UK Citizenship...can I work in the US?

[Worthy]

Hello!

I have dual citizenship with the UK/Canada, and will receive my training in Canada as an Registered Practical Nurse.

I desperately want to move to the US (California in particular) to work for a year or two, but Canadians are not allowed to obtain Work Visas in the US unless they are full fledged RN's.

So - does the UK have the equivalent of RPNs/Licensed Vocational Nurses? Here in Canada, we can do almost anything an RN can, except we look after stable patients. I realize that in the US my scope of practice would be limited even further, but I'm still very interested in going.

Any information most appreciated.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Hi

I don't think with your qualification you can work here in the UK. The best web site to look at is our registration web site http://www.nmc-uk.org they have a listing I believe in the internationl section re what they accept to work in the UK

Anna

[fergus51]

To me, that's the real limitation of the RPN. If you go to school for 2 more semesters you can work anywhere, but with the RPN you're kind of stuck.

[Worthy]

Unfortunately, it's not as simple to just go for two more semesters. The RPN program I am in is part-time, I cannot afford to go to school full-time for four years, which is what I would have to do to get my RN. I support myself, unfortunately. There is currently no bridge program from RPN to RN in Ontario. There is, however, a bridge program in many states, that would get me my four year degree and give me credit for my RPN (which Ontario won't do!) So that's why I'm interested in working in the US as an RPN/LVN while continueing on. In Ontario, I'd have to start all over again (which I may do at a later date, but right now it's not in the cards for me personally).

Anyway, I spoke to a representative from the UK this past weekend, and RPNs are utilized (according to him) in the UK in a limited capacity. He worked for an agency, and said he would be able to hire me once I had two years experience. But, according to that website, I can't. However, that isn't my question.

My question is - can UK citizens easily obtain work visas in the US? Do you absolutely have to be an RN, or can members of other professions obtain US work visas more readily than a Canadian?

Thanks guys!

[fergus51]

My impression was that it doesn't matter what your citizenship is, the US will not allow RPNs in like they do RNs. It has to do with how they score professions that are in need. They don't need LPNs like they do RNs, so you would have to apply to immigrate like any other immigrant and get no points for being an RPN, meaning it's just about impossible or at the very least, extremely time consuming.

I think it's so stupid that Ontario doesn't make the RPN to RN programs easier to transition between, but that's another thread.