frustrated Nurse trying to be able to work in the US

suzanne4, RN · Jul 11, 2004

Hi I am an Aussie nurse living in the US. I have been battling the CGFNS for a report for almost 2 years. I found that if I didn't ring them almost every week that they would refile my application in the too hard basket. After letters going back and forth from Australia they finally wrote the report and said that I had no mid/peds/psych training. So of course I have now been told that I have to find somewhere to complete these components of my education. Am not entirely sure how I go about this but am spending a lot of time researching it all on the Internet. I can't believe how difficult this has all been especially since they are constantly saying how badly they need nurses here in the US. If there is anyone out there who knows anything that can help me I would be forever grateful as I am almost at the point of just going back to Australia and forgetting the whole thing, at least I know that I would be able to get work back there:) .

Take a deep breath and relax.................. :balloons:

Welcome to Allnurse.com..................... :)

Now we will start taking care of your problems....

You have a few choices available to you....................

1.) Many of the community colleges in your area have spaces that open up do to students dropping and they would like to get funds in for tuition, if possible. I would check with some of them about attending as a guest student. This will be your easiest.

2.) Check the universities that have nursing programs in your area.

3.) Contact University of Phoenix and see if you could complete those classes thru them. They do have an on-line program..............

4.) There are still other options open to you, but please let me know how you do with these first.

Sorry that you have had to go thru so much difficulty with CGFNS. Someone should have told you right from the beginning that your curriculum doesn't meet US requirements. Your training is as a "specialist"--- not a "generalist."

Please keep me posted....................and start smiling... :) :)

hsnicol · Jul 12, 2004

what do you mean by specialist and not generalist training? I did actually do an elective in Maternity but I am not entirely sure that it is even worth arguing the point, thanks for the information that you gave me I will start to look into it and will post a reply when I have anything positive to tell you:) I do try to keep smiling but it is not always easy when you feel as if you are banging your head against a brick wall.....

suzanne4, RN · Jul 12, 2004

The US requires mandatory hours in peds, maternal health (labor and delivery), as well as mental health. This is in addition to adult health. There are a minimum number of hours required for theory as well as clinical skills. The hours must also be completed thru an approved school of nursing, not just clinical hours under a preceptor nurse.

You are not the only one with this problem, many from the UK also have the same problem. Sorry that it took you so long to find out about this.

hsnicol · Jul 12, 2004

When I did my Bachelor of Nursing we had a choice of doing an elective in each of those areas mentioned so I did Maternal Health. Do not exactly remember the amount of clinical hours but it was spent in the Women's Hospital in Melbourne assisting in all areas of labor and delivery as well as per and post natal care. Anyway I guess that it doesn't really matter. I am glad that I am not the only one that has had this problem, and even though I am just finding out about it now after two years at least I did find out so I can get on with getting the necessary qualifications. Am going to ring around or email local colleges etc tomorrow to find out whether I can join any of them to complete the necessary courses etc. Thanks again for all your help, it has made a huge difference in my outlook, definatley more positive now.