Scottish nurse in MD looking for help!!

[gavinderbayne]

Hello to you all, my name is Gavin and I'm a 31 year old qualified nurse from Scotland (thats the UK to those of you whom arent sure!!!??). I've been living in Dundalk, just outside of Baltimore City, MD, for about 1 year or so.

I qualified under the UK regisatration programme back in June 2005, but due to the timing of my course end and the fact that I was in the process of immigratring to the USA to live with my American wife, I have yet to actually work as a nurse - which is utterly frustrating. Having spent 3 1/2 years doing my nurse training and working as a care assistant during my training (and afterwards for a period of time), it is a nightmare having to continue in a non-clinical field i.e. customer service, because of the length of time and money spent trying to obtain my license to practice (and of course sit my NCLEX before I can even obtain licensure).

About 2 years ago, during a trip over to see my then fiancee (now wife), I spoke with Johns Hopkins Bayview Center, who were full of promise and hope of assistance that they could offer me once I had completed my Nurse training, however after I arrived permenantly from the UK, they were less helpful and so far I am still unable to find a single hospital or organisation that is willing to offer me any kind of help in obtaining my license or offering me some kind of refresher course / NCLEX training - I would even happiuly sign any kind of length of guaranteed / binding employment contract. All I want to do is kick off my nursing career and better provide for my family.

So that's me! A frustrated nurse-wannabe stuck in a customer service call center!

If anyone knows of any hospital / organisation that might be able to help me advance in the right direction, I'd love to hear from you.

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

I am a bit confused.....you have qualified as an RN in the UK but have not worked over here yet nor have you taken your NCLEX, is that right? Do you mind if I ask why you haven't started the licencing process with your board of nursing or have you? Am I missing something? You don't need a hospital to help you with your licence particularly as you have your green card. As for NCLEX preperation, there are loads of tips on the NCLEX forum on this website that should get you started. Are you looking for a hospital to sponser you through this licensure process? Sorry, if I sound like I am missing the point but I am just trying to understand! I am going through the licensure process right now(my husband is American) and so I feel your pain!!!

[gavinderbayne]

sorry I guess i did miss some information from my message!!??? Yes, I have already started the licensing process. Basically what I am trying to do is this. I want a job in a hospital doing pretty much anything, so that I can take advantage of the tuition reimbursement that most hospitals offer employees.

I qualified as a nurse in june 2005, but as I was backwards and forwards between the uk and the usa, I never registered as a nurse in the uk, having already started the visa process, it didnt seem worthwhile to take a position in the uk when I couldnt commit to any timescale, being that I could be ready to jump on a plane at any given time to immigrate.

So I've been here since feb 2006 and having not had that usual period of time you get in the uk as a newly qualified nurse, when you get to know the job better, get more training and get a real feel for things, I'm kind of going in blind. As I said I wanted to get a position so I can get tuition reimbursement to allow me to take the nurse refresher course, along with some other classes. I'm also considering the idea of taking CNA training as I figured it'll also give me a better understanding of the differences between the uk and usa medical systems.

So to cut a long, long long story short - license applied for, already a resident, just want a hospital job so I can get help to get through my nclex.

(phew tough work all this typing......)

[scattycarrot, BSN, RN]

Ok, that makes more sense! I see you have already approached some hospitals in your area re: your licence but have you spoken to them about the CNA thing? I know that some hospitals in my area will hire you without certification if you are a student or a foreign nurse working towards licensure (cheap experienced labour!). I think working as a CNA is your best option as it will give you some experience and help boost your confidence. As you said, it will also help you understand the differences between the 2 systems. I was thinking of doing that for the same reason. Or you could look into working as an emergency technician in the ER or maybe train as an EMT? The problem over here is the need for certification in everything but some hospitals will hire with you while you work on the cert. Often its better to approach a department as opposed to Human Resources so if any area is of interest I would go pay a visit.

As for help with the NCLEX, it sounds like lots of people have had success with Suzannes plan so maybe you should start with that. I have just started it.....and I mean just, so I can't tell you how it is going yet!

Good luck!

Come on over to the UK forum to say hi some time. There are a few US side Uk nurses who have been through all of this and come out the other side!