5+ Countries That Accept US Nursing License (FAQs)

Countries That Accept US Nursing License: Working as a nurse abroad is a great decision anyone should take today.

Working as a nurse in another man’s country will boost your ability to speak a different language, allow you to gain employment in a world-class medical facility, and earn lots of money.

Moreover, working as a nurse abroad is a privilege that allows you to make many friends and boost your nursing skills since you are learning outside your comfort zone.

However, if you have a US nursing license, this post will tell you which countries accept a US nursing license and give you tips on how to do well in a nursing license.

What is US Nursing License?

If you want to work as a nurse in the United States, you need to have a nursing license from the state where you want to work.

State Boards of Nursing have various standards for RN licensing. The title of “Registered Nurse” (or “RN”) is universally accepted and used across the country for nurses who have received state licensure.

Initial RN licensing is accomplished through the “license by examination” process, wherein candidates take the board exam after meeting all prerequisites for the RN profession.

Some Countries That Accept The US Nursing License

Here are some of the best countries in which you can work if you possess a US nursing license:

1. The United Kingdom

Although the salaries for nurses in the UK are not that good, the UK is one of the best countries you can work in with a US nursing license.

To work here, you must possess all the required documents, like a Tier 2 visa, an international passport, a nursing license, and several others.

However, no nursing work in the UK will demand an IELTS test result from you if you have worked in the US for at least a year.

Also, you must sign up with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), which oversees nurses in the country, by filling out their application form and paying the required $160 evaluation fee.

2. Ireland

Ireland is another country where you can work as a nurse if you possess a US nursing license.

To work as a nurse in this country, you must sign up with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and send in all the necessary documents.

Afterward, you have to wait for at least three months or so for the application to be evaluated and the resolution of the board to be communicated to you.

Moreover, you cannot work as a nurse in Ireland if you don’t pass the Overseas Aptitude Test, so ensure that you give it your best shot.

But you can appeal if your application is turned down by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

3. New Zealand

New Zealand is among the best countries to work as a nurse with a US nursing license. However, unlike most nations on this list, you can only sign up to be a nurse in New Zealand if you have already landed a job.

The New Zealand Nursing Council (NZNC) is responsible for registering nurses in New Zealand.

Moreover, besides possessing a US nursing license, to work as a nurse in New Zealand, you must have logged not less than 2,500 hours of field experience, send in your documents like a CV, a police report, and proof of English proficiency, and also complete the payment of the mandatory application fee of $285.

Furthermore, once you have submitted your application, you will have to wait for not less than 2 weeks for the application to be processed.

However, if your application is rejected, you must enroll in a nursing school in New Zealand and acquire practical experience in the field to be considered for a nursing license.

4. Canada

Canada is one of the best countries you can work in if you possess a US nursing license.

You can make as much as $50,000 a year working as a nurse in Canada.

To work as a nurse in Canada, you must apply to the nursing supervisory body of the province where you desire to work.

However, the application that you submit will be evaluated according to your personality, language proficiency, work experience, and other parameters.

Moreover, immediately after your application is accepted by the province, you have to apply for the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE).

It can take as long as 8 months before your application is sorted out.

5. Australia

Australia is a country accepting nurses with US licenses in large numbers.

However, besides possessing a US nursing license, you must also pass the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) to work as a nurse in Canada.

Moreover, if you pass the OSCE exam, you will still have to apply to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

The body can decline your application if you don’t possess the necessary documents or work experience.

Furthermore, you can only work as a nurse in Australia if you possess a minimum bachelor’s degree in nursing or its equivalent.

Foreign nurses in Australia earn as much as $70,000 in salaries every year.

6. The Netherlands

The Netherlands is another country where you can work if you possess a US nursing license.

This country has a huge demand for foreign nurses to assist in sustaining the high standards of its healthcare sector.

You can earn as much as $40,000 working as a nurse in the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, the major challenge you will encounter as a nurse with a US license in the Netherlands is the language barrier, which can prevent you from communicating effectively with patients and your colleagues.

Moreover, you can successfully learn Dutch in the Netherlands within 5 months before applying.

However, you must acquire a work permit, authenticate your diploma, and complete the Dutch nurse registration process before you can work as a nurse in the Netherlands.

Tips For Becoming A Successful Nurse

It does not matter where you are working as a nurse; here are some tips that will enable you to succeed as one:

1. Get a mentor

Serving as a mentee to a seasoned professional in the field will do you lots of good.

A mentor can equip you with an understanding of areas you struggle with and assist your professional development.

Moreover, your mentor can recommend you for well-paying nursing jobs.

So, if you don’t already have one, look for a well-respected nurse to be your mentor.

2. Specialize in a particular area

The nursing field offers a large variety of options for specialization. To excel in nursing, specializing in a particular field is a great idea.

However, diverse specialties demand different credentials, experience, and training.

3. Stay in touch with nursing blogs

The knowledge shared by other professionals in the field can equip you with a better understanding of the field.

Nursing blogs are one place where you can get this information.

There are numerous nursing blogs out there, each of which carries lots of valuable information.

So, ensure that you stay in touch with nursing blogs to be well informed about the latest trends and knowledge in the field from seasoned professionals and to acquire an in-depth knowledge of how the nursing field functions.

4. Experience numerous fields

Working in several nursing units is another thing that will improve you as a nurse.

Taking up a job position in different units will empower you to know all the units before you commit to the unit you want to specialize in.

Even if you already know which unit you want to work in, learning about other units will increase your chances of getting a managerial job in nursing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Countries That Accept US Nursing License

How much is US RN salary?

About $77,460

Is RN school Hard?

A job in nursing calls for more commitment than most others. To the contrary, it’s a really satisfying profession. No one should expect to breeze through nursing school. Graduate school is tough as well.

Is it hard to pass an RN test?

How challenging you find the NCLEX to be may depend on personal aspects such as how well you have studied for it.

Does nursing have math?

The “real world” of nursing only requires elementary mathematics skills, although nearly all nursing programs require at least one college-level math course, usually algebra. If you know which colleges you want to attend for nursing, you may also see if they have any prerequisites for basic statistics.

Final thoughts

Relocating from the US to another country to work as a nurse is a good decision.

However, if you are not cut out for the stress of the application process, please remain in the United States.

Most countries take so long to process nursing work permit applications, and you are not even sure of landing one at the end of the processing stage.

But if you want to work as a nurse somewhere other than the US, you should set aside time and do a lot of research on the requirements for each country to see which one is best for you before you decide. 

Awesome one; I hope this article answers your question.

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Abasiofon Fidelis
Abasiofon Fidelis

Abasiofon Fidelis is a professional writer who loves to write about college life and college applications. He has been writing articles for over 3 years. He is the Content Manager at School and Travel.

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