UK NP compared to US NP

Published

Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.

Hi, I am a UK nurse, I am cuurently an Advanced Practitioner in training and all being well will have an MSc in Advanced Practice as well as being a non medical prescriber. I am aware that in the US NPs have a separate registration with the BON unlike the UK, although it is hoped the NPs in the UK will soon have a separate registration. Fellow nurses in the UK who are working as ANPs work much the same as a Dr, assessing, diagnosing, prescribing treatment / meds, ordering x-rays / ecgs etc. They report to the Consultant in much the same way as a Dr and in some hospitals are included in the Medical on-call rota.

Would someone help me understand if this is the way NPs work in the US? The main reason for asking is I am one of the many hoping to come to the US, obviously retrogression is in place so I am looking at a considerable wait, but what I would like to be able to do is optomise my chances of being an NP if I eventually am successful in coming to the US. Thanks for any advice.

Jane

Specializes in ER, Informatics, FNP.

Hi,

Here in the US our scope of practice varies according to the state. I thought it would be fun to work in the UK for awhile and wondered about nurse practitioners in the UK.

Here's a link to the Pearson report which details the regulations for each state.

http://www.webnp.net/ajnp08.html

T

Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.

Thank you for your response and the link, this clears up a lot of my questions. Being an NP in the UK is quite new compared to the US but it is gaining in momentum and the funding is coming from the local health authorities and hospitals are reimbursed for the study days all NPs in training take. The UK has enforced the Europen working time directive, so Drs are no longer allowed to work for more than 48 hours per week, because of this there has been a drive to upskill nurses to fill the gap left by them. For me it's exciting and a way for me to progress up the career ladder and still stay very much clinical.

I was worried that if/when I get to the US I won't have my qualification recognised, but from what I have found on NCBON website I may be ok. I may e-mail the hospital sponsoring me and ask their advice.

Thanks again for your help.

Jane

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