Types of specialties for a foreign nuurse

World International

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Hello Sir or Madam,

I would like to receive your advice what kinds of specialties are available for foreign nurses in the U.S. I am a Korean nurse who has 7 years-work experience in South Korea, BSN, and passed NCLEX and CGFNS. I have a F2 visa as my husband is a Ph.D student in Texas. Unless I get a greed card, it seems pretty difficult to find a sponsor. Thus, I am planing to just focus on studying English and nursing knowledge until my husband's graduation. It will take 2 more years. At this time, applying master degree is not a feasible option for me due to lack of money. I would like to keep study nursing more or get more certificates for the future. However, many specialties such as CCRN(Certified critical care nurse) are requested to have nursing experience in the U.S. or Canada for certain hours even applying for its test.

Do you know which programs or specialities are good for international nurses in order to well prepare for the future job market?

I already know Wound care nurse would be a good option as an international nurse are allowed to apply for its program. However, it needs almost $7000 to finish the program. Thus.. I am considering it later because of tight budget. Anyone can give useful advice.. please let me know.. I do not want to waste my time for 2years. I am also volunteering in a hospital and a nursing home as well.

Thank you in advance.

Gloria Chae

allnurses Guide

ghillbert, MSN, NP

3,796 Posts

Specializes in CTICU.

Be very, very careful "volunteering" in a hospital/nursing home if you are a nurse. On F2 visa you are NOT permitted to work, even without pay, in any position that someone would usually be paid for.

What area of nursing is your overseas experience in?

HyeHyunChae

1 Post

Hello Ghillbert,

Really, I did not know that even working as a volunteer could be a problem.

Unfortunately, I do not have a diversity of clinical experience. I worked as a nurse in a psychiatry unit for 2 years and a urology unit for 10 months. After then, I worked as a CRC, clinical research coordinator for 3 years in a pharmaceutical company and a review nurse in NPS; National Pension Service for 2 years.

Anyhow, thank you for your advice.

allnurses Guide

ghillbert, MSN, NP

3,796 Posts

Specializes in CTICU.

Why not try to find a job in clinical research as a CRA at a pharma/medical device company? They would be able to sponsor a H1B visa and you have the experience already in that line.

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