Following an investigation into a test center in Nigeria, the regulatory body has warned that over 500 Nigerian midwives and nurses working in the UK may be kicked off. Pearson VUE, which conducts the test on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recently called the regulators attention to an ‘anomalous data’ at one of its third-party CBT test sites in Ibadan, Nigeria, and has temporarily suspended activities there. NMC stated that individuals who took and passed tests at the center may have been granted “fraudulent or improper” access to the nursing register in Britain.
To join the nursing list, internationally educated professionals must pass a two-part test of competence: a Computer-Based Test (CBT), typically taken in the candidate’s home country, and an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) in the UK. This is done to be assured they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. Questions on the test range from basic skills to more complex topics like prescription dosage calculations and patient care. A total of 512 persons on the register took their CBT at the testing center, which is around 5% of all registered Nigerians.
Proper procedures would be followed to remove names if necessary.
The NMC has contacted them via letter to clarify the situation and inform them that an investigation is ongoing to determine whether or not they gained fraudulent or incorrect entry to the register. It was also noted that several applicants who had previously passed the center’s exam had their applications pending. Furtherly, it stated that protecting the public by preserving the policy’s credibility is a top priority and stressed the importance of conducting investigations of individuals in an objective and open manner, free of bias.
A review conducted by Pearson VUE from all data linked from every other center shows that there is no evidence of similar activities at any other center. NMC Chief Executive and Registrar Andrea Sutcliffe has stated that only data from a single test location in Nigeria is out of the ordinary and raises concerns. To ensure the safety of the general public and those receiving health treatments, he assured that proper procedures would be followed to deny registration or remove names from the register if necessary. Only about 500 out of 771,445 total professionals are affected by this.
Candidates’ tests are made free so they could retake it.
It was also noted that they must have passed in Nigeria before being added to the register, and there have been no complaints regarding their competence to work. Many thousands of nurses and midwives who had their training outside of the UK have recently joined the register and are providing safe, effective, and kind care to patients all around the country. More so, the nursing industry in the UK is increasingly dependent on foreign workers and a fifth of the UK’s international nursing recruits came from ‘red list’ countries such as Nigeria where the NHS is banned from poaching nurses.
To resolve the issue, the NMC has been actively working with Pearson VUE to investigate relevant data and evidence. Even the complete registration applications of new members are reviewed and candidates’ tests are made free so they could retake it. However, it will be up to them to decide whether or not to take another test. Anyone who does not retake is not guaranteed to be admitted to or allowed to remain on the list, but it will influence the NMC’s ultimate decision.
Action will be taken if anyone is added in an improper way.
As stated, each case will be evaluated and assessed whether or not individuals gain improper or fraudulent acceptance to the register on the basis of evidence, including whether or not interim orders are necessary. Whereas it was made quite apparent that action will be taken if anyone has been added to the register through an improper or fraudulent way. Nevertheless Individuals are being investigated in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner that is open to public scrutiny.
Related Link
NMC: Website
Over 500 Nigerian nurses could be delisted. – Investigation is ongoing to determine whether they had improper entry. – Express your point of view.
Nursing is a prestigious profession. Thus, it is important that we nurses are inducted in the right way and manner. They should not be appointed in a corrupt manner.
Over 500 Nigerian nurses could be delisted. If they are not qualified for being nurse, they can be delisted instead to avoid complications because the right thing most be done
Those who are not qualify should be delisted nurse is a work u should if u are qualify and capable people life are at risk
The NMC should be thorough with the ongoing investigation and make sure they take stringent action against anyone found guilty of making the list through fraudulent way.
Anything relating to medical health position is critical and all procedure needs to be met before assuming such position. Seeing some pearlz might have get on the list through dubious way is devastating. They should delisted and punished if found.
The delisting of over 500 Nigerian nurses is a concerning development that highlights the need for urgent action to address the challenges facing the nursing profession in the country. This requires a concerted effort by all gov’ts and private owners to invest in nursing education and training, improve working conditions and incentives, and prioritize the welfare of healthcare workers.
It is sad to see that over 500 Nigerian nurses will be delisted. Such act of fake certificate and mode of operations in Nigeria is being exported to foreign land again. Please, proper investigation should be carried out and the right action should be taken to bring to rest this nonsense.
500 Nigeria nurses are not qualified for being nurse, they should be delisted for it. We want a good and qualified nurses in Nigeria. Health is wealth
Over 500 Nigerian nurses practicing in UK could be delisted what happened? how did they arrive at fake entry? Please, proper investigation should be conducted for verifications.