Starting out as a foreign-trained newly-qualified (Uk moving to US)

[Firin]

Hi, I'm Liz and currently in my last year as a nursing student in the UK.

As I'll be marrying my Pennsylvanian fiancé in August 2009, right after the end of my course, I'm trying to work out whether it would be a viable plan for me to move to the US permanently after the marriage, rather than going back home to gain my first year's post qualification experience in England and then moving to the States after that. I'd like to avoid staying in England for a year if possible, as that would mean our first year of married life would be spent on opposite sides of the Atlantic. While the first two years of our relationship were spent in the same way, I'd hate to have to return to that at this stage!

The thing that concerns me most is whether the learning curve as a newly-qualified nurse will be great enough as it is, without adding the need to adapt to cultural, professional and logistical differences in US nursing at the same time?

I'd be grateful for any advice, especially from any UK trained nurses working in the area. In particular- how much orientation or guidance could I hope to receive, including in areas like patient assessment through auscultation (something we just are neither taught nor expected to do in the UK)?

Would I be taking on too much?

[nightmare, RN]

Moved to International for more informed input.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

Depending on when you come , many hospitals have a newly licensed nurse program where they easy new nurses into practice these programs are usually in June. Also as far as physicial assessment course, that can be done on line type in Nursing, CEU, and physical assessment. Good Luck.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

You also need to be aware that you may be short in some areas depending on your training. You will need to meet BON requirements for foreign trained nurse and that may mean CES with CGFNS. It will take several months to go through the process and sit NCLEX before you can work as a RN and you will need to also sort out your visa either Fiancée or spouse and that always takes a bit of time to get permission to work also