nursing school in the UK

Published

Hi everyone! I am hoping for a little help since I can not seem to find the exact answers I am looking for online anywhere. I am just finishing up my pre reqs at a community college to apply for a nursing school, however I have just recently decided that I may want to move to the UK for school and possibly permanently. I have some family out there and am looking for a change. Anyways, I have read that if you get your nursing degree there you will have to take additional courses in the US if you choose to return and work here. Does anyone know how many courses are needed to be able to work in the United States? Any help would great! Thanks so much!!

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

Its not that simple. UK nurses are specialist trained in adult, pediatric, mental health or learning disabilities (developmental disabilities in the US) there are also midwives which is a similar but separate position (midwives handle L&D unlike the US). When you specialise you do not get the clinical and theory in the other areas. US and Canadian nurses are generalist trained in adults, geriatrics, pediatrics, psychiatric and obstetrics/maternity. Very few schools offer the clinical and theory for overseas nurses.

As you are not a UK citizen per your post, its not that simple to just want to go over as an international student (but like in the US I understand that international students pay 2-5x the amount a local will in tuition and fees and also be required to obtain a student visa). The healthcare system in the UK is very different from the US.

it's always recommended to obtain nursing education in the country in which you wish to live and practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

Check to see if you can even take nursing coursework in the UK as a non-citizen/non-permanent resident. I looked at a Canadian school as I live near the border; while the university accepts a number of international students each year, for nursing school you MUST already have either Canadian citizenship or Residency status to even apply.

The U.S. and the U. K. are very different health care systems and a degree in nursing in one is essentially useless in the other. Which county are your likely to spend you life living and working in? That is the country you should get your degree and license in. Nursing is not a profession that is easy to bounce between different countries with out obtaining the education and license that is necessary for each particular country. (Several of my classmates here in the U.S. are experienced nurses in their home countries, but are now taking the same pre-nursing coursework I am in order to get back to their profession in this country.)

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

Moved to the International Nursing forum

As mentioned UK training is more specialised. The training is also funded by the government and very few universities accept International nursing students because of how it is funded. Generally to qualify you have to have been a UK resident for 3 + years.

When registering in another country that you did not train in you will always be classed as a Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) and have to meet other requirements. If the plan is to one day return to the US and work then better to do your training in the US

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Contact the RCN (Royal College of Nursing), they are the main nurses union in England. They have both an international & student section. Best wishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion