UK nurse investigating....

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Hi all!

I'm new to allnurses so bear with me!

I'm currently an RMN (registered mental health nurse) in the UK. My current speciality is dementia care - I work in our locality memory service as a community nurse.

I'm investigating how I would go about becoming licensed in Iowa to practice as my husband has been asked to transfer to the company head office in Fairfield. I love my job and the thought of being a stay at home parent fills me with dread! My youngest will be going to kindergarten anyway so I'd be lonely and bored at home!

Can anyone give me any pointers as to job availability & the process to register? I'm thinking it would be easier to do it all if & when we get to Iowa rather than remotely from the UK.

Thanks in advance

Mandy x

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Specializes in Cardiac, ER, Pediatrics, Corrections.

I would start with the Iowa board of nursing and they should be able to tell you what they require for you to practice. I do know that mental health and psych nurses are very needed. Especially in the rural areas, just my observations. Good luck!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The bigger issue is that US nurses are generalist trained unlike the UK where nurses are specialist trained. You will need to prove theory/classroom and clinical hours in adult med-surg, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics in addition to psych/ mental health.

Look at the BoN website for information on licensing as a registered nurse by examination as an internationally educated nurse.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

WELCOME!

thread moved for best response

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As a RMN I think you will find you are not meeting clinical can theory in Paeds, Adult, Obstetrics. Do you have any ideas what's stated on your transcripts?

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Hi,

I've got my transcripts with my diploma so am aware I'll need to go back to school for a bit.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I would suggest getting started with the state and let them tell you what they require once they have assessed all your documentation. To the best of my knowledge there are no courses in the UK to make hours up so would be looking at nursing schools once you arrive in the US but that may also be hard but I am not sure what else you can do

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I've emailed the state board and they recommended speaking to the school once we are in Iowa. Couldn't give me any more information than that tbh.

I'll hang fire until we get there and get settled. Hopefully someone will want a very experienced dementia nurse!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

until you get licensed you will not be able to work as a nurse however I am sure some LTC facilities will be happy once you are sorted as experience always counts

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Would I be able to work as a carer in the interim?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

That would be up to the facility and whether you are allowed to work. Not sure what visa your husband will have

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L1 visa for him so L2 for the rest of us which entitles me to work xx

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