Scott33

Ohh, two FP-C's on the same thread Most of my certs are more applicable to my paramedic role than my nursing one... BLS ACLS TNCC ENPC PHTLS (prehospital trauma life support) PHTLS instructor AMLS (advanced medical life support) PALS (pediatric advanced life support) PEPP (pediatric education for prehospital professionals) NRP (neonatal resuscitation program) PNCCT (pediatric & neonatal critical care transport) CCEMTP (critical care emergency transport program) CCP-C (certified critical care paramedic) FP-C (certified flight paramedic) I failed my CFRN 1 day after passing my FP-C...to be continued.

US trained RN based in NY. Originally from the UK, been here 12 years and now a dual citizen. Currently working in radiology - ED for 5 years prior to that. Also work as a paramedic for a busy NYC system.

I think you may have to do a little research on the 'benefits' bit. And the cost of living can be extortionate in some states.

Indeed. I was still surprised to read however, that over New Years Eve, London Ambulance Service reported that they received 1 emergency call, EVERY 7 SECONDS! Link The simple fact of the matter is, that people are the reason people have to wait for ambulances. BTW, the 8 minute target response only applies to category A calls (most life-threatening)

It is about time there was an expose on some of these private firms. There is little-to-no regulation involved in their operation, and training and education goes from a 4 day FAW (First Aid at Work) course, to an HPC paramedic (usually professional NHS staff who want to make some extra money) and anything in between. There have been some horror stories about the lower end PAS providers, who for whatever reason, manage to wangle some lucrative contracts with NHS trusts across the country. Basically, all it takes to become the "CEO" of a private ambulance company is a set of green overalls, and an old transit ambulance bought off e-bay. No ambulance technician course, no paramedic training, no advanced driving skills, and no criminal background check. Some of them have "acquired" access to invasive equipment which they are neither trained, nor authorised to use, such as LMA's, Endotracheal tubes, IV cannulas and giving sets, and occasionally drugs. These cowboys are well-known in the ambulance forum circles, and bring down the genuine operators who are tarred with the same brush. They want all the glory of the job, but without putting the training in for proper qualifications. Some of their contributions on ambulance-related forums, shows that their lack of knowledge is both staggering and dangerous (IV Lucozade for hypoglycaemia anyone?) I should state that there are many excellent Private ambulance firms out there. The problem is, there is little for Joe public to gauge the efficiency from one provider to another. After all, anyone in a green jumpsuit is a "paramedic" right? About time this was brought to light. Regulation, regulation, regulation. There have been many news stories over the years, highlighting the loophole in requirements to operate as a PAS. Here are just a few. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/5159406.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/1618544.stm http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/news/112000/23/paramedic.shtml And my absolute favorite (if those are the right words to use) http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/justice/article1120320.ece

Absolute nonsense! Can you provide a credible citation for that? If you have, or have access to, someone else's US passport, turn to page 5 on the old version, or page 7 of the newer "biometric" passports, and you will see exactly where they stand on dual citizenship. They recognise it 100% There are some countries which do not allow dual nationality (India leaps to mind), but the US, UK, Canada, Autralia, NZ etc are not among them. Both my UK and US passports are current, and my UK one was renewed in the US, using dollars.

Undoubtedly it is personal choice, and there is no right or wrong. I travel between the US and UK quite frequently and always take both my UK and US passports. I had to renew my UK passport just last month, and yes it was quite expensive. To top it all, I got it sent back unprocessed because...wait for it... my photographs showed me smiling Personally, it suits me to have both.

I know of one UK RN who posts here who has TNCC. A quick Google search actually brough me back to allnurses.com which in turn, pointed me to this webpage. If it is anything like in the states, you will have no problem with TNCC. Just get the book early and read ahead if you can. :thankya:

You may be better to look at the possibility of becoming an ECP as you would more than likely have to start from scratch in order to become a paramedic. Given that the university route for paramedics is now the norm, it may not be what you are looking for, unless you can survive on student wages for a further 3 or 4 years. I have not heard of any "advanced placements" on NHS Paramedic classes for RNs, but I am happy to be corrected.

So, just to recap. Now perhaps if you could take the time to back up those outlandish claims by credible, citable sources, maybe some of us will take you a little more seriously. Here is one for you (with source)...1-in-10 of all British Citizens DO NOT live in Britian. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/in_depth/brits_abroad/html/default.stm Perhaps it's you who are doing something wrong. I wouldn't call the $75,000 per year I earn (to start) for a three-day week, low pay. Especially considering the starting pay for NYPD, and FDNY are $35,881 and $36,400 respectively (source: NYPD / FDNY official WebPages). High patient ratio? I won't argue with that. I get about 8 at a time in my ED. Multitasking and prioritisation are part of being an RN, though there should be limits. Is that all managers? I find the ones who get spoken down to are usually the incompetant ones, or those with an attitude. As many picked up, I was in fact being sarcastic. I suspect you are one of two things. 1.A forum Troll 2.Someone who has become unhealthily embittered, because they could not succeed over here. You have been a forum member for 5 years, and for some reason has decided to come out now all aggers and daggers. Little strange wouldn't you think. Read some of Cariad's posts; someone else who has had a hard time of things since moving to the US, tougher than you have had it, but chose to soldier on. Many people believe the US is a soft option, perhaps due to the stereotype that everything is handed to you on a plate, or the media-driven spin that the streets are pathed with gold. It is not. Far from it. Those of us who have worked on both sides of the Atlantic know full well that the work ethic in the US is very different than that in the UK. I have never worked so hard in my life to get to where I am now, but I know in doing so, I am seeing a fair return for my efforts. I dispair for my RN / student friend in the UK who wioll put all that effort in, for an uncertain future. There are many things wrong with the US, as with the UK, but you are putting across a very one-sided argument that does not bear any resemblance to the country many of the rest of the forum know. One thing I have noticed though, is that there is far more resentment towards the US by those who have tried and failed to assimilate here, than from those back in the UK, who just think it is fashionable to dislike all things American. Bit like those hypocritical ex-smokers who feel the need to preach to everyone they meet, just how bad it is (like the non-smokers never knew). I think you should go back to the UK (and quickly before you get shot, robbed, ran over by a DWI, shot, killed by a landslide / earthquake / hurricane, or shot) believe me, if I shared the same discontent you do; I would be doing the same, and not after waiting for 8 years. I would also love for you to let everyone here know of your progress. As they say over here... "Have a nice day"

Sorry to read you had such a bad time if things in the US. It's just a shame it took you 8 years to come to the conclusion it wasn't for you. The good news is you are completely right about life in the UK. Although I live in the US, I make a point of going "home" at every opportunity, and I can assure you, you will notice many beneficial things since you last stepped foot on her golden shores. Taxes are on the decrease, including that of fuel, property, and income. The nursing shortage is global, so you can expect to be spoiled for choice for work upon your return. Rumours of a hiring freeze are only in place to stop foreign nurses stealing all the jobs. The agenda for change initiative has been a runaway success from the outset, and nurses can expect to not only receive higher salaries, but also annual pay increases of at least 2% higher than the cost of living. Sick time is limited only by imagination, and holidays start at 10 weeks per year. All crime in the UK was snuffed out several years ago, along with Chavs, underage mums, unemployment, antisocial neighbours, and Stock, Aitken, & Waterman songs. These days, guns can only be found in British museums. In fact, the prehistoric USA is now the only place on Earth guns can be found "on the street". Even places like Russia, Columbia, Brazil, and China no longer have guns. Remember ram-raiding, and car crime? Thing of the past in Blighty. These days it is perfectly normal, to leave your car unlocked, with the engine running, if you are just popping into the shops for a few minutes. Have to disagree with you about the weather though. Global warming has had a positive effect on the British climate. Do you know that the town of Yately in Hants hasn't had 1 drop of rainfall in over 3 years? With the Solent now a beautiful turquoise in colour, It is now the new Costa Del Sol. All-in-all you can't go wrong by coming back, and I am sorry those bad Americans made things so hard for you.

I am another one who uses Benadryl as a sleep aid. Though after a really busy shift, I don't need it. I also consume a lot of Coke (the diet variety), for when I need to be in the upright position. There is no doubt that having this lifestyle takes years off us.

Pt assessment, medication reconciliation form, telephone admission orders form (often rewritten for legibility, and often 2 pages worth), MAR, patient-specific care map, core measure form, hand off form when pt goes off floor for tests, the usual flow sheets for admitted holds (we had 54 ER holds in one night this week; the whole hospital only has 240 beds) and, the kicker, if admitted pt is approaching their 24th hour in ED, complete admission H&P form (10 or so pages long). Can't wait to go paperless. :bowingpur

Going rate in the NY / Long Island area. More so for per-diem / agency positions, as they don't need to shell out for health insurance, sick pay, or holidays. I know many RNs who have one FT position, as well as one or two per-diem positions, who can expect to make around $150,000 / yr. It's there if you are willing to put the hours in. Not for me though :zzzzz I imagine the Pacific coast will pay similar, but it's all relevant to regional cost of living.

As a holder of both US and UK passports, I can verify that dual citizenship is entirely possible. You have to have a minimum of 3 years permanent US residency, after which you need to file form N400 through the INS (now USCIS). You can follow the progress of the application online, but don't expect it to be an overnight thing, may take a couple of years or so. The fees will be hefty, and you have to take the test on US history, pass the interview, and have every move you have made since arriving in the US scrutinized. But all in all, well worth it if you want the best from both countries. Also has the benefit of never having to run anything past immigration ever again. For those who think they know otherwise, "verbally" renouncing your UK citizenship is more for ceremonial purposes, than legally binding ones, and has no detrimental effects on your status as a UK citizen outside the US. (once you take the oath, the US will only ever see you as a US citizen) The USCIS know this, which is possibly why they have a facility in DC which allows you to renew your UK passports when they expire, without having to go out the country. As for taxation, not too sure as I have only worked in either one country or the other in any given tax year. I have a modest UK savings account, which has my spending money when I visit. Here is an overview of the form you need N400 And here is the official guide to gaining citizenship Guide Any other questions, fire away

(S)he will always be a British Citizen, even if she becomes a US citizen. I too would agree with going forward for the BSN, and US citizenship if poss. Always good to have a plan B.

Your system is clearly not typical nationwide. I pay nothing for my health insurance or dental. Co-pay is between $10 - $50, I have 20 days vacation + 8 days holiday + 3 personal days per year. Places such as the V.A. are even more generous. Salary is way in excess of UK nurses. Sick days? yes a little tight. Gone are the days (in the UK) of self-certing for a week here and a week there when I couldn't be bothered going to work. There is always short and long-term disability insurance in the US for those who may think they might need it. As for the "Sicko" movie, I would recommend all native US-based nurses to go and see it, and keep an open mind. It's laughable the way so many people mock socialised healthcare, without having an educated insight of how it works, let along experienced it first hand. Brainwashing at its best.:trout: Yes it has its problems... lots of them, but so does the US system. A marriage of the best of both worlds would be ideal.

Well Done. Don't worry about trying to remember everything you had to learn for the test. You wont need it.

Just say "En-Kleks"

I stand corrected

There are lab components for the likes of Microbiology and Chemistry, so taking them online is probably not possible. Any community college or Uni should let you sign up for these classes, whether it be as an unmatriculated student, undeclared major student, or post grad student. Give 'em a bell, see what they say

Chemistry, Algebra, and Microbiology are all courses required for entry-level RNs, never mind NPs. Therefore, most people going for NP would already have satisfied the prerequisites. Statistics is another a one they ask for. Lots of classroom study for the US nursing degrees, not much clinical, particularly at the entry level. Potential employers might not ask about specific courses, but if you were to apply for a universtiy course, such as NP, you would need to obtain an official transcript of your educational achievements to date.

Take that as a positive indication that most people probably passed first time out. I would imagine, were you to fail, you would get notification from the governing body, along the lines of "bad luck, but you can apply again on this date". It's safe to say though, they will not tell you what questions you got wrong, and what the correct answers were. Other than that, I dunno.

First of all good luck. Being such an abstract test, I don't think there can be many people who will think they have done enough studying for it. My advice is just to take your time, remember the order of prioritisation and "Maslow" every question. You may often be left with two correct answers; this is where the hierarchy of needs will come into play. Numbers and time taking the test are totally irrelevant. My wife got out in 75, in about an hour, and her friend she was with got out in 265 with only a few minutes to spare...they both passed first time. I got out in 78 and thought I had failed, but fortunately I was wrong. Remember, the questions will get harder with each one you get correct, so if some of them seem ridiculous (and there will be many things you are asked which you have not covered) it is a sign you are doing well. Just continue to apply the same nursing priorities to each question, and don't let it freak you. On the other hand, if you are being asked "what is your favourite colour of scrubs?" you may need to take a breather. A terrible test, but not an impossible one to pass. Once again, good luck

I use this web page for the occasional gustatory trip down memory lane. You will pay over the odds of course, but now and again it's a nice little treat.:smilecoffeecup: They also have Squash.