noticed that there are old threads resurfacing on the immigration from the uk to the usa, so thought that with all the newbies on the site and us oldies who have done it all and are now settled, will start all over again. some of the information has changed so much because of the retrogression and the state of the american economy, the disasters in the areas where you might have been going, and of course the new president that they are going to have. also, theres some of us who have completed the agency thing or come on our own, and we all have different experiences. its really difficult to translate the differences between some things but will try to help, as will madwife, betty boop, silverdragon, rgn1, sue, letina etc, etc
i did my conversion course in 2000, and it took around 18 months, with one day a week in college and placements of 4 weeks long in different areas. it depended what experience you had in the sen training, i had to do mental health but not paeds. good luck to you with the nmc, i am not in the uk so cannot comment on how the hospitals are right now, but my friends back home tell me that nothing much has happened since i left, but then i did work in a rural area..
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
My conversion from EN to RN was 12 months long and like Cariad it was 1 day a week in college and my placements was different as we had 1 day 1 week and 2 days the following week to work in areas we had to get hours in (3 days in 2 weeks) Was in college for 6 months and then that stopped and the time went to coursework and time in areas we needed to get time done. My course was 1997-8
I did the enrolled nurse training and qualified in 1990. Did the conversion in 1996 in less that a year.
I took us 2 1/2 to get the the USA we are still amazed we got an interview with retrogression.
Arrived Sept 2007 so been here 14 months now.
Working in the same job in a Cardiac Cath Lab in Orlando Florida.
We did not use an agency.
I have two kids 15 and 16 and a husband. (they never what to go back) Kids went to so grandparents last summer in UK but dont think I will be able to make them go next year.
dont know what the attraction to america is for those of us who have come here, as we have all had different experiences and live in different areas, and places of totaally different weather. dont know why immigration to here is so difficult, when there are such vast areas of land and loads of houses still being built, even although the prices have dropped drastically, but there are jobs and places for people to live, and although in arizona where i am, theres a big drive to stop illegal immigrants, they are basically talking about the mexicans who come over the border, and then work illegally here and send all the american dollars back home. at least when the brits come over here, we support the us economy and spend our money here, we dont send it back home.
Hi - I was originally an EN trained 86 then converted RN 95 and Midwife in 99. We have been here since Dec 2006 almost 2 years. I currently work as Clinical Manager in OB and I am studying for my masters in Nursing and advance practice nursing. Do not think we will ever move back to the UK - can not even get my lot to go back for a visit!
Thanks everyone for you answers and insight. I would only go to the UK as a agency/contract/traveller - would never go back permanently! My life here is more than I could have ever imagined or had in the UK - I feel very fortunate!Blossom48
I kind of feel I belong here now. I will always always have my roots in the UK but I feel accepted here. My dd who was 4 yrs old when we came here is more American than British now but we do talk to her about her own culture and history all the time.
I live in a lovely area and I doubt I could suffer the cold, damp wet environment of Manchester again. But I never say never because I really dont know what life holds for me.
did we say warm weather? its chilly today and blowing a gale,,,,,but then the skies are blue, we still dont have any heating on, in fact the ac still comes on occasionaly and its down to 79 degrees!
we must have forgotten what the uk weather is really like.
Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..
did we say warm weather? its chilly today and blowing a gale,,,,,but then the skies are blue, we still dont have any heating on, in fact the ac still comes on occasionaly and its down to 79 degrees!
we must have forgotten what the uk weather is really like.
oh you're a cruel,cruel,woman ,cariad!!it's freezing here! well, in the 50's anyway which is cold!!am i jealous,,no,of course not! enjoy the heat,good for the bones!!
Hi everybody. Saw my name mentioned in the opening post, so thought I'd better chip in.
Lots of positive posts here.....now here comes the grim reaper :chair:
I've been here 2.5 years now, still working at the same hospital where I started. I'm doing well at work, and from my evaluations I know I'm valued as a conscientious nurse. I'm well paid, almost maxed out now on the pay scale so no complaints on that score. I've learned so much in the time I've been here and acquired lots of new skills. The opportunities to advance professionally have been second to none.
However......on a more personal note, I still don't think of here as "home" and doubt I ever will. I'm learning to adapt to the way of life, and a good life it is too, but all the big houses, cars and sunshine can never compensate for missing people back in the UK.
I have no plans to return to the UK in the immediate future, simply because I can't afford to now. I'm of an age that it would be very difficult to start over......no job, no home etc. So I keep as positive as I can and try to make the best of things here. My DH is totally the opposite, he loves it here and has no desire to go back.
To all those waiting, I wish you all the very best, and hope your dreams are fulfilled when you finally get here. I'm sure I'm not typical of immigrant RN's as I know most are very happy and settled. It just didn't turn out for me the way I imagined
BUT, in true British style, and with that stiff upper lip, it's onwards and upwards
you are right letina, although this is now home, we always call back home,,,home. but we are lucky we have settled really well and always have, but wish that it was easier for our family who do want to join us to be able to. its almost impossible to emigrate here anymore, so it makes it a bit isolating. plus of course the cost of the flights for us to go home or for any family to visit, they just cant afford it.
I envy you as I love warm weather - Reno has great weather except for the winter which I hate. Arizona in the winter is something I`m planning in the near future! Blossom48
cariad
628 Posts
i did my conversion course in 2000, and it took around 18 months, with one day a week in college and placements of 4 weeks long in different areas. it depended what experience you had in the sen training, i had to do mental health but not paeds. good luck to you with the nmc, i am not in the uk so cannot comment on how the hospitals are right now, but my friends back home tell me that nothing much has happened since i left, but then i did work in a rural area..