NEU Stories | Real Stories by Real Healthcare Professionals

Karen Glover - From South Africa to the UK - Overcoming life’s challenges and the resilience needed to succeed.

This is the inspiring story of Karen Glover, a nurse and midwife by profession, born in the UK but raised in South Africa, who has built an impressive healthcare career back in the UK. Karen is deeply passionate about her work, achieving considerable success and even establishing her own private midwifery practice. She is also dedicated to making a difference, particularly in the realms of international recruitment and supporting internationally trained staff in the UK. Karen shares her experiences with life’s challenges and the importance of resilience. After retiring, she chose to return to work following the loss of her husband. However, due to struggles with bureaucracy and various legal requirements—such as her international midwifery qualifications not being recognised in the UK—she was unable to practise as a registered nurse or midwife for two years. Instead, she took on a role as a healthcare assistant, well below her level of expertise. Karen’s resilience helped her rise through the ranks, and now, over ten years later, she is a Senior Manager for International Recruitment at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She now supports other internationally trained nurses and midwives, helping them achieve the roles they deserve in their careers. REMINDER: All NHS 3rd-party recruiters, including NEU Professionals, are regulated by NHS Employers and their Code of Practice for International Recruitment, we are not able to accept applications from residents of any of the countries listed on the following link: ⁠https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List [https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List ]

Extreme travel conditions - The Dubai flooding and how NEU Professionals supported me

In April 2024, Thabo was traveling to the UK with three other nurses when extreme weather conditions made their journey more difficult than expected, leaving them stranded in Dubai. He reflects on the support he received during this challenging time, when the situation seemed at its worst. The NEU team was always on the other end of the phone, standing by him through thick and thin to ensure his safety and well-being. Thabo admitted, “Sometimes I asked myself, when do they sleep? (...) they were more worried about me than I was worried about myself. It reassured me to say I've got people who care, people who are saying: we want this person to arrive safely". This is a perfect example of exceptional pastoral care, and we couldn’t be prouder. REMINDER: All NHS 3rd-party recruiters, including NEU Professionals, are regulated by NHS Employers and their Code of Practice for International Recruitment, we are not able to accept applications from residents of any of the countries listed on the following link: ⁠https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List. [https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List ]

Chilanzi Yunda - Band 6 Registered Mental Health Nurse

Last December, Catherine spoke with Chilanzi about her international recruitment experience with NEU Professionals. Together they discuss the entire recruitment and relocation process, from Chilanzi's decision to advance her career at the NHS in England, the NHS interview process, the concerns of temporarily leaving her family behind in her home country while she studies for the OSCE and settles in a new country, and the value of setting goals for yourself. Chilanzi gives valuable advice for any internationally recruited healthcare professional about how to make the cultural adjustment easier, by reaching out to friends, family, colleagues, and members of their faith to make the transition easier and ensure support throughout the first few months. REMINDER: All NHS 3rd-party recruiters, including NEU Professionals, are regulated by NHS Employers and their Code of Practice for International Recruitment, we are not able to accept applications from residents of any of the countries listed on the following link: https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List [https://bit.ly/NHS-Red-List ]

Jayne Connery - Director / Founder Care Campaign for the Vulnerable

In this very special edition, it's a privilege to have Jayne Connery as our guest, from the Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCFTV). CCFTV partners with significant care homes supporting independent safety monitoring systems to protect to the vulnerable elderly. "CCFTV acknowledges the invaluable role of care homes in providing essential support and rehabilitation for individuals discharged from hospital settings. These facilities often serve as sanctuaries for recovery, offering compassionate care and personalised assistance tailored to the unique needs of each resident. The dedication and compassion demonstrated by care home staff are commendable and deserve recognition and support from policymakers" - Jayne Connery We also talk about NEU Professionals DO-IT Communications Skills for Safe Care. We are dedicated to supporting the hardworking and committed staff in UK Care Homes with FREE TRAINING to enhance their communication skills. As we all know, effective communication is the key to providing safe and excellent care. Join us in this exciting opportunity to develop your skills and provide the best possible care to our community. Click here [https://www.carecampaignforthevulnerable.com/] to know more about the Care Campaign for the Vulnerable (CCFTV).

Hasan - Mental Health Nurse from Iraq

In this episode, Catherine J. Morrison, NEU Project Manager, and Hasan, Mental Health Nurse from Iraq, discuss the three exams necessary for international nurses: OET, CBT and OSCE. Hassan assures his application process with NEU Professionals was quite easy and straightforward, and his recruitment consultant was very helpful in preparing him for his interview! Listen to his motivational story and don't forget to click on the notifications button to be the first to know about our latest NEU Nurses podcasts. If you, like Hasan, wish to move your healthcare career to the U.K. please send us your CV, passport copy and English certificate to apply@neuprofessionals.com