I am a staff nurse with 8 years experience in trauma and orthopaedics who has a BSc in Adult Nursing. I’m revisiting the option of immigrating to the USA - we would be settling in Pennsylvania - my other half already has a job lined up for there. It’s all pretty negative so far all the info I’m finding on transition for UK nurse to USA RN as our degree doesn’t appear to transfer due to not enough/no hours experience in OBGYN/Paeds ect.
Is there anyway to make up these hours? Does anyone from the UK have experience in this? I see they also have LVP/LVN in the US and it appears almost equivalent to Staff Nurses here in the UK - would it be worth while even looking into one of those jobs instead of an RN?
I’m finding this all quite stressful it just seems almost impossible and when the move is depending on your situation it’s definitely a lot of pressure!
NCBON only allow you to use either CGFNS or IEE. IEE is a Charlotte, NC based academic evaluator. They cost $250 for the nursing evaluation and allow the university to email the transcript and required evaluation directly. So no getting lost in the post. They promise 3-5 days for evaluation after receiving details from the university. Mine took 5 days including the two day weekend so great service.
I had no follow ups or question and was emailed a copy of the evaluation for an extra $20.
Just for a bit more background I'm based in NC on a green card so I am very fortunate and I was also lucky to have a placement in an OBS/GYN ward (not by my choosing) so that helped alot for my clinical hours.
They are both compact states so you can apply to get your licence transferred, but there is always the risk that the Texas BON will ask for an evaluation aswell. However I don't know how likely or unlikey that is unfortunately. You do need a SSN to get a nursing licence in NC, I don't know if that's an issue for you.
Hi, do you know if none nursing hours can help? IE. Support worker hours? Im still a student but we plan to move in 2027. I want to know how to strengthen my application while I'm still at uni as it could be easier. I'm adult trained but I'm a bank care support worker and I pick up shifts on paeds and maternity. Thanks
Specializes in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Medical High Dependency.
Harley Beaumont said:
Hi, do you know if none nursing hours can help? IE. Support worker hours? Im still a student but we plan to move in 2027. I want to know how to strengthen my application while I'm still at uni as it could be easier. I'm adult trained but I'm a bank care support worker and I pick up shifts on paeds and maternity. Thanks
You are maybe best contacting the CGFNS or whatever BON you plan on working in for further guidance. My understanding is it doesnt really matter on experience, I think its more how many hours you cover in each section in your training? Maybe you could ask your university to give you placements where you will be more exposed to maternal health and paediatrics?
I qualified in 2014 and only really covered these areas in my health visiting placements so fear I may be short and unsure what to do next. I am waiting on the CGFNS reviewing my files so will cross that bridge when I get to it.
On another note, if you are looking to apply to New York BON I know a lot of UK trained nurses who have got ATT just fine with there training! So may be a good shout for other foreign trained nurses. Hope this helps
Would like to know if any UK nurses have used anything other than CGFNS and had success. I'm in my finial year of Adult Nursing Msc and want to move upon graduation. Thanks in advance
Yes, quite a handful have been successful with CGFNS. Regardless of the credentials organisation, what matters the most is meeting the minimum hours requirement
it's just that everywhere I've researched the same things keeps cropping up that UK nurses are deficient in areas as we specialise so early and aren't really 'generally' trained like other nursing courses around the world. Really just looking for success stories cos I don't know what id do if my report came back deficient
I've seen a lot of success stories here on this forum, most especially with New York BON. They're quiet lenient with the hours requirements compared to others
Specializes in Trauma and Orthopaedics, Medical High Dependency.
Garcie1972 said:
Thanks for your response,
it's just that everywhere I've researched the same things keeps cropping up that UK nurses are deficient in areas as we specialise so early and aren't really 'generally' trained like other nursing courses around the world. Really just looking for success stories cos I don't know what id do if my report came back deficient
Hi
I'm a UK trained nurse going through the process at the moment. I'm applying to Pennsylvania. I'd recommend like Esther has suggested, applying to NY as I know many UK trained nurses who have been accepted with no deficiencies.
My issue is my location isn't negotiable, PA isn't a compact state but they are awaiting a change in legislation but no idea when this will be. I'm holding on to a little bit of hope with the help of my Uni I will get there.
If not, I'm hoping my qualifications may match those of an LVN/LPN. It's such a shame in this climate, your experience isn't taken into consideration - I qualified in 2014 and have worked in Trauma and Orthopaedics, I actually start a new job in MHDU in 2 weeks.
EJKNurse
5 Posts
NCBON only allow you to use either CGFNS or IEE. IEE is a Charlotte, NC based academic evaluator. They cost $250 for the nursing evaluation and allow the university to email the transcript and required evaluation directly. So no getting lost in the post. They promise 3-5 days for evaluation after receiving details from the university. Mine took 5 days including the two day weekend so great service.
I had no follow ups or question and was emailed a copy of the evaluation for an extra $20.
Just for a bit more background I'm based in NC on a green card so I am very fortunate and I was also lucky to have a placement in an OBS/GYN ward (not by my choosing) so that helped alot for my clinical hours.