Advice for UK nurse heading to US please!

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Specializes in CCU, ICU.

Hi, I'm planning to do some travelling through the states and am hoping to nurse to fund my trip. I applied to NYS but failed the NCLEX this wk. I have to wait 91 days to re-sit but really want to do it again ASAP. Does anyone know if i can apply to a different nursing board in order to speed the process up? I'd be really grateful for any other tips you can give me about nursing in the US. Thanks!!

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Specializes in Dialysis, Nephrology & Cosmetic Surgery.

I know there are some BONs where you only have to wait 45 days before retesting but I have no idea how easy it would be for you to go through the process with these. My feeling is that you would have to go through their application process and this would take longer than the 91 days you now have to wait?

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Specializes in med/surg.

To nurse in the USA you need to go through greencard processing, there are no temporary work visas available for nursing.

With retrogression the wait is at least 2-3 years from getting your I-140 approved & that in itself takes at least 6-8 months to get from passing N-CLEX!

I suggest you check out all the threads & "stickies" on the international forum to fill you in.

I'm afraid there's no "back-pack" nursing options in the USA, you're in for the long-haul if that's your chosen option.

Of course you could probably do travel nursing once you're well and truly through the system and have found your nursing feet in the USA. However, that really is quite a way down the road.

Jane is right about one thing though -by the time you'd registered & gone through all the processing with another BON those 91 days are going to be up!

If the USA really is your choice & you want to wait it out then spend those days studying, if you failed you'll know your weaknesses so you'd be much better employing your time working on those.

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Specializes in CCU, Orthopedics, Peds, Gen. Med..

ScottishRGN, you'll need to wait the 91 days...sorry. I'm from the US, and have noticed through the years, and still recently, that graduates who failed the NCLEX the first time had to wait three months to retake the exams. In the mean time, lots of these folk worked as PCA's(nurse aides),or at something else,til they could retake the exam. And when they did, passed w/flying colours! Sounds like you'd like to travel while here once you pass the NCLEX? If so,you might have a little look into travel nursing. They pay pretty well, have different lengths of time for the contracts,different 'perks', and many will pay for your flat rental. I have known loads of travel nurses on my ward, and they say their really happy w/what their doing. The down side is usually you must secure your own health insurance,retirement plans, etc...That's not usually any problem. If you need advice about that, ask your co-workers, or nurse manager, or Human Resource Dept. who will be happy to guide you. Be sure to obtain . Again, the above people can guide you w/that as well. We have an amazing country w/loads of places to see(NOT just New York,Florida,or California,though they are great places),and amazingly wonderful people!

Best wishes to you!

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Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.

I agree with the others - by the time you register with another BON it could easily pass 91 days. Good luck with your 2nd try (I failed first time too)

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Specializes in ICU,HOME HEALTH, HOSPICE, HEALTH ED.

What about looking into the private duty home nursing options? If you work for an agency, probably need to face the red tape first. If private referrals --perhaps not--just a green card perhaps. Hospice and Home health agencies generally have patients looking for private duty nurses. What about posting a private ad in the cities (newspaper)you want to live? In California, there is Internet connection 'craigslist.com' where you might be able to post an ad. Some areas have quite a bit of buisness in the private duty nursing areana--I lived in Monterey Penninsula where I ran into many foreign nurses privately employees in the home. Get you resume and letters of recommendations ready!

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Sorry, but without a valid visa that permits one to work in the US; attempting to do private duty or anything else like it and it makes one subject to being deported and unable to return for ten years to the US.

Not a good thing at all. And there are no temporary working visas for RNs that are available either. This is not something that one is going to be able to legally do.

There is also a retrogression at this time and therefore no visas of any type as well.

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Hi

Sorry to be going off on a bit of a tangent to the original post but I need some advice! I'm a nursing assistant in the UK, and looking to seek work in New York. Does anyone know if it's even possible bearing in mind my lack of a uk nursing diploma ? I am English,hold NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care and have 13 years of experience. I want to work there to be with my girlfriend who is moving there for her work.

Any help greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi

Sorry to be going off on a bit of a tangent to the original post but I need some advice! I'm a nursing assistant in the UK, and looking to seek work in New York. Does anyone know if it's even possible bearing in mind my lack of a uk nursing diploma ? I am English,hold NVQ 3 in Health and Social Care and have 13 years of experience. I want to work there to be with my girlfriend who is moving there for her work.

Any help greatly appreciated!

No, there isn't anyway you could work as a CNA. There are no visas for that

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Will expand on this. The US only accept RN for immigration not EN's or HCA's and with retrogression which has been ongoing since Oct 2006 it is hard for RN's to make the move and looking at years waiting

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Will expand on this. The US only accept RN for immigration not EN's or HCA's and with retrogression which has been ongoing since Oct 2006 it is hard for RN's to make the move and looking at years waiting

If I was to find a prospective employer would they be able to petition for me? I'm just looking for a legal way to get work in the US to be with my partner. Not proving easy...

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
If I was to find a prospective employer would they be able to petition for me? I'm just looking for a legal way to get work in the US to be with my partner. Not proving easy...

There is no legal way as a HCA for you to go to the US and work. There is no shortage of care assistance and it does not have a visa. Sorry it isn't what you want to hear but it just can not be done

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