University of Northampton’s key role in ensuring international nurses’ skills are of the highest quality

The University of Northampton has been recognised for the key role it plays in ensuring that internationally-educated nurses and midwives’ skills are up to vigorous UK standards, with the renewal of a three-year contract to vet competency.

The University is home to the UK’s first Competence Test Centre, where nurses and midwives who completed their training outside of Europe undertake a practical clinical assessment before becoming eligible to join the Nursing and Midwifery Council’s (NMC) register. The test ensures that nurses’ skills are assessed in a robust and objective way, in order to protect the public.

The University of Northampton has recently had its Competence Test Centre contract extended for a further three years. To meet increased demand, the University has created a larger testing facility based in Northampton town centre, which will have increased space and be easily commutable via train. The new facility will open for testing on Monday 20 March.

Dr Steve O’Brien, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Health and Society, commented: “Since we opened our Competence Test Centre in 2014, over 3,000 nurses have taken the test here at the University of Northampton. As a Faculty, we are looking forward to continuing our support to the Nursing and Midwifery Council over the next few years for candidates obtaining their registration to work in the UK.”

The Competence Test Centre, currently based at the University’s Park campus, was opened by Jackie Smith (Chief Executive and Registrar of the NMC) in November 2014. For more information regarding the competence testing, visit the webpage.