UK nurse seeking advice about work in USA

Lee75 · Jul 21, 2006

Jamie,

Do you have a working permit to work in the US? Don't you need to have a hospital sponsor you? I have a friend from Canada who wanted to do travel nursing in the US and had trouble going through the agency. If you having a working visa, i would say that you would come out better going through an agency. (higher pay and apartment provided) However, without working permit/visa, you may run into trouble.

Sorry I can't be more help. Good Luck!!

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Jul 21, 2006

Hi all - just joined the site so apologies if I am posting in the wrong section or posting an old thread!!
I am a single guy, qualified with a degree in adult nursing and have worked in A&E dpeartments for the past five years (time flies!!).
Im intrested in working in the States, California particularly appeals to me as I had a recent vacation is San Francisco. I am aware of the NCLEX, etc and have contacted a few of the human resources departmants directly in SF about ER vacancies but have had no response. Is it best for me to look for work via an agency or with seperate hopsitals. I kind of did the travel nursing thing 2 years ago in Australia so would prefer to be working in one ER department where I can get get to know the routine and people. I would also prefeably like to work for a hospital as opposed to an agency, but are there any hospitals that offer overseas nurses initiatives ie NCLEX assistance, initial accomodation, flight fares tec
I have seen adverts for OGP but I have heard quite negative things about the way they treat there staff once they have got you signed up. Anyone heard of any others agencies in the California area that have good reputations??
Look forward to your posts
Jamie :-)

i don't know of any agencies, but san fran is nice and you sound like you'd be a great asset to any hospital!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jul 21, 2006

if you have a look at the international forum there is a sticky on going about working in the US and can be done without the need of a agency. Better if you pass NCLEX and then approach hospitals and see if they are willing to support your petition. You will need to get an evaluation on your transcripts mainly with CGFNS as you may be down on some hours in paeds, mental health and midwifery as US nurse training is generic where as ours is more specialised. The downside if you are low on hours is there is now where in the UK that enables you to make the hours up and you can't just do agency hours for catchup as it has to be done with a recognised school of nursing and meet both practical and theory.

Good luck

gemma74 · Jul 22, 2006

Hi, Jamie,

Sorry I can't give you an answer, but have some questions instead!! I'm RN with 6 years experience in CCU, thinking of moving as well, undecided between US and Australia. Did you enjoy your work in australia? How is nursing there compare with UK? Would you recommend people to go there, if so what's the best place to go?

I would be very grateful if you could give me some advices!!

Thank you

Gemma

jimwng4 · Aug 1, 2006

Hi gemma - I did agency work in CCU, A&E and ITU in Sydney and Canberra. The nursing I found invloved less autonomy than UK nurses enjoy in there roles but at the same time I only experinced the agency side of nursing. The plus side its its a very laid back way of life, the weather is great and the country is amazing.. I would recommend Melbourne without a doubt - I found Sydney a bit too hectic adn Canberaa a bit too small. Also Cairns would be a great place and I have heard lots of good things about Perth too. Good luck!!:)