How do I .......

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I'm a US trained RN. I'm thinking of coming back home for a while. How do I go about getting licensed in the UK. How long does the whole process take. Will I be able to work "license pending"?

Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.
Another question I have is - would I need a work permit to work back in the UK. I do have a British passport and dual nationality (naturalized American)! I just wondered. My backgroung is in theatres which I understand is very much in demand in the UK as it is here in the US according to a previous post- is this still the case? Bloss

If your a UK citizen it's not going to be a problem Bloss, just another thought if the NMC are happy for you to work as a EN it may be worth approaching UK unis to see if they will APEL your US qualification to give you credits towards your conversion in the UK. Not sure if it will work but it's worth a try

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Hi Blossom 48

When I applied and got my registration with the NMB there was no mention of me having to take the ONP course. Going through the agency did not have anything to do with me not taking the ONP. I had to prove that I was currently practicing as an RN ,which I am in a level 1 trauma centre. Do you currently practice as an RN? Am I right in assuming that they will not issue your RN permit without the ONP course. I would question them again as many times they screwed up my paper work. They never told me I had to reactivate my EN before I could get my RN PIN even though they knew I had old EN PIN.

You will not need a work permit as you are British. You should have a national insurance number.

Keep me posted as I am interested in you adventure and I can phone the agency and find out any more information if you need some.

Sue

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Specializes in Perioperative Services.

Hi Sue,

I am definitely going to question that decision - I was ready to just go with the flow and just do the ONP. I will call them and find out how the decision was made that I do the ONP and who I can appeal to in order to possibly change or reverse this decision. I have a National Ins number, passport, active EN, BSN, master degree and almost 30 yrs in theatre (10 yrs in London, Coventry and Birmingham), I `d say I`ve done quite a bit. If they won`t budge I`ll sign up with an agency and go through them! I`ll let you know, Bloss

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Specializes in Perioperative Services.

Sue, I`ve been in continuous practise in theatres for 30 yrs, Bloss

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Specializes in Perioperative Services.

Hi Sharrie, I`m going to look at other options before I just give in and do the course! Bloss

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Iwould ask to speak to the person who is dealing with your case. The call centre people really do not know what is going on. They do not know what to do in special situations like yours. They just read from the book of rules.

Sue

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Blossum 48

There is a guy at work who got just his registration and he has a ADN. He did some home study course from Scotland to get his extra hours. He is married to a Brit. He just told me he got his RN and nothing about the ONP. I will ask him when I see him as he has never worked or lived in the UK. And, yes he got his RN with a ADN which I was shocked about. So, it can be done with a ADN.

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Provided you are accepted and meet the minimum standards to be accepted on the NMC register, as a nurse you will be required to undertake the Overseas Nursing Programme, if you have trained outside of the EEA.

Why do I need to complete the ONP?

Any nurse who qualifies outside the EU / EEA and who wants to register to practice in the UK is required by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) to undertake an approved Overseas Nurses Programme (ONP).

I found these quotes from the internet from places where they are running the courses. I just had to prove to the NMC that I had current CEU'S. Blossom you originally did your training in the UK which is in the EEA /EU. So, you should not have to do the course.

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Specializes in Perioperative Services.

Sue, I did my EN training in Birmingham and worked for 10 yrs in England before I emigrated to the US where I got my RN. I will definitely check into it some more or find out if they is something else I can do instead of the course. It`s having to do it within two yrs and take a month off from work to do it which has got me irate, Bloss

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Blossum

I spoke to the guy at work and he did have to take the onp but it was last year when you could do it on line, he said they changed it just a few months ago that you have to go to the UK now and do the course. I still can't see how you are having to do it . Keep me posted on how you get on.

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Specializes in Perioperative Services.

Suemsu,

I will definitely let you know - planning to call next week to start asking questions! Thanks for the additional info, Blossom

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