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Nursing staff from the European Union

Recognising the contribution that nursing staff from other countries in the EEA make to health care in the UK

Nursing staff from other countries in the European Economic Area (EEA)* make a huge contribution to health and care services in the UK, but despite this, the Government is yet to guarantee the rights of these nursing staff to remain here after the UK’s departure from the EU in 2019.

As part of our commitment to supporting our members from other EEA countries and getting the Government to recognise their rights, we are showcasing the the personal accounts we receive from you. Related RCN guidance and briefings are also available from here. 

Share your story

Are you an RCN member from another country in the EEA nursing in the UK? Or are you working with colleagues from other EEA countries? Share your personal account to highlight to the valuable contribution nurses from other countries in the EEA make to health and care services in the UK.
Ismalia

I came to UK in 2009 after qualifying in Portugal and started working as staff nurse in one of the eight hyper-acute stroke units that opened at that time. Stroke services in London were being re-developed and I had the opportunity to contribute to that important agenda alongside many other nurses from the EU.

Seven years on and I'm now a Stroke Clinical Nurse Specialist and a member of the RCN Neuroscience Forum Committee, improving the lives of people who have strokes locally, regionally and nationally. The Government should recognise my right to remain in the UK, along with my EU nursing colleagues, as our contribution to leading, shaping and delivering health and care services is needed now more than ever.


Ismalia

Advice guide

Guidance for nursing staff from other EEA countries working in the UK.

EU nurses members briefing

What the RCN is doing following the UK's decision to leave the EU.

*The European Economic Area (EEA) includes all EU countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

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