Rebecca Dunne an Irish staff nurse recounts how she came to work in an NHS hospital in London.
Rebecca graduated from Trinity College School of Nursing a couple of years ago, just as the economy took a nosedive. With very few nursing posts available to her in her own country, Rebecca chose to look into options of a nursing profession overseas and applied to the NHS, the National Health Service of the UK. “Having just graduated, I wanted to practice my nursing skills immediately”, commented Rebecca, “I heard of the excellent reputation the NHS has in recruiting graduates as well as the offer of ongoing professional development to staff”.
Not knowing where to start with the daunting recruitment process for the UK or how to obtain the necessary registration documents, Rebecca began a search on the internet on various nursing forums to see which employment agencies other nurses recommended for NHS jobs. This is how she found Kate Cowhig International Healthcare Recruitment (KCR). Other nurses had posted their experiences with nursing agencies and had mentioned KCR’s excellent personalised service from start to endpoint.
“I decided to email my CV to Kate Cowhig International Healthcare Recruitment, they called me the next day! All of the interview process and later the recruitment was conducted in a very professional manner”.
Rebecca comments that Kate Cowhig’s staff took her step by step through the recruitment process; from creating an impactful CV, passing the pre-screening test, assisting with the NMC (Nursing & Midwifery Council) registration process and last but not least, how to succeed the interview process with the NHS Trust Hospital in London.
“Before my arrival to the UK, I already knew where I was going to live, in which ward I was going to work and how much money I should take with me to help with expenses for the first month. When I arrived in the UK, Kate Cowhig Staff were waiting at the airport to take me to my accommodation and to the hospital. KCR continued to keep in contact with me to ensure that I was settled and happy working as a staff nurse at the NHS Trust in London. ”
“I couldn’t have asked for a smoother transition of leaving home, my family and friends and starting a new life as a NHS nurse without the full support I received from Kate Cowhig’s wonderful staff. They were so helpful not just in assisting me in getting the role but also with moving to another country and what that entails”.
According to Rebecca, everyone at KCR was ‘fabulous and very approachable’ and she would totally recommend the company to everyone in the healthcare professions. Commenting on what she thought of Kate Cowhig Recruitment, Rebecca refers to their provision of a serious and professional service while maintaining a friendly manner.
“I can literally say that there was nothing else that could have been done for me. If in the future I am ever looking for another employment opportunity, I will not hesitate in contacting them”.
Rebecca’s reasons for becoming a nurse were almost instinctive. ”I have always wanted to have a career in which I change lives. In nursing, I could possibly even save lives. I absolutely love to help people. I think it is the most fulfilling thing in the world and nursing allows me to do this on a daily basis”’.
Rebecca finds that working in the NHS hospital provides opportunities and variety. She earns respects among her peers and nursing colleagues and is a valuable member of a multidisciplinary team, working on a busy ward where she can use her nursing skills to provide quality patient care.
Rebecca believes that joining an NHS hospital was a very good career move. There are many benefits within the NHS. Some benefits include the opportunity for professional development, excellent salary, 27 days holiday and 8 bank holidays, plus assistance with accommodation. Working as an NHS nurse comes highly recommended.
