International nursing students in the US

World Immigration

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For those of you that are studying in the US under either an F-1 visa, or any other where you do not have permission to work, and will need to apply for a green card when you finish your schooling-----this is for you.

You must meet all of the requirements for immigration that a foreign-trained nurse does, the only exception that you have is that the English requirements are waived for you. You still need to submit the application and get a Visa Screen Certificate. This is offered by CGFNS and the application is available on their website, http://www.CGFNS.org. There is only one application available, whether you did your training in the US, or overseas.

You will still need to find an employer that will petition for your green card. You will still need to undergo a physical exam at a physician's office that is approved by USCIS an have verification of all titers and vaccinations. If you do not have verifiable proof of having had chicken pox, etc., you will need to have either a titer drawn, or receive the vaccination. Immigration is very strict now with this, they will no longer go on what you are verbally telling them.

Hope that this helps...............most of you will also be able to get an OPT for one year of training while your documents are being processed, but you can only receive the OPT once, especially if this is now a second career for you, and you already used your OPT status for the other.

If you are coming to the US just for the MSN, and already have a BSN from overseas, you will be required to write the English exams. You are only exempt from them if this is your initial training as a nurse, meaning ADN or BSN only.

thnks everyone!! new to this thats why i posted same questions multiple times. will avoid that i future....

i am an RN from Pakistan. i have been doing some research into coming to USA and an RN. from what i gather so far is that

1- 1st i need to contact the BON of the state where i am interested

2- i then need to clear NCLEX

3- i then also need tofeal to show my english skills

4- i then need to apply for VSC

Since the thread does not exist which would have answered my questions, i am going to post them here and will appreciate response in the order the questions are placed... here goes

1- AM I RIGHT ABOUT THE BEGINNING PROCESS THAT I MENTIONED ABOVE ?

2- HOW CAN I SECURE A JOB ONCE I CLEAR NCLEX (CAN I BE GIVEN A CONDITIONAL OFFER FROM A HOSPITAL OR A NURSING CENTER OF SOME SORT ?)

3- I AM JUST LOOKING FOR A WORK VISA FOR 2 YEARS OR SO, IS THAT POSSIBLE ?

4- CAN SOMEONE PROVIDE ME WITH AN ASCENDING LIST OF ALL THE BON THAT ARE FOREIGN NURSES FRIENDLY (SO FAR I FOUND-OUT THAT VT, GA, NM ARE EASY ONES. WHICH ARE SOME OTHER ONES ?

5- WILL I BE ABLE TO TAKE NCLEX EXAM ON LINE IF MY COUNTRY HAVE NO CENTER FOR IT ?

6- HOW AND WHERE CAN I BEGAN THE VISA PROCESS ?

SINCERELY

FRANKALEX2727:confused:

PS: SORRY FOR REPEATING QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER BUT I AM DESPERATE TO GET THE RIGHT PROCESS.:cry:

1. Yes, that's correct, find the state that you're wishing to practice in. Once you find the state that you're wishing to work in, then from there the other quesions that you had in your first batch will follow.

2. There's no job security once you pass the NCLEX, as the US economy is in the toilet right now. The unemployment rate is very high right now, and that includes nurses.

3. If you have a Bachelors in nursing, and you have several years experience in a specialty, then you might qualify for a H1b visa. But there are very few hospitals that are sponsoring foreign nurses right now. Nodoby has really been able to provide a list of hospitals that do at the moment. Those are few and far between.

4. Start from Alaska and go all the way down to Wyoming and do your searching for BRNs that are foreign nurse friendly. The above that you mentioned are the only ones that I'm aware of. Maybe someone on here has an experience with other BRNs. Sugguest you start your search as there are 50 states in the US.

5. No you can't take the NCLEX online, you have to go to a testing center.

6. Regarding the visa process, get in line there are people patiently waiting at a chance to obtain a visa to work in the US. Some have been waiting several years. Due to retrogression it doesn't seem like the process will be any quicker and there are no short cuts.

Good Luck

Here's a complete list of the state boards of nursing in the US, there's where you can begin your search. It's going to be very time consuming to read, but most of the websites that I've thumbed through are pretty easy to maneuver around. Keep in mind that some of the states don't require ss# for initial licensure but that can change at anytime as the BRNs are updating their requirements. Even though some don't require a ss# for initial licensure 1. you can't do anything with the license without a valid work visa. 2. They might require one for renewal. I've even read some recently who are going through the renewal process, and they still haven't received a visa. Do some reading regarding visas and how long people have been waiting for a chance at a visa. Good luck in your search!

https://allnurses.com/boards-of-nursing-info.html

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
thnks everyone!! new to this thats why i posted same questions multiple times. will avoid that i future....

i am an RN from Pakistan. i have been doing some research into coming to USA and an RN. from what i gather so far is that

1- 1st i need to contact the BON of the state where i am interested

2- i then need to clear NCLEX

3- i then also need tofeal to show my english skills

4- i then need to apply for VSC

Since the thread does not exist which would have answered my questions, i am going to post them here and will appreciate response in the order the questions are placed... here goes

1- AM I RIGHT ABOUT THE BEGINNING PROCESS THAT I MENTIONED ABOVE ?

2- HOW CAN I SECURE A JOB ONCE I CLEAR NCLEX (CAN I BE GIVEN A CONDITIONAL OFFER FROM A HOSPITAL OR A NURSING CENTER OF SOME SORT ?)

3- I AM JUST LOOKING FOR A WORK VISA FOR 2 YEARS OR SO, IS THAT POSSIBLE ?

4- CAN SOMEONE PROVIDE ME WITH AN ASCENDING LIST OF ALL THE BON THAT ARE FOREIGN NURSES FRIENDLY (SO FAR I FOUND-OUT THAT VT, GA, NM ARE EASY ONES. WHICH ARE SOME OTHER ONES ?

5- WILL I BE ABLE TO TAKE NCLEX EXAM ON LINE IF MY COUNTRY HAVE NO CENTER FOR IT ?

6- HOW AND WHERE CAN I BEGAN THE VISA PROCESS ?

SINCERELY

FRANKALEX2727:confused:

PS: SORRY FOR REPEATING QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER BUT I AM DESPERATE TO GET THE RIGHT PROCESS.:cry:

Steps are

1. Apply to BON in the state you plan on working and meet requirements for foreign trained nurse. Only state we do not recommend for initial licensure is CA and much has already been written about that so try the search facility with California as your main keyword.

2. Once you have meet eligibility you sit NCLEX and it can not be done online but has to be done at an approved Pearsonvue center.

3. Once passed NCLEX look for a employer. Be aware of retrogression and that it will be hard to find a employer. Using a agency will not make the process any quicker. If you are a specialised nurse and meet H1b requirements you may be able to find a employer for H1b but if you then go for greencard you may find problems due to retrogression. You can not AOS at the moment

tons of thanks on this valuable information. u are all very helpful and in sightfull. i am glad to be part of this site :up:

just have another question. there are no NCLEX testing centers here in Pakistan and the nearest ones are in India (& that's a no, no cuz cant get a visa due to the situation between 2 countries). So! what can be my best way and also...

is there a way for me to buy or download prep (practice) material for NCLEX...?

thanks thanks & thanks:typing

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You do not have to go to your nearest center, you can go to any center as long as you meet that country's requirements and if needed get a tourist visa.

Regarding NCLEX material there is much about and you will need to decide what is suited for you. Suggest you check out the NCLEX forum in the student section and see what is available

thanks sliverdragon for great answers...

i still have few more things that i m trying to clear

1- where & when do i send my educational transcripts for evaluation ?

2- does it need to be certified from the local authorities from Pakistan before i send it for evaluation ?

3- what is the best way to search for a job cuz i am looking for a H1-C visa rather than the adjustment of status, what is your recommendations ?

thanks:up:

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
thanks sliverdragon for great answers...

i still have few more things that i m trying to clear

1- where & when do i send my educational transcripts for evaluation ?

2- does it need to be certified from the local authorities from Pakistan before i send it for evaluation ?

3- what is the best way to search for a job cuz i am looking for a H1-C visa rather than the adjustment of status, what is your recommendations ?

thanks:up:

1. It depends on which state you are applying to and what their requirements are for foreign trained nurse. If CES is required you arrange to have your transcripts sent to CGFNS once you have started your application process with them. Transcripts have to come directly from the place where you did your training and has to have their official stamp on.

2. Only has to be certified if not completed in English. A English translation has to be provided (as far as I am aware but will be explained in the handbook)

3. Only 14 hospitals have the H1c status and that type of visa is up for renewal next year and highly doubtful it will be renewed plus you are looking at approx 4-6 months on meeting BON requirements, sitting and passing NCLEX and then getting VSC so probably looking at approx 12 months before you can look for a employer and get a visa (saying you meet requirements etc) and by then H1c visas are no more

dear silverdrangon,

once again, thanks for being so informative. you have been a very reliable source for me. it actaully gave me a start line. thing is that there are so many different requirements, like you have to know each BON's requirements and then there is NCLEX some places and CGFNS in other places. i wish there was just one single status for the USA so it easire to manuver through piles and piles of information :banghead:

BUT,,,, this thread is super helpful for me :typing

and u will see me more of me from start to the finish :yeah:

sincerely

frankalex2727

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
dear silverdrangon,

once again, thanks for being so informative. you have been a very reliable source for me. it actaully gave me a start line. thing is that there are so many different requirements, like you have to know each BON's requirements and then there is NCLEX some places and CGFNS in other places. i wish there was just one single status for the USA so it easire to manuver through piles and piles of information :banghead:

BUT,,,, this thread is super helpful for me :typing

and u will see me more of me from start to the finish :yeah:

sincerely

frankalex2727

You are welcome

I also doubt there will be a single BON requirements as even for the US trained nurses things can be different and cause issues. For example Excelsior bridge program to be a RN from LPN etc is not accepted in all states. Like US nurses that have to meet state requirements so do foreign trained nurses

Best of luck

You actually would not be doing the full year of OPT training.............this just allows you to begin work right away, without having to wait for the Visa Screen Certificate, etc.

Hello

I have another question regarding OPT. Do you know if it is possible to start work from the very next day of your graduation and without NCLEX exam taken in Home Health Care field as a nurse.

I would appreciate your early response. Thanks Meher

Some states issue a temp license. Other states require NCLEX.

Home care is not a place for new grads unless you have a very detailed orientation. The reason being you are on your own and depend on your assessment skills ( as a new grad you will not have the same skills as a seasoned RN).

Some states issue a temp license. Other states require NCLEX.

Home care is not a place for new grads unless you have a very detailed orientation. The reason being you are on your own and depend on your assessment skills ( as a new grad you will not have the same skills as a seasoned RN).

Do u know about michigan state , if it requires NCLEX or temp licence ?

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