Nurse making the jump from UK to USA, needing a bit of advice

World Immigration

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Hello all,

I am a UK educated and trained nurse looking to move over to the USA. i have passed my NCLEX and have applied for a load of jobs but I still work and live in England so they are obviously reluctant to employ me. I was just wondering if anyone had made the same move and what the differences between british and American nursing are? I understand there is more of a diagnostic aspect and the assessment process is more in depth than it can be here. If anyone could share their day-to-day duties and responisbilities that would be super helpful!

Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

There are a few members that made the move from the UK to the US and some still post around.

I think one of the issues you will have is finding a employer willing to wait the 6 plus years it will take to get you over to the US and working. My suggestion would be whilst working and waiting is try to find a niche that may help you stand out in the crowd.

Also be aware many US nurses are struggling to find work so a lot will depend on where you are looking to what the local economic status is like

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

Hi

I am trying to the do the same as you. I passed my nclex back in 2009 and I just renew my licence every 2 years now. I am taking my masters in advanced neonatal nursing care. I have looked. For jobs in my area and there are many I am just waiting out the next 12 month until I graduate then I will start applying once I have completed this. I did apply a few years ago but didn't get very far but I was very narrowed minded in where I wanted to work. Next time I will be willing to go anywhere. I have friends over there (I lived there as a child so I have things like social security numbers) just need the visa now. My husband is a lecturer so we are hoping this will help us. We are going to start saving again so we have enough money to cover the move and all the visa screen and medical costs if the opportunity should arise to leave. The wait is finally now less than 6 years but I am looking at eb2 category which are current. I would live to keep in touch with you on your journey

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.

Masters will be a good thing- but bare in mind that most Masters prepared RNs here are either NPs or CNS and they have to have done a recognized NP or CNS course and be certified via the American Nurses Credentialing Center.http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=clinical%20nurse%20specialist&source=web&cd=6&sqi=2&ved=0CFsQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fresources.css.edu%2Facademics%2Fnsg%2Fgrad%2Fdocs%2Fadvancedpracticenursingrolescnsvsnp.pdf&ei=v49RUdurO5Ca9QTSroHwBA&usg=AFQjCNHXtmcR8ziLVgYvVhdcGQsO5k8r_Q Nurse manager would be another option for you if you will have some management experience in the UK, or some sort of teaching position. Have you considered trying to get a visa via your husband if he is a lecturer? Does he have a Masters?

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

My husband holds a phd but I would like to finish my masters here first I have put a lot of work I. To it and would love to complete it. I understand that most nurses with masters are np I have looked at this option and will consider if I ever get to America. I could do education but I would like to do this in the hospital setting rather than the university setting no reason for this just a preference.

I know of the problem that are being felt by American nurses with job opportunities and things so I don't hold much hope in ever getting a visa. If my husband got sponsored I would properly quit nursing because it would be difficult to get a job in the states.

I have a few options just don't know what to do at present.

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Specializes in ICU,ANTICOAG,ACUTE STROKE,EDU,RESEARCH.

I understand your want to finish your Masters, but what I meant was that it will be easier to get a Green card/visa via your husband than through your nursing and if he has a PhD then it definitely would. He may be able to get an O visa or he may be E-B1 (NIW) category. NIW WOULD MEAN HE WOULDN'T NEED A JOB OFFER OR SPONSOR. I'm wondering how you have a social security number? What was your visa status when you lived in the USA? I see no reason why you would have to quit nursing if your husband got sponsorship- if you are allowed to work because of his visa status then you could start in nursing here as a bedside nurse or any other position you qualify for if you don't need sponsorship for a visa .Good Luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

I have a social security number because I had permanent residents when I was 15 via my father but I had renew and my father never told me this so I ended up losing my status. So I have my social security from then. I have checked and it is still active and will be fine as long as I have the correct visa to work

I have tried with uscis about renewing my original green card and I have been told no and I need to get a new sponsor

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Hi

I see this post is quite old now but if anyone reads this I would love some more info on nursing in the us. I am a UK qualified RN with a nursing diploma now living in the US with my canadian husband who holds an L1 visa - I have an L2 visa with auth to work in the US and ss no etc. I have just applied to CGFNS for the CVS programme for New York and also applied to the state of California as we are unsure of where we will be living in the next year. I understand what a lengthy process it all is so am prepared to slug it out. I'm just confused as to the equivalency of the UK qualifications compared to the US - I have read posts on here that say UK nurses are being denied due to lack of hours in certain areas and lots of posts that say the UK nursing programme is acceptable and they have been accepted and gone on to do the NCLEX - so if anyone can tell me about this would be great.......Also if they do tell me I'm lacking in hours in certain areas where can I make this subjects up can anyone tell me of schools that offer this programme to foreign trained nurses. Any info would be greatly appreciated thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi

I see this post is quite old now but if anyone reads this I would love some more info on nursing in the us. I am a UK qualified RN with a nursing diploma now living in the US with my canadian husband who holds an L1 visa - I have an L2 visa with auth to work in the US and ss no etc. I have just applied to CGFNS for the CVS programme for New York and also applied to the state of California as we are unsure of where we will be living in the next year. I understand what a lengthy process it all is so am prepared to slug it out. I'm just confused as to the equivalency of the UK qualifications compared to the US - I have read posts on here that say UK nurses are being denied due to lack of hours in certain areas and lots of posts that say the UK nursing programme is acceptable and they have been accepted and gone on to do the NCLEX - so if anyone can tell me about this would be great.......Also if they do tell me I'm lacking in hours in certain areas where can I make this subjects up can anyone tell me of schools that offer this programme to foreign trained nurses. Any info would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Do you have clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult? If you do was the clinical and theory hours done at the same time? These are the issues that CA are going through. If you are short of hours then all you can do is contact local US nursing schools to see if you can going to make these hours up. This is where people are coming into difficulty as not many schools will offer or allow this

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

It really depends how long ago you completed your diploma in nursing. You need to have taken the adult route of nursing and this needed to include paeds, mental health, and obs. When I gained my registration through the state of Vermont I had adequate hours for this, my university was one that still had placements and theory in all the areas required. California can be very complex to get in to at present.

I have gone through the whole process and also currently hold a visa screen certificate but I am giving up my dream now of the USA due to a job offer for my husband in Australia. So if all goes to plan we will be moving out there instead. I am really sad to be giving up my dream been on the journey for many years now but due to retrogression and no jobs or sponsorship my dream is over.

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Thanks Silverdragon and Gem1210390 - Its all very confusing I have read so many different things on here so I guess I'll just have to await their verdict from the boards then go from there. I did read from a girl that applied to florida, got denied but they let her attend the board meeting to discuss her application - they then allowed her to take the top up classes at a local school then let her sit the nclex so I'm hoping there is a flicker of hope. I think it helps somewhat that we already have visas and work permits but we'll see. I'm thinking it might even be easier to just retrain in the us as a nurse, but its so deflating! I graduated jan 2012 we didnt take paediatrics or obs/gynae although we did do intro to psych in foundation year and I did clinical placements on gynae wards, but it doesnt sound like it will cover everything they ask for in the US :(

Sorry to hear it didnt work out in the US for you, but I'm sure you'll have an amazing time in australia, alot of my friends from the uks have gone there and its MUCH easier for uk nurses to work there - good luck! x :nurse:

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Did you get to America ? I am trying to find out information at the moment. I am living in Ireland but UK trained.

thanks

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