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Working as a Nurse in Scotland
In Scotland, there is a shortage of over 1000 nurses and midwives, especially senior nurses and particularly in care of the elderly units.
Most nurses in Scotland work in the NHS, the National Health Service (in hospitals and in the community). The NHS is one of Scotland's largest employers and offers an incredible range of employment opportunities in the area of nursing. Other employers are the armed forces, schools, colleges and universities, private healthcare providers, the prison service and some private companies.
Can I work as a nurse in Scotland?
Yes. If you qualified within the EEA. EEA nationals do not require any formal permission to enter the UK and there is no time limit on their stay. Nationals from countries other than the EEA wishing to come to Scotland to take up employment need to meet certain conditions.
Do I need to be registered?
All nurses, midwives and specialist community public health nurses who wish to practice in the UK (including Scotland) must be on the
Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) Register.
How much do nurses get paid?
NHS employees are paid on a rising scale within defined pay bands, according to their skills and responsibilities. Since April 2008:
- Newly qualified nurses earn between £20,225- £26,123 per year
- Nurse team leaders earns between £24,103-£32,653 per year
- Nurse team managers earns between £29,091-£38,352 per year
- Matrons and nurse consultants can earn up to £64,118 per year, depending on responsibilities
Working hours
Nurses work a basic 37.5-hour week. Shift work is usual, some employers offer flexi-time working, and overtime is common.
Help for nurses who qualified overseas
Internationally Qualified Nurses Initiative (IQN)
The Scottish Government supports, through NHS Education for Scotland, a funded scheme for Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN) currently living within the UK (including Scotland). This is for nurses who qualified outside the EEA and are seeking an
Overseas Nursing Programme (ONP) to achieve NMC registration in the UK, and gain employment within the NHS in Scotland.
ONPs are delivered through several universities in Scotland, and candidates must be supported by an NHS employer to enable them to work in a clinical environment for practice placement. Please check with individual universities to find out if they participate in the ONP.
Glasgow Caledonian University's Glasgow Overseas Professionals in Practice (GOPiP) project was set up to adapt the skills of nurses and midwives educated overseas, for work in the Scottish NHS.
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