Visa screens?? Australian nurse wanting to work in USA

Yeehah · Mar 28, 2010

We're on H1C visa, and are not being issued out as of the end of last year. Valid for 3 years, ours expire in mid 2011. No spouse or family can work on this visa. Already have green card application in process but retrogression has put the dates back severely so we were going to see what other avenues to try out. Thought E3 would be a nice one as having a degree or more than 12 years nursing experience would be criteria to fit. Debate is the position we are both working does not require a degree, as any nurse with the relevant experience or expertise can work in our departments. How does the E3 apply in terms of the position being sponsored for - can it be any general nurse position/ specialty or does it have to be a position where a nurse is required to have a degree?

allnurses Guide · Apr 10, 2010

Of course, as for any "skilled professional" visa, the position must require a bachelor degree.

I still don't understand how your friend got licensed or permission to sit NCLEX with no degree.

evasupercool · Apr 17, 2010

You have posted some helpful information ghillbert - thankyou!!

I too am a 'mature age student' graduating next year and was hoping to head to US the following year to work. It has been mentioned that 2 years experience is needed before being able to work there...do you know if that is correct in all states?? I will be working as an EN for the year until I graduate (2011)and then plan on working as an RN for 6 months before we leave - do you know if that will be adequate??

I thought it would be easy to get work there with a degree but I see it's not???

I wonder if getting a job offer would qualify me without the experience???

allnurses Guide · Apr 18, 2010

Depends upon what visa basis you intend to work in the US.

If E3, 6 months experience is not sufficient. It's hard to argue that you're a "skilled professional" after 6 months. I can't see a US hospital agreeing to employ you/go to the hassle of getting a visa unless you are bringing skills that they need. They already have a surplus of new grads in many areas, so they almost definitely would not import more. In fact, I can't think of any country that would really want to import new grads, apart from Australia maybe.

You would have to check US state boards of nursing for their individual practice requirements for licensure, they are all different.

allnurses Guide · Apr 18, 2010

I do believe you can get a temporary licence in CA while you wait for your SSN. Best to check with the BON in CA. You should be able to get E3 without a SSN in CA. Once you have your registration in one State you can apply for endorsment in other States. Hope this helps.

Just found this post while re-reading this thread and wanted to point out that it's almost all completely inaccurate.

Graduates of foreign nursing schools cannot get a temporary license in CA without a SSN. They cannot get any CA license without a SSN.

You cannot get an E3 visa unless you already hold a professional license for the state in which you intend to work. This is written in black and white in the E3 instructions on the consulate website and on the USCIS website. Therefore you cannot get an E3 without a SSN and a license for CA.

You can apply for endorsement of a license to other states, but you still have to fulfil the other states' requirements for graduates of foreign nursing schools (CVS for New York state, CES for many others etc) even if your original state did not require them.

grantsally1 · Dec 3, 2010

I used VT and found them excellent. It was 4 months from submitting documentation to getting Authority to Test for exam. Sat NCLEX in Sydney. License issued within 60days after that. Applied for Visa Screen Certificate some time before, and then just submitted NCLEX result and Vermont license and VSC arrived quickly.
Got an E3 specialty work visa for australians. I did get an academic equivalency report to show that my BN = BSN. At no point did I need to show either this or the VSC - waste of money, really!

Hi,

Can you tell me what type of nursing got you the E3 to work in the U.S?? Was it a specialty occupation requiring an equivalent BSN degree?

thanks

adaris17 · Feb 17, 2011

which courses did you do?! i'm looking to do paediatrics and obstetrics courses and am lost as to which would be accepted.

thanks!

grantsally1 · Feb 17, 2011

]I am not sure what course information your are enquiring about adaris17?. I am waiting for my CGFNS CES equivalency report to hopefully equate my BN=BSN. I completed my BN in 1993 and covered all the subjects required to meet Vermont BON requirements going from their BON website including Paediatrics, mental health, obs etc.

I completed a dip in midwifery and have been practising as a midwife for 12 years and would be relying on my years of experience in this area to gain an E3 in Labor and Delivery only which is a lesser role than I perform now.

The benefit I see is that the majority of positions require a minimum 1-3 years experience in L&D and a BSN in many Magnet Status Hospitals. Unfortunately I can't go straight into a CNM position without first completing 12 months working in the US and then an advanced placement programme at a Uni to gain an equivalent masters degree and then another exam (that make things hard but a challenge is good).

You will have to clarify what courses you are talking about??? I am no expert here but from what I have learnt by researching at the moment to gain an E3 in nursing and a job offer you would have to have many years experience in some sort of specialty nursing position which requires a bachelors degree by the US Hospital employer. I guess if you are an employer taking on a foreign nurse you don't want too put to much work into training etc as they may only be employed for 2 years max.

allnurses Guide · Feb 17, 2011

You do not have to have many years experience in a specialty for E3. You need to be eligible for a job that requires a BSN as a minimum. Some US hospitals require nurses to have a BSN so that would suffice. Of course, you have to be desirable enough that a hospital bothers with the visa issue (although it's a cheap visa and easy to get for them, doesn't really require a lawyer). I also don't understand your comment about "may only be employed for 2 years max". Do you mean they might only be or that they "may" only be - because if the latter, it's not correct, you may be employed as long as you like, provided you renew your status/visa. I am in my 4th year of employment and shortly will obtain my 3rd consecutive E3.

I assume the courses she was asking about were the ones that you can do to gain OB/peds hrs if you are deficient. Several people have used: http://www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/pdu/modules/index.php - just make sure you talk to the state nursing board where you are trying to get licensed and get it in writing that they accept these courses. It is through an accredited school of nursing and they can help you organize the clinical hours if you also need them.

kingedward · Feb 18, 2011

You have said that several hospitals employ only BSN nurses. Can anyone list some of those hospitals. It is very time consuming to phone every hospital to ask them individally. I had heard that some states in general require bsn of nurses. Does anyone know if that info is correct?

allnurses Guide · Feb 20, 2011

That is not correct to my knowledge. I don't think anyone can be expected to make up a list of hospitals for you. Apart from that, many hospitals post different staff nurse/"professional nurse" positions that require a BSN. Just figure out what area you want to go to, and check out the hospitals in that area (job website etc). You don't need to phone every hospital.

nursejojo · May 9, 2011

hi ghillbert, we are a british couple, both rn's for 4 years, currently in oz on 457 visa. I have compl,eted hours in all required fields to enable me to sit NCLEX. just about to apply for CES and then vermont BON. Have a job offer in AZ for when I eventually pass NCLEX. am i going in the right direction/process with this and how long should this take??? Will I be on an E3 visa???? will my husband be able to work??