UK to USA

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Hi All,

I am a UK adult trained nurse with 4 years experience. I am hoping to work in USA as a nurse. I am curious if anyone has successfully gone through the cgfns process and what the experience was like? Particularly if you were granted ATT or if you fell short in clinical/ theory hours? If so, how did you deal with this? Any suggestions or advice welcomed!

 

Thank you. 

Hi Lauren,

No issues with NMC. They privided whst I needed in a timely manner. 

 

Cheers

Evie 

U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

Eviecam67

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U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

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  #1  

laura257 , Jun 9th 2021 11:24 am

Just Joined

Hi,

I am a nurse in the U.K. but live in California with my husband and daughter and Iâm on an L2 visa. I havenât got a nurse license here in CA but Iâm aware of how difficult it would be to get one.

It looks like we may be moving to Virginia and I was wondering if any U.K. nurses have managed to get their license in Virginia and if I would still have deficiencies in paeds, obstetrics and psych there?

Any information appreciated. Thank you 

 Quote  Multi

  #2  

Silverdragon102 , Jun 10th 2021 12:41 pm

BE Forum Addict

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

Each state is different and some have managed to get licensed but really the only way to know is to apply and see what happens

 Quote  Multi

  #3  

ottotheboar , Jun 13th 2021 7:10 am

BE Forum Addict

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

I do not know the process here in Virginia but a friend of one of our sons graduated from University with a degree in nursing.
There are also community colleges to look at.

 Quote  Multi

  #4  

Eviecam67 , Jun 13th 2021 8:56 pm

Just Joined

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

Hi Laura,

I'm a UK trained nurse BSc. Adult nursing. I live in Maryland and I just completed CGFNS CES application and received my letter from the MD nursing board to say I was successful. I'm now gonna start my NCLEX journey.

It was complicated but I got there eventually. Please feel free to contact me, if I can offer any support or advice. I'm happy to help,

I often felt VERY disheartened with ALL the negativity surrounding UK trained nurses and their missing hours.

Good luck.

 Quote  Multi

  #5  

Tashmash , Jul 24th 2021 9:10 am

Just Joined

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USA

Hi Eviecam67

Iâm in the process of starting, Iâve applied to CGFNS Iâm also BSc adult nursing. Do you mind sharing how you went about the other bits please.. itâs seem quite hard navigating the whole getting to writing NCLEX and all.

Thanks in advance


 

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  #6  

christmasoompa , Jul 25th 2021 3:32 am

SUPER MODERATOR

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Tashmash

Hi Eviecam67

Iâm in the process of starting, Iâve applied to CGFNS Iâm also BSc adult nursing. Do you mind sharing how you went about the other bits please.. itâs seem quite hard navigating the whole getting to writing NCLEX and all.

Thanks in advanceHi, welcome to BE.

Apologies, but your quote hadn't worked so I've had to edit your post. I'm sure you'll get lots of help re: the nursing side of things here though, if you need any other help then the US forums are the place to head to.

Best of luck.

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  #7  

Chioma91 , Sep 11th 2021 1:38 pm

Just Joined

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Eviecam67

Hi Laura,

I'm a UK trained nurse BSc. Adult nursing. I live in Maryland and I just completed CGFNS CES application and received my letter from the MD nursing board to say I was successful. I'm now gonna start my NCLEX journey.

It was complicated but I got there eventually. Please feel free to contact me, if I can offer any support or advice. I'm happy to help,

I often felt VERY disheartened with ALL the negativity surrounding UK trained nurses and their missing hours.

Good luck.Hello, I'm a US trained RN living in California. My sister is an Adult RN in UK, interested in moving to the US. Do you mind sharing how the process went? I can't private message you because I'm a new member and this is my first post. I will really appreciate

 Quote  Multi

Chioma91 Sep 11th 2021, 1:38 pm

This message has been deleted by christmasoompa.

Reason: Duplicate

  #8  

Silverdragon102 , Sep 12th 2021 4:29 pm

BE Forum Addict

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Chioma91

Hello, I'm a US trained RN living in California. My sister is an Adult RN in UK, interested in moving to the US. Do you mind sharing how the process went? I can't private message you because I'm a new member and this is my first post. I will really appreciateA lot will depend on the state your sister wants to live and work in plus transcripts. If California is the state then itâs one of the toughest US states to register with

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  #9  

Chioma91 , Sep 12th 2021 4:35 pm

Just Joined

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Silverdragon102

A lot will depend on the state your sister wants to live and work in plus transcripts. If California is the state then itâs one of the toughest US states to register withShe is open to any state that will accept her. Did you go through the same process? If yes, do you mind sharing the agency you used and a little bit about the process? Will really appreciate

 Quote  Multi

  #10  

Silverdragon102 , Sep 12th 2021 6:13 pm

BE Forum Addict

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Chioma91

She is open to any state that will accept her. Did you go through the same process? If yes, do you mind sharing the agency you used and a little bit about the process? Will really appreciateI did the process many years ago and I was fortunate to train as a general nurse so didnât have any issues with meeting US state requirements. We have seen posts from many who do struggle to meet requirements because on how the UK trains their nurses but some have managed to meet some states and others donât. Definitely a luck of the draw. I eventually moved to Canada but remember the painful process of applying and using CGFNS

 Quote  Multi

  #11  

deatras124 , Mar 17th 2022 8:35 pm

Just Joined

Re: U.K. nurse to Virginia, USAQuote:

Originally Posted by Eviecam67

Hi Laura,

I'm a UK trained nurse BSc. Adult nursing. I live in Maryland and I just completed CGFNS CES application and received my letter from the MD nursing board to say I was successful. I'm now gonna start my NCLEX journey.

It was complicated but I got there eventually. Please feel free to contact me, if I can offer any support or advice. I'm happy to help,

I often felt VERY disheartened with ALL the negativity surrounding UK trained nurses and their missing hours.

Good luck.Hi,

My partner is a Neonatal nurse and she is trying to apply for NCLEX in US, however, she doesn't have the clinical hours in adult and mental health, as she has been working in Neonatal since she finish her BSc, do you think it will be hard for her to apply? Do you know how to meet the clinical hours that the BON require? Thank you.

 Quote  Multi

  #12  

Eviecam67 , Mar 18th 2022 4:21 pm

Just Joined

Re: Hi Everyone,


Having been reviewing sites like this for a long time before I finally applied for my transcripts to be evaluated, I knew that as a UK trained nurse, I would be deficient in certain areas such as: maternal/infant, paediatrics and mental health.

Initially my transcript didn't meet the necessary requirements that CGFNS had, They explained I had experience in everything except maternal and infant health, However, one of my community placements involved exposure to it, and therefore after much discussion and verification between my university and CGFNS some of my community hours were transferred to Maternal & infant health. Fortunately, this enabled my CGFNS application to be successful which enabled me to apply to, and be successful in the Board of Nursing putting me forward for my NCLEX exam (which I haven't sat yet).

As a UK trained registered nurse, who has a BSc in Adult Nursing this would normally mean that my transcript and training would be deficient in Maternal Health, ObstetrIics, Peadiatrics and Mental Health. However, during my training, I had several 7 week community placements which included:

Working with a health visitor who was involved with family planning, pre/post-natal clinics, mother and baby groups, breastfeeding group, home visits for newborns, infants, parents/carers, etc, In addition, every week I spent 4 hours every Monday morning researching and reviewing all the teaching material, local and national policies, evidence based research and practice, peer reviewed articles, learning materials etc and then questioned on these policies by my mentor and her line manager, iI also had a 7 week surgical placement in Gynaecology. These placements more than covered the necessary theory and practice hours required for Maternal and Infant Health.

Regarding Paediatrics - I undertook a 7 week community placement which included dealing patients in a Young Physically Disabled Unit. This included dealing with their physical and mental disabilities. From complete paralysis, verbal and non verbal patients, epilepsy, bi polar, drain care and changes, catheter care, wound dressing, NG tubes feeding, dialysis, diabetes, cerebal palsy, IV fluids, all medication routes etc - there was a vast variety of exposure to caring for children and young adults. Along with the theory covered and learned whilst on the placement, many theory hours were covered during my first year of University (common foundation year).

Mental Health - I had a variety of community placements which included a significant amount of exposure to patients suffering from mental health issues such as: depression, addictions, bi polar, self harming, post natal depression, psychosis, learning difficulties, etc. Many inhouse training days, professional development days took place, along with reviewing and tutorials on all relevant local and national policies, peer reviewed articles, gold standard pathways etc to ensure the best possible care was given, Some theory was also covered in my common foundation year at university. All of this was enough to ensure that I had more than enough theory and clinical hours for this area.

After I got the transcript evaluation from CGFNS I then contacted the Maryland Board of Nursing who then said I was eligible to get my background check and fingerprints taken, then go and sit my NCLEX exam. However, I've just moved to another state and will have to apply the Florida Nursing Board,

All the very best, 

Evie

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Hello, 

my husband has just started adult nursing in the UK (Scotland). CAn he request for placement in this areas and can he borrow course from the other areas?

 

Thank you

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Hello there,

I have no idea if this is possible  I would suggest your husband contacts the programme leader to find out his options.

And, just for clarification, I am an Adult RN. I just happened to have placements and theory content which was accepted by CGFNS. Every programme has different course content.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Student.

Hello, 

Hope you're well. I'm currently a student nurse and have a few questions to ask- so there any way for me to private message you? 

thank you 

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Eviecam67 said:

Hello,

I've just successfully completed CGFNS and currently waiting on ny ATT. Wasn't easy - but can be done.

I'm BSc Nursing (Adult) from Scotland, and was a perioperative practitioner.

Message me if I can help in any way. 

Good luck.

Hi, that is great!! I did BSc in Adult Nursing too but I am currently stuck with my process I was wondering whether you can advise. This won't let me send a private message to you since I am new here. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Of course, Nav22!

 

Do you have an email address?

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Eviecam67 said:

Of course, Nav22!

 

Do you have an email address?

Hi Eviecam67

Yes, my email is [email protected]

Thank you!

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Specializes in Perioperative.

@Eviecam67 I have stumbled across this thread and I know it is old but I was wondering if I could get in contact with you. Are you working in the US now? As I am also a perioperative nurse and was curious how the whole experience has been?

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Specializes in 2nd year Student nurse. 6 year surgical experience.

Hi all,

I was wondering if you can point me in the right direction please.
Im currently a 2nd year student studying at University of Dundee in Bsc Adult nursing. I have 6 years experience working within theatre and as an Advanced Perioperative Assistant (scrub). 

I'm looking to move to USA (if possible) once qualified to work as a registered nurse within the theatre setting. What is the process and what is the minimum level of experience post grad needed? Also can my partner go across from my visa?  
 

Thanks,

Lee
 

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NatashaK said:

@Eviecam67 I have stumbled across this thread and I know it is old but I was wondering if I could get in contact with you. Are you working in the US now? As I am also a perioperative nurse and was curious how the whole experience has been?

Hi Natasha 

If you have an email address I can contact you.

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Specializes in Perioperative.

Hi evie that would be great I can't figure out how to directly message you my email address? Would you be able to direct message me yours? 

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For some reason om not able to message you directly. Sorry.

I used a company called CGFNS  to evaluate my nursing transcript. I had a BSc  Adult Nursing.

Usually the UK degrees fail to meet US nursing requirements as the US requires theory and clinical hours in paediatrics, mental health, midwifery and children.  However I was extremely fortunate in that my theory hours covered all of these and also, my clinical placements were so varied. For example,  I had a care of the Elderly placement,  but there was also a children's wing. So for seven weeks (full time hours) I worked on both areas. I was then test weekly on my placement environment and independed study for 5 hours per week. All of this helped to gain enough hours to qualify for children's hours. 

I then passed the requirments and had to sit my NCLEX exam to get a US state liscence. I'm no longer working. It can be done but it is rather difficult. 

Hope this helps and all the best.

https://www.cgfns.org/

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