Help!! UK nurse moving to Tennesse

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Hello, I am a UK trained nurse, I have a degree. I am planning on moving to Tennessee in the future, as my partner is American and this is where he is moving back to! We are planning to be married before the move.

Basically, I wish to know where to begin. Are my UK qualifications enough? I have 18months experience on an acute nephrology/medical ward, I will have haemodialysis experience, and I also intend on moving to Intensive Care to gain some critical care experience.

I am aware that in the states you do paeds, mental health, midwifery placements as part of your training, will my lack of this be a problem?! Will I need to do some kind of extra training to nurse in the US?

Please can someone offer me any help!

I know I will have to do the NCLEX, can I do this whilst still in the UK? How much does it cost etc....

Thanks in advance for any helpful posts

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Welcome to allnurses! :balloons:

The US trains nurses as generalists -- you will have to have whatever minimum number of hours the Tennessee BON requires in all areas (med-surg, peds, OB, psych) in order to be eligible for licensure. Also, you will have to meet the BON's requirements (including the requirements for education) in order to be authorized to sit the NCLEX, so you won't be able to do that until you get the education question sorted out.

Here's the website for the Tennessee BON -- that would be the place to start:

http://health.state.tn.us/Boards/Nursing/index.htm

Best wishes!

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm going to move this to the International Forum so you get more answers.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

As mentioned starting point will be the Board of Nursing for the state you are planning on living in and they will not give eligibility until you meet requirements and strongly suggest you make a start now as meeting requirements and obtaining eligibility can take about 4-6 months (or there about) although looking at the BON website you need CGFNS exam not CES report so timing can be longer as the exam is only held a couple times a year. May be worth looking at another state for initial licensure however I would suggest you contact the BON and see what requirements would be necessary with you being an International trained nurse and endorsing (they may still require you to get CGFNS certificate even if you pass NCLEX for another state)

NCLEX exam can be taken in the UK (London) and I believe the CGFNS exam can also be taken in the UK

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