US girl going to UK nursing school

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I need your help, UK nurses! I'm currently doing my prereqs for an accelerated BSN program here in the states. I already have a degree in Finance, so here there are programs where you can get your BSN in a year if you hold an unrelated bachelors degree. Here's where you guys come in: My husband may be taking a job in London for two years, and the kids and I will of course be joining him. His company will adjust his salary such that I do not have to work, and it's the perfect opportunity for me to go to school to get my nursing degree. Anyone have any idea if the UK has any of these types (accelerated BSN) of degrees and which (if any) universities in London offer it? Any advice you can offer is appreciated. I know NOTHING about nursing/nursing schools in London, as you can well imagine.

Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

Hi,

I do not believe you can get a year course to do a nursng degree in Uk even if you have a degree already, you may get some credits but I am sure that you would have to complete a a full complete 3 year degree course.

Remember if you did a degree or diploma in nursing from the UK you would be specialised and couldn't practice when you returned to th US. You would have to do top up course upon your return.

Good luck

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I need your help, UK nurses! I'm currently doing my prereqs for an accelerated BSN program here in the states. I already have a degree in Finance, so here there are programs where you can get your BSN in a year if you hold an unrelated bachelors degree. Here's where you guys come in: My husband may be taking a job in London for two years, and the kids and I will of course be joining him. His company will adjust his salary such that I do not have to work, and it's the perfect opportunity for me to go to school to get my nursing degree. Anyone have any idea if the UK has any of these types (accelerated BSN) of degrees and which (if any) universities in London offer it? Any advice you can offer is appreciated. I know NOTHING about nursing/nursing schools in London, as you can well imagine.

Unfortunately we don't have accelerated options in the UK. Nurse training is under took by universities and is at either degree or diploma level (depending on the university) here is a link at one of the universities in London http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/nursing/pdfs/Preregpros.pdf and because you will be classed as an international student here is another link http://www.kcl.ac.uk/international

good luck

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Hi. There are 2 'accelerated' post graduate diplomas in london that Im aware of, one at Kings College, London as posted above (2 years 2 months) and the other at Barts at City University http://www.city.ac.uk/barts (2 years 3 months) BUT your first degree needs to be in a biological or health related subject. Im considering applying to Barts for next September but Im worried about childcare when Im on placements as i believe you have to experience the shift patterns that qualified nurses will work , ie earlies, lates and nights.

I hope you get the opportunity to come over, it'll be a great experience for you and your kids!

Training in the UK requires additional courses before you will be able to work in the US. They have what is called "Specialist" training.............

Also, be aware that many accelerated programs do not allow transfer to other countries. One easy case is an accelerated program in the US is not accepted in Canada.

So please, so not rush into anything and please do your homework first.

Thanks so much for your reply. It's interesting that there's no reciprocity between countries. We're not certain we're going to UK as of yet, but I thought it might be a nice time for me to get my BSN out of the way. I could still take a lot of my prereqs online (nutrition, pathophysiology, human growth and development) and then try to get into a program when I get back. I could just travel Europe with the kids for a couple of years...That wouldn't be all bad either! I'm just anxious to get started on my nursing school education b/c I'm already kind of an old student! Thanks again for your insight. I appreciate it.

Training in the UK requires additional courses before you will be able to work in the US. They have what is called "Specialist" training.............

Also, be aware that many accelerated programs do not allow transfer to other countries. One easy case is an accelerated program in the US is not accepted in Canada.

So please, so not rush into anything and please do your homework first.

There is no reciprocity between countries as far as exams. Nurses from the UK, and even Canada, that wish to work in the US are required to take the NCLEX exam, even if they have been licensed in their country for years. But same also goes for any other type of license. Physicians, hair dressers, pharmacists, physical therapists, etc.

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