This is an excellent time to be thinking about coming to the UK to work - either as a locum or to take up a permanent post - on account of the nationwide occupational shortage of healthcare professionals across a range of specialist areas.

Pulse Connexions has extensive international recruitment experience, which means we are well-placed to help with all aspects of the relocation process as well as finding the most suitable employment opportunities for you.


Depending on your individual circumstances and preferences, we can offer you the choice of joining Universal Immigration Agency UK Ltd's locum team or taking up a suitable permanent post with a UK employer.

You can earn more as a locum, however you do need to have a flexible approach: locum assignments can vary in length from a few weeks to a several months, and you need to have an open mind on location and type of work. If you're visiting the UK to see different parts of the country, working as a locum would suit you very well.

Permanent posts will be more suitable for those who are bringing a spouse and/or family, who wish to settle in a specific area, or who have very specific career development aims. Pulse Connexions will identify the most suitable opportunities for you, co-ordinate interviews and negotiate the best possible salary and relocation package.

Whichever option you choose, Pulse Connexions is here to offer you the best advice and support available.


The UK is situated 20 miles from the rest of Europe and is linked by the Channel Tunnel and an abundance of air and ferry ports. This makes travelling to Europe quick and easy.

So, if you want to travel around the UK and Europe and English is one of your main languages then it makes sense to live and work in the UK whilst you do so.

The UK comprises of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. All of these countries are full of history with fantastic scenery and well-known landmarks. The UK has an excellent public and private transport system that makes travelling to and from work and for leisure very easy.

The UK has one of the most respected health systems in the world and has welcomed workers from other countries for many years.


In order to work as a registered nurse in the UK, an overseas trained nurse needs to:

• be able to speak English to a specified standard
• be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
• obtain an appropriate work permit for the UK
• obtain appropriate visa for entry to the UK
• have a confirmed offer of work in the UK

Most professions in the UK require you to register with a professional body. Once you register with Pulse Connexions we will help you with your registration application for the NMC.


The NMC is only enabled by law to accept applications from nurses who hold first level qualifications and are fully registered in their own country. Holders of any of the following or equivalent qualifications are not currently eligible to apply for registration in the UK:

• enrolled nurse
• enrolled midwife
• licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• vocational nurse
• community nurse
• state certified nurse
• staff nurse (South Africa)
• mother craft nurse
• nursery nurse

All nurses are assessed on an individual basis in terms of experience and education. Some applicants, whose training has been similar to that provided in the UK, may be registered with the NMC straight away; others may need to undertake further supervised clinical experience or training.


Most professions get professional indemnity cover through a union; however, you may want to arrange your own cover. Pulse Connexions advises that you have professional indemnity and we can provide you with a list of companies who supply it.


Some positions offer accommodation to temporary staff. For positions without accommodation, our consultants will be glad to help you arrange accommodation in the UK.


Pulse Connexions will set up a bank account for you upon arrival in the UK. This will allow you to get paid as soon as you start working. Please ask us for more information


If you want to drive in the UK you will need an international driving licence or an EEA Driving Licence.


As a worker in the UK you will be subject to the same taxes as a UK resident under the PAYE (Pay As You Earn) Scheme, which comprises of Income Tax and National Insurance Contributions.


The basic rate of Income Tax from April 2000 will be 22% on your taxable earnings. These rates are set by the Government and can vary from time to time.

You will need to fill out some forms relating to Income Tax but we will inform you of this and assist you when you register with Pulse Connexions .


National Insurance contributions help pay for some of the benefits that you may receive whilst working in the UK. This is also set by the Government and changes at the beginning of the Tax year (6th April). When you enter the UK and are intending to work, even for a short period, you must apply for a National Insurance number.


How much an individual nurse, midwife, health visitor or other health professional earns depends upon their skills and experience, their responsibilities and the hours that they work. The National Health Service (NHS) operates a national salary scale for nurses, midwives and other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) based upon a clinical grading system.

The following pay guidelines come from the Department of Health and are national scales, therefore exclusive of London Weighting and extra payments for unsociable hours i.e. weekends, night duties and bank holidays.

'A' grade nurses (Pay scale from £10,050 to £12,615 from 1st April 2003)
Untrained nurses, known as Health Care Assistants or auxillaries. 'A' grade nurses carry out many of the practical functions of ward work and the job entails a lot of 'hands on' nursing care.

'B' grade nurses (Pay scale from £11,825 to £13,920 from 1st April 2003)
Also untrained and known as Health Care Assistants or auxillaries, 'B' grades usually have either many years experience or have completed a National Vocational Qualifications course in care.

'C' grade nurses (Pay scales from £13,465 - £16,525 from 1st April 2003)
Some 'C' grade nurses are qualified to enrolled level.

'D' grade nurses (Pay scales from £16,525 - £18,240 from 1st April 2003)
'D' grade nurses are either enrolled nurses or this is the grade that a newly qualified, registered nurse starts at.

'E' grade nurses (Pay scales from £17,660 - £21,325 from 1st April 2003)
An 'E' grade nurse has usually had a minimum of 6 months post registration experience, but more usually a full year. Many specialities such as Intensive Care Units (ITU) or Accident and Emergency (A and E), will train their 'E' grade nurses in the speciality they have chosen. Nurses specialise by undertaking post-registration courses. 'E' grade nurses should be encouraged to gain valuable management experience, with supervision and guidance from more senior nurses.

'F' grade nurses (Pay scales from £19,585 - £25,360 from 1st April 2003)
'F' grade nurses are known as senior staff nurse or junior sister. They have usually one or two post registration courses and have specialised in a particular area of nursing. An 'F' grade nurse will have a considerable management role to play and in a ward setting, may be left 'in-charge' on a regular basis.

'G' grade nurses (Pay scales from £23,110 - £28,125 from 1st April 2003)
'G' grade nurses are 'Sisters' or 'Charge Nurses', (the title traditionally given to senior male nurses). It is usual for a 'G' grade nurse to have responsibility for an entire ward or unit and all the staff. They have a considerable management role to play, which invariably consists of more paperwork than 'hands-on' nursing, though of course this varies between specialities.

'H' grade nurses (Pay scales from £25,815 - £30,960 from 1st April 2003)
Once a nurse has reached this grade it is usually a management position and involves a lot of personnel management, as well as budgeting, recruitment and training.

'I' grade nurses (Pay scales from £28,590 - £33,820 from 1st April 2003)
This grade is personnel management, decision making, planning and policy.