Moving from the UK

Published

Specializes in 11yrs Learning Disabilities as RSW.

Hi guys,

I'm a first year mature (40yrs) nursing student training in Psychiatric nursing. My wife is doing her Adult branch nursing also at the moment - makes for a busy household. We love the florida climate and also know some friends (nurses) who have settled out there. Unfortunately lost contact with them. What is required to move to and live in the US or is this governed by the state chosen. What regulations to psychiatric nurses work to and any other pointers or tips to help - ie, links to relevant web sites.

Kind thanks in advance

Pete

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

Hi Pete,

Cant help you with the Psych bit but wanted to wish you well as we moved to Florida from the UK about 18 months ago and absolutely love it!!!

Sue

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Welcome to Allnurses.com. Glad to see that you have joined us here.

The US requires that the nurse be a generalist in their training, meaning that both you and your wife will need to complete hours in both maternal nursing as well as pediatrics. Even if you are never going to go near those areas, you are still required to have training in them, both clinical as well as theory hours. If you can get them in as electives while you are in school, that will make it the easiest for you. It is required of all fifty states, as well as CGFNS/ICHP for the Visa Screen Certificate that you will need for your green card.

There is also a thread at the top of this forum called the Primer, it will give you much information that you will need.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 11yrs Learning Disabilities as RSW.

SueIP: Thanks for that Sue, Myself and my wife would love to here what your experiences of Florida nursing has been like.

Pete and Alyson

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 11yrs Learning Disabilities as RSW.

Hi suzanne, is there some form of bridging course in the US if i'm only psychiatric trained or do you feel its best that i change branch and do my adult nursing first (i can do that at end of my first year). If i go the psychiatric route it is around 18months training in adult on top, shorter the other way round.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi Pete and Alyson

Best bet is whilst still at uni try and get some hours both theory and practical in maternal, general adult, paeds and psych (this also covers your wife :)) much easier. Currently at the moment there is no provisions with universities to make up these hours once qualified unless you do the 18 month courses, can be made up in the US but needs to be with a recognised school of nursing, much better to have a word at uni

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 11yrs Learning Disabilities as RSW.

Anna, thanks very much for the info, will see what the uni says.

Going out into the garden now for some late sunshine and a read (yes nursing) and then off to a cheese and wine with the wife.

bonjour

Pete

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Anna, thanks very much for the info, will see what the uni says.

Going out into the garden now for some late sunshine and a read (yes nursing) and then off to a cheese and wine with the wife.

bonjour

Pete

your welcome and enjoy the sun :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Definitely try to get those hours done while you are still in school, there are places to make them up in the US, but at a very large expense. And you will not be permitted to sit for the NCLEX until you have those hours completed.

In my personal opinion and if you are still in school, and it is easy for you to make the change, it would be much easier for you with the Adult Branch if your goal is to directly work in the US and not your country. It will also be much easier for you to get the needed hours as electives also.

Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion