Published Jul 8, 2007
adrianwd5
7 Posts
Hi all
I am a British nurse now working and living in the USA, I am keen to undetake the CCRN but am outraged to find that my 10+ years experience counts as nothing towards the clinical hours required. I worked in several facilities in the UK all with at least the same if not more acute patients who were easily as complex and often with more drips/devices attached. Does anyone know if there is a way to get my experienced recognised?
Adrian
Burnt2
281 Posts
the trick is not having 10+ years of critical care experience as much as meeting the direct bedside care hour requirements for the past 2 years - there is a gal in our unit that's been strictly CCU/MSICU for 18 years who wanted to retake the test, but did not meet the 1,800 hour requirement of bedside care, so she wasn't able to take it.
If you do have the hours in the last, just talk with your supervisor, have her vouch for you - that usually is enough to get you a shot at the test.
Have old pay stubs or whatever. Get a letter from your old work stating your position, full time/part time status, etc if your supervisor wants proof. If she'll vouch for you, then I really don't think it would be a problem whatsoever - you should be able to be allowed to test. Good luck!!! :)
Thanks Burnt2
The ten years is bedside care on acute, trauma and CV ICU in the Uk, I've been qualified longer than that! AACN replied via the website that UK experience is no good which is what outraged me. Thanks for the tip re my supervisor, I'll run it past her I think she'll help me out wherever she can