[asweetheart50]

Hello,

I am seriously considering moving to Europe within the next month or so, for personal reasons. I have been an RN for 6 years now and would love to continue my nursing career wherever I end up (either London or Lisbon, where I have family). However, I hear these horror stories of how underdeveloped the healthcare system is throughout Europe, compared to the States. I was told that nurses are not as respected, and their skills/duties are very much limited to basic patient care. The work schedules are completely different; one has to work all different shifts within the week. I realize there must be some truths, as well as exagerations to these stories.

If anyone has any words of advice or personal experiences to share, I would truly appreciate it.

Another issue, does anyone have any idea how I go about transferring my nursing license to be able to work there? Is it complicated?

Thank you,
Ana

[Fonenurse]

Hi

Sounds like you have been given some true information and some false. If you want to work in the UK, please go to http://www.nmc-uk.org/(1xm1g4jqeymb3j2phtth4m55)/aArticle.aspx?ArticleID=1653 for more information. It'll take much more than a month to transfer though probably. There is a good booklet at http://www.nmc-uk.org/(wr2bmojw5d3bgo45adlba5m5)/aFrameDisplay.aspx?DocumentID=633

Now about those rumours
- we can work mixed shifts in a week - it depends on the job.
- we can do jobs that are basic nursing care - again depends on the job - nursing homes will be the most basic or elderly care, but there are lots of very technical roles - variety is just like in the USA.
- nurses are very much respected here - but like any public service job, it is open to public abuse - but my experience over the last 25+ years has been very positive.

Good luck with your move - it hope it is a positive expereince for you!

[suzanne4]

Welcome to Allnurses.com.

You do not transfer your license to another country, you will have to take their exam and pass the language exams if required, such as for Spain. Their exam is also in Spanish. You will also need to deal with immigration, same way that a foreign nurse would, who wishes to work in the US.

[suzanne4]

Be aware that it will take you closer to two years to be able to work legally in either of these countries as a nurse, by the time that you get your license, as well as find an employer that will be able to submit documents on your behalf. None of this will be done overnight.

[asweetheart50]

I want to thank you both so much for your helpful information. I checked out those great websites, which gave me the exact information I was looking for....however, even though I meet all of the requirements for their application process, I do not have one thing.......3 years of nursing studies!

I graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor Degree of Science, Biology major and Chemistry minor (4 year degree). Three years later, I decided to go back to school because I wanted to become a nurse. I applied and enrolled in an accerelated, and intense nursing program for students with a previous non-nursing degree. I had all the prerequisites and grade point average necessary for acceptance into the program, BSN Combined Degree Program. The program is three semesters long full-time, in other words one full year. I graduated in June 2002, with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing and passed my NCLEX two months later at my first try. I just called the Overseas Nurses Programme Advice Line, and I was informed that my program does not meet the minimun nursing standards required by the European Economic Area :´( ........................

I just can't believe this.................I think I am in absolute shock........
I even asked the advisor if there was anything I could do (make up hours,etc) or maybe even having my University contacting their organization, and he very politely told me no.

What do I do?.....I can't believe this....I have a first-level nursing degree, I am not an LPN or have an Associate Nursing Degree. I understand that I don't have the total number of practical hours, as a 3 year student would, but I am an educated professional with 3 years experience in the only trauma medical center between New York City and Albany.

I know, there is probably little you guys can tell me at this point, but I am just so disappointed right now. I just can't believe it! I'm almost insulted.

Is there any hope for me, at all?

[suzanne4]

Each country is free to decide what they will accept as well as what they will not. The accelerated programs are recognized in the US, but not out of it in many cases. Same as that the US doesn't recognize all programs of training outside of the US. Take the UK for example. The US doesn't recognize the three year training that they have as it is a specialist training, not generalist.

The other issue that you have is not having at least three years of work experience as an RN on top of everything else. A new nurse can come to the US to work without having experience in their home country, but many other countries will require the years of work experience.

Sorry, that this in not what you wanted to hear. But with you stating that you were going to move in the next month or two, I was sure that you had not done your research on this, as it takes about two years for the work visa to finally come thru so that you legally work.

[lady_jezebel]

But you have 6 years experience as an RN & that doesn't count for anything??? Unbelievable.

[Silverdragon102]

Originally Posted by lady_jezebel

But you have 6 years experience as an RN & that doesn't count for anything??? Unbelievable.

It has all to do with the training.. I had 8 yrs experience as a RN in the UK but at a level 2 (similar to LPN but was called RN in the UK) but had to convert to RN level 1 if I want to work in another country. Did the course 7 years ago and now waiting patiently for immigration to the US

[asweetheart50]

I actually do have exactly 3 years of nursing experience, for I graduated in June and started working that July (as RN), even though I only took the NCLEX in September. But that doesn't help me any, even if I had 10 years experience, it really does not matter.

I just can't believe that they won't even look at my application, or let me make up the practical time that I am missing. My only choice is to look into the other countries and see if I come up with. But I know not to get my hopes up, especially when London, one of the powerhouses of Europe denyes me.

Thank you so much for all your help, I truly appreciate it.

With regards to Silverdragon, I am so surprised to know that you have been waiting that long to practice in the US. Between the clinicals for school and two hospitals that I've worked at, all you see are foreign nurses, especially from the Philippines, India and the Caribean. I cannot believe its taking that long for you. Unbelievable! I wish you all the best. Too bad we can't simply exchange jobs

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by lady_jezebel

But you have 6 years experience as an RN & that doesn't count for anything??? Unbelievable.

No it doesn't. If the education component is not accepted, then they will not issue you a license there. Same as for foreign grads that wish to work in the US, if they are missing a course that is required here, and even have twenty years of experience, they will not be able to work in the US without meeting those requirements.