I am a UK educated and trained nurse looking to move over to the USA. i have passed my NCLEX and have applied for a load of jobs but I still work and live in England so they are obviously reluctant to employ me. I was just wondering if anyone had made the same move and what the differences between british and American nursing are? I understand there is more of a diagnostic aspect and the assessment process is more in depth than it can be here. If anyone could share their day-to-day duties and responisbilities that would be super helpful!
Hi Sarah. I trained under the old system as a hospital based nurse in London. My training included psychiatric nursing, midwifery & paeds. The training included blocks of theory/ward work in every subject. I know it's harder now due to the narrower focus of the training but I also think recently trained nurses get a more academic foundation, probably more in line with US nurses' knowledge base. From other nurses' comments on this subject in the past, I think some people try to get short term placements on units with the relevant specialist focus to fulfill the extra subject requirements. I initially registered with the Ohio Board of Nursing & you're correct that the US system is very state specific. But once you've got licensure in one state it's pretty straightforward to get licensure in others. In fact 34 states are in a compact that allows nurses to work across all of them. https://www.trustedhealth.com/compact-states So my current licensure is Georgia which allows me to work in 33 other states as well. For both Ohio & Georgia I had to get my UK training school to send transcripts direct to the relevant state board. By that stage it was handled by Middlesex University, I think, & they knew how to format the transcripts to comply with US requirements. I submitted my original application through CGFNS in the US, which - as you probably know - interfaces with the state Boards of Nursing. I was then approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing to take the NCLEX exam. And I did the Kaplan prep course plus lots of practice tests. I hope this helps.
Okay thank you for getting back to me! Thats really helpful. Ahh yeah that makes sense. The old system you trained in seemed a lot better as you covered all important areas. Wished they kept it the same but anyway I'll try my best and see what happens! Thank you again!!
I just have another question about transcripts. Do yours transcripts show all of your clinical placements (gynaecology, medical, neuro etc.) as well as theory modules covered at university.
My transcript doesn't list my placements, it just simply says 'Practical component - Pass'.
Is it enough for my university to just fill out the form provided by CGFNS specifying the hours in each box provided?
Hi Sarah. I've attached a copy of my CGFNS transcript so you can see how it was prepared for me. It does seem to be a lot more detailed than the one provided by your university. Hope this helps. Melissa
You’re welcome. My husband - a US trained physician who worked in both countries - cynically commented that they’re probably trying to sabotage nurses’ attempts to leave the NHS ?
Hey! I had luck in 2018 through CGFNS. I studied pediatric nursing at LSBU. I think I was able to make it because a lot of my hours were made up in my first year. And even then a lot of my placements were on different specialized wards. What kind of nursing did you study?
I'm so glad to see this! May I ask what state you applied to? I'm currently in this process and getting no where with CA BON. They've also told me that I'll get automatically declined cause I was pediatric trained. Which Is the first time I've heard that.
California has to be one of the most difficult states to register with if you're a UK trained RN. You would probably have better luck in another state. Maybe reconsider your options. Good luck
Specializes in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Medical High Dependency.
Bellabong said:
Hey! I had luck in 2018 through CGFNS. I studied pediatric nursing at LSBU. I think I was able to make it because a lot of my hours were made up in my first year. And even then a lot of my placements were on different specialized wards. What kind of nursing did you study?
Hi that great how are you enjoying practicing in the US? I was wondering if you could maybe help me with a question. I am also a UK trained nurse, finally has my CES report generated and sent to PA BON. I have registered to PA BON website but haven't applied for license by endorsement/exam (as not sure if I'm eligible yet to sit the NCLEX). Do I need to apply anyway to get them to correspond with me? I've been on hold for about an hour to PA BON - just wondering if anyone can shed some light? Just seems a waste of $145 application fee if they turn around and decide I don't have enough hours.
Hi. I went through the process in early 2011 & took the exam through the Ohio BON. From memory, once your CES report has been generated and sent to your nominated BON you can go onto the BON website and navigate through to the NCLEX application site. At least that's how it worked in Ohio. (By coincidence, my state of residence immediately prior to Ohio was Pennsylvania, which - I seem to remember - was not the most user-friendly for telephone enqs!) Hope this helps - Melissa
Sarah Jackson
17 Posts
Thank you both for your responses!
I studied Adult Nursing and have also worked on specialised wards but not in materal/infant.
How did you fulfill hours in mental health, maternal/infant and adult? Did you complete placements in these areas in first year?
Also in terms of theory did you cover these areas?
If you don't mind me asking, which state BON did you register with? I've heard that some are more lenient than others with their requirements.
Lastly, did the NMC fill the relevant forms (proof of license) or did you just request a CPPS?
Thank you