I'm in the process of choosing a nursing course and getting this started, and I need help. I'm a US citizen currently living in Georgia, and I am thinking maybe I should get my RN or LPN first before progressing further. This is for a variety of reasons, the nearest midwifery course to my current location is Emory(I want to move badly but right now finances have me stuck here), which is 2 hours away and very competitive to get into; I'm 26 now and would like to be relying on health care for 100% of my income while I'm still in my 20s; when I have researched midwifery courses overseas I could use what I learned from my nursing course as transfer credits; if I do a midwifery course overseas I would definately be better off doing nursing as my side job while studying than I would with say waitressing.

I am looking at going to the UK first, and more than likely using my midwifery course or even doing advanced coursework for nursing there as an excuse to base myself there for a few years and check out Europe, after that either stay there(with my language abilities, when it comes to which European countries I can live and work in, I have UK, Ireland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, and Spain to choose from), return to Australia where I have lived before, or return here(which if McCain is elected, the latter will definately not be one of my options!). Part of the appeal of getting a UK qualification as part of my training is the fact that they seem to transfer a lot more easily when it comes to travelling. Plus, I would also like to do some volunteer work in South America and/or Africa as well at various points throughout my career.

So, all that said, what do I need to consider so I can make both my dreams of being a midwife and jetsetter come true without wasting time in the process? If I end up going to the UK as part of my training, what other health related jobs would I be able to do if I don't yet meet up to the standards for practicing as a nurse? What are some good links about transferring a US qualification to do work overseas? And what else should I know?

Midwifery in the UK is more independent than the US. In the UK midwives are responsible for all cares including delivery with doctors only getting involved when there are problems or surgery is required. If planning on doing your midwifery training in the UK then you will have to pay international fees which are high and the course is usually 18 months if you are already a RN and the NMC has recognised your training (must be BSN ADN is not accepted normally) there is then the problems afterwards if you plan to gain experience as midwifery is no longer on the shortage occupation list therefore very hard to find a employer willing to assist with a work permit. Same goes for the EU as requirements are employ own citizen first then from the EU before the rest of the world. . You may also not be able to work as a RN whilst doing your midwifery training

Thank you, and your response has definately given me a lot to think about! I thought it was the case where it's hard to do anything with a qualification less than BSN(I take it from your response I can't work as an RN under any circumstances with anything less than a BSN), but then again I'm not very likely to finish that degree untill I'm 32, which really has me thinking that my life is getting away from me very fast. If I can't work as an RN while doing my course, would say auxillary nurse be an option? Otherwise, I have also weighed up the possibility of going ahead of getting my LPN so at least I'm not dependant on waitressing for my income, then doing an LPN to BSN course online while I work as a nurse full time, but I want to be sure that neither employers or registry boards like the NMC would laugh in my face if I use internet coursework as part of my qualification.

I have thought if worse comes to worse, I can wait on being a midwife for another 10 or so years, but I definately can't wait on being a nurse.

Thank you, and your response has definately given me a lot to think about! I thought it was the case where it's hard to do anything with a qualification less than BSN(I take it from your response I can't work as an RN under any circumstances with anything less than a BSN), but then again I'm not very likely to finish that degree untill I'm 32, which really has me thinking that my life is getting away from me very fast. If I can't work as an RN while doing my course, would say auxillary nurse be an option? Otherwise, I have also weighed up the possibility of going ahead of getting my LPN so at least I'm not dependant on waitressing for my income, then doing an LPN to BSN course online while I work as a nurse full time, but I want to be sure that neither employers or registry boards like the NMC would laugh in my face if I use internet coursework as part of my qualification.

I have thought if worse comes to worse, I can wait on being a midwife for another 10 or so years, but I definately can't wait on being a nurse.

The UK/EU will not accept anything less than a 3 year training course would suggest you check this out http://www.nmc-uk.org/aFrameDisplay.aspx?DocumentID=4649 This includes LPN as not being recognised

Midwifery in the UK will be full time and as an International student the fees are high and you may not be given permission to work as you need to show you can support yourself whilst in the UK. http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/

This is one universities description of midwifery http://193.61.255.4/courses/ug/pre_mw.htm

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=120