International Recruitment to the Community – QNI and NHSE/I Collaborate on New Project

The Queen’s Nursing Institute (QNI) has launched a new project to support the work of NHS England & NHS Improvement, to facilitate the recruitment of Registered Nurses from overseas to NHS community organisations in England.

The QNI project seeks to understand what would attract a nurse to work within an NHS community service, and the enablers and barriers to international recruitment to community provider organisations. The project will also give support to the six pilot sites currently participating in the NHS International Recruitment (IR) scheme.

Objectives of the project include establishing a Community of Practice for workforce leads in community healthcare providers planning to recruit internationally; development of case studies focussed on nurses trained abroad or internationally recruited who are working in the community, a series of events, and an award for an exemplar IR community nurse.

The QNI will work with NHS Employers to produce an addendum to the International Recruitment toolkit, with examples specific to community service providers.

The project also aims to provide useful information for international nurses already working in England as well as those who might be considering a move to England.

Esther Kirby, the QNI’s IR Project Manager commented:

“I am delighted to be working on this important collaborative project between NHS England & NHS Improvement and the QNI. Bringing skilled nurses from other countries to the UK is a key part of the NHS workforce plan, but this is the first time there has been a strategic project to facilitate overseas recruitment directly into community service providers. It is hoped that the learning from this project will be of benefit to community services across England.”

Duncan Burton, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for England commented:

“This is an important project that we are pleased to be working in partnership with the Queen’s Nursing Institute to deliver. International nurses are central to the NHS workforce, and this project and the pilot sites involved will help to strengthen community services, our support to new international nurses and care for patients across the country.”

Sam Sherrington, Head of Community Nursing, NHS England & NHS Improvement commented:

“Internationally trained nurses have played a central role in the NHS since its inception in 1948. They have brought in a wealth of experience and skills caring for our patients in community settings. These nurses continue to play a central role in the delivery of the NHS long term plan.

“This is an exciting piece of work with the QNI to showcase community nursing internationally and provide support for community organisations to attract more internationally trained nurses. The project aims at developing high standards for international recruitment, pastoral care on the transition to life in England, preparation for the OSCE exams, accommodation and career progression pathways to support nurses who have decided to move to work as a community nurse in England. We look forward to welcoming them into our community nursing family. “

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

QNI project page: https://www.qni.org.uk/nursing-in-the-community/international-recruitment-to-the-community/

NHS International Recruitment in Nursing https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/international-recruitment/

Biography of Esther Kirby: https://www.qni.org.uk/people/esther-kirby/