what do I need to start travel nursing in the states?

[nick223]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone could help me. I have a number of questions:

I am a student paediatric nurse in the UK. My aim is to travel nurse in the States after I graduate (what a great lifestyle!). However, none of the agencies I have approached have been able to tell me exactly what and how much post registration experience I need to be eligible to work in the US. For example, do I need 6 months, 1 year or two (I have heard them all)? And will my previous experience as a perfusion assistant in the States count in any way? And is it possible to 'get the ball rolling' before I have completed my post reg work experience by applying for/taking the US entrance exams and going through the immigration process. And how long does that entire entrance test and immigration paperwork take anyway? I suppose what I'm asking is: Is there a fast track? I wanna take it!

Also, do US-trained nurses graduate with competency in IV administration and venous cannula insertion? In Britain we can't become certified until after we graduate.

I know this is a lot of questions. I just hope someone out there could help me!

Thanks!

Nick

[nightingale, RN]

I have moved your post to the UK Forum for their expert information available there.

[madwife2002, BSN, RN]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone could help me. I have a number of questions:

I am a student paediatric nurse in the UK. My aim is to travel nurse in the States after I graduate (what a great lifestyle!). However, none of the agencies I have approached have been able to tell me exactly what and how much post registration experience I need to be eligible to work in the US. For example, do I need 6 months, 1 year or two (I have heard them all)? And will my previous experience as a perfusion assistant in the States count in any way? And is it possible to 'get the ball rolling' before I have completed my post reg work experience by applying for/taking the US entrance exams and going through the immigration process. And how long does that entire entrance test and immigration paperwork take anyway? I suppose what I'm asking is: Is there a fast track? I wanna take it!

Also, do US-trained nurses graduate with competency in IV administration and venous cannula insertion? In Britain we can't become certified until after we graduate.

I know this is a lot of questions. I just hope someone out there could help me!

Thanks!

Nick

Hi Nick,

Welcome to allnurses.

I think you need to review a lot of the threads on the UK nursing forum you will find all your questions answered.

You big problem is that the US will not recognise your nursing qualification from the UK because they only accept general nurses not specialist nurses.

Sorry for this news but it is the unfortunate reality.