Clarify please, US rn to UK

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 15, 2007

I'm hoping someone can answer my question here as I haven't successfully been able to reach anyone at the NMC. I'm wondering how any US trained RNs are working in the UK if the requirements are for a 3 yr nursing program. Am I right in understanding the nursing program must be 3 yrs of all nursing courses, not a BSN, which is typically 2 yrs basic courses/2yrs nursing? I'm so confused!
I'm asking because I'm moving to the UK next week (!!) and am a nurse midwife in the US, trying to figure out if I can get qualified over there. My midwife requirements seem fine if I can get the RN part, but that seems impossible. I already have a work visa. Are the US nurses working in the UK there on some previous requirements?
Also, could I go to the NMC in person with my questions and are there local offices or only in London? Thanks sooo much!!!!!

The only way to see if you meet citeria is to apply and let NMC decide after looking at your transcripts. It all has to do with hours. You will also have to get your midwife training assessed by the NMC as midwifery in the UK is so specialized and if you ar not added to the register as a midwife then you can not work as a midwife.

Looking at the NMC website there are no offices that you can go to with your enquires there are email and telephone plus mail details for overseas applicants. Also expect the NMC process to take a couple of months and complete all requirements before they will give you a PIN which will enable you to work as a RN in the UK

Overseas contact detailsNMC

midwifemama · Aug 15, 2007

Mmm. I wish there was a definitive answer. I just would rather not spend all the money for the English test and application if I knew it was going to be flat out rejected. :)

I have a friend in the US who is a RN here and a British midwife and she thought I should just go to an office in London to talk to someone about it all...she said it is where she goes for her registration renewal, I just assumed it was the NMC.

If there are any US nurses reading this who are working in the UK, please write me. Thanks!

Belinda-wales, RN · Aug 15, 2007

I am sorry to tell you that there is no other route you need to go through the overseas depatment of the NMC - they will need to asses your transcrpits both nurses and midwifery to see if the meet the sandards required by the UK and the rest of the EU in both education and practise to enter the register. If your training is not accpted you will need to look for an adapdation course. I think that all overseas nurses may have to do a orintation course as well. I afraid the information given by your friend is wrong. Good Luck.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 17, 2007

The BSN is accepted for licensure in the UK. It meets their requirements. A three year diploma program would also work, just not the two year diploma program or the ADN.

If you are a US midwife, do you have the CNM title, and then therefore have the MSN as well?

You are going to have to have your credentials evaluated, the same way that a nurse from the UK has to go thru the same thing if they wish to work in the US. Would start the processing now, since it can take months. And each case is handled and looked over individually.

Best of luck to you.