Wise or silly, you decide

[StephMcA]

In the UK the training is somewhat different from the States and the rest of Europe, at university you can choose to do adult, mental health, learning disability or children's nursing. The latter being the only one which obviously means you are not 'general' trained nurse.

Without realising the true consequence of this, I completed a degree in Children's nursing and 3 years later went on to work in neonatal intensive care and got the qualification to be specialised in this also.

Now, this is when I turn to the forum for help. Obviously I have come across many restrictions in my practice and more specifically, trying to work with children in other countries, it's just not possible without my general training.

Still being only 25 yrs old and having the enthusiasm to travel the world with my career, I have been thinking about going back to university to complete the 3 year training in general nursing.

Do you think that this is a good idea? Or, should I just face up to being restricted to living in the UK for my entire career? I do love my job at the minute but when I think about future aspirations they are foiled by "you need to have your general nursing".

What would you do?

Many thanks in advance.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Moved to the UK forum

There used to be shorted courses approx 18 months for nurses who have one specialty and want to move to another. Have you checked into this?

[K+MgSO4, BSN]

I think you should be good with some restrictions for Australia

[vianne]

I don't have any answers Stephen McA but good luck to you all the same! you sound keen and interested so will find a way of doing what you want plus are prepared to travel, ah too late for me now but i loved traveling about as a nurse, you learn more about yourself too...as well s having invaluable experiences and great fun to boot...good luck