uk nurses who have come to the usa

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I am in the usvi, and have been here nearly a year, maybe all the nurses who have posted their news about immigration, can now post about the differences in the us hospitals. I dont think that american doctors and nurses fully understand where we come from, and the working environment of the nhs, its only when we get here that we can understand the differences. I am sure that stateside hospitals are different even from here. and that they also vary from state to state, but maybe nurses who are waiting to come will be able to pick up some tips and know more than us what to expect.

christine....from wales to scotland to united states virgin islands, and then to the states, in january.

OK I don't understand this. I thought there there is no greencard for nurses for the next 5~7 years and that there is no point in filing paper work, and no hospitals are petition on behalf of anyone anymore.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
OK I don't understand this. I thought there there is no greencard for nurses for the next 5~7 years and that there is no point in filing paper work, and no hospitals are petition on behalf of anyone anymore.

There is retrogression and nurses are no longer expediated but visas are released annually and depending on place of birth there may be an opportunity of getting one, countries where the demand is higher will be looking at a longer wait than the countries where the demand is lower. Also agencies are not telling the full story and assuring people that it will only be a couple years and when they find out about retrogression they have signed a contract usually with a large cancellation fee. Some hospitals are accepting foreign nurses and starting the process but many are waiting to see what happens regarding retrogression

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Hi Gavin,

I'm so sorry to hear your story, unfortunately I won't be able to provide any information to you as I 'm still living in UK.

I have passed Nclex and got a visa screen certificate and was offered a RN position in John Hopkins Hospital back in June. I like the hospital and the offer. After a few research, I found out that Baltimore is not a safe place to live, so I decided to wait and see. Half a year gone, I'm still not able to find a ideal place to go and still not sure if to go for John Hopkins. You have been living and working there. What's your impression like? Is it really a dangerous place to live in? Any advice/ suggestions would be very much appreciated.

Gemma

Hello to you all, my name is Gavin and I'm a 31 year old qualified nurse from Scotland (thats the UK to those of you whom arent sure!!!??). I've been living in Dundalk, just outside of Baltimore City, MD, for about 1 year or so.

I qualified under the UK regisatration programme back in June 2005, but due to the timing of my course end and the fact that I was in the process of immigratring to the USA to live with my American wife, I have yet to actually work as a nurse - which is utterly frustrating. Having spent 3 1/2 years doing my nurse training and working as a care assistant during my training (and afterwards for a period of time), it is a nightmare having to continue in a non-clinical field i.e. customer service, because of the length of time and money spent trying to obtain my license to practice (and of course sit my NCLEX before I can even obtain licensure).

About 2 years ago, during a trip over to see my then fiancee (now wife), I spoke with Johns Hopkins Bayview Center, who were full of promise and hope of assistance that they could offer me once I had completed my Nurse training, however after I arrived permenantly from the UK, they were less helpful and so far I am still unable to find a single hospital or organisation that is willing to offer me any kind of help in obtaining my license or offering me some kind of refresher course / NCLEX training - I would even happiuly sign any kind of length of guaranteed / binding employment contract. All I want to do is kick off my nursing career and better provide for my family.

So that's me! A frustrated nurse-wannabe stuck in a customer service call center!

If anyone knows of any hospital / organisation that might be able to help me advance in the right direction, I'd love to hear from you.

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HI,

I'm looking for some help. I am a Registered Mental Nurse with 13 yrs post reg experience I also have my BA in Health studies. Planning to move to Cali in a couple of years. Registered with CGFNS, credential check and visa screening. Recently got feedack that I was not eligible as I am an RN3 rather than RN1? I'm not sure if they have misunderstood our registration because as an RMN I am on Part 3 of the register not Part 1 as an RGN is? However they gave me no indication as to how to remedy this problem, other than do a conversion course. I was under the impression that my registration, clinical experience and academic qualifications would count for something. Can someone please explain what the difference between RN1 and RN3 is?

Has anyone else moved over to the States as an RMN? Help please, this is a real barrier to my plans.

kind Regards

Linsey

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
HI,

I'm looking for some help. I am a Registered Mental Nurse with 13 yrs post reg experience I also have my BA in Health studies. Planning to move to Cali in a couple of years. Registered with CGFNS, credential check and visa screening. Recently got feedack that I was not eligible as I am an RN3 rather than RN1? I'm not sure if they have misunderstood our registration because as an RMN I am on Part 3 of the register not Part 1 as an RGN is? However they gave me no indication as to how to remedy this problem, other than do a conversion course. I was under the impression that my registration, clinical experience and academic qualifications would count for something. Can someone please explain what the difference between RN1 and RN3 is?

Has anyone else moved over to the States as an RMN? Help please, this is a real barrier to my plans.

kind Regards

Linsey

Hi

Welcome to allnurses. I am afraid that there is no such thing over here in America as registered mental health nurses. All the nurses are general trained first. Did you train directly as an Mental health nurse or did you do your general training? I am afraid you would not be able to work here unless you have the required hours in Paeds, Maternity, and adult nursing.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
HI,

I'm looking for some help. I am a Registered Mental Nurse with 13 yrs post reg experience I also have my BA in Health studies. Planning to move to Cali in a couple of years. Registered with CGFNS, credential check and visa screening. Recently got feedack that I was not eligible as I am an RN3 rather than RN1? I'm not sure if they have misunderstood our registration because as an RMN I am on Part 3 of the register not Part 1 as an RGN is? However they gave me no indication as to how to remedy this problem, other than do a conversion course. I was under the impression that my registration, clinical experience and academic qualifications would count for something. Can someone please explain what the difference between RN1 and RN3 is?

Has anyone else moved over to the States as an RMN? Help please, this is a real barrier to my plans.

kind Regards

Linsey

Hi and welcome to the site

As Madwife has stated you need training in all areas and if CGFNS have said you are short in hours then you need to make them up. There is a sticky of a uni now in the UK offering catch up courses and all information is a sticky otherwise may have to look at another country to make hours up.

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Specializes in med/surg.

Just to add that, unless some miracle occurs, even if you had the requisite hours you wouldn't be going in a "couple of years". With retrogression you'll be lucky if it's 5!

That, at least, gives you plenty of time to make up hours.:D

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Just to add that, unless some miracle occurs, even if you had the requisite hours you wouldn't be going in a "couple of years". With retrogression you'll be lucky if it's 5!

That, at least, gives you plenty of time to make up hours.:D

Very true

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Hi RGN1,

Thanks for your input. I suspected as much. The Allnurses website is a great way to communicate and to pass on appropriate information. The grass always seems greener - but it still needs mowing!

Will watch my email space.

Kind regards

Caraibrit

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.
Hi RGN1,

Thanks for your input. I suspected as much. The Allnurses website is a great way to communicate and to pass on appropriate information. The grass always seems greener - but it still needs mowing!

Will watch my email space.

Kind regards

Caraibrit

Yes I think that it is a great place to find out information and share thoughts. I do know however that the cencus has been lower than normal in Phoenix this year, somebody said yesterday they blame it on the economy so pt's are more reluctant to go to the hospital because they can't afford it.

I think emergency's obviously are still happening but things that can wait are being put off. For example in the NHS if you want a THR or other joint surgery you have to sit on a waiting list for 18 months you dont die but you are in a lot of pain and discomfort. Here you can more or less get your THR done the same week you want it done but you may have to pay thousands of dollars- so the pt may op to wait-same thing they wont die but they will have the pain and discomfort and loads of pain meds to help out.

If the cencus is low the hospital is not making money so they dont recruit with the same enthusiasm. For example we need 7 nurses per shift to run the floor, we only have 5 nurses at the moment and we use pool nurses to fill the gap-this means they can be cancelled or sent home at the last min, so are cheaper than staffing a full quota. I believe there is method in the madness.

In the UK if it was quiet you may send a staff member home early, they still get paid. Here if it is quiet you can be cancelled or sent home early but you dont get paid. Thus conserving money. It is crazy sometimes because you cant afford to be laid off, especially if you dont have any earned time to pay yourself.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

What I am trying to say by the above post is this the low cencus can have a knock on effect to oversea's recruiting as well.

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Specializes in med/surg.

Hehehe Madwife - you've been out of the country too long - haven't you heard of the 18 week patient pathway then??

Our NHS is going to have no more than 18 weeks from GP to surgery/treatment!! Even now it's been a while since anyone's waited even 6 months. How it's going to be paid for I don't know - guess the management will have to cancel a few junkets per year for that! ;-)

Of course my hospital management (being private sector) is rubbing it's hands together -we already have 3 NHS lists because of gearing up for the new targets!

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