Questions for UK nurses who have made the move to the USA

[Clarecartwright]

Hi Guys

As you know Im at the beggining of this long and winding process and although have done a huge amount of research and got lots of useful information from here I ahve a couple of questions well really my hubby has a couple of qyuestions he wants me too ask you guys.

He is all for up and moving to the USA but his concern is that if our quality of life will not be the same over there as here he has a very good job and is the major bread winner and I also have a good job as have managed to work my way up to sister in just 5 years.

In the USA he will not have any qualifications and will be starting from scratch as he didnt even get any GCSE's when he left school.

Was anyone else in the same situation ? How long did it take your partners to find jobs ? Was it easy ? Do they take into account any of the qualifications from England or do they want High school diplomas etc

Any advise would be hugely appreciated

Love Clare

[ak09]

It's hard to get used to, but remember anything to do with government in the US is far more decentralized than in Britain. What this means for teacher wages is that it depends on which state you're in, or even which school district. Some big-city districts may pay well but would be an awful shock for any teacher experienced in a decent-quality British school. On the other hand, a wealthy suburban district may pay well and have (mostly) delightful pupils -- but watch out for awful demanding parents who will accuse you of not doing enough to help their wonder-children self-actualize their extensive innate gifts!

There may be a tiny bit of difficulty translating credentials, but I suspect in most parts of the US, teaching is a bit like nursing: for a variety of reasons, labor supply very rarely catches up with demand.

Thanks insa, I thought as much, I know he would do well in florida, but he doesn't want to teach, however, I know that if he doesn't teach he will struggle to do something that rewards him.

as for demanding parents, he works in a private fee paying school so he is used to that:roll

any other info would be much appreciated

Thanks ang x

[gymgirl]

I am a Practice nurse with an RGN qualification. I have been qualified 15 years. My partner is an electrican and we are both interested in relocating to Seattle, we have family and friends there. I understand there is alot of red tape. I am looking inot taking my NLEX exams but have been told by an agency that community jobs are hard to come by and I would be better off with acute nursing experience, also she said that finding jobs in Seattle may be hard. I am prepared to fid my own job once I have passed my NCLEX. Does anyone else have any ideas or help??? I feel a bit bogged down with red tape and visa stuff!!!

[LiverpoolJane]

You can apply for licensure via one of the Boards of Nursing yourself and they will evaluate your nurse training and say whether you can sit the NCLEX or not.

I understand that there are some areas that it is difficult to get sponsorship for and the more acute / specialised areas are the ones advertised for overseas nurses. For instance I was working in a small private hospital doing mostly cosmetic procedures and was not able to find a sponsor as there is no shortage of nurses in this area. I had to move back into my acute speciality and have secured sponsorship.

Although I am not very optomistic at the moment as it would seem the financial climate in the US is having an effect on staffing there and some hospitals are withdrawing their offers. Add this to retrogression and it looks a bit grim at this moment in time, but I would advise you to start the process - at least get your license. Then it would be a matter of seeing who is offerring sponsorship and in what specialities but they do tend to be acute med surg, theatre / recovery etc. Be prepared for a lot of frustration - I started over a year ago and have only just sat NCLEX.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I am a Practice nurse with an RGN qualification. I have been qualified 15 years. My partner is an electrican and we are both interested in relocating to Seattle, we have family and friends there. I understand there is alot of red tape. I am looking inot taking my NLEX exams but have been told by an agency that community jobs are hard to come by and I would be better off with acute nursing experience, also she said that finding jobs in Seattle may be hard. I am prepared to fid my own job once I have passed my NCLEX. Does anyone else have any ideas or help??? I feel a bit bogged down with red tape and visa stuff!!!

I would suggest reading the sticky in the International forum called Primer to working in the USA. Also be aware of problems getting your transcripts (seeing as you trained many moons ago:)) Also on retrogression and looking at several years waiting at the moment. Community jobs are hard but I was able to find a hospital in the US with little problems although now with retrogression it will be harder.

Just to add I have now decided to stay in Canada and started nurse application process so have cancelled only very recently my US application.

[suehp]

My situation is a little different as my Husband was medically retired before we moved and he has an injury pension paid every month = so not an issue really for him....so we are lucky in that sense....

dont think your husband will have too much difficulty getting a job- if he has a good work ethic and a good resume than he should be able to do ok - but you need to research it well....