Calling all UK nurses going to US

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2005

Dear Tina,

I am sure that you know most of my details but here goes. I joined \O' grady peyton on 1st August 2004 I did pay £350 this was for various stuff which included fees for nclex, 3 days study course and lots of course material- this is all i have ever paidout. ( you will not need to pay this out as you have nclex) I have paid my US embassy fees which are $380 per person. All paperwork is filled out and completed when you sign up with them and all documents verified. I passed NCLEX in january 05. Papers filed in Feb, visa screen april, monies appled for in May, now waiting fo packet 3 to be sent. Estimated time of interview november. Big problem now for me is that I still dont know where I am going but hope to find out by end of august.

At no stage along the way have I had any stress or worry they have handled it all and have just informed me when things have been done. To all intents and purposes after doing my paperwork and passing the nclex I have had to do nothing.

If I hadn't found this web site i would have been quite happy to sit back and wait but now I phone to check what is happening when i really dont need to :rotfl: For me and my busy job this has been the best way forward, yes I am tied to them for upto 2 years but then so are all the go it alone nurses tied to hospitals for the same period of time.

At the end of my contract I am paid a $3000 bonus which will more than cover expenses i paid out to get there. Then I have freedom to do what I want.

scotjan · Jul 1, 2005

Hi,

Joined OGP February 2004, sat NCLEX August 2004. Phase 1 approval December 2004,and embassy interview in e few weeks time. Like madwife2002 I paid the fees when asked and let the agency handle the paperwork.

Janet:balloons:

may24 · Jul 1, 2005

I am with Interstaff, they are paying for all my fees for NCLEX (reimbursed as I sat them on my own), immigration costs, airfare to the USA, get a green card - I only have to pay for my husbands costs of immigration/ green card and airfare. They also have a 6-8 week orientation induction before being chucked into the deep end so to speak, thats quite cool cos nothing worse than trying to fit in straight away - you either sink or swim. So far I have nothing to complain about but wondered if anyone out there has heard about them and whether they are as good as what they sound? I havent had to pay for anything at present! They also give a months paid accommodation and pick us up from the airport - tour around, help us set up bank accounts, social security nos etc. Looking forward to deploying but I only have just started the process and will be looking at around 12-6 mths. So far, their service is excellent, staff are friendly and helpful. The only drawback is their contract is 2 years but I think thats pretty much similar across the board with other agencies - so I am not complaining - yet that is, but the first year will fly no doubt and with regular overtime - I may be able to get the contract hours down to 18-20 mths. I also know that once I finish my contract I am able to go wherever I want and am not bound to stay with the hospital I will be working at. Cool eh! Is anyone else with Interstaff?

Owain Glyndwr · Jul 1, 2005

I'm also with Interstaff.

Not particularly pleased with them at the moment, and not terribly impressed overall.

Wish I'd gone it alone.

Regards

OG

Owain Glyndwr · Jul 1, 2005

I only have just started the process and will be looking at around 12-6 mths. Cool eh! Is anyone else with Interstaff?

Not that cool really.

Don't believe the 12-16 months hype :nono: I'd start at 18 months and think more along the lines of 24 months before you are able to cross the pond. I have come across so many delays in the process (CGFNS/CES complete and utter fiasco cock up, recruitment company admin cock ups, NCLEX cock ups, State Board Registration cock up, more admin cock ups) that my plan of 18 months from start to finish was a no-hoper from the early days.

I'm now into month 14 with at least another 10 to go.

OG (thoroughly bloody depressed at the moment).

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2005

I am with Interstaff, they are paying for all my fees for NCLEX (reimbursed as I sat them on my own), immigration costs, airfare to the USA, get a green card - I only have to pay for my husbands costs of immigration/ green card and airfare. They also have a 6-8 week orientation induction before being chucked into the deep end so to speak, thats quite cool cos nothing worse than trying to fit in straight away - you either sink or swim. So far I have nothing to complain about but wondered if anyone out there has heard about them and whether they are as good as what they sound? I havent had to pay for anything at present! They also give a months paid accommodation and pick us up from the airport - tour around, help us set up bank accounts, social security nos etc. Looking forward to deploying but I only have just started the process and will be looking at around 12-6 mths. So far, their service is excellent, staff are friendly and helpful. The only drawback is their contract is 2 years but I think thats pretty much similar across the board with other agencies - so I am not complaining - yet that is, but the first year will fly no doubt and with regular overtime - I may be able to get the contract hours down to 18-20 mths. I also know that once I finish my contract I am able to go wherever I want and am not bound to stay with the hospital I will be working at. Cool eh! Is anyone else with Interstaff?

I only have to pay my husband/daughters airfare the immigration costs are met by the agency. They help me get driving licence,ss number, bank account and accomodation.

cariad · Jul 2, 2005

I signed with OGP in october 2002, it cost me 250pounds for materials, course work and 3 days course in birmingham. went to savannah to take the n-clex, flights from glasgow-gatwick-atlanta-savannah, all paid for, with a guy who flew with us and looked after us. got phase one approval in january 04, and was due to leave the uk in the middle of august. had my embassy interview in june and left the uk july 1st...ahead of schedule. it also suited me to have an agency take care of everything. they meet and greet for a week, and helped with anything that we needed to do. social security numbers, bank account, drug testing etc. only had to pay for the visas and my husbands flight here. its 18 months, but worked out on hours, if you take time off then you take more than 18 months to complete the hours. time is taken off at 40 hours a week and anything over that is time and a half which is overtime and that doesnt come off your contract hours. so it took me 1 year and 9 months from start to finish. it would have been sooner if vermont hadnt returned my transcripts a couple of times, so I couldnt get the att to sit the test.

ann h · Jul 2, 2005

I signed with OGP in october 2002, it cost me 250pounds for materials, course work and 3 days course in birmingham. went to savannah to take the n-clex, flights from glasgow-gatwick-atlanta-savannah, all paid for, with a guy who flew with us and looked after us. got phase one approval in january 04, and was due to leave the uk in the middle of august. had my embassy interview in june and left the uk july 1st...ahead of schedule. it also suited me to have an agency take care of everything. they meet and greet for a week, and helped with anything that we needed to do. social security numbers, bank account, drug testing etc. only had to pay for the visas and my husbands flight here. its 18 months, but worked out on hours, if you take time off then you take more than 18 months to complete the hours. time is taken off at 40 hours a week and anything over that is time and a half which is overtime and that doesnt come off your contract hours. so it took me 1 year and 9 months from start to finish. it would have been sooner if vermont hadnt returned my transcripts a couple of times, so I couldnt get the att to sit the test.

Can I ask why Vermont sent your transrips back.

My went this week from the University

suehp · Jul 3, 2005

I joined a small agency called usbritishnurse.com and never paid anything to them. That was back in Spetember. I eventually passed my NCLEX in Feb 2004 (after failing the 1st time due to family illness) Back when I did it had to wait 3 months to resit it and then went to Florida to sit it - so 3 months wasted then. USbritish nurse is no longer but I do have a job - infact I had the choice of 2 - one going through the agency and one I got all by myself. I chose to go with the one through the agency as it is more my kind of nursing. Anyway delays with transcripts, delays getting my Visascreen means that in total it is nearly 3 yrs. Like everyone else to have to use your pester power to make sure people are getting things even to the point of pestering the Lawyer- yes they may get fed up of you but I believe thats what keeps them in their minds and make them want to get you out of their system quicker :rotfl:

I personally believe that going with agency is more restrictive - yes they pay for most things (I have had to pay for EVERYTHING which is fine) - but you are more tied to them with contracts and where the jobs are....I have had a lot of advice from nurses who have gone on ahead of me and want to share and have shared my experiences to date....this has what has got me through the difficult times and frustrating times.... - nothing in life is easy!!!! Anyone who tells you that they can get you out there in a yearf rom start to finish is telling you fibs - no way - it can take up to 3 months to get yor ATT to do your NCLEX and you have to get your transcripts sorted yet and CGFNS arent the easiest people to get through to!

Wishing everyone luck who is behind me.....

ann h · Jul 3, 2005

I signed with a company called ID Medical beginning of June. Had to travel to London for interview and they asked me to sit a pre NLEX test whilst I was there (did not know this was going to happen before hand) the guy told me I had to get 40% to pass luckily with no preparation I got 58%

For a fee of £600 they would cover, week NCLEX course in London, Vermont registration and NCLEX test and they would give you £100 back if you passed first time. Help me with a job if I wanted to or I could find my own. This suited me as we have a house in Florida.

Filled out all the forms send £600 and waited. Cheque not cashed emailed and emailed then telephoned. The answered they do not think they will be looking after nurses any more, (nice to have been told). I quickly cancelled cheque and stated to look for another agency.

Found Adevia on the internet. They interviewed me on the telephone they only step in as an agency when you have passed NCLEX if you want them to. There are no ties before this time. I have paid them £350 for an online NLEX plan, a week ago than has not arrived yet.

I have sent my forms to Vermont and my university have sent my EN training and conversion transcripts. The university has sent me a copy and now I am panicking because everyone says they have problems with the transcripts not being right.

I have been given a contact by a forum member of a hospital close to our house and they have emailed back and it seems quite positive (fingers crossed)

So still a long long way to go only the start and already bumpy. I'll keep you all informed.

madwife2002, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2005

I signed with a company called ID Medical beginning of June. Had to travel to London for interview and they asked me to sit a pre NLEX test whilst I was there (did not know this was going to happen before hand) the guy told me I had to get 40% to pass luckily with no preparation I got 58%
For a fee of £600 they would cover, week NCLEX course in London, Vermont registration and NCLEX test and they would give you £100 back if you passed first time. Help me with a job if I wanted to or I could find my own. This suited me as we have a house in Florida.
Filled out all the forms send £600 and waited. Cheque not cashed emailed and emailed then telephoned. The answered they do not think they will be looking after nurses any more, (nice to have been told). I quickly cancelled cheque and stated to look for another agency.
Found Adevia on the internet. They interviewed me on the telephone they only step in as an agency when you have passed NCLEX if you want them to. There are no ties before this time. I have paid them £350 for an online NLEX plan, a week ago than has not arrived yet.
I have sent my forms to Vermont and my university have sent my EN training and conversion transcripts. The university has sent me a copy and now I am panicking because everyone says they have problems with the transcripts not being right.
I have been given a contact by a forum member of a hospital close to our house and they have emailed back and it seems quite positive (fingers crossed)
So still a long long way to go only the start and already bumpy. I'll keep you all informed.

Try http://www.learningext.com for the best online teaching you pay a lot less than £350 for 12 week course and it covers everything, I used it and it was brilliant. Can you cancel that other cheque?