Graduate UK nurse making move to USA

[lou1991]

Hi,

I'm a graduate trained as an adult nurse in the UK! I currently have a job on an acute medical assessment ward and I'm looking at moving the USA in approx 1 year.

I spoke to a London based agency and they have advised me to apply to the CGFNS for credentials evaluation and apply to take my NCLEX.

They then told me to give them a call when the above is completed, and they contact hospitals/agencies in the USA to secure me a contract and visa!

I asked about making up of theory/practice hours and I was advised he has never come across a british adult trained nurse who has had any major issues with the credentials part. He did mention he had a woman who needed 20 hours extra mental health nursing, but was able to use her learning disabilities placement hours to cover this also.

Has anyone here made the move to the USA as a UK trained adult nurse and if so, how has the process been for you?

[Mtorney]

On 2/18/2019 at 11:11 PM, NurseeDeeva said:

Hey Nurses,

I have just received my ATT from NY BON and it feels so good

This is how i got the approval. I have always wanted to move to the States ever since i qualified few years ago but i never got round to doing anything about it. But late last year, i finally decided to start the process. I looked for an agency who was willing to employ me and help me with the process.

My application was sent directly by the agency to NYBON early November with 1f form , my university sent my transcripts with a 2F form directly to NY and NMC sent the verification of license to NY via online. This is a faster process compare to using CGFNS. There was a bit of a delay with my application because NMC has a new process in place but NY wasn't aware of this so NY kept asking for a paper copy of the verification. I had to keep calling NYBON to relate this new process to them. Eventually NY accepted the verification via online. Few weeks laters i received my approval letter via email.

I am glad i did not give up because a lot of people in this forum stated that UK trained nurses do not have the required hours to qualify for Nclex. Although i did a 2 week mental health placement but never did a placement in Gynea, labour or peads ward. But my transcript did include 75 hours of peads and OBs cos i did few weeks placement in ANE and i had the opportunity to care for children and pregnant women.

Hi Nurseedeeva,

I have done similar placements to you and i am hoping that i will get same result. Did your transcripts show your placements? or did you submit any other evidence of placements etc?

[amerie89]

@Futurenurse265

I am a UK trained nurse. I have a social security number which means I can apply to the CA state board for application to test. When I apply, they will send me back a list of my deficiencies which will most likely be paeds, obstetrics and perhaps mental health. I can then apply to make up these deficiencies at an approved school within CA state. Then reapply and eventually be granted permission to sit NCLEX in CA. Then I must find an employer to sponsor me or use an agency.

If you don't have an SSN you can not apply to CA. But you can apply to other states. Other states aren't so strict about making up requirements like paeds, MH etc. It is obviously not possible to do 4 branches of nursing training in the UK.

You can figure out the hours requirements for each state board by visiting their website. Figure out what our school offers and then talk to your tutors about making up extra hours in each field if they are willing to let you do that. Also opt for spoke placements in places like NICU, gynae, do extra mental health hours etc. Its definitely possible, just a lot of work. If its something you have your heart set on you will do it ? Good luck xx

[amahal]

Hi Amerie

I'm interested to hear how you managed to get a social security number from the USA without being a resident. I tried to get this to no avail. I would be interested to know the process you followed.

Amrat

[amerie89]

4 hours ago, amahal said:

Hi Amerie

I'm interested to hear how you managed to get a social security number from the USA without being a resident. I tried to get this to no avail. I would be interested to know the process you followed.

Amrat

Hi Amrat,

I also have a bachelors degree in Law and when I finished this I worked for a year in the US on a non immigrant J1 visa. I got an SSN during this time.

The only way to get one is to be deemed eligible to take up employment in the US, luckily I previously had that opportunity.

God luck x

[Nclarke]

On 9/5/2016 at 3:53 PM, lou1991 said:

Thanks for all the advice off you guys, I really appreciate it!

I've decided to go ahead with the CGFNS - CES

Checking my theory modules and practice experience - it is looking hopeful that I may meet most of the requirements

In order to register with the NMC in the UK the board state

"Adult nurses must be able to carry out accurate assessment of people of all ages usingappropriate diagnostic and decision-making skills. They must be able to provide effectivecare for service users and others in all settings. They must have in-depth understanding ofand competence in medical and surgical nursing to respond to adults' full range of health anddependency needs. They must be able to deliver care to meet essential and complex physical andmental health needs.Adult nurses must also:• be able to recognise and respond to the needs of all people who come into their careincluding babies, children and young people, pregnant and postnatal women, people withmental health problems, people with physical disabilities, people with learning disabilities,older people, and people with long term problems such as cognitive impairment."

In my training I have recieved a bit of everything when I delve back into the three years....

I have seen job advertisements in the nursing standard and reputable journals such as the nursing times here in the UK etc. I've also spoken to people who have made the move themselves. It does sound like a long process, and I'm not saying it will be easy.... But there are jobs in the US for UK nurses advertised. My recruiter doesnt ask for a single penny and so far theyve been really helpful with guiding me in how to approach my application and how to study for NCLEX etc.

How have you got on with your process?

I'd love to talk to you personally as my husband is being relocated with work to texas and it now all depends on me gaining registration out there.

Thanks

Natasha clarke

[Nclarke]

On 2/18/2019 at 11:11 PM, NurseeDeeva said:

Hey Nurses,

I have just received my ATT from NY BON and it feels so good

This is how I got the approval. I have always wanted to move to the States ever since I qualified few years ago but I never got round to doing anything about it. But late last year, I finally decided to start the process. I looked for an agency who was willing to employ me and help me with the process.

My application was sent directly by the agency to NYBON early November with 1f form , my university sent my transcripts with a 2F form directly to NY and NMC sent the verification of license to NY via online. This is a faster process compare to using CGFNS. There was a bit of a delay with my application because NMC has a new process in place but NY wasn't aware of this so NY kept asking for a paper copy of the verification. I had to keep calling NYBON to relate this new process to them. Eventually NY accepted the verification via online. Few weeks laters I received my approval letter via email.

I am glad I did not give up because a lot of people in this forum stated that UK trained nurses do not have the required hours to qualify for NCLEX. Although I did a 2 week mental health placement but never did a placement in Gynea, labour or peads ward. But my transcript did include 75 hours of peads and OBs cos I did few weeks placement in ANE and I had the opportunity to care for children and pregnant women.

Hi, I qualified in 2019. I have got my transcript to look over. And it does not state my practical hours just my theory. Iv spoken with my university and theyv said this is the only transcript I would get off them. Can anyone advice me.

[lou1991]

Wow, this thread is a blast from the past!!

Did any of you manage to make the move over? 

I’ll give you an update….

We sacked off the idea of nursing in the USA. Way too many hoops to jump through and the UK just don’t provide the training here required to be a “generalist” nurse…

Long story short… we’re now in the process of moving to Australia. Covid is obviously screwing things up a bit, but the registration process is much easier and it’s a beautiful country. 
 

Where are you guys now?…..

[Esther140]

On 12/10/2016 at 11:04 PM, HelenaUK said:

Hello everyone

I am in the exact same position Lou and LClaire

I am working in an Emergency Assessment Unit in England, and have just paid CGFNS the money to check my uni credentials. Currently the form is with my uni and they need to send the CGFNS my transcripts.. quite nervous of the hours issue - will keep you guys updated ?

I have also paid the money to NMC to get them to verify my pin to the CGFNS.

I am also applying to Texas BON as you don't need SS number. My agent is also not charging a thing and has spent hours chatting to me on phone/email about the process.

Trying to revise for NCLEX also!

My agent reckons about a year and I should be in the USA... I am anticipating doubt and skepticism on this site, however I am remaining positive and putting my faith in my efforts and in the system..

I too see adverts all the time in the back on RCN journal and Nursing Times; anyone who says there aren't vacancies is misguided because some hospitals clearly do want UK nurses.

Remain positive Lou and Claire, we will get there!

Helena

Hello Helena, 

I am currently in the same position as you were. I know it’s been a while since you posted this but I’m just wondering how you’ve gotten on. I’m also about to start my CGFNS Process and hope I meet the required hours as I had an A & E placement also.

Can you please share the contact of the agent you used? It’s [email protected]

Thank you

[Nav22]

HandmadeRN said:

Hey Everyone,

I just came across this post and thought I'd add my experiences so far of doing the same! Hopefully, it might be helpful to other people wondering about applying to the US.

I applied to CGFNS in Sept 2015 and got my final evaluation back in May 2016. I am an adult trained nurse and as expected did not get enough hours for midwifery and paediatrics. It took a long time to get the report as my school of nursing were particularly unhelpful and CGFNS only accepts paperwork via post which takes about 3 weeks each time. And when they do receive it, there's not much of a hurry to scan it and upload it on to their system! There was a lot of to and fro-ing as I wanted CGFNS to consider my PgDip in health visiting towards maternal/paediatric nursing hours. Long story short, they won't consider any post registration/post qualification modules. They literally just consider your pre-registration nursing and getting any other transcripts/degrees evaluated is a waste of time and money.

Despite not getting enough hours, I applied to the BON of my choice only to be told 8 weeks after I applied that I was deficient in those hours and I would need to make those hours up. Only hours at a US university would count. The BON I applied to could not tell me of any place in their state that could help me do this and that this was something that I had to find myself. I came to a dead end with this one too but not after shelling out more money for another evaluation (this time an academic one), because one admissions tutor at a university reckoned I might be able to do the required modules as freestanding modules. Then, when I applied, another admissions tutor for the course said that I couldn't.

However, what I did want to add was this.

After all those setbacks, I decided to ring round three UK based nursing agencies to see if could get any advice. The resounding response was they basically won't touch you until you have your NCLEX and license. Only one agency bothered to call me back and he was particularly helpful. According to him, most sponsored job contracts are 2-3 years in length and in the acute sector. This was particularly insightful for me as I'm a practice nurse and I like working in primary care. I was essentially told I'd need to go back to working in a hospital. Also, personally speaking, I'm not keen to be tied to working in the same place for so long!

What the recruiter did tell me was that in his opinion, the better option for me would be to re-apply to CGFNS and that I should draft a letter outlining the hours that I have done in child/maternal and mental health nursing and get someone from the school to sign this, preferably an academic lecturer then send this to CGFNS. He stated that we should have enough hours in our first year/CFP year of nursing. In his experience, this has worked for him to get British trained nurses into the US. He did not know of anyone managing to top up their hours in the US after they had got their CES back.

After all the setbacks, I'm still considering my options to be honest and wondering if Canada might not be a better fit for me personally. I'm not an acute nurse anymore and whilst I'm sure I could go back to being an acute nurse. I much prefer primary care nursing. I hope I haven't sounded too bitter whilst writing this, just thought I'd give an honest account of what it's been like.

Hi

I came across your post and really hoping you manage to go through those hurdles. I am currently in the same boat. My CGFNS report stated I have zero clinical hours for paeds, maternity and psych. So I am currently stuck, wondering if you can advise or help. Thank you in advance.

[Nav22]

Leahmax7 said:

Hi rosiealice, I am in the same position as you. I am a UK RN currently living in SC on a NATO visa. I have had my CES report issued to the BON (FINALLY!, what a horrendous company CGFNS is to deal with!!), and am deficient in clinical hours in OB, peads and psych. Have you managed to find a university where you can make up these hours? I'm finding it extremely difficult! If I cannot find a university in SC to assist me making up these clinical hours I may have to look out of state, as SC is part of the compact states. But am currently having no luck, and my NATO visa is causing a bit of an issue even getting enrolled in a university as they only take international students on an F1 visa. I was also told false information by CGFNS and the SC BON that my degree would transfer without any problems to a US equivalent, only to now find out I'm lacking these clinical hours and they can't accpet me without them. If I had of known this 2 years ago when I started applying I could have had these clinical hours made up by now!! There is very little information and help out there for UK nurses transferring to the states in terms of making up clinical hours. I'd love to hear your experience and if you have any tips and advice!

Thanks,

Leah ?

Hi Leah,

I am currently having the same issue with 0 clinical hours in those areas. Did you manage to find any university/college that manage you to make up those hours? Thank you in advance.

[Nav22]

amerie89 said:

@Futurenurse265

I am a UK trained nurse. I have a social security number which means I can apply to the CA state board for application to test. When I apply, they will send me back a list of my deficiencies which will most likely be paeds, obstetrics and perhaps mental health. I can then apply to make up these deficiencies at an approved school within CA state. Then reapply and eventually be granted permission to sit NCLEX in CA. Then I must find an employer to sponsor me or use an agency.

If you don't have an SSN you can not apply to CA. But you can apply to other states. Other states aren't so strict about making up requirements like paeds, MH etc. It is obviously not possible to do 4 branches of nursing training in the UK.

You can figure out the hours requirements for each state board by visiting their website. Figure out what our school offers and then talk to your tutors about making up extra hours in each field if they are willing to let you do that. Also opt for spoke placements in places like NICU, gynae, do extra mental health hours etc. It's definitely possible, just a lot of work. If its something you have your heart set on you will do it ? Good luck xx

Hi Amerie,

I am currently having the issue of having 0 clinical hours in those field. I am trying to look for potential schools that will allow me to complete those hours. Can you share your experience how you found a way to complete those hours? Did you have to do a whole degree again for 4 years or were they letting you sit just for those clinical hours. Thank you so much.

[skylark, BSN, RN]

The NMC restructured nurse training into branches to stop nurses going overseas. The current training does not allow you to work overseas, unless you complete the three other branches as well. I believe there are universities that will allow you to do that, but I've been in the US for more than a decade now and I don't have current information.