H4 to RN..

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 24, 2006

Hi Suzanne and Other Members,
I just moved in to US on H4 visa with my husband last week.
As of now, my situation in summary is,
1. Compleated Bachelor's and Masters in Nursing outside India.
2. Scored 7.5 in IELTS.
3. Submitted papers to CGFNS for credential Evaluation (CE) 3 months back.
4. State of residence is Connecticut.
I would like to know, what are the steps I could take to achieve RN status here.
a) Can I take the RN test before receiving the Credential Evaluation Report?
b) What's the difference between Visa Screen and CE report?
c) Once I cleared all the exams and receive reports, how long it would take to change my H4 status.
Please help with some info to take things forward from here.
Thanks in Advance,
SS Mathew

To take NCLEX you need to register with a state BON and they will need either CES or cgfns exam (depending on state)

Difference between CES and VS is CES is a evaluation of nurse training to ensure that you meet US nursing requirements where as VS means you meet immigration requirements (thats how I look at it) and you will need VS

Sorry but not sure how long it will take to change status from H4 to greencard. Suzanne I think is presently moving but will be along hopefully not to long to give some answers

suzanne4, RN · Apr 24, 2006

If you are going to work in CT, then you will need to take and pass the CGFNS exam. They do not permit endorsement without it.

You will need to have a Visa Screen Certificate as well. You do not need the CES.

The AOS takes several months..........then you will receive the EAD which will permit you to work, while waiting for the green card.

JV_RIT · Apr 24, 2006

Thanks Anna and Suzanne for prompt reply.

If you are going to work in CT, then you will need to take and pass the CGFNS exam. They do not permit endorsement without it.
.

Oh no...ok is this applicable only to CT?

Can I register in NY or NJ without CGFNS?If thats the case should I re-initiate my CES specific to NY or Can I transfer the general CES to NY/NJ?

You will need to have a Visa Screen Certificate as well. You do not need the CES.
.

BTW am already in US still need VSC?Again CES is used to issue a VSC right?(pls correct if am wrong) Hope my CES procesing wont go in vain!

Thanks in Advance.

SSMathew

starbin, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

oh no...ok is this applicable only to ct?

can i register in ny or nj without cgfns?if thats the case should i re-initiate my ces specific to ny or can i transfer the general ces to ny/nj?

for ny you need cvs, this is a service provided by cgfns. for ny-cvs, cgfns independently collects your registration and schooling information from the respective institutions. you just send a notarized application and appropriate fee, thats it.

for nj you need a cgfns certificate(this includes cgns exam plus english exams). i don't think any of these two states accept ces only.

btw am already in us still need vsc?again ces is used to issue a vsc right?(pls correct if am wrong) hope my ces procesing wont go in vain!

all foreign born nurses seeking employment in the usa (excluding those who already have a work authorization)need to get a visa screen certificate regardless of where they are currently located or were educated. visa screen also includes ces part but this is not exactly the same ces as most of the bons ask for. most of the bons require that you have a course by course report of your credential evaluation, and for this you have to send a different application and fee.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 25, 2006

Thanks Anna and Suzanne for prompt reply.
Oh no...ok is this applicable only to CT?
Can I register in NY or NJ without CGFNS?If thats the case should I re-initiate my CES specific to NY or Can I transfer the general CES to NY/NJ?
BTW am already in US still need VSC?Again CES is used to issue a VSC right?(pls correct if am wrong) Hope my CES procesing wont go in vain!
Thanks in Advance.
SSMathew

Ny requires the CVS, NJ and CT require the CGFNS exam. None of those three require the CES.

You are applying fro a green card, you need the VSC, even if you went to school in the US, but do not have a US passposrt, you need the Visa Screen Certificate. It is required for immigration purposes.

CES has nothing to do with the VSC, the VSC requires that you pass either CGFNS exam or the NCLEX exam, and the series of English exams. That is it.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 25, 2006

oh no...ok is this applicable only to ct?
can i register in ny or nj without cgfns?if thats the case should i re-initiate my ces specific to ny or can i transfer the general ces to ny/nj?
for ny you need cvs, this is a service provided by cgfns. for ny-cvs, cgfns independently collects your registration and schooling information from the respective institutions. you just send a notarized application and appropriate fee, thats it.
for nj you need a cgfns certificate(this includes cgns exam plus english exams). i don't think any of these two states accept ces only.
btw am already in us still need vsc?again ces is used to issue a vsc right?(pls correct if am wrong) hope my ces procesing wont go in vain!
all foreign born nurses seeking employment in the usa (excluding those who already have a work authorization)need to get a visa screen certificate regardless of where they are currently located or were educated. visa screen also includes ces part but this is not exactly the same ces as most of the bons ask for. most of the bons require that you have a course by course report of your credential evaluation, and for this you have to send a different application and fee.

even with a work authorization, if you are applying for a green card in your name, and not spousal, then you need the vsc.

JV_RIT · Apr 25, 2006

thanks suzanne and starbin for your replies. it's a great help to streamline my actions.

from your replies and info from other post, i came to the conclusion, that ny is the better place for me to register first.

this is the sequence of action am planning to.

1. apply for ny-cvs.

2. register at ny bon.

3. get the att from ny-bon

4. take rn exam.(i already have ielts)

5. apply for the visa screen.

6. search for an employer and file for gc.

can i initiate any of these steps parallely, or better to go sequentially as listed or in any other specific order?

once again thanks, this site is of great help to people like me.

ssmathew

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 25, 2006

thanks suzanne and starbin for your replies. it's a great help to streamline my actions.
from your replies and info from other post, i came to the conclusion, that ny is the better place for me to register first.
this is the sequence of action am planning to.
1. apply for ny-cvs.
2. register at ny bon.
3. get the att from ny-bon
4. take rn exam.(i already have ielts)
5. apply for the visa screen.
6. search for an employer and file for gc.

can i initiate any of these steps parallely, or better to go sequentially as listed or in any other specific order?

once again thanks, this site is of great help to people like me.

ssmathew

i think from what suzanne has said is you will still need cgfns exam if you are planning to work in connecticut

JV_RIT · Apr 25, 2006

I think from what Suzanne has said is you will still need CGFNS exam if you are planning to work in Connecticut

Hi Anna,

I understand its better to register in NY than in CT.So now am taking steps to apply in NY.

Thanks,

SSMathew

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 25, 2006

Hi Anna,
I understand its better to register in NY than in CT.So now am taking steps to apply in NY.
Thanks,
SSMathew

What I am trying to say that if you then look at endorsing your licence to CT from what Suzanne said earlier in the post you need cgfns exam and CT won't endorse without it. That is if you are planning on staying in CT to nurse

starbin, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

yes, anna is right. if u are planning to practice nursing in connecticut, you need the cg certificate.

ny-cvs takes a very long time sometimes up to 9-10 months..and this is the time for cvs only-after that nysed will issue you an eligibility letter within a month(hopefully)-after that you schedule and take the test----altogether you can expect it to take one year from the date you start. just make sure that your ielts score doen't expire within that period(it is valid for 2 year)

and again...even if u have a ny license, u need cg certificate for endorsement to ct. so....

what i think wil be best for you is...apply for cgfns certificate, prepare for the exam..and at the same time apply in some other bons for initial licensure-for example, vt or nm. then in about 6 months,if everything goes well..you can expect to get the cgfns certificate. by the time, you will also have to prepare take and pass the nclex-rn exam..then endorse the license to ct. for you cgfns certificate is faster than ny-cvs. in cgfns certification..many things are in your hand..for example if you request the official transcript and everything from the school..early and cgfns receives it on time....then u can be scheduled for the exam..early...(i read in your post that u already applied for the ces, this means cgfns has ur documnets on file..all u need to do is send the cgfns-cp application and the fee)----keep in mind,,,cgfns needs regular follow up.