Is A Normal UK Nursing Degree Acceptable in the USA?

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I am currently a Nurse in the UK and I would like to relocate to the United States. I have a degree in nursing from the UK however I am unsure if that degree is acceptable. Will my Standard Nursing Degree be eligible in the USA? And if not, what do I have to do to gain eligibility?

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General training, including pedis, maternity and psych.

No need for off shore recruitment and a huge backlog for migration. Read more threads around a six year wait

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

When did you train? Does your transcripts show clinical and theory in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult? That is what the states are looking for. Generally degree is degree however the US does require general trained not specialist trained like the UK.

Suggest also read up on retrogression

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I qualified in 2011 as an adult nurse, however, throughout my training I had to show competencies in obstetrics, paeds, and mental health. since qualifying i have been, a manager of a nursing home. I also have qualifications, in end of life care. safeguarding, dignity in care, and I am a manual handling and dementia awareness trainer.

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To issues, do you have the legal right to work in the USA? Also you need theory and clinical hours in OB, Peds, and Psych, usually UK nurses do not meet the US Standard due to this requirement.

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What is the legal right to work in the USA? and as for OB, Peds, and Psych I had to do 1 week each with my 3 year degree course.

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Specializes in Home Care.

Legal right means valid work permit.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
What is the legal right to work in the USA? and as for OB, Peds, and Psych I had to do 1 week each with my 3 year degree course.

In what capacity do you mean legal right to work in the US? If as a nurse you have to meet state requirements pass NCLEX and have a license issued. Also need a employer. Most employers will not look at you without a pass in NCLEX and letter if not license stating you meet requirements. Nurses with BSN or minimum 12 years nursing experience can look at H1b but is employer driven and job must advertise as a BSN. Unless the hospital is not affected by the cap then looking at the employer applying in April with Oct start and you would be competing with other professions so no guarantee you will get one. If looking at immigrant visa and you are main applicant and not marrying a US citizen or someone already with PR then generally nurses come under EB3 (employer driven) which depending on country of birth will depend on time but looking anywhere from 18 months to 7 years and these figures will go up and down and time doesn't start until you have found a employer they have applied for a immigrant visa for you and it has been approved.

Visa Bulletin For February 2014

Roughly need 75 hours or more clinical and theory in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. It does vary from state to state and I have met 2 states and I have a minimum of 75 hours clinical in both Mental Health and Obstetrics. I have approx 75 hours theory in Paeds and over 800 hours in clinical. Adult was over 75 hours both clinical and theory. Currently no place available in the UK to make hours up and if you do have to make hours up you need to check with the state that it is an approved establishment or course.

We are not saying give up but be aware on how the situation is, keep up to date and that it may take several years to do it.

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