new student from uk wanting to relocate to usa or canada

skylark, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

First of all, are you thinking that if you get a UK RN qualification, you can transfer it to the US?

That is definitely NOT THE CASE!!

Like you said, UK training has 4 branches, adult, paed, maternity and psych.

US training contains all four.

So if you train as adult branch in the UK, you will need to then complete the other three as well before you can apply to sit a US exam.

THE US qualification is the NCLEX, and you can apply to sit the exam as a foreign nurse, but ONLY if you have a transcript of training proving that you completed the minimum hours in all 4 areas.

The current UK training does not meet this requirement.

Google NCLEX for more info.

Or have a look at O'Grady Peyton's website, they are an agency who specialist in sending UK nurses to the US.

I'm a UK trained nurse who also did NCLEX, but I was lucky that I trained last century , when the training was generalist, and met the US requirements.

skylark, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

Just realised you mentioned Canada too.

I don't know anything about their requirements, maybe post in the Canada forum to get more info?

vickycl · Jun 18, 2011

thanks for your reply what would be my next step after my 3 years in adult nursing ?? surely not another 3 years per branch that ould mean 12 years in total :eek:

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

Not only do you have to meet the requirEments this is retrogression to come to the Usa, which the current wait is about 5 years.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 18, 2011

Moved to the International Forum

Both Canada and USA are general trained and cover Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult UK is more specialized so harder to meet requirements. You will need to do both clinical and theory at university or other recognized facility.

For Canada most provinces now require BSN so make sure you go that route at university

Things may change by the time you complete your training, To qualify for a work permit or PR for Canada at the moment 12 months experience is required. US doesn't require experience however as mentioned in the previous post the US at the moment has Retrogression and many people have been waiting since 2005/6 for a immigrant visa and H1b is specialized so experience and extra qualifications may be required

skylark, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

I'm probably not the best person to ask, but my understanding is that once you have done your first 'branch', then its 18 months training for each of the other three.

But please check that, like I say there will be other people here better informed than me.

Like the other poster says, there is still a waiting list for employment visas, and its around 5 years.

So realistically it will be around 10 years from now that you finally get to go : (

I'm also wondering how you intend to make it work, emigrating as a single mom.

My son refused to leave the UK. Teens know what they want, and moving across the pond was not on his agenda.

I stayed until he was 18, now i live half the year in each country.

Also, I don't want to ask too many questions about your situation, but please find out the legal situation with your children's dad. You might find that he is able to prevent you taking them to live abroad.

Please find that out before you get too far with your plans.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 18, 2011

Good reminder. Canada requires proof that you can take your children out of the UK to live like a court letter or notarized letter from the father

vickycl · Jun 18, 2011

thanks for the replies guys no problem with taking my daughter i have sole custody do i have to have completed my bhons degree before i apply for visa ? or can i apply while studying ? my daughter would be quite happy emigrating as she loves the staes an canada but thaot o say she wont feel different in the future

skylark, BSN, RN · Jun 18, 2011

I had sole custody too, but it didnt stop my son's **** dad from going to the courts and kicking up a fuss, even though he never paid maintenance!! :eek:

My understanding is that you need to have the NCLEX cert before you can apply for immigration.

So if you are training in the UK, you will need RN in all four specialities before you can site the NCLEX, and only then can you apply for immigration.

Seriously, ten years is a realistic time scale.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 18, 2011

For both US and Canada you need to have completed nurse training and meet province or state requirements to be a trained nurse as well as have eligibility to sit NCLEX or CRNE or passed NCLEX or CRNE

Then it will be a case of finding a employer willing to go through the process of proving they can not offer job to someone already in the country either as a citizen or PR. I would suggest reviewing this when you are nearly completing your training.

You could have a word with the university in regards to obtaining experience both clinically and theory in the different specialties however they are training you to work in the UK not for elsewhere.

At the end of the day you can work through it just may take longer and at the moment the US will take much longer which could result in your daughter aging out (depending on their current age)

4_Sq · Jun 19, 2011

Have you thought about taking your nurses training in Canada or the USA, might be an easier transition for you..

Just a thought.

Good Luck!!:lvan: