Local Board Exam first or NCLEX immediately?

1. Hello, i'm a nursing student (BSN). I will hopefully graduate this March 2011, that's why i'm getting ready as soon as now. and which move i should take. since it has been of my greatest interest working in the United States. I'm planning to take NCLEX immediately.
   
   after taking nclex, i will apply for nursing internship abroad.
   
   Is it a good move?
   or is it better to take first the local board exam? and buckle up for experience.
   
   i need advice guys.
   
   i have received advices to take first the local board and arm myself for experiences before going abroad.
   but i guess i'm not that much interested working here
   
   or maybe i am just overwhelmed of the greatness that welcomes me abroad.
   
   I BADLY need advice.
   
   May God Bless Us All. Thank You

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2. 10 Comments

   Comment
3. 
   Nov 29, '10

   Are u a US Citizen? Before they hire you here in the US you must have at least 2 years exp.. Also right now there is retrogression aka freeze hiring. If I were you its I will take the NLE first then get some exp. then apply here in the US..
4. 
   Nov 29, '10

   if ur an immigrant its ok to take nclex after graduation..but if ur not u hve to take NLE first nd pass so ull have ur hosp.experience..jtanga is right its still retrogression here in the US..
5. 
   Nov 29, '10

   Moved to the International forum
   
   If you are not already a US immigrant then you have currently a 5 year wait for a visa and that is after you have met state requirements, passed NCLEX and found a employer willing to file application for you. The US has been affected by retrogression since Oct 06
6. 
   Nov 29, '10

   1. Depending on the state where you are applying, some states require foreign nurses to have a license in the country where they graduated plus they need them to take the CGFNS. But you can by-pass this process by applying to other states that doesn't require both. So far the best state to apply for license is California (fees and waiting time to reapply). If you passed the NCLEX-RN, you can just have your US license be endorsed to your state.
   
   2. If you're planning to work and live here in the US for good, you don't need to take the local exam.
   
   3. Regarding employment, there are still some hospitals out there who are still willing take new foreign graduate nurses with no experience. But then again, that depends on the state where you are planning to live.
   
   It is up to your decision if what you think is best for yourself. Think of those 3 circumstances that I mentioned. It will still be up to you.
7. 
   Nov 29, '10

   Quote from the.godfatherXIII

   1. Depending on the state where you are applying, some states require foreign nurses to have a license in the country where they graduated plus they need them to take the CGFNS. But you can by-pass this process by applying to other states that doesn't require both. So far the best state to apply for license is California (fees and waiting time to reapply). If you passed the NCLEX-RN, you can just have your US license be endorsed to your state.
   
   2. If you're planning to work and live here in the US for good, you don't need to take the local exam.
   
   3. Regarding employment, there are still some hospitals out there who are still willing take new foreign graduate nurses with no experience. But then again, that depends on the state where you are planning to live.
   
   It is up to your decision if what you think is best for yourself. Think of those 3 circumstances that I mentioned. It will still be up to you.

   
   California is no longer accepting International nurse applications without a SSN
   
   If it is going to take years to get a immigrant visa if required then not working whilst waiting means not keeping nursing skills up to date. Also employer may not like the idea they have a x year nurse with no experience.
8. 
   Nov 30, '10

   thank you for all your effort in replying. i've read all you're replies and researched about retrogression, it's really been a problem for nurses here.
   
   i am not an immigrant.
   the problem here is the high rate of unemployment in our country. especially of nurses. our country produces a lot of nurses.
   i was thinking, if i take the local boards then go for experience. it would take time too since most hospitals are not hiring here. that's why i thought of like studying in US. or RN residency program. i dont know.
   i really do not know what to do. please help me. thank you.
   is applying for non immigrant working visa hard too?
9. 
   Nov 30, '10

   the unemployment rate in the US is high at the moment. The US isn't the place to migate to at this time. If you don't already have a visa waiting for you, it's going to be very hard to get one anytime soon. Good Luck
10. 
    Nov 30, '10

    Work visa generally requires experience so finding employer in the current US economic climate will be hard.............
11. 
    Nov 30, '10

    oh thank you very much sir/madam.
    i guess i'll just take the local board exam it will be next year (december 2011).
    
    if i pass (in God's grace) should i take NCLEX after passing the local board exam? it would be 2012 by then just to be ready in case the retrogression thing will be over?
    
    or after passing the local exam should i go first for experience (& for how many years atleast?) then take NCLEX?
    
    if you have a U.S.R.N. license doesn't it expire if you dont work at U.S.? & can renewing of U.S. license can be done here at our country? or only in U.S.?
    Thank you.
    
    what's a good move?thank you.
12. 
    Nov 30, '10

    I doubt retrogression will be over that quickly it has already been ongoing since Oct 06 and there are many many many already ahead of you in the queue. The decision is up to you when you apply for it all we are saying be aware of retrogression and the long wait you may have in-front of you

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