New Zealand psych nurse seeking advice on working in the States

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Hi everyone! I'm a registered nurse in New Zealand keen to spend a year or two in the States. My background is inpatient psych and have worked in various setting in drug and alcohol, community residential houses,eating disorders service and a tutor at universities (for the past 10 years). The unknown scares me and excites me at the same time. I wonder if anyone has any advice or tips regarding working in the States. So far have contacted some recruitment agencies and ordered nclex book...

Also if anyone wants to know about nursing in New Zealand especially in a mental health setting I'm glad to answer any questions. Thank you !

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Welcome to Allnurses.com! We have moved your thread to our International Nursing forum with the goal of amassing knowledgeable replies. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I presume you have sorted out application to the state of choice, without it you can not sit NCLEX?

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My recruitment agent is suggesting to apply for Texas, is this a good choice? I have not done anything yet... will apply after I have clarified a few things with my agent.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Usually we tell people to register with the state they plan on living and working in. Endorsing license can be the same as initial application especially if trained outside the US

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Hi,

Have you started the transcript evaluation process as yet? I am going through the same process at the moment to gain evaluation to apply for NCLEX through the BON in Washington State. I am using a company called the International Education Research Foundation in California to evaluate my transcripts, which will be sent to the BON in Washington State. They will then determine if I can sit NCLEX. I also work in NZ at the moment, although I am UK-trained mental health nurse. I have been offered a place on a PhD program at Washington State University, but don't need to have US registration. I just thought I'd give it a go and see where it lands! Good luck with yours!

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I am going to request a verification of licensure from new Zealand nursing Council. They said they will determine whether or not I need to have transcript evaluated. What is a PhD program? I'm applying in Texas.

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Specializes in Mental Health.

Who said that they will determine if you need to have your transcript evaluated? You need to take a look at the Texas BON to see what they require. I would suggest that you will need to get your transcripts evaluated as you completed your nursing education outside of the USA.

A PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy university course.

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Yes you are right. I need to apply for CES report as well...thank you. All the best for your course!

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