Nurses without borders

Much has rightly been made of the threat to the NHS in the UK caused by the departure of continental nurses and the reluctance of trained nurses to come to this country, because of the climate of hostility to migrants. But there is another danger, in the short term at least. British-trained nurses who have recognised certification have the right to work throughout the EU with no questions asked.

Under EU law, the training requirements for nursing staff in general care were harmonised across all EU countries. To prove you are qualified to work as a nurse in your new country of choice, you only need to apply to the relevant authorities in that EU country. Within a few months, these should be recognised automatically, and you can start looking for work.

© auremar / Fotolia

To further ease your move, the authorities in the EU country where you choose to move cannot ask you for certified translations of your professional qualifications, nor may they require certified translations of standard documents, such as identity cards, or passports. Obtaining a European Professional Card enables you to communicate with the authorities within a secure network. The card is electronic proof that your professional qualifications have been recognised. Finally, the EU also introduced Europass, a tool that helps you to present your skills and qualifications clearly and easily, to help you move for work throughout Europe.

One can picture a scenario in which a nurse qualifies in Wales, obtains employment on the continent attracted by the better working conditions and (probably) pay, then finds that her new country of residence is willing to grant citizenship or at least permission to stay while she or he works for that country's health service. So there would be a net loss to our NHS.

(https://epthinktank.eu/2018/06/23/nurses-without-borders-what-europe-does-for-you/)