Child Branch Trained UK nurse going to work in the US?

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

I'm just wondering if anyone on here is/has doing/done this or knows anyone who is/has. It's only hypothetical at the moment, but my partner's been daydreaming about it lately, and I suppose I could move back to the US.

We're not considering it for immediate - maybe 3-4 years down the line. I just wonder if it's better to go through an agency that pays for the NCLEX, gets you the job, a couple of months' housing, helps with flights, etc. or sort it all ourselves. Also, is there anything more that I'd have to do at that point other than take/pass the NCLEX and get at state license?

I'm American, so the visa won't be an issue for me; and my partner and I will be married by then, so he'd have a spousal visa anyway. It's just that I've trained here in the UK, so aside from the visa thing being taken care of, I assume I'd have to go the same route as anyone else coming from the UK.

If it matters, I'm a diploma child branch student in my third year. I'm seconded and will hopefully start as a staff nurse on a neonatal unit in September/October 2008. I'll likely then be seconded again in February to do the neonatal degree.

Any insight would be much appreciated. :wink2:

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Specializes in med/surg.

There are plenty of threads on this - which may possibly still be on the UK forum (where they originally were posted) the main thing to come out from all of them though is to get the CES done and find out. Some have found that their hours have been good enough, others that they have hours to make up. The only real way to tell is to get the credentials checked out.

Different boards of nursing have differing rules for this so you may have to check out the area you want to go to. Most require the CGFNS Credential Evaluation Service (which is why I used the abbreviation for that above.) They assess your nursing education and make a judgement on whether it is equivalent to that of a nurse in the USA.

Good luck - you'e lucky not to have a visa issue as that's what's holding most of us up!!

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

Thank you. I finish in August, so I'll do the CES thing when I get my transcript. I think I found their website - does $300 something sound right?

I suppose if I have to make up extra hours, I could do so in the meantime before we actually move. Nothing is set in stone yet.

We were thinking of moving to somewhere like Virginia or one of the Carolinas. I'm originally from Mississippi and have lived in Texas, and most of my family is now either in Texas, Mississippi or Georgia.

Does anyone know if those agencies that I mentioned before that set you up with the NCLEX, job, accommodation, subsidised flights, etc also help with the CES thing and/or help you get in any hours that you lack?

Thanks again! :bow:

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Specializes in med/surg.

Sounds about right. You won't need to go through an agency - there's plenty written about that on here! You are much better off going it alone. They will probably provide a months free rental but you'll pay for everything through your wage (which will be less than your US colleagues as that's how they get their money back.) They will help with everything but they will claw it back & tie you into a long contract (18 months to 2 years on everage) with a huge get out fee - even the cheapest is around the $10,000 and most are a lot more than that.

Of course, if that's what you're happy to do then that is your choice but just know you don't have to use an agency.

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

Invaluable advice, thank you again! So, it looks like

1) Wait for my transcript and get the CES thing done (which one, by the way?)

2) Do any additional training I may need to do in the meantime.

3) Take the NCLEX (do you have to have the CES thing before the NCLEX? and does a NCLEX expire once you've taken and passed it?)

Sorry, but I've never even considered moving back, so it's all a new idea to me. And I like to have a plan of action well in advance.

Thanks!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Invaluable advice, thank you again! So, it looks like

1) Wait for my transcript and get the CES thing done (which one, by the way?)

2) Do any additional training I may need to do in the meantime.

3) Take the NCLEX (do you have to have the CES thing before the NCLEX? and does a NCLEX expire once you've taken and passed it?)

Sorry, but I've never even considered moving back, so it's all a new idea to me. And I like to have a plan of action well in advance.

Thanks!

Welcome to the forums :)

May be worth seeing whilst still at uni that you can fit some maternal and mental health into your training. Anything that has to be made up has to cover both theory and practical and generally at the same time by an accredited uni or school of nursing. CES full course is the one we recommend as it can be used if wanting to do any further courses once in the US. Before you can sit NCLEX you need to meet BON requirements which may involve CES report and no to a certain degree it does not expire but you do need to meet BON requirements to keep it active and renew/pay fees when it is time.

The sticky called Primer to working in the US should be a good starting point for you plus info RGN1 has given you (she beats me now :D)

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Specializes in med/surg.

The transcript has to be submitted direct from your University to CGFNS & they will charge around £30-£35. You should ask for a copy though - mistakes are common!

Then make up any deficits if needed.

You will have to have a CES before N-CLEX as that is part and parcel of a Board of Nursing making you eligible to take the N-CLEX. The N-CLEX doesn't expire but some Boards - eg California - have some conditions & expiry dates. I'm not quite sure what the problem is but all I know is don't apply through them.

Someone else with a lot more knowledge may help here - also do a search on this & the UK forum as loads & loads has been written - be aware of dates of threads & make sure what you're reading is relevant to the present.

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Specializes in med/surg.

YEAH!! Hi SD - you're back & beating me to it again I see!! :yeah: So nice to "see" you!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
YEAH!! Hi SD - you're back & beating me to it again I see!! :yeah: So nice to "see" you!!

Yep, I'm back... appear to have Internet access sorted :)

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Specializes in Neonatal nursing (paediatric trained).

I've done a search and read a few posts that seemed relevant. I think I may have to trawl through the posts as well. I'll have a look at that sticky, as I didn't notice it earlier.

So, the CES is a test then? I must've misunderstood and thought it just sorta translated what is on my transcript into hours and said what else I needed. So, I probably need to choose what state I'll go through (any suggestions?) and go through their board of nursing to do this CES, then the NCLEX after I've done that, then anything extra I need? Sorry, just clarifying. I will read the sticky. :D

I don't think my uni will give me anything else to do, as I finish in just over three months and so am already deep into my branch specific training. I don't think they'd give me anything that wasn't part of the curriculum. But I'm due to speak to my link lecturer tomorrow (I'm in clinical placement until I finish) and will see if she has any ideas as to whether they could help.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I've done a search and read a few posts that seemed relevant. I think I may have to trawl through the posts as well. I'll have a look at that sticky, as I didn't notice it earlier.

So, the CES is a test then? I must've misunderstood and thought it just sorta translated what is on my transcript into hours and said what else I needed. So, I probably need to choose what state I'll go through (any suggestions?) and go through their board of nursing to do this CES, then the NCLEX after I've done that, then anything extra I need? Sorry, just clarifying. I will read the sticky. :D

I don't think my uni will give me anything else to do, as I finish in just over three months and so am already deep into my branch specific training. I don't think they'd give me anything that wasn't part of the curriculum. But I'm due to speak to my link lecturer tomorrow (I'm in clinical placement until I finish) and will see if she has any ideas as to whether they could help.

CES is just an evaluation on your transcripts but have to go direct from university, will not be accepted if you get a copy and send them. What we do recommend is arrange courier service like FedEX to collect them instead of relying on snail mail as you then have some record on delivery but also (don't think it has changed) CGFNS open them quicker than snail mail. Do you have any ideas on where in the US you want to live? Each BON has different requirements for foreign trained nurses

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CES is not a test, but simply a credentials evaluation of your training. If a state requires that, they will not even look at your application until that is done.

Does not matter that you hold a US passport, but since you trained out of the US you will always be considered a foreign-trained nurse and have to complete the additional requirements for licensure.

Licensure and immigration are two very different things.

Do you actually have a visa that will permit you to work in the UK once you are done with your trainings? Please be aware that if you do not have one already, as a new grad it is going to be almost impossible to do.

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