need help -US immigrant Student Nurse

Great to hear that you will be getting your green card, that makes it easier for you in many ways as far as immigration things go; but it does not change what you will need to do to get licensed in the US as an RN.

You are not required to take your local exam at this time, that may change later on but not currently. You do not need to write the CGFNS exam, but since you will be going to New York, you will need to get the CVS done by CGFNS. This is credentials verification that is required for all foreign nurses that are applying to NY for licensure. Please be aware that average wait time is about 8 months to get that done and you cannot start the process until you have actually graduated from nursing school and have a completed set of transcripts that can be submitted.

You will be able to get a job as a nusing asst while you are waiting for licensure or any other job as you will have an immigrant visa, but you will not be able to get employed in any job that requires a nursing license until you have been able to take the NCLEX exam and pass it. The CVS is required before NY will grant permission for you to sit for the exam.

Your other option, depending on where you will live in NY, is to go thru NJ that only requires the CES, and then work over there as you can get a license faster that way. You can continue on with the requirements for NY and then change over to there when you wish. But in any account, you will not be permitted to work as an RN for months.

Best of luck to you and please let us know if you need more assistance.

The website for CGFNS is www.cgfns.org and it will have all of the information that you need.

You will not be required to get the Visa Screen Certificate as you will already have a visa.

You are quite welcome.

Thanks for updating me and best of luck to you.