Moving to USA advice!!

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Hey there,

I am a registered children's nursing BSc Hons, from the UK, I have a years experience working in a children's general unit. My other half has been offered a job opportunity in the states, now I was under the impression as a children's nurse I couldn't work over there but after doing a bit of research I am now even more confused! If there anyone who can help with any advice to see if this would be a realistic idea or not?!

Kind regards, Charlotte. :)

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Have you already checked into the licensing requirements, NCLEX (licensing exam), etc?

Someone better versed in international licensing will surely be able to help you more than I, but I do know that you won't be eligible to work here until you have a US Social Security number, have met the requirements of the State you will be seeking a nursing license from, and that includes eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN.

Good luck! I've no doubt more help will be on the way :D

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

U.S. Nurses are generalist trained unlike the UK where nurses are specialist trained and midwives are used for obstetrics/maternity. Unless you have documented clinical and theory in adult, geriatric, obstetrics/maternity and psych/mental health in addition to your specialized pediatric training you will not qualify for a nursing license by examination in the US. It's very difficult to secure clinical and theory training for the deficiencies as there is high demand for few spaces. The NCLEX is one step in the process. You can review the requirements for a nursing license by examination as an internationally educated nurse of the state board of nursing where you will be relocating up

Some work visas will also give married spouses work rights and as such when cleared by immigration to work the spouse would also be entitled to a social security number. Not all work visas have this option and the "other half"'must be legally married not just a domestic partner or boyfriend/girlfriend or fiancé.

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(JustBeachy beat me to it.)

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I knew help was on the way :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
U.S. Nurses are generalist trained unlike the UK where nurses are specialist trained and midwives are used for obstetrics/maternity. Unless you have documented clinical and theory in adult, geriatric, obstetrics/maternity and psych/mental health in addition to your specialized pediatric training you will not qualify for a nursing license by examination in the US. It's very difficult to secure clinical and theory training for the deficiencies as there is high demand for few spaces. The NCLEX is one step in the process. You can review the requirements for a nursing license by examination as an internationally educated nurse of the state board of nursing where you will be relocating up

Some work visas will also give married spouses work rights and as such when cleared by immigration to work the spouse would also be entitled to a social security number. Not all work visas have this option and the "other half"'must be legally married not just a domestic partner or boyfriend/girlfriend or fiancé.

I have seen UK nurses come to the conclusion/realization that taking an entire nursing course in the US would get them licensed faster than trying to find ways/facilities to make up clinical and theory deficiencies in the various specialties that you're lacking.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I have seen UK nurses come to the conclusion/realization that taking an entire nursing course in the US would get them licensed faster than trying to find ways/facilities to make up clinical and theory deficiencies in the various specialties that you're lacking.

Exactly. And quite often less costly as the schools most frequently offering the courses to remediate deficiencies are the for profit schools charging thousands of dollars

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

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Did you do a foundation year? If you did you may qualify! US are generalist trained however the clinical hours needed are not as much as the UK . I am an adult nurse and did peads , maternity (OBYN and GYN ) and mental health in my foundation year and had more than double , sometimes triple of what was required , however if it was a straight route children's nurse with no foundation year you will find this hard, you will have to do top up classes in a university over there , i believe these are hard to get!

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