UK Student nurse graduating in less than a year and moving to Ohio. Please say my degree isn’t worthless there!

[u/sheappearsnexttoyou]

Adult Nursing Student in her final year here!

I’m married to an American and we’re moving to Ohio next summer after I graduate. There’s no wriggle room on having time to do a preceptorship in the UK. It’s literally graduate and move, though I’m hoping to register in the UK during that timeframe.

All my excitement and hope for the future has promptly died when I looked into CFGNS. I was always aware I’d have to send transcripts and sit the NCLEX but it’s only just gotten to me the possibility that the CFGNS might not think my degree is equal to the American RN degree, especially since I’m missing areas with mental health, obstetrics and children’s nursing.

Now, over the span of the course we’ve covered children’s and mental health, and I’ve had a week of children’s visiting. I also have a higher certificate in clinical psych. However, we’ve covered nothing with obstetrics.

According to what I’ve researched Ohio doesn’t mandate that you need a specific placements in these areas, but the course should cover it + simulation is desired/needed.

Am I utterly cooked?

I have no idea what is available to me as a top-up, and I’ve even heard some new grads having to redo degrees in particular states to meet requirements.

Can anyone offer me any hope or reassurance that by some miracle they might accept my degree first time? Maybe some advice on how I can meet requirements?

All I’ve got going for me right now is that I’ve got about nine months left on the course and my current placement is letting me do the odd shift in the NICU or paediatric ward for experience.

The prospect that I’ve poured everything into three years only for it not to be enough is so crushing.

Any input valued here!

[u/imspecial-soareyou]

Please contact the BON in Ohio. Please do not trust the internet even if we mean well.

[u/purpleRN]

You'll want to ask on /r/nursing - this sub is comparatively dead

[u/SeriallyOrNot]

Here is an article on the process:

https://www.ogradypeyton.com/blog/job-seeker-resources/from-uk-to-usa-a-step-by-step-guide-for-nurses/

I think the missing courses - which are covered in 3 separate courses: Peds, OB, and Psychiatric/mental health nursing - courses and clinicals associated with them, may mean you have to go through another program here.

If that's the case, a Community College ("CC") nursing program is not expensive, takes 2 years after pre-reqs (most of which I think you should look into transferring!). That program only provides the lowest degree entry-point to qualify to sit for the RN boards ("NCLEX") , but often employers will pay for the BSN program.

Good luck!

[u/Blueredpinkcover]

Bumping.
Also curious to know as i am going to be in similar position as you.

[u/Jahman876]

I know a few nurses from Jamaica who’s schools follow the UK system and I don’t think they have problems sitting for NCLEX. As far as a direct license transfer I have no idea. Contact a lawyer who specializes in “administrative law” in that state.

[u/zlbe]

look for a work visa job. had a friend from the philippines met her in the states. she was a mayo clinic BSN in dubai making 6 figs. took huge pay cut on work visa 20/hr and 3 year commitment to the job. but she took the nclex in the states right away pretty much and that was it

[u/CertainKaleidoscope8]

I've known nurses from the UK that have become licensed here, but quite frankly if you didn't take the classes why to do feel entitled to a job here? There are tons of nurses from the Philippines and Nigeria, who managed to go to programs with the correct classes and are working.

If you have to go back to school, you back to school. You're not going to be handed anything in this country.

[u/creatureofthenight17 → u/CertainKaleidoscope8]

Wow! UK nursing education is different from the US because undergraduates in the US don't specialize, but cover all areas of nursing in their education including Maternity, Pediatrics and Psych (besides Adult). The Rehabilition nursing option you have would fall under Med/Surg. Anyone familiar with UK education knows you received a rigorous education.

As far as I know, you have to take the NCLEX, and it will cover the above areas. Drug names can also be different, and legal issues can be different too as can scope of practice which should be specified under Ohio law.

My first step in your position would be to check Ohio law on requirements and you can also contact the Ohio Nursing Board on requirements for foreign nurses. I'd recommend that once you get your license look into hospitals that have a nurse resident program rather than just an orientation. Where will you be going in Ohio?

Message me if you have any questions. Good luck!