Hello, I am a Nursing student, currently studying in the UK. I have dual citizenship- US and EU. Upon graduation from my nursing course I am planning to pass the NCLEX and any necessary state exam(s) and hopefully move to California to work as a nurse. I would like to find out if there is any way for me to become a Dermatology Nurse Specialist in the UK and have my dermatology specialist certificate accepted in the USA as well? It would be a waste of time to get a specialty in the UK if I would not be able to use it in the USA. I might just opt to work as a nurse and pursue a further training in dermatology in the USA, if this is the better alternative. What would be your advice?
Second, I would like to find out whether registered nurses can practice independently or only in a medical practice under the supervision of a MD? What about Nurse practitioners or dermatology nurses? Can they have their independent immunization clinic, for example, or a dermatology and laser center? Can they do injectables like Botox, etc. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
It is true that in the UK we study either Mental Health Nursing, Pediatric Nursing or Adult Nursing. I am studying Adult Nursing. This is not to say that I will not gain education or experience in Mental Health or Pediatric, because I will. I think that of the three types of nursing education available here, the adult nursing will probably most closely match the generalist training you are mentioning. It is also true that we do not take any microbiology or lab classes (so far) but I think that here a lot of the classes are taken out of the program and introduced as additional on the job training. For example, we were told that we will not be studying venipuncture and cannulation because this is a one- day course which we will take when we start working. So basically when we get hired in a hospital as an RN the hospital will send us to such a course.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
IEN--internationally educated nurse
The generalist education must be secured during your entry to practice education. Not post diploma as its near impossible to secure clinical & theory in pediatrics, psychiatric, obstetrics and geriatrics. Obstetrics is often the biggest obstacle as the UK utilizes midwives. Microbiology is a pre or corequisite course just like anatomy & physiology (with lab) nutrition, statistics, developmental psychology and is attained prior to entering nursing school or while taking nursing clinical & theory. When the state board of nursing looks at your educational transcripts they also look at your other required courses such as lab sciences, nutrition, statistics or other math, microbiology etc. granted those classes are easier to take than nursing clinical & theory classes.
This is why it's sways recommended to obtain your nursing education the country where you wish to live and practice.
Adult trained nurses from the UK rarely have sufficient clinical & theory in pediatrics & obstetrics. Some may get sufficient mental health nursing but it depends on the nursing school.
A US educated nurse is not specialized and often falls short of NMC requirements of clinical hours completed during school.
IV therapy is often on the job nurses don't commonly do phlebotomy but if a job requires it the employer often offers training.
I did take a look at all those lab- related courses when I was debating where to study nursing. As my B.Sc. was also from the UK it was really easy for me to get accepted here in a Nursing program. However, it would have been considerably more difficult to get accepted in the USA. I would have had to take the microbiology with lab, etc. AND I would have had to pay for my education, which is expensive in the USA. That is why I decided on this route- it is only a two year accelerated course and my plan was to pass the NCLEX and just get a job in the States. I guess I can take these courses you are mentioning at a local college in the USA to satisfy the requirements. I will probably work a good few years here after graduation anyways, before I am able to move. Maybe I can get the relevant experience on the job...if I work as a bank nurse I will get sent wherever they have a need for me and I will get to work in various wards. This way I can build a really strong CV, get these hours I need for the US.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I did take a look at all those lab- related courses when I was debating where to study nursing. As my B.Sc. was also from the UK it was really easy for me to get accepted here in a Nursing program. However, it would have been considerably more difficult to get accepted in the USA. I would have had to take the microbiology with lab, etc. AND I would have had to pay for my education, which is expensive in the USA. That is why I decided on this route- it is only a two year accelerated course and my plan was to pass the NCLEX and just get a job in the States. I guess I can take these courses you are mentioning at a local college in the USA to satisfy the requirements. I will probably work a good few years here after graduation anyways, before I am able to move. Maybe I can get the relevant experience on the job...if I work as a bank nurse I will get sent wherever they have a need for me and I will get to work in various wards. This way I can build a really strong CV, get these hours I need for the US.
Work experience cannot be substituted for deficiencies resulting from your education. No state board of nursing will accept work experience as a substitute for generalist education.
If your transcript does not include sufficient school hours in clinical & theory in ALL areas you will be required to return to school before you are given eligibility.
This is near impossible in the US as nursing schools generally only admit students for the full nursing education program. CA is highest impacted since they started enforcing the decades old concurrency of clinical and theory regulations about 5 years ago. Many IENs from the Philippines, UK, Eastern Europe, and other areas are affected. The wait list for the needed courses is 3-5 years and tuition is expensive.
I am sure you are right but I remember when I was giving birth to my daughter in Walnut Creek the nurse who prepared me for the Caesarian was British. Also, I had surgery on my leg in the same hospital and the operating department nurse (a male nurse) was also British, from Oxford. I mean, they have done it obviously, so I am sure I can do it too. AND I don´t have to worry about a visa, as I am sure they have...so it does get done, the question is how.
I also remember a nurse from the Philipines, who used to work as an operating department nurse back home but was working in another type of job in CA because she could not qualify as a nurse.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I am sure you are right but I remember when I was giving birth to my daughter in Walnut Creek the nurse who prepared me for the Caesarian was British. Also, I had surgery on my leg in the same hospital and the operating department nurse (a male nurse) was also British, from Oxford. I mean, they have done it obviously, so I am sure I can do it too. AND I don´t have to worry about a visa, as I am sure they have...so it does get done, the question is how.
A lot will depend on how long ago the British nurses trained. The main thing we see UK nurses short on here on AN is Paeds and Obstetrics. Clinical and theory hours must be on your transcripts and CA is one of the most strict BON's to date and they also require the clinical and theory hours to be concurrent which at the moment many Philippine nurses are failing on.
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
It's not impossible but it's very difficult. Especially obstetrics since midwifery is a different career path in the UK. But as a current student look for opportunity now to increase your potential for a successful transition. You may have elective opportunities to get hours in psych, pediatrics or obstetrics.
Yes, I am thinking along those lines as well. That is why I am starting early. I think a good starting point is get the exact requirements for the states I am interested in practicing. I mean, how many hours of theory and practice for each field, what subjects, etc. This way I will have a better idea what I should be aiming for.
Thank you, I will read it. I am trying to take the necessary steps now while I am still in education so that I don´t end up like other RN´s who have shared that their qualifications were found insufficient in the USA.
JustBeachyNurse, LPN
13,957 Posts
Same problem not being educated as a generalist. Any popular metropolitan area has zero incentive to hire inexperienced new grad IENs.