Returning to UK from USA. need help please.

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HI to all.

I qualified as an enrolled nurse in 1982, worked in UK till 1997 when we moved to USA. I stayed at home ( have 4 kids) as here on hubbies work visa. I went nuts through boredom and finally found an LVN program to do. I completed last yr and got my license.

Immigration have now made a mistake on our visa renewal and we ar coming back to the UK next month unless they clear thier backlog of paper and deal with our appeal in time.

So.... I am now faced with returning to nursing in the UK after 6 1/2 yrs. I am nervous as hell. I kept up my registration thank god and hav called the NMC allready. They say as I did the 1 yr couse here I can start in UK straight away.

So.... Is it much different? I have seen NHS professionals advertised which seems like the old RNS...

Do RN level 2 still have to take drug assessments at a new hospital in order to give meds?

I have my cannulation and phlebotomy in the UK but not sure if it will still be OK. I did just pass blood withdrawel and IV therapy here which includes cannulation etc. Not sure if OK in UK though..

OMG... questions questions.... sorry....:)

I have just had to change so much from UK to USA way and now I have to change back.....

Funniest thing was me telling instructor I was just doing a clients BM... she looked at me all funny.... I meant accucheck for blood measurement.... here in US BM is a bowel movement.... LOL

One thing I know... I am a good nurse.. just scarred to death of looking like a useless know nothing on return ..... hahaha....

HELP!!!!!! thanks........ Oh and I joke about a lot...... :chuckle

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi

I was an EN but then converted to RGN, EN's haven't been trained for several yrs and I believe a lot have converted when they were given the chance, Also hospital structures have changed and I think it will be a case of checking with each hospital on roles of the EN and what they can or can't do i.e canulation, venupuncture ect.

Where do you think if you had to come back to the UK you will be living?

Anna

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Hi

I was an EN but then converted to RGN, EN's haven't been trained for several yrs and I believe a lot have converted when they were given the chance, Also hospital structures have changed and I think it will be a case of checking with each hospital on roles of the EN and what they can or can't do i.e canulation, venupuncture ect.

Where do you think if you had to come back to the UK you will be living?

Anna

Hi there.

I will be moving to Berkshire. Probably Slough/ Langley area. I trained at Wexham Park hospital and worked at the Royal Berks until leaving UK...

I have been looking into the conversion courses, but it'sdifficult to get a clear picture of my options from here in California....

How have the structures changed in the NHS now?

Thanks for posting.....

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Specializes in M/S/Tele, Home Health, Gen ICU.

Hi, Sorry you're having problems with your visa. Just wanted to touch bases as I'm in southern california and orginally fron Formby near Liverpool. Good luck! :)

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Hi, Sorry you're having problems with your visa. Just wanted to touch bases as I'm in southern california and orginally fron Formby near Liverpool. Good luck! :)
Hi,

My wife is a RMN (15years experience, at present in a managerial role)

but we would really like to live in Florida, we have 3 children to also think about.

Could you tell me your experiences and how you went about the visa minefield.

Any advise would be great

Thanks

Toby

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi,

My wife is a RMN (15years experience, at present in a managerial role)

but we would really like to live in Florida, we have 3 children to also think about.

Could you tell me your experiences and how you went about the visa minefield.

Any advise would be great

Thanks

Toby

Hi

I am just in the process of going through the immigration process at the moment. I am not sure how your wife's qualification will stand (RMN) I have read a few threads and I think she will need to be RGN. If you pm suzanne4 she would be able to give you definate answers, she offers excellent advice and currently lives in Thailand and has alot of dealing in immigration to the US.

Hope this is of some help.

Anna

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HI to all.

I qualified as an enrolled nurse in 1982, worked in UK till 1997 when we moved to USA. I stayed at home ( have 4 kids) as here on hubbies work visa. I went nuts through boredom and finally found an LVN program to do. I completed last yr and got my license.

Immigration have now made a mistake on our visa renewal and we ar coming back to the UK next month unless they clear thier backlog of paper and deal with our appeal in time.

So.... I am now faced with returning to nursing in the UK after 6 1/2 yrs. I am nervous as hell. I kept up my registration thank god and hav called the NMC allready. They say as I did the 1 yr couse here I can start in UK straight away.

So.... Is it much different? I have seen NHS professionals advertised which seems like the old RNS...

Do RN level 2 still have to take drug assessments at a new hospital in order to give meds?

I have my cannulation and phlebotomy in the UK but not sure if it will still be OK. I did just pass blood withdrawel and IV therapy here which includes cannulation etc. Not sure if OK in UK though..

OMG... questions questions.... sorry....:)

I have just had to change so much from UK to USA way and now I have to change back.....

Funniest thing was me telling instructor I was just doing a clients BM... she looked at me all funny.... I meant accucheck for blood measurement.... here in US BM is a bowel movement.... LOL

One thing I know... I am a good nurse.. just scarred to death of looking like a useless know nothing on return ..... hahaha....

HELP!!!!!! thanks........ Oh and I joke about a lot...... :chuckle

I am currently in the USA,but am originally from Liverpool. You will find that when you go back most hospitals actually offer the conversion course and will pay for you to do it.They are desperate for nurses.Why did you have to do theLVN programme here? The state I live in accepted my Enrolled Nurse qualification.I have a different problem to you I completed my conversion course in 1998 and the came over here and decided I wasn't going to nurse ever again.I let my registration lapse and then I found out I could work over here I didn't know they accepted my training.I have to work as a LPN because they just needed the transcripts from my schools.I can't work as a RN because you have to have current registration to take the GFCNS. I have to go back to the UK for a three month back to nursing course to get my RN registration back. I started my EN course in 1986 at the Royal Berks and transferred to Salford halfway through. I am sure you will be okay it is in your best interest to do the conversion course.You will definately get it offered to you I did! Most of your EN will be accepted, you will probably have to do Maternity or Psychiatry, but if you have worked in those areas you may get credit for it I did. As regards to blood drawing and such most hospitals won't let EN's do that, it is getting ridiculous, you may have to do a drugs round with the sister or charge nurse to see if they think you are competent,it's crazy.I wasn't even allowed to check potassium with the Dr on the ward, and I had been qualified for years, but some newly qualified staff could do it. I couldn't hold the drug keys or be left on my own on the ward. A lot of hospitals have undermined the role of the EN and interpreted the Scope of Practice how they want. I am here permanantly as I am a permanant US resident I married an american, so I won't be going back,but I do miss the UK. Anyway good luck and do the conversion course it really is'nt that hard I passed it. Best wishes Ann

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Hi, Sorry you're having problems with your visa. Just wanted to touch bases as I'm in southern california and orginally fron Formby near Li

verpool. Good luck! :)

Hi Celia

I am also from Merseyside, Prescot just outside of Huyton, currently in Missouri. I used to go to Formby beach a lot and I think there was a pub there

called the Formby lighthouse. I used to go out with a policeman from there, his name was Ian Martin. Worked at the Liverpool Royal on Surgical unit 5B for about two years. Did the conversion course at Edge Hill college Fazackerley site. Anyway get in touch would be interesting to chat to you.Take care Ann

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I am currently in the USA,but am originally from Liverpool. You will find that when you go back most hospitals actually offer the conversion course and will pay for you to do it.They are desperate for nurses.Why did you have to do theLVN programme here? The state I live in accepted my Enrolled Nurse qualification.I have a different problem to you I completed my conversion course in 1998 and the came over here and decided I wasn't going to nurse ever again.I let my registration lapse and then I found out I could work over here I didn't know they accepted my training.I have to work as a LPN because they just needed the transcripts from my schools.I can't work as a RN because you have to have current registration to take the GFCNS. I have to go back to the UK for a three month back to nursing course to get my RN registration back. I started my EN course in 1986 at the Royal Berks and transferred to Salford halfway through. I am sure you will be okay it is in your best interest to do the conversion course.You will definately get it offered to you I did! Most of your EN will be accepted, you will probably have to do Maternity or Psychiatry, but if you have worked in those areas you may get credit for it I did. As regards to blood drawing and such most hospitals won't let EN's do that, it is getting ridiculous, you may have to do a drugs round with the sister or charge nurse to see if they think you are competent,it's crazy.I wasn't even allowed to check potassium with the Dr on the ward, and I had been qualified for years, but some newly qualified staff could do it. I couldn't hold the drug keys or be left on my own on the ward. A lot of hospitals have undermined the role of the EN and interpreted the Scope of Practice how they want. I am here permanantly as I am a permanant US resident I married an american, so I won't be going back,but I do miss the UK. Anyway good luck and do the conversion course it really is'nt that hard I passed it. Best wishes Ann

Thank you so much Ann. You have given me a lot of hope with your reply. I was very concerned about getting employment back in the UK to be honest, as I felt I would be so far behind having been away for 6 yrs.

I return to the UK next week and am planning to apply for a full time job as soon as hubby gets work and we sort out childcare for our 4 children.

Knowing now that the conversion is probably going to be easier to get than I thought will ease my stress definately. After 1 year of nursing school here in the US, I know I will do fine.

Glad to hear you are settled here in the US. I definately would return once I have my RN, but I have to consider the children first and how it would affect them having another change.... Who knows what the future will bring......

I used to miss the UK a lot, but now we have to return I am thinking of all the things I will miss here in California.... LOL Can't compare either country as they are both so different......

Well thanks so much for the info. Very helpful.

Take care.

Jo.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi HM

Guess your nearly ready for coming back to the UK. Hope the journey goes well for you and youf family.

As soon as you can do the conversion course go for it. Make sure it offers areas in mother and child, mental health and community. If you are thinking of returning to the US, they are areas required within your transcripts for the CGFNS. Anyway best of luck and hope all works out for you over here in the UK.

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Hi,

My wife is a RMN (15years experience, at present in a managerial role)

but we would really like to live in Florida, we have 3 children to also think about.

Could you tell me your experiences and how you went about the visa minefield.

Any advise would be great

Thanks

Toby

What does RMN stand for? This is the first time that I have heard it... :)

The green card is actually quit easy, as long as you do not use an agency in the UK. More horror stories come from there, than anywhere else. And yours should be the fastest since no English exams are involved.

:balloons:

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Specializes in Psych, Informatics, Biostatistics.

I think the UK has three nursing qualifications: Registered Mental Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse then Registered Nurse.

Western Canada has: Registered Psychiatric Nurse and Registered Nurse.

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