Nursing in California - Aussie Nurse - Process

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 16, 2012

After you take the NCLEX the license is automatically issued to you; you're done. This is why a ss card is required before taking the NCLEX. I don't know one state that doesn't require the ss card first before taking the NCLEX.

There are a few states that issue a license without a SSN New York is one

joeldew · Jun 16, 2012

I wouldn't go through a recruitment firm if possible and when I made enquiries about a year ago, none of them were taking on Australian nurses because of the GFC and lack of positions. To register as an RN in the States (if you are not a midwife or paeds nurse) you need to do extra study and clinical placements to be given authority to sit the NCLEX exam. Our bachelor's degree does not meet their requirements for paeds/obstetrics in any US state. I have just completed two of the four modules necessary through Deakin Uni's Professional Development Unit in Melbourne externally and they are the only university in OZ that offer the course. I managed two modules in 3 months while working fulltime (2 assignments, 2 exams). The total cost is around $6000. You have to organise your own 80 hour clinical placement for each specialty which is difficult to arrange and I am still trying. Once you complete all this the board of nursing in whichever state gives you "authority to test". Then you sit the NCLEX (in Sydney), hopefully pass, and then after a few months you will have your registration. Bank on everything taking at least a year at bare minimum.
Recently, California changed their rules and decided that after many years, they would no longer accept Deakins' course, however, every other US state does. Interestingly if a New York nurse wants to work in California they have to do further study also. If you want to register in CA, you have to do the study there at around $10,000 I believe. This is the kind of money you owe your recruitment agency if they facilitate your registration. I know of someone who went through a recruitment firm to get registered and due to family issues was unable to go- they billed him $20,000. I am not sure how you would go doing the study and maybe trying to register in a different state and transfer across to CA, I don't think you would get around their requirements somehow. As for the working visa, you need a job first I believe and employers won't be interested unless you are registered. There is an awful lot of legwork involved but like they say, anything that is worth doing.... If you do all this you can register in Canada and 49 states of the US.

This is NOT correct information.

There are many universities that offer Paeds and Maternity. These universities will accept students on a "non-award" basis. An official transcript will be issued to state that you have met the requirements for "Paeds" and/or "Maternity". Some universities offer "Paeds and Maternity" as a singular unit. This makes it more streamlined and less-time consuming, particularly when one does not have an interest in studying Paeds or Maternity. Try the university from where you graduated.

I STRONGLY suggest shopping around for these courses. More importantly, stay within your state because it makes it soooo much easier to organise clinical placements. This is because your local universities have an established and on-going working relationships with the local hospitals. Trying to organise local clinical placements with an external university is horrendous. Personally, I have gone down this route and it was an horrific experience!

grantsally1 · Jun 16, 2012

Hi celestial2311. A few others answered your queries. We did apply to Vermont and new Mexico and went with NM and meet there requirements to sit NCLEX without SSN. No doubt that will change at some stage as Vermont which now requires SSN. At the end of the day you have to

grantsally1 · Jun 16, 2012

Sorry typing on iPad. What I was saying you have to be 100% committed to going through the process. If you have a required Nursing specialty and experience you will find a job with the E 3 visa but the path there via cgfns, nclex etc is very time consuming and $$$. The first step would be to make sure you have all your nursing education to meet U.S general nursing standards. Best of luck.

steppybay · Jun 16, 2012

TO celestial2311: ATT means "Authority to take test"...this is the go-ahead signal that you're now qualified to take the NCLEX-RN exam.

steppybay · Jun 16, 2012

Hi celestial2311. A few others answered your queries. We did apply to Vermont and new Mexico and went with NM and meet there requirements to sit NCLEX without SSN. No doubt that will change at some stage as Vermont which now requires SSN. At the end of the day you have to

I thought that while NM allows one to take the NCLEX without a SSN, but they would not issue the actual license until you provide them with a valid SSN?

I know that VT recently required a SSN at the time of the application starting last month, but that for any future renewals, one must give them a SSN in order to keep the license active.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 16, 2012

Some states do this however we are seeing a change where now they will not accept application without a US SSN

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

I am surprised that these days some states don't require a ss card to sign up for anything that deals with professional licensing. In NY, if you don't have a ss card, they assign you a 9 digit number that will follow you for idenitification purposes for what it appears as long as you hold the license.

The number follows you to other states as well. So my question would be is this an official ss card or is it just a random number? Is it when you go to another state that requires a ss card and they input the random number NY assigned for ID purposes will it show up as a real ss card?

I think this is important so future nurses are covering their behinds. They get assigned a 9 digit number and either forget to apply or accept that it's a real ss card; is it?

It's great (I suppose) if you don't have a ss card and a state like NY has this solution but I want future nurses to know you need to check this out. What are some of the reasons people don't have a ss card when they enter the US intending to work?

NO50FRANNY · Jun 16, 2012

This is NOT correct information.
There are many universities that offer Paeds and Maternity. These universities will accept students on a "non-award" basis. An official transcript will be issued to state that you have met the requirements for "Paeds" and/or "Maternity". Some universities offer "Paeds and Maternity" as a singular unit. This makes it more streamlined and less-time consuming, particularly when one does not have an interest in studying Paeds or Maternity. Try the university from where you graduated.
I STRONGLY suggest shopping around for these courses. More importantly, stay within your state because it makes it soooo much easier to organise clinical placements. This is because your local universities have an established and on-going working relationships with the local hospitals. Trying to organise local clinical placements with an external university is horrendous. Personally, I have gone down this route and it was an horrific experience!

Which part was inaccurate? I was only trying to be helpful and was fairly certain that the mission I am currently undertaking was the only way. When I was making enquiries there were no other options other than undertaking midwifery, and no University in my state (QLD) offered courses that were suitable. Which other universities offer courses that meet the paeds/maternity requirements? I would love to know because as you said it is horrendous trying to organise everything externally and I still have to cover the paediatric side of things myself. Any pointers in the right (or better) direction would be great! What do you mean by "non-award" basis? I was led to believe that I had no other options.

joeldew · Jun 17, 2012

Which part was inaccurate? I was only trying to be helpful and was fairly certain that the mission I am currently undertaking was the only way. When I was making enquiries there were no other options other than undertaking midwifery, and no University in my state (QLD) offered courses that were suitable. Which other universities offer courses that meet the paeds/maternity requirements? I would love to know because as you said it is horrendous trying to organise everything externally and I still have to cover the paediatric side of things myself. Any pointers in the right (or better) direction would be great! What do you mean by "non-award" basis? I was led to believe that I had no other options.

I acknowledge the sentiment, which is why I replied to your post with the view that others will not waste time and monetary resources. Personally, I have already wasted $3000.

The part where you stated "a particular university" is the only university that offers Paeds and Maternity to the standard required by US boards is not correct.

All universities that offer Paeds and Maternity are recognised for US registration.

Many universities will welcome and accept applications from RNs wishing to complete singular units from their nursing program. As you will not be completing the entire program, these singular units are deemed as "non-awards" but they are recognised and an official transcript will be issued.

The uni of QLD offers "Paediatric Care" as part of a nursing program. Perhaps, you may wish to consult with the university to undertake this singular course.

Personally, I have written to the Dean of four universities within my state and all have authorised my application for "Paeds and/or Maternity".

Like you, I, too, thought I had no other options until I started researching.

PLEASE do NOT repeat my mistake!!!

NO50FRANNY · Jun 18, 2012

I acknowledge the sentiment, which is why I replied to your post with the view that others will not waste time and monetary resources. Personally, I have already wasted $3000.
The part where you stated "a particular university" is the only university that offers Paeds and Maternity to the standard required by US boards is not correct.
All universities that offer Paeds and Maternity are recognised for US registration.
Many universities will welcome and accept applications from RNs wishing to complete singular units from their nursing program. As you will not be completing the entire program, these singular units are deemed as "non-awards" but they are recognised and an official transcript will be issued.
The uni of QLD offers "Paediatric Care" as part of a nursing program. Perhaps, you may wish to consult with the university to undertake this singular course.
Personally, I have written to the Dean of four universities within my state and all have authorised my application for "Paeds and/or Maternity".
Like you, I, too, thought I had no other options until I started researching.
PLEASE do NOT repeat my mistake!!!

Thankyou so much for this information, much much appreciated. I will start looking into this myself as the process of organising my own clinical placement is a nightmare. I feel a bit silly now but I thought I had looked into this pretty thoroughly (a bit duped perhaps?). It never even occurred to me to try and undertake it the way you have suggested. Will do my research and hopefully find some more options. Unfortunately I have already completed the maternity theory at said Uni, (and paid for it) so will see through the clinical if I can arrange it. Thankyou so much for taking the time to respond.

joeldew · Jun 18, 2012

Thankyou so much for this information, much much appreciated. I will start looking into this myself as the process of organising my own clinical placement is a nightmare. I feel a bit silly now but I thought I had looked into this pretty thoroughly (a bit duped perhaps?). It never even occurred to me to try and undertake it the way you have suggested. Will do my research and hopefully find some more options. Unfortunately I have already completed the maternity theory at said Uni, (and paid for it) so will see through the clinical if I can arrange it. Thankyou so much for taking the time to respond.

I still have not completed my clinical and it's been 12 months! My local hospitals (including my own place of employment), whilst very understanding and sympathetic, have informed me that clinical placements should have been booked many months in advanced by the university, and NOT by the student. As such, they cannot and will not accept my request.

Hence, I have breached the "concurrency" rule. In simpler terms, I have to start all over again.

There are, at least, three universities within your state that offer Paeds and/or Maternity; one of which offers "Paeds and Maternity" as a singular unit.

Please do NOT repeat my mistake!!!