Nursing from US to UK

[Anna14111]

I am currently looking at universities to attend and I have many questions. I am currently a US citizen but for personal reasons would like to be located in the UK.

Originally, I was going to study English and take an accelerated nursing program in the US to become an RN. However I have a lot of questions since setting my sights on the UK in the future.

-Does the UK recognize US (1.5 years) accelerated nursing degrees?

-How can my US RN degree be most easily transferred (meeting requirements) over to the UK? I prefer NOT taking the typically 4 year study plan and would love accelerated

-Does the UK offer accelerated nursing degrees and HOW does one qualify? Are these recognized in the US

-The process of transferring my degree from one country to another. For example, if the UK is picky about US accelerated degrees I was considering studying in the UK and gaining an accelerated nursing degree there and then getting certified in the US if needed but want to know how long that would take if I had to move back

______That is the important stuff_____

-if anyone can offer a basic idea of a UK nurse's schedule, that would also be appreciated

[elkpark]

Welcome to allnurses!

I am no expert on any of this, but I know that people have posted here in the past that the UK and some other European countries don't recognize the US accelerated nursing degrees because they just don't have enough hours to be equivalent to the other countries' nursing degrees.

Because the UK uses an entirely different model of nursing education and practice, UK-educated RNs often have difficulty getting licensed in the US (again, I'm no expert, but there are a bunch of existing threads here about this topic).

As a general rule, it's best (safest) to study nursing where you intend to practice nursing. Different countries have significantly different systems of nursing education and practice, and the credentials do not always "translate" from one country to another.

Best wishes for your journey!

[DeenieRN]

Hi! Welcome!

I have heard of many difficulties surrounding the accelerated programs. I understand why they work great in the US, but they cause problems when trying to go transcontinental. You won't have enough clinical hours to qualify in the UK. Similarly, because the UK offers an area specific nursing education model, transferring from UK to US, shows you as lacking in certain nursing areas (educationally), this is because in the UK you specify as a psych nurse, adult nurse, peds nurse etc. Whereas in the US you do it all and kind of pick whatever you want.

If you plan on living in the UK, I suggest you just study there, taking into consideration, transferring from country to country you will need to prove a lot educationally, pay fees, take tests and have at least 1 year post graduate experience to qualify, if you study in the UK and plan to work and live there, you skip all that stuff. Then if you plan on going back to the US, you can cross that bridge when you get to it.

I hope this gives you a better idea! Good luck!

[Cottntale32]

Definitely go to the UK website The Nursing & Midwifery Council It will give you the latest information on the topic you are inquiring about. They have lowered the required number of "clinical" and "in class" hours that are needed by US registered nurses that have been through the accelerated programs. I am currently in the process. Good Luck!