Getting a Nursing Degree in the UK? What should I know?

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My husband is in the Air-force and we are currently stationed in New Mexico. I was planning on getting my nursing degree here and become a Registered Nurse. However my husband got his order yesterday, and we will be moving to England in June. The base we are moving to is called RAF Lakenheath and I was looking online for colleges there that offered nursing degrees. However I was unable to find one and even If I did, would I be able to use my degree when we move back to the United States? I also heard that it is hard for someone who comes from another country to be admitted into a nursing program in England and get a job. Would the degree work in the hospital on base? If any one knows any of the answers to my questions or any extra information I should know I would really appreciate it. Thank you

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As far as I am aware only universities do nurse training in the UK and they are not done online. It is hard if not from the UK/EU to get on nurse courses but not impossible but you will however be classed as International and have to pay higher fees. You would also need to make sure that your training covers all areas as the UK training is more specialised so you may be short in areas that will allow you to meet US requirements and sit NCLEX

This may give you a idea http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/details/Default.aspx?Id=1941

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I am in a similar boat!! I came from Arizona to Northern Ireland and am not 100% on how I will go about finishing school yet, but I can offer you info from the education section of the Arizona State Board of Nursing when I inquired:

The degree would not directly transfer; you would need to provide a credential evaluation from an approved CES agency that declared your program equivalent to a US program. This is usually not too difficult when talking about UK programs ( there is a cost and time factor), however many UK programs do not provide maternity nursing. You would need to have maternity nursing theory and clinical practice in your program or take the midwife program following the program. Other areas of deficit sometimes seen are in psych-mental health and pediatric nursing (all these need both theory and clinical) I am enclosing our current instructions for applications--please note the page for graduates of foreign nursing programs.

This was after I sent info for a BSN General Adult Nursing through the University of Ulster. :o\

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https://allnurses.com/united-kingdom-uk/military-wife-stationed-457578.html

It was discussed and argued to death in this thread.

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https://allnurses.com/united-kingdom-uk/military-wife-stationed-457578.html

It was discussed and argued to death in this thread.

Erm, let me clarify- I am not affiliated with the military anymore (was an army brat) I am in the UK for Settlement. My husband is from N. Ireland. My concerns is that if we decide in six years to move back to the USA that my degree from the UK will allow me to practice in the US. (Will be seeking more info from Queen's on that)

I just gathered that the original poster here had the same concerns. Also, international student fees are astronomical!!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If you are able to do your training in the UK I would suggest you have a chat with the university and discuss with them the possibility of returning back to the US in the future and that you need both clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Obstetrics, Mental health as well as general adult

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If you are able to do your training in the UK I would suggest you have a chat with the university and discuss with them the possibility of returning back to the US in the future and that you need both clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Obstetrics, Mental health as well as general adult

Thanks! I plan to do so as soon as possible. Just trying to cover all my bases here since you never know where life takes you!

Is there any place that shares some specific info about the Common Foundation Program (first year)? I have read that it does slightly cover all of the branches (except midwifery), I was just wondering how long/how much. The lady at Queen's already informed be that I would have to do an 18 month module (?) after the general adult degree to cover that base in the USA.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I think the 18 month module she is talking about is like doing general adult and then wanting to specialise as a midwife there are 18 month courses for that type of thing and for the US you do not need as many hours as that. I think I had something like 150 hours theory and clinical each and I did OK for 2 states

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Thanks! That makes me feel better about it

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I know I am a bit late coming into this, but though I might just add some info that might be useful. I am an American who is doing a nursing degree in the UK, at the University of Surrey. My parents are school teachers for DoDDS and I grew up at RAF Lakenheath. I decided to do my nursing degree in the UK because it is only three years and because I will have the option of working in the US (after passing my NCLEX, but no state boards because I am from Florida) or in EU or in the common wealth. Good option for me.

However, if you are an American coming over to England with the military, you will not have the option of doing a nursing degree at a UK university. The nursing degree (and diploma) programs in the UK are funded by the NHS and as a result in order to be accepted on the course a student has to show that they are a UK national or that they have residency (meaning that they have lived in the UK for three or more years with no restrictions on their visa). As an american military spouse your visa will most likely state 'leave to remain until...'

Sorry, but I don't even think that a UK university would accept you onto a nursing course.

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