NMC opens new test centre for nurses trained overseas

A new centre to test the competence of nurses and midwives who trained overseas has been opened by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

The regulator has stated the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) centre, based at Oxford Brookes University, will increase capacity and lead to shorter waiting times.

In order to join the NMC’s register, nurses and midwives trained outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) must successfully take a two-part test of competence.

The first part is computer-based and can be taken anywhere in the world. If successful, applicants can then take the OSCE in the UK. 

Increasing capacity to meet demands

An existing OSCE centre opened at the University of Northampton two years ago and increased its capacity this year to meet demand, according to the NMC.

The new test centre will offer the test of competence across two sites in Oxford and Swindon and will be open for booking from December this year.  A third UK test centre is also likely to be introduced early in 2017.

NMC chief executive Jackie Smith said the regulator recognised the ‘invaluable contribution’ to the UK by nurses and midwives trained outside the EU and EEA.

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