UK Psychiatric nurse wants to work in USA

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I am a 30 year old mental health nurse, registered on part 13 of the UK nursing register. At present I work in a secure rehabilitation unit for mentally disordered offenders.

I am interested in working in the USa. However, I understand that only Registered GENERAL nurses (the UK equivalent of RNs) can work as nurses in the USa, with the exception of a few states.

Can anyone tell me which staes allow UK psychiatric nurses to practise as registered nurses, or point me in the direction of any further information on this subject.

I am also interested in any other tips or advice that you can offer re job opportunities for trained and Uk registered Psychiatric nurses.

Many thanks, Emma...

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I'd also like to work in the USA, ideally in New Mexico, but am struggling to find any definite information, on the net, on what is required. I am near completion of a BN (Hons) Degree in Mental Health Nursing, will be gaining experience before applying but would desperately like to know if it is possible.

Thank you kindly

Rai

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There are no states that will permit you to practice in the US as a mental health trained nurse from the UK without having the required clinical and theory hours in peds/maternal health, as well as adult medicine. You must fist obtain a license to practice as an RN in the US.

NCLEX-RN is a national exam, and the US requires a generalist, not a specialst. Same thin if you wished to work in Canada.

There are already quite a few threads on this topic to be found on this forum....you will find most on the UK forum..............just do a search here.

If you have any more questions, I will be happy to answer them for you..... :wink2:

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Hi emmapirate

I work in Australia so this may not be true but it is what I have heard and if its wrong I am sure someone will correct me. I think CANADA has two separate lists so you can either become a Registered Psychiatric Nurse or a Registered General Nurse, the same as in aussie. Now if you were to gain Canadian registration as a Psych Nurse I think that you can work in about 14 states in the USA. So you could back door the system or so I think.

And if this info is wrong then there are plenty of jobs in Aussie

Cheers

Neil

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I am a BSN working in kuwait presently and will be moving to USA soon. Here in kuwait i have been working in a government run psychiatric facilily with over a 1000 beds, mainly in accute admission wards. Have been wondering, whether i could directly get into psychiatric nursing when i get into US or will i have to work as a general nurse first, study some courses and then go into psych nursing? (I have already passed the NCLEX RN exam)

ambitious nurse

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I am a BSN working in kuwait presently and will be moving to USA soon. Here in kuwait i have been working in a government run psychiatric facilily with over a 1000 beds, mainly in accute admission wards. Have been wondering, whether i could directly get into psychiatric nursing when i get into US or will i have to work as a general nurse first, study some courses and then go into psych nursing? (I have already passed the NCLEX RN exam)

ambitious nurse

Hello, ambitious nurse,

I suggest that you pose your question in the International Nurses forum for a better response.

Good luck.

Siri

Moderator

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