Hi

I'm new to these forums, this is my first post, and I'm not quite sure how to find my way back so excuse me if I dont post back immediately!

Basically I'm a student nurse in London, (second year) and I would like to go to a US school of nursing to see how they do things there for anything from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

I have a meeting with my head of department on this coming thursday, so will see exactly what my options are in terms of dates and whether I need specific hours or not... but I just wondered if anyone had done this or knows if it would be possible?

I don't even really know what I expect - I am guessing that to actually arrange a placement in a US hospital would be very difficult indeed - (I would need malpractice insurance and all sorts wouldn't I?) but that is indeed what I would like.

Just like a placement in the UK, with a mentor.

Anyone know if this would be possible, would I need a visa for this, etc?

Thank you!

Katie

(ps if anyone can give me any advice on how to use these forums, ie. how do you find them without typing forums in the search box, would be grateful! )

Hi and welcome to the site

You may have an issue getting a placement in the US as training is done differently, I think we have had some members post they had a lot of difficulty due to insurance and getting student visa allowing this exchange. May want to consider Canada or Australia

Re using the site it will come with experience but there are the tabs above or alternatively the site map in the yellow tool bar above. Also check this link out Getting started on allnurses

SD, Cdn. education is very similar to the US degree programmes. Students still need insurance when they are in the hospital. Usually they are covered by their university and instructors policies. Many universities and colleges are having hard times finding placements for their own student groups, never mind adding an overseas visitor to the mix.

Thanks Fiona, Have seen some UK students post that they was able to sort out placements with Canada but was a while ago

Hi Summerberries,

I am an Australian currently in America as a student. It was easy for me to get an F1 visa but getting into the nursing program is difficult. Usually the process is either by point system or on a first come first serve basis (in Seattle, Washington). After completing prerequisites, you need to apply to the program - LPN to RN or RN (depends what school). Teas of Essential Academic Skills is also required and you will be given points based on the result of your TEAS. Your grades, work experience, volunteering & teas will be given equivalent points. Schools usually can only accomodate a certain number of applicants per application quarter. For example, if a particular school can only accomodate 32, the top 32 with the highest score will definitely get a spot. Apparently it is because of shortage of faculty and clinical sites. Work experience in healthcare get the highest point if it is within the time frame they require. Licensed nursing assistants from here are way far from international students by points...and that means no matter how high my grades are, my chances of getting a spot is very low.

You have to know too the immigration aspect before coming here. I'm sure you will fall under international student. Insurance is not really expensive but you will be paying non-resident tuition fee which is very expensive. Make sure you know when is the application quarter of the school before coming here otherwise you will end up waiting and chances are you will end up enrolling for classes you don't need or go back home. International student are not allowed to stay here while waiting for their program to commence. You have to be enrolled fulltime each quarter to be in status (to stay legally).

Though it is difficult to get into the program, I am not loosing hope. I am now taking pharmacy technician course while waiting for LPN Spring 2010 application. Again, just make sure you know more of the immigration aspect because that's very important. Goodluck.

Touchfunn:

The OP is CURRENTLY a student nurse in the UK. The object is to take a few classes and gain clinical experience, in other words, drop into an already running class of nurses. They don't want to apply for full time student status in a new course.

Basically, show up for a semester and hope the classes transfer to her degree programme in the UK.

Hi Touchfunn,

Would like to speak/email you regarding your experience. I'm kind of in the same boat you are.

The difference is I'm a U.S. citizen in the U.K. doing my RMN training - I finish next year and have been researching nursing programmes, etc. for when I return back to U.S.

Would of sent you a private message but haven't figured it out yet as I've just signed up today. If you're able to send me a private message could you please send your email address.

Cheers,

Determination

Determination, you need 15 or more posts to be able to send a pm.

Hi Summerberries,

I am an Australian currently in America as a student. It was easy for me to get an F1 visa but getting into the nursing program is difficult. Usually the process is either by point system or on a first come first serve basis (in Seattle, Washington). After completing prerequisites, you need to apply to the program - LPN to RN or RN (depends what school). Teas of Essential Academic Skills is also required and you will be given points based on the result of your TEAS. Your grades, work experience, volunteering & teas will be given equivalent points. Schools usually can only accomodate a certain number of applicants per application quarter. For example, if a particular school can only accomodate 32, the top 32 with the highest score will definitely get a spot. Apparently it is because of shortage of faculty and clinical sites. Work experience in healthcare get the highest point if it is within the time frame they require. Licensed nursing assistants from here are way far from international students by points...and that means no matter how high my grades are, my chances of getting a spot is very low.

You have to know too the immigration aspect before coming here. I'm sure you will fall under international student. Insurance is not really expensive but you will be paying non-resident tuition fee which is very expensive. Make sure you know when is the application quarter of the school before coming here otherwise you will end up waiting and chances are you will end up enrolling for classes you don't need or go back home. International student are not allowed to stay here while waiting for their program to commence. You have to be enrolled fulltime each quarter to be in status (to stay legally).

Though it is difficult to get into the program, I am not loosing hope. I am now taking pharmacy technician course while waiting for LPN Spring 2010 application. Again, just make sure you know more of the immigration aspect because that's very important. Goodluck.

Are you planning on going back to Australia when you're done? Because you know that you can't get work authorization in the US as an LPN or pharmacy tech right?