UStoUKbritt

basically...i've been an rn for 4 years in the us. i've done a 2 year asn degree in the us and most recently topped up my degree to a 1 year bsc in the uk (i also have a 4 year bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field). i've already applied for my nmc registration in the past and was denied b/c i got misinformation from a uk recruiter who said the nmc would accept me w/ a 2 year degree (big mistake). after finishing my bsc program in the uk, i've been in touch w/ the nmc to ask how i can reapply. on a side note, the nmc previously told me that if i were to do a 1 year bsn/bsc program, then i would meet the 3 year requirement and my application would be reconsidered. upon contacting the nmc, they have now said that the program i most recently did in the uk would not be accepted b/c it did not lead to nmc registration. obviously, i knew my course would not lead to registration when i was taking the course. but when i asked why it wasn't accepted since it would mean i had a total of the 3 year nursing requirement, they did not have a clear answer for me. in addition, i'm married to a uk citizen and will have my uk spousal visa. this is the breakdown of my clinical/theory hours... clinical hours: 810 theory hours: 2,310 it's been very frustrating, and i'm sure many of you can relate. the nmc is difficult to get answers from and often contradict themselves. they've suggested trying to apel my previous experience to go toward an nmc approved course, but as i've tried to tell them, those courses are not open to international students (even though i'm married to a brit). do any us rn's have any insight, or have had successful registration w/ a 2 year asn and 1 year bsn/bsc? thank you very much and good luck to all of you out there trying to register :)

I wish you the best of luck in applying for NMC registration. It would definitely be worth a phone call/email to the NMC to ask them if you meet their theory/clinical hour requirements! It seems as though most US nursing schools don't offer nearly the amount of clinical hours the NMC requires. I hate to be a party pooper, but I've been dealing w/ the NMC for almost 2 years now trying to find a way I can qualify here. I've been a Med/Surg and Pre-op RN in the US for 3 1/2 years, but don't have the clinical hour requirements. I'm currently in the UK b/c my partner lives here, but unable to work as a nurse...pretty frustrating when I know there's a nursing shortage here (just like back home). The NMC is difficult to communicate w/, as they're not very forthcoming w/ information. I know that there have been American nurses that have been able to register here, they just don't tell you how they did it. Really, I wish you the best and hope you don't experience the nightmare like I did!

Wow, you've nailed it! I disagree about the role of the nursing assistant...they have to be trained as well, even though their tasks may seem menial. There are good assistants out there and bad ones....just like good and bad nurses. I appreciate all the hard work our nursing assistants do , so we can do all of our CHARTING! It's interesting b/c it seems like this is not just in the US, but all over the world. I am a Registered Nurse in the US, but have gone to the UK to further my nursing education. My classmates are nurses from the UK, India, Africa, and China and it sounds like this is the case all around. Fortunately for us, it sounds like the US has it best. So I guess we will all just have to keep doing what we're doing...caring for others :)

I still work in a hospital in the US. Unfortunately, I can't work as a nurse in a hospital over here until I am registered w/ the NMC. I've done an orientation program in the hospital when I first became a nurse, for 3 months. That's when I had a preceptor working w/ me. Is that what you are talking about? And yes, I will be doing a top-up program b/c the UK programs that offer clinicals, aren't available to international students b/c they are funded by the NHS. Thank you though :)

Thanks for your response and suggestions. We've looked into the diversity visa and I don't think the Us will be allowing the UK to be part of that any time soon. The work visa isn't possible for her line of work b/c she is a freelance photographer. Unfortunately, one of us will have to give up our profession/passion to be w/ each other. Luckily I have school to fall back on and at least keep my brain in nursing mode. You can check out the Nursing Studies BSc (top-up) programs, but they are not going to offer any clinical hours. The only program (in/around London) I have come across that offers a BSc w/ clinicals for international students/nurses is Hertfordshire University. They offer a full-time 3 year program, but it sounds like you'd be repeating a lot of it? Given your previous studies you can "APEL" out of probably the first year. That is similar to "CLEP-ing" here in the states. You also have to make sure the program is NMC approved. Good luck if you start researching programs in the UK, I swear it's like a different language! I'm leaving in a few days to visit my partner in London and I'm thinking of not coming back on my return flight! I'll just hang up my stethoscope, forget about the red tape, enjoy some cream tea, and live happily ever after:rolleyes: Good luck to you, and if you find any interesting programs, let me know...I'll do the same!

Hi. I will make this very long story short. I need to make up ~1300 clinical hours in order to be registered w/ the NMC. I am a RN from the US w/ my ASN. In order for me to be eligible for registration, I need to get my BSc as well as make up the additional clinical hours. As an international student, I am not eligible for the full-time 2-3 yr BSc Nursing programs, which has the approved clinical component. You need to have UK resident status for 3 years in order to receive the NHS bursary and they do not accept private pay. I am planning on doing a 1 yr top-up BSc Nursing Studies program in the UK and then enter a fast-track Master's program. This will at least get me over there to be w/ my partner (we are getting married), and I can further my education. Do any of you know of any way in the UK or US to just gain clinical hours, such as a RN refresher course or anything else? I think this is going to call for some genius creativity. Thank you:)

I'm really sorry to hear all of your frustrations. I am currently in the same position. My partner is a UK citizen and lives in London, and we have plans to get married. Since I only have my ASN and my BA in an unrelated subject, I am not qualified to register w/ the NMC. My program only offered 810 clinical hours and I have been a Med/Surg RN for just over 2 years (certainly not as much experience as you!!!) So they said I could take a BSc Nursing program over there (w/ clinicals), however, in order to do so, you need to be a UK citizen b/c it is funded by the NHS. They offer what they call top-up courses for international students, but these do not give you any additional clinical hours. Some Master's programs offer clinicals, but it seems to be in conjunction w/ your workplace...when you are already registered w/ the NMC and currently working "on the floor" you do your "clinical" time. Many ask why my partner doesn't just come to the states. Unfortunately, the US does not recognize same-sex marriage on the federal level, and therefore, she is unable to. I have actually just applied to one of the one year top-up programs and then plan to enter a fast-track Master's program in the UK just so I can be w/ my partner and do my additional schooling at a cheaper cost than in the US. Basically, I won't be working as a Nurse for about 2 years (and am really upset about that), but at least I'll be in school furthering my education. In those two years, who knows, maybe some US laws will change and my partner and I will be welcome here and I can work as a nurse again. I wish you all the best in this uphill battle, and completely understand all of your frustrations...but where there is will, there is a way :)

thank you for your response. i'm interested in hearing more about what home study your co-worker did in scotland. since my initial post, i've been denied my UK registration based on my ASN degree. i've been looking into 1-year online BSN programs but they are so expensive! i'd appreciate any more info you have regarding the program in scotland. thank you, and happy nurses week to you :)

i'm a registered nurse in the US and am in the process of applying for my UK nursing license through the NMC (what a process!!!) i have my associate's degree in nursing (2 year school), but also have a previous bachelor's degree (4 year university) in an unrelated subject. does the NMC recognize the associate's degree in nursing if the candidate has a bachelor's degree in another subject? i am anxiously waiting my decision letter from the NMC, but instead received a letter asking for my BScN transcripts (which i don't have one). obviously i will call the NMC on monday, but didn't know if anyone would be able to alleviate any of my stress over the weekend as i wait. i am marrying a UK citizen and plan on moving to the UK to work as a nurse...unfortunately, the whole NMC process is really delaying things. i would appreciate any info from anyone. thanks :)

i am currently in the process of applying for my UK license as well. it took almost two months for me to get packet #2, but i think it's b/c the first one they sent me got lost. and just fyi, they say it takes 20 to 40 days to get your decision letter once they receive all the documents for packet #2. this is a very frustrating process (i know), just make sure you have all the correct documents before you send anything in, otherwise it really slows things up. good luck to you!