Can a UK Mental health nurse work in America or Canada

[isyguy2000]

Hi All,

I need your advice. I am currently studying for a degree in Mental Health Nursing in the UK, but I will like to work and settle in Canada or America.

Can a UK Mental Health nurse work in Canada or America? I am quite concerned as most people have said that an adult nursing degree would be better accepted to gain registration in this country than mental health nursing.

Hope to hear from you all.

Thank you.

[Hollymary]

RNShirada said:

I gave up after years of the runaround. Well, yes, my application was eventually accepted ON CONDITION I take and pass the NCLEX within a certain time frame, so initially, I thought that was great because I had read stories that many folks had to fulfill other impossible criteria before getting the green light to even take the exam. However, after extensive research, calling and meeting with several nursing faculty at local colleges and universities, and even signing up for intensive NCLEX review classes specifically for foreign nurses, it became abundantly clear that I was in a catch-22 situation. A review was useless because I did not have the three years' worth of education of US nurses to benefit from a review (I would have to start from scratch). In short, I had permission to take the NCLEX but no avenue to succeed in passing it without retraining. I even began to start the process of taking some classes at the community college. Still, it was a case of my having to take years off the prerequisites of the prerequisites BEFORE I would even have been eligible to even begin nursing school, which is super competitive to get into (you need A's in every class) with maybe only 40 places. I was older and never even wanted to be a general nurse, so my motivation and interest weren't there.

Hello

not sure if this message will actually get through, but can I ask what you worked as during all this process? Did it stop you from going into the healthcare profession in Canada at all? I have pretty much resigned myself to the fact I will not be able to work as a qualified psychiatric nurse out there, but was wondering what the job market was like for professions where I could use my skills? I've been a mental health nurse here in the UK for 14 years and worked in all areas but especially with children for many years. I hope you don't mind me asking. Thanks ? 

[RNShirada]

Hi Hollymary,

This was in the USA. I eventually trained as a Medical Assistant which is very basic. However, had schools offering the Psychiatric Technician program, not been hours away from where I lived, I probably would have opted to do that 12 - 18 month course, (also basic compared to psychiatric nursing, but at least something in that field).

[Hollymary]

RNShirada said:

Hi Hollymary,

This was in the USA. I eventually trained as a Medical Assistant which is very basic. However, had schools offering the Psychiatric Technician program, not been hours away from where I lived, I probably would have opted to do that 12 - 18 month course, (also basic compared to psychiatric nursing, but at least something in that field).

Thank you for your reply, I truly appreciate your idea on psychiatric technician. Now I have an idea of a job I could do in the same field at least. I'm sorry your journey never came to fruition and wish you all the best ?

[Emmanuella Onyinyechi John]

Hello have you been able to move to the USA? 
Did you sit for the NCLEX?

 

[babywhite]

It's a yes and no question, we relocated to the US but you cannot practice here as a Nurse if you only did Psych, Ped or Learning disability Nursing, they want you to do the the full Nursing course. You can only practice here if you did Adult Nursing, sorry 

[babywhite]

For those of you wishing to relocate and work in the US from the UK with a speciality in Mental health, Pediatrics and learning disability don't bother, you will not be able to at all. Nursing here is money making and it will take you years especially if you're not passing classes. If you're really wishing to relocate my advice is that you ask about doing Adult Nursing which might take you maybe 2yrs depending on the University. 

[babywhite]

I mean doing Adult Nursing in the Uk before you relocate. The truth though is you get paid very well as a Nurse and there are lots of Nursing pathways and opportunities in this field. I came to the US as an Adult Nurse and had no problems, I came in here asking questions because my husband trained in the UK as a mental health Nurse and as I write still unable to find any headway, they want him to do the whole course!