UK trained nurse (US resident) wanting to practice in NYC

[Uknurse89]

Hi all,

As the title suggests, I am a U.K. Citizen with US residency (green card) and would like to practice as an RN in NYC. I am UK trained, having completed a BSc in Psychology followed by a pre-registration MSc in Adult Nursing. This means I am now a fully registered/ qualified general nurse in the U.K. I would, however, like to move to NYC and find work as an RN. I have family on the West Coast but love the bustle of the East more, especially NY and MA. Has anybody made the transition from U.K. to either of these states and have any advice for my clueless self? I can already legally work in the US and have my social security number so immigration is not a problem. I have heard, however, that many U.K. nurses have had to complete extra courses (to acquire extra credits) at a timely and expensive cost in order to work in CA and I wondered whether it is the same in states of NY or MA?

Any help would be gratefully received :) thank you..

[DoGoodThenGo]

Steps for foreign RNs to obtain a NYS license are outlined here: http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/nurse-licensefaq.htm

Basically your education and other credentials will need to be verified, then you must sit for and pass the NCLEX board exam.

You will also need to satisfy (unless exempted) the NYS requirement for infection control and child abuse courses.