This post on things to do when you get to UK as a Healthcare workerwas curated and developed from the original post of the popular "Olabode Peculiar" who is an admin of "Life in UK for nurses" telegram group.
First thing first, Welcome to UK. Here, you see the other side of the world! We have curated this list of things to do when you get to UK to help you before/when you get to the UK.

1. Landing in UK: OMG, you want to have some clean photos first! Lol! Then you want to text them back HOME that you have arrived. Pls note that the airport has a free wifi. You can connect to this and get in touch with people back home. This is because many people are disconnected from their home network or internet access. Just put on your wifi, connect to the airport secured network address and continue with the prompts (you may be asked for email and need to click on proceed/connect before the wifi connects). Habibi, welcome to UK.

2. Transporting yourself to your location: There are various options to get ready for the cardless transaction world of UK. One of the problems identified with UK-JJC (slang for newcomer) is how to get to their destination.

• Get a friend who can collect you from the airport.
• Download uber, link your DOM card to the wallet and fund it if you can or leave the card linked (as you may not be able to pay by cash for uber). For places where uber is not accessible, have a background idea of taxi fee to you destination (budget max 150 pounds cash)
• if you can set up your google pay (if your phone uses NFC option), that is equally good.
• Research into travel expenses/cost to your location before coming to UK, helps your preparation.

3. Simcards: Before going to your destination, you can buy simcards at the airport too. Simcards are as cheap as less than a pound. There are lots of providers and you may be confused. There are options like giff gaff, EE network, 3 network, Lebara etc. Before coming, you could check each providers website for coverage tester to see which one has good network at your destination (your destination postcode) for 5g or better 4g. If you couldnt do this at the airport, your friend (in UK) can order one for you and it will be delivered to your destination. So, one other thing- have a friend before coming. (Lol). You can also check HERE.

4. Later on when you get ready to subscribe for a data, its advisable to contact your provider to set up a plan (this can be data only or both calls/sms/data), this will help you have a credit history which makes it easy to start having a score. We will talk about credit ratings/score later on.

5. Isolation: This was when COVID was hot. Completion of your 10days mandatory quarantine period and your day 2 and day 8 covid test if you are unvaccinated. Please do not go out or violate this, your employment can be terminated and you might be reported to your governing council for actionable penalty. In similar vein, always check covid guidelines fromgov.ukwebsite. This rule is variable and dependent on Covid patterns. Rely ongov.ukto get the latest about this.

6. Opening a bank account: If you are isolating in your accommodation you can open a Revolut/Monzo bank account. (link has a harmless referral code)

It is an online account and a reliable one. To open a Monzo account either go to their websitehttps://monzo.com/i/current-account/or download the application on playstore and follow the instruction. It is as easy as ABC
When completing the form for tax country put Nigeria while for your tax ID put your passport number
Your account will be opened within 12hrs and your atm card will be delivered to you within 3 days (as advertised)
Everything is free of charge
After your quarantine you can then open a bank account with barclays, HSBC etc depending on what your employer wants you to use.

Lastly, on opening of bank account do not open more than 2 bank accounts within 6 months as it will affect your credit score. We will talk about credit score later.
However, because of credit rating, manage to open only one account within the space of 6 months. I would say one is enough unless your daddy is Dangote.

7. Collect your BRP

Getting your BRP (British Residency Permit), Scan your brp on your phone and keep it somewhere safe. You dont need to go out with your passport or your BRP. If you ever travel outside UK, go with your brp otherwise you wont be allowed back into UK without it.We have seen cases where people left UK without it got into issues on way back.

8. Continue to prepare for your professional exams (for nurses - OSCE)

Osce has since developed but you can check our upcoming posts on OSCE.

9. Register to vote and for your name to be added to the electoral register. Here, you need credibility to access many things and one of them is signing up to vote in UK. You can do that via: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-voteand I recommend you do that as soon as you have your brp. So that you will be eligible to vote and it will boost your credit score as lenders will be able to trust you that you are a responsible citizen.

Do this as soon as you confirm your residence. This would help with your credit ratings.

10. Register for a temporary driving licence (it doesnt matter whether you can drive or not and it cost 34). The temporary driving licence will serve as additional UK identity card and is valid for 10yrs. You can do so https://www.gov.uk/apply-first-provisional-driving-licence. Trust me, you will need it.

11. As soon as you pass your osce and you have your PIN, set up a direct debit for your professional license renewal. Many people default revalidation simply by missing out on payment. Just set up direct debit so that when you get debits, you know you are closer to your revalidation/renewal.

12. JOIN a professional association, RCN is recommended for nurses (by HWBio). You qualify for a first year discount so you will be paying about 8 pounds per month. Pls, do not delay on this. If you get into any issue at work and you need help, your professional body is the first call. If the issue happened before you join them, it may not be regarded. So, it is important to belong to a professional union. https://www.rcn.org.uk/membership

13. Blue light card: This is a discount card for anyone working in the NHS so if you purchase where the card is accepted, you are open to numerous discount opportunities. Register here:https://www.bluelightcard.co.uk/newaccount.php

14. Register with a GP: you will be needing to register with a general practitioner for your health consultation. You can use google map to check the review of the ones near you.

13.Join a group:Information is power, try and find out which group relates to you the more. For Nigeria nurses in UK, we recommend Life in Uk for nurses by Olabode Peculiar.

14. Sign up to receive Uk Gov emails to stay in the loop: visit HERE to get started, i will suggest you do once a week subscription so that your inbox will not get exploded.

15. Commit yourself to a savings plan: As low as 300-500 per month will help you commit to a financial discipline.

16. Join a social organization that is LEGAL and RECOGNIZED: churches/mosque/reading club/community organizers/council meetings

17. Download an app that can help you easily send money back home or even get money from back home. Previously, it's called Lemonade but has since developed into Lemfi. kinldy use this link to download the app (please note that link has referral code - doesnt charge you for it): LEMONADE app

This may seem much but they are things you will understand and enjoy when you settle in the more. Create a timeline for achieving them as soon as possible. Lastly, maintain your pin by being professional. There is no shame in accepting that you dont know something and you need someone to put your through. No shame at all! No shame in also speaking out if you are not comfortable with things! Everyone is learning. You can drop questions under this post to have more answers to support to help us develop this post better.
Welcome to UK!