American Association of Foreign Educated Nurses

Hi, I already live in the US - have been here for the last 5 weeks. I've been a registered nurse for 25yrs in the UK, working mostly with mentally disordered offenders but also in senior management posts in adult mental health.

I've been enquiring about registration in Tennessee but have a problem - having trained so long ago, my school of nursing closed and it may be that my training records have been lost or destroyed when the school closed - there was apparently no legal reasons for the records to be kept at that point.

Is this a complete bar on me obtaining a license to practice here? I have so much experience and skills to offer, given the shortage of nursing in the USA. Can you suggest any way around it? I still have current UK registration and a full professional profile and resume.

Many thanks

Andy

Andy - I don't think that the fact that your school has closed will present a major problem. Records should exist in some archive.

As you begin the process of getting your license in the US, you will have to obtain the CGFNS certificate. CGFNS will be able to verify your UK credentials.

Hi Andy,

I see your problem. I work for an international nurse recruitment agency based in London. We often have nurses who have trouble getting a hold of their transcripts. This can be because the school has closed down or that they have simply disposed of their records. (Schools are only required to keep transcripts for 10 years.)

The reply you received was correct, CGFNS can review your credentials, but they need transcripts to review! So, I would recommend that you try to obtain your transcripts & apply directly to the board of nursing.

What you need to do is contact the NMC. The NMC will have a curriculum breakdown for your school and the year you graduated. As long as you can prove you attended that school at that time, they will be able to provide you with a breakdown of your hours. This usually satisfies the nursing boards. When you phone the NMC, make sure you tell them you need to speak to the Transcript Office & they should be able to help you.

Also, you mentioned that you have worked in mental health. Please be aware that all nurses in the US are trained to a general level & specialize at a master's degree level. What the nursing board will be checking for is that you have received both theory & clinical education in: medical / surgical, obstetrics, pediatrics & psychiatric nursing. If you do not have this education, you will need to return to school in order to be made eligible to take the NCLEX.

I hope this help! If you have any more questions, please let me know.

All the best,

Hope
Adevia Health

i see that you work for a recruitment agency for London. What are the requirements to be a nurse in London? How much would it cost me to be able to work in London thru your agency?

thank you!

Thanks for all the help on this - it gives me a little more motivation to continue pursuing it here. I understand that there is a real shortage of mental health nurses in the US and that salaries are proportionately higher here than in the UK. Is this right?

Andy

Hi Andy,

I am glad I could help. Yes, there is a huge shortage of all nurses in the USA. Please be aware though, if you are an RMN (& are not double qualified as an RN) you probably will not be eligible to take the NCLEX and therefor not be able to work as a nurse in the USA.

As long as you meet the educational requirements, you should be able to take the NCLEX and work as a mental health (psych) nurse in the USA. Take a look at my original posting to see what educational requirements you need.

Please let me know if you have any questions on this.

All the best,

Hope

garnet wrote:i see that you work for a recruitment agency for London. What are the requirements to be a nurse in London? How much would it cost me to be able to work in London thru your agency?

thank you!

Hello!

I am pleased you are interested in working in London. We do not charge candidates a fee for our services. However, depending on your current location, license and specialty we may be able to help you. The best thing to do is to register at www.adevia.com and a recruiter will be in touch.

Good Luck!

Hope