Misstheo

It's all done now. The whole process took about six months. CNO sends everything electronically. I suspect they may be a bit faster now as they've adapted to remote pandemic working.

I am currently going through it, and it's a non-starter if you're in Ontario. Both the CNO and both my nursing schools (RPN and RN) are unable to process the forms in person due to restrictions with office workers and the pandemic. They can only do electronic forms at this point in time. CGFNS also are not helpful as they do not accept electronic documents. I've been in process since May, and CGFNS has received nothing from my nursing board or schools. It likely is different in other provinces. Are you in BC? I ended up getting a full-time temp job locally while I waited.

Also to add, I’m sure you’re aware but I see you have perinatal and breastfeeding experience and certifications. This all falls under maternity and midwifery in the UK. It would be unlikely you’d be able to get a job with anything to do with babies or children unless you’re a midwife or Pediatric trained nurse. Just something to think about. I think you’d be fine with women’s health issues but working with youth may fall under Pediatric.

I can’t help you with your questions but I too have a similar background and often toy with the idea of going back. I just keep hearing about how bad the NHS is and I can’t get over the low pay and how everybody struggles to live over there as in low wages and high cost of living. I’d also be paid the same I was when I left 6 years ago! At the same time, I feel the job opportunities to go up the bands and do a masters while being paid and advanced practice are endless, unlike Canada. Also, don’t get me started on the mess of Brexit! However, It’s really a tough choice! I’m wondering what you mean when you say the state of Canadian healthcare? Also, learning disabilities is a branch of nursing over there where you do a separate course like with adults, peds etc. You would definitely start off on med-surg unless you can get your NMC pin and apply for non-med surg. You have the advantage of citizenship so are not tied to an agency. There is a way to get the NHS trust to pay for your OSCE and that’s applying for an international nursing position where you work as a band 4 healthcare assistant and they train you towards your OSCE. However, i’ve only ever seen med-surg offered. I don’t think it would be too difficult to move over to your preferred areas once reestablished as you have experience and qualifications but obviously I have no experience in any of this.

Well you’ve already proved that you can adapt to new environments having gained work experience in the UK and ON, as well as different departments. I don’t think you will have too much trouble getting a job in mental health as it’s not a desirable destination for many nurses. It’s like marmite- you either love it or hate it ;). I don’t agree with this at all because I really enjoyed my clinical experience in that setting. If anything, they may look at you as being overqualified with your degrees and work experience. I always think that when changing fields, you should focus on what mental health experience you’ve gained in your work. Have you cared for patients with mental health issues? The answer will be yes because MH is everywhere. I’d focus more on that when applying. I think you have a great knowledge of psychology and social work, two of the biggest factors surrounding management of mental health placements. Plus you’re doing the certificate which shows interest. ‘Good luck!

As far as I'm aware, I don't think it is too much of an issue. However, you have to do the whole process again and can't just switch to a different hospital. That means, getting the job offer letter and going back to the border and presenting yourself again with the new job offer. I believe you can also apply by mail. Not ideal but could be a lot worse! A quick google search tells you all this.

Hey, this is good news to hear! Are you still waiting for Maine to give you a licence then? Seems like a really long time. I think you’re wise to consider other options.

Did you have your PN and bridging program evaluated as well? Or just your BSN portion? What did the visa screen come back as? Comparable but deficient? It seems ridiculous that your education is enough to do the NCLEX yet you haven’t had clinical in those areas.

I can't answer your question about where all NPs work but I would have thought it was highly unlikely they work in the ICU. I've come across them in acute care but the patients weren't big sick. Also, in Canada, they are an extended class of RN and are registered with the provincial college of nurses with an extended scope of practice. This is unlike the UK which requires no registration to be a NP (I know they are looking into it). I'm not sure if you've done a masters to be a NP, however in Canada, a masters degree is mandatory. I can assure you that Canada is tough to get licensed as a RN, even for nurses from the UK. It all boils down to education. Nurses in Canada are generalist trained, which means they have theory and clinical practice in pediatrics, maternity and mental health. Whereas, the UK is specialist trained for either adult, peds or mental health. Unless your initial education included all three of those areas, any of the provinces will make you do bridging programs to make up the gaps, costing $1000s before they let you register. Some provinces might be better and require less make up of educational gaps than others but I wouldn't know which ones. It's of course not impossible to register here as a UK trained nurse but expect it to be a long and expensive process! I would have thought your NP experience would also not be recognized unless you have a masters. Even then, the college of nurses will likely find issues with it lol. The only way you can know for sure is to have your credentials evaluated. I'm sure others will give you more feedback. Sorry that my reply isn't more positive. Just thought you need to know what you're up against!