Job for a Foreign Nurse

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Hi! I just moved in to the USA. I am currently processing my paperworks to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Illinois and in Indiana. We all know the expenses involved in immigration in addition to becoming licensed. Add to that, it would be nice to be able to start getting my foot in a work setting--get a feel of it and start having networks. Hence, I need a job.

With all of the variations that exists in American healthcare jobs, I would like to ask what job would I best qualify in given my skills and experience?

As mentioned, I don't have a US RN license yet. However, I have been an RN in the Philippines and have worked for 6 months in the Emergency Room. I graduated with a BSN in 2008. I have also administrative experience in a retail pharmacy.

Thanks a lot, everyone. You have all been helpful.

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Unfortunately you won't be allowed to work as a nurse in the US if you didn't pass the NLCEX yet. When you apply at the BON you can apply for a interim license and see if you can work with that until you actually pass the NCLEX. But I would suggest to skip that step and concentrate on studying. Your experience working in the ER might help you later on your resume (or - since it's not "recent enough" might not help you at all - I have the same problem; I have 2 years of ICU experience, but no one cares since it has been a couple years), but not right now.

If you really need a job now, maybe you can look into caregiving positions, some of them do not require you to have a medical background or a license. Good luck to you!

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Thanks for the advice!

I applied for a Nurse Assistant position in a local hospital. They emailed me yesterday and essentially, they said I'm overqualified for the job. :sniff: ...which doesn't make any sense. Because I won't be qualified for an RN job without a license! :(

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Did you ask for what kind of job you'd be qualified for? I mean if you're overqualified for a NA job, but can't work as an RN yet, what it there in between you can do?

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They told me to look back to their job listings again to find something more suitable to my skills. But I guess you're right. I could email them asking what they would suggest I could apply for. They would probably just keep on rejecting my applications for other positions if it's based on the same factors as the first one.

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Do you think they might be considering the fact that I may leave the job as soon as I receive my license as an RN? So, they'd rather hire someone who they know would stay longer in the job? Because if that would be the case, I would think that your first advice is the best way to go -- skip the step, wait and concentrate on studying.

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I think they'll definitely consider that. If they know in advance you only will be there for a couple weeks or months, they won't invest money and time to train you for that specific position.

I didn't get my interim license, I used to time to study for the NCLEX.

It can be a good thing and a bad thing. If you want to work in the hospital you're applying for right now, then it might be a good thing to get your foot in the door so that nurse manager, supervisor, recruiter get to know you. It's usually easier to get a job if they're already familiar with you.

Maybe you can look into a volunteer position? And get certified in BLS/ACLS/PALS/NRP in the meantime too.The more the merrier and it always looks good on a resume :-)

In the end it's up to you. Let me know what you decide on doing!

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