Rmn in uk with co husband, pls help me how can i register in usa

[bellabellissima2]

Hello, please someone help me as im getting nowhere with the nursing board of colorado as they just dont respond back! I am an uk trained mental health nurse with 2 years experience on acute psychiatric assessment unit for people above 65. I've done 3 year diploma in mental health nursing and i have a half of degree in nursing which i am finishing off now, im also in the middle of doing my cognitive behavioural therapy diploma. I was told that in usa mental health nursing qualifications are not valid? Is that true? Evey info i find im struggling to understand as i dont know the abbrevations such as bsn, msn, lpn, and my husband is not good in this either lol. I would love to stay within my field as i love what i do and i was told that there is a great need for psychiatric staff in colorado. I am married to a colorado man who i havent seen for a year now and im missing him terribly but his wages are so irregular and we cannot afford for me to come over and not to work. How can i have my qualifications recognised in usa co? Please i need hope that i will be able to join my husband soon!! Thank you in advance

[elkpark]

The problem is a key difference in the basic model of nursing education in the UK vs. US. The US educates and licenses all RNs as generalists -- although plenty of nurses work in psychiatric nursing in the US, and there is plenty of need, there is no such thing as getting licensed specifically as a psychiatric/mental health nurse (only) in the US. In order to be eligible for licensure, you have to have completed didactic (classroom) and clinical education in all main areas of nursing -- adult medical-surgical, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health.

I suggest you contact the Colorado BON and speak with them directly about whether you are eligible for CO licensure, and, if not, what you would need in order to become eligible.

Best wishes for your journey!

[bellabellissima2]

thank you so much what you are saying is exactly what i have found out,and i know that i need to contact BON to find out what should i do to become eligible to become a licensed RN in CO but this is where the problem is, they never pick up the phone they never respond to the massagers left. i dont mind starting as a cna for example as long as is within my mental health services. i doubt i be able to learn and pass all areas of nursing so it looks like i need to abandon my dream of being a mental health nurse in us, stopped being scared and just join my hubby lol.