply for registration. A qualification as
an asistent medical obstetrica-ginecologie will enable
Romanian midwives to apply to join the UK register.
It should be noted that these regulations apply only to
Bulgarian or Romanian nationals, not to nationals of
other non-EU countries who have obtained any of the
above qualifications in Bulgaria or Romania. Nationals
of any other non-EU country must apply to join the
register as overseas nationals.
The NMC also reminded applicants that there are no
arrangements for 'fast-'track' registration for
individuals or recruitment agencies. Individual nurses
and midwives who pay an agency to submit an application
on their behalf will be wasting their time and money as
all registration applications are dealt with on a
first-come, first-served basis.
NMC Vice President Moi Ali said: "I'm delighted Bulgaria
and Romania have joined the European Union, and welcome
nurses and midwives from those countries wishing to
practise here. But in order to avoid unnecessary
disappointment, I urge applicants to make sure they have
only those professional qualifications recognised across
the EU, before embarking on the process of registration
with the NMC. Only those nurses and midwives who meet
the NMC's standards for professional qualifications and
training are allowed on to the register. This is in
order to ensure that practitioners, patients and the
public remain safe".
|
Work Permits
