Mental health nurse/Midwife

[Pink butterflies]

I am a mental health nurse and midwife from the Caribbean, Trinidad to be exact. I am interested in working in the United States. I understand that nurses there are trained as generalists and must have a number of theoretical and practical hours in medical/Surgical, psychiatry, obstetrics and peads. From my research and an agency I was in contact with informed me that my hours are pretty good but I need to be a registered general nurse and not a mental health nurse and midwife, although I do have the required hours. They informed me that the Board of Nirsing (Florida) would require me to be a RN. Is that the case? I am in the process of having my credentials assessed by the CGFNS but they informed me it might take up to twelve weeks. Can anyone shed some light on this matter. Thank you.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

There is only RN licensing in the US. There is no such thing as a psychiatric RN license like there is in the UK and western Canada.

Your school transcript must must show sufficient clinical & theory coursework in all areas adult med/surg, geriatrics, mental health, pediatrics and OB/women's health.

There are are two types of midwives: lay non-nurse midwives which exist only in select states and certified nurse midwife which requires an RN license plus a minimum of MSN in midwifery/women's health.

Twelve weeks for a credential assessment is average and realistic time frame.

[Pink butterflies]

Thanks for your comment. My school transcript does show sufficient hours that's why I am confused. What the agency said is although I have sufficient hours in the designated areas I need to be a RN in my country first. Any idea if that's the case? Thanks again