What is a "nursing conversion program"?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 22, 2008

I'm an American-trained RN in London and looking into my options for schooling here. Can anyone out there give me a brief explanation of the various levels of education for nurses in the UK? Ie: in the US you can become a nurse by completing an associates degree program (usu. 2 years) or a bachelors program (4 years) and passing the national licensing exam. How do you do it here?
Also, can anyone explain what a "conversion program" is? It's been recommended that I look into one of these programs to bolster my educational hours now that I'm in the UK and I'm having trouble tracking one down.
Many, many thanks.

If you look at any local university websites under health and social sciences you can find out how the courses are run. There is continual assessments throughout all the years training (just over 3 years) and is more specialised ie Maternity, General adult, Paeds and mental health. Usually foundation course 18 months then split off into specialised area although maternity tends to be one on its own.

Conversion is aimed at Enrolled nurses in the UK and provides hours in both theory and practical to become RN similar in a way to LPN to RN. Have you had an assessment done with NMC as they would be the ones to say whether you need to make any hours up

This may give you an idea http://www.hud.ac.uk/courses/undergrad/ipp_pages00000031.htm

We have a couple of students posting on here and Ayla is just coming towards the end of her training so may be able to give you an idea on what she is doing :)

londonbridge · Jan 22, 2008

Silverdragon, thanks for the info!

I have consulted with the NMC - over many, many hours. They can't offer any insight on how many more additional hours of schooling I'll need. I have my BSN, but from an accelerated program. Because I finished my degree quickly, I can't register here - I don't have enough hours of schooling. It's pretty frustrating and the NMC is of little assistance, unfortunately.

Anyhow, thanks for your help!

!80s Love Child! · Jan 22, 2008

I found a very informative site about the Nursing education etc. in the UK. Please view this website: http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nursing.shtml

A Nursing Conversion Programme, quoted from Napier Uni's website, is: "Already registered first level nurses can undertake a conversion course that allows you to study a different subject area at pre-registration level. For example, an adult health nurse may re-train as a mental health or child health nurse. Two options are available - a 14-month diploma programme, or a 16-month degree programme. " But you would need a UK registration license in order to qualify for this programme though.

Hope that helps a bit. :)

Just a suggestion: have you tried contacting NMC through telephone?

ZippyGBR, BSN, RN · Jan 22, 2008

hours the EU directive requires 2300 theory and 2300 practice hours in a pre 0registration programme

conversion courses generla 2nd registrations or EN to RN 'adaptation programmes' seem to be the usual name for courses for those seeking to tegister with the NMC who have a None EU RN

cariad · Jan 23, 2008

american rn's get their associate degree to nurse in 18 month or 2 year programmes, but even then they are like part time courses compared to the hours in the uk courses. it allows the students to work 36 hours a week in 3 night shifts while they are doing the course. some classes are only for a few hours a day, and placements are sometimes only a couple of weeks long. so this course to become an rn doesnt translate into nearly enough hours for a uk rn. most hospitals here sponsor the students and then the students have to work for the hospital as techs, but then the hospital will employ them and train them as a new grad, theres so much for them still to learn after they are trained.