[blueflower77]

Hi Suzanne4 - I have a question for you. I am a current nursing BSN student who is also an international student on F-1. I am just starting the program, which will take about 2-3 years to complete, but I wanted to find out when and how I would start looking for an employer who could sponsor me for a green card (or H-1B). I have already used 3 months of my OPT by working during the summer, so I only 9 months left. I guess I would be ready to move anywhere in the US, but would prefer to stay in the city where I live now.

Thanks so much for your help. I can't wait to hear from you (or anyone who could address my question).

[suzanne4]

H1-B is not a valid option for you. They no longer exist for nurse, plus you would never, ever want one. Employers are not required to pay you the same rate as the US nurses with that type of visa, as well as the facility essentially owns you. Definitely not a good thing for anyone.

There is nothing that you can do with an employer petitioning for you until after you have actually taken and passed the NCLEX exam. That is required for any papers to be submitted on your behalf.

I would worry more with getting thru your program right now. This is quite some time off for you, and things change. Needs change, wants change.

Where are you going to school?

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by Zinaa

Thanks a lot Suzanne! But what about the background check? Is it a requirement in NY and when should I do it?

NY itself doesn't currently have a specific background check, but any place that hires you will. They rely on what is covered by the VSC, and immigration certificates that are required such as police clearance.

[mps]

Hi Suzanne,

From taking a cue from your previous posting, I was able to convince one of my prospective employers, to pay for the lawyer on my own for my sponsorship paperwork, while the hospital pay me the sign-in bonus. I had this lawyer for my H1 paperwork. But he is inexperienced in Nursing immigration. Do you have names of any good lawyers which you can refer?
The hospital is asking me a 2 year contract from the day of issuing green card. Is this normal? Also what do you think the penalty for breaking the contract would be?
Thanks again..

[north_star]

hi everyone! i know this is a little off the topic of what you're talking about right now.
but since most of you are students in the US i just want to know how you guys applied for a nursing school in the united states? and do they accept 2nd degree takers?

you can reply to this thread or pm me because im really interested in studying there. i have reached up to 3rd year medicine proper and i have decided to shift to nursing due to personal and financial reasons.
i plan to enroll in nursing this coming school year and im looking for a school that can accomodate someone with a background that i have.
i've already checked with a school here in the phil. and they said it will take me another 2 years to finish nursing since i come from medicine.

[nrswnabee]

Originally Posted by north_star

hi everyone! i know this is a little off the topic of what you're talking about right now.
but since most of you are students in the US i just want to know how you guys applied for a nursing school in the united states? and do they accept 2nd degree takers?

you can reply to this thread or pm me because im really interested in studying there. i have reached up to 3rd year medicine proper and i have decided to shift to nursing due to personal and financial reasons.
i plan to enroll in nursing this coming school year and im looking for a school that can accomodate someone with a background that i have.
i've already checked with a school here in the phil. and they said it will take me another 2 years to finish nursing since i come from medicine.

------

i'm now pursuing nursing as a second degree here in the us. like you, i'm pinay too (hello, kababayan!).

to answer your q's:

1. i initially entered us soil on a b1/b2 visa then later changed status to f1 (academic student visa) upon identifying the school that can accommodate me.

2. of course. a lot of people from various occupations/degrees shift careers to nursing all the time w/c results to long waiting lists for many open admission colleges. you can choose from a variety of programs---accelerated BSN (typically 15 - 18 months for non-nursing BS degree holders), 2-year associated degree (leading to RN), regular BSN (4-years) and there is also direct entry MSN (4-yrs).

along with your budget and time concerns, you can choose what program suits your purposes best. since you are a med undergrad, i think you could request transfer of many of your courses (subjects) taken but it really depends upon the school how extensive (or limited) "carrying over" can be. i know someone who was able to transfer at most, 18 units (his degree isn't medicine), but because courses are taken in sequence and offered only at given terms (fall or spring), he looks toward completing program within the same time as a regular student. other pinoys get tied up with esl (english as a second language--a bunch of english writing/reading/speaking courses) that keeps them from starting with the major courses of the program of their choice.

i'm no lawyer but you can pm me if you have anything more to ask... good day!

[mps]

if you have a existing undergraduate degree then you can opt for an 12 to 18 months accelerated BSN program.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by mps

Hi Suzanne,

From taking a cue from your previous posting, I was able to convince one of my prospective employers, to pay for the lawyer on my own for my sponsorship paperwork, while the hospital pay me the sign-in bonus. I had this lawyer for my H1 paperwork. But he is inexperienced in Nursing immigration. Do you have names of any good lawyers which you can refer?
The hospital is asking me a 2 year contract from the day of issuing green card. Is this normal? Also what do you think the penalty for breaking the contract would be?
Thanks again..

If they are paying you a sign on bonus, then it is typical, same thing if you were an American RN that did not need the immigration help. If they are giving you a "relocation" bonus, then you will need to sign a two year contract. It goes for any nurse.

The cancellation clause is up to the facility, but should not be more than $6000, or pro-rated from the time that you start your contract.
Your contract should begin from when you start work, not issuance of the green card. Since you are already in the US, you would get an Adjustment of Status (AOS) filed on your behalf, and could begin work as soon as you have the EAD and SSN# in hand. Just a few months.

Where are you located?

[suzanne4]

Just be aware that none of the accelerated programs for the BSN are currently accepted out of the US, if you decide to go to another country later on to work.

[Zinaa]

Hi!

I'm looking for hospitals willing to sponsor international students in NYC. So far I've been contacted by agencies, who want me to sign a 3-year contract, pay me below market level and I'd have to start in a nursing home (since I'm inexperienced). I live in Long Island, but any hospital in 5 boroughs will do. Does anybody know about hospitals willing to sponsor? And does anybody got their green card through JUNO or White Glove agencies? Are they trustworthy?
Thanks