UK - USA my story (I hope it helps anyone in a similar situation)

[Smilty]

Hi guys,

So, I wanted to share my story about moving from the UK to the USA. It has been a long and bumpy road....

The journey started back in 2009 when I met my husband. I quickly realised he was 'a keeper' and that we would eventually relocate to the States. He is from the US and so my visa was not the problem, the problem was me continuing my career.

I graduated with a BSN(Adult Nursing) in 2008. It quickly became clear that my lack of Peds, Mental health and Obstetrics was going to be an issue. I made hundreds of google searches and really struggled to find anything to help me.

It did not help that we were not really sure where we were going to be moving too (USAF). In any case, I sent out a few enquiry emails to potential nursing boards and was quite disheartened. I was either ignored, or at one point I was even told I was have to complete the full nursing program in the US. For anyone who had been through nursing school, I think you know that this is not an option!!

Eventually, I established that an international credentials review was necessary. By this time we had found out where we were going. I researched what the BON needed and applied for CGFNS Credentials Evaluation Service (CES). As expected, my CES came back stating that I lacked clinical time in Peds, MH and OB.

Once we arrived in the US the board confirmed that I needed to do these clinical classes. I contacted the local nursing school and they were not able to assist me. I ended up going to school over 100 miles away, which sucked! However, the instructors were all great and let me just take the classes I needed.

I had asked the BON how many clinical hours I needed to do in each area and they didn't have any specifications. I just took one semester of school and did 90 hours in both Peds and OB and 45 in MH.

Be aware that CES reports are only valid for one year. Towards the end of the semester I called up the BON and enquired when my report was valid to. I was trying to ascertain whether it would be enough time for my ATT to come through.

I was so frustrated to be told that they could not locate any paperwork matching my name!!! Not only that, but the woman was super rude. After further investigation I discovered that although they were wrong for losing it, it would have expired prior to me getting my ATT anyway.

I made the decision to have my CES updated with the clinical classes I took over here. Once this was issued to the board I mailed in my application for NCLEX-RN and all appropriate fees.

I received my ATT this past Monday and have scheduled NCLEX for July 19th!!

I am studying like crazy because I read that Internationally educated nurses only have a 35% first time pass rate.

Anyway, I hope this post helps anyone who is in a similar situation. Don't believe anyone who says it is not possible! It is a bit of a nightmare, but as long as you can find a school that will just let you take the classes you need it is definitely achievable.

Wish me luck :)

[babyNP., APRN]

Good luck!!! What a journey! My husband came over on a K1, but he became a teacher over here, so it wasn't nearly as hard as it was for you. NCLEX is a beast; my instructors told me the most important thing was to keep doing questions over and over because the wording of questions and how to answer them is what trips most people up since most people know the content.