[chloebrowns]

Hi Everyone,

I am moving to florida from the u.k in about 6mths time and would like some advice on becoming a Midwife/ Nurse.

I am 26 years old and have got 3 children and my husband and i have just started the process of moving to Florida (Sarasota) via the E2 visa route.

The thing is i have just been accepted to train to become a nurse (3 years ) and then do a 18mth course to become a Midwife ( in the u.k ) , which i have just turned down because of the move ( cross fingers all goes o.k ). I have been told there is no such thing as a midwife in the usa ????? .

I was just wondering what qualifications i would need to get as i have been told my GCSE s and my Btec higher national diploma in nursery nursing will not be recognised in the USA as it is here in the U.K.

I would be grateful of any advice.

Laura

[josh]

Hi,
Welcome to USA.I cann't answer your questions.I am sorry about that.Have applied or passed NCLEX?Or what about CGFNS?If your nursing degree is not acceptable here,then probabaly you have to take an equivalent course here.Please check with the website or agency.Josh.

[nursebedlam]

Hullo hullo,, hope you have a great time at this excellent site, welcome to allnurses....

[chloebrowns]

Hi thanks for that guys , have been trying to look at my options via the net (thats how i stumbled upon this site :-) !! ) could do with speaking to someone who know the ins and outs of the process so i will just have to cross fingers that someone will know here or in the meantime i find the answers somewhere else !! Many thanks again !

[kmrmom42]

Hi Laura,
I can't tell you what the Florida Board of Nursing recognizes from the UK but the way to find out is to contact them. They are the licensing board for all nurses who practice in the state. If they do not recognize your credentials then you next step is to find a nursing program that will get you to the goal you desire. We certainly do have midwives here in the US but they find it a bit harder to gain acceptance and to find a niche in which to practice. In the UK somewhere near 75% of babies are delivered by midwives and the rest by physicians here, the numbers are reversed. Certified Nurse Midwives are nurses who have attained higher education (Master's level) in order to work WITH a physician to provide complete care throughout the childbearing year to low risk women. If this is not exactly what you are looking for you could become a Registered Nurse through one of several avenues and then apply for work in a labor and delivery unit or birthing center. That is what I do.
The website for the FL state board of nursing is:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing/nur_home.html

Good luck and if you have any more questions I would be glad to try to help.
Karen

[Savage98]

Well, I am not a nurse yet, nor a nursing student (however I am applying). But what I do know, since I was thinking the midwife route too...is that you need to get a Masters Degree as a Practitioner. The school I am going to can give you the info (I live near Orlando, by the way). go to www.ucf.com and that will take you to the University of Central Florida (my school), this will give you the list of degrees and information that you can use as all Community Colleges and Universities have an "articulation" agreement, so your school should be very similar if not exactly like mine.

Feel free to email me - good luck with the move.

Tami

[fergus51]

Midwives from the UK can work as RNs in the US as long as they do the required course work and clinicals in adult/peds/psych and pass the NCLEX. They can not work as midwives since nurse midwives need a Master's degree.

You have a few options to working with laboring women in the US. You can get an associate's degree or bachelor's degree and become a nurse, then go into L&D. Or you can do that, plus take an additional 2 years of school to get your masters and become a CNM (certified nurse midwife). They do not have to work with a doctor in most states, as far as I know. You can also become a direct entry midwife in some states (DEM). These are people with no healthcare background before studying midwifery and are not recognized in many states.

[CHATSDALE]

this may be old info but i knew a scottish nurse who worked here in Louisiana but i also knew a rn who couldn't work when her hubby was stationed with airforce in uk....we definitely do have midwives but as pointed out with previous post the ratios are not as high as there

if the training is on par one nation should accept a professional from another maybe with a proficiency test...

i hope you enjoy your new home

[chloebrowns]

Hi Karen ,

Thanks for the info , you say nurse midwifes work with a physician does this mean you play a part in the pregnancy and labor and then the physician takes over and does the birth ??. I would much prefer to do this than a general nurse job its just a shame i wouldn't be able to do a role like a midwife in the u.k.

your job sounds interesting what exactly does it entail ??. I will look at the website you have recommended thanks and know doubt i will be needing your help again !!! .

Laura

[chloebrowns]

Hi Tami ,

That sound interesting thanks , i will have to look into the practitioner route , the more info and options the better ! .

Know doubt you will be hearing from me again ( probably alot in the near future ). Good luck with your adventure and let me know how you get on with your application - it is exciting when you get an offer letter on your doorstep !!

laura