UK nurses making the move to the US..

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Hey, I was just wondering if anyone out there could possibly give me some advice. I'm currently in my last year of uni studying adult nursing. I'm looking/ hopefully should be finishing with a first. I am then hoping to do a year post grad course to specialise in diabetes, I then am hoping to make the move/ start the process to moving and working in the US (Preferably California). I've done a lot of travelling and fell in love with this place..

Would anyone to be able to advice on what I should or need to do to be able to get a job and visa there?

Would I stand a chance or do I need a lot more experience?! I've also had two years experience had a healthcare assistant. Any advice would be fab!

Thanks :)

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Specializes in ICU.

I don't live or work in California, but from what I have read here on AN, California is swamped with nurses who can't find a job due to the over-saturation of nurses and lack of job availability.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Starting point would be to make sure your nursing transcripts show clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Obstetrics, Adult and Mental Health. The US is general trained opposite the UK that is specialist trained and many UK nurses fall short on Paeds and/or Obstetric hours.

Then as mention CA have a high surplus of nurses so finding a employer willing to wait the 2 plus years for you to get a immigrant visa and work is difficult. CA will also not accept applications without a US SSN which you can not get until in the US on a vaild work/immigrant visa

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Specializes in CTICU.

Unless you come in via marriage, or find a different state to work in, it's unlikely to happen. As mentioned, you can't get a license without a social security number, and you can't get a SSN without a visa. There are no visas on offer currently as there is not a nurse shortage.

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