A new grad wanting to go from NEW ZEALAND to TEXAS, USA

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Hello, I'm currently still studying bachelor of nursing in New Zealand and once I graduate here, I plan to do the graduate program (graduate residency) in Texas, USA - in order to be close to someone.

The problem is that I have no idea what I'll need to do in order for this to happen.

I'm currently a NZ citizen and I know I'll need a working visa. But before this, and before taking the state exams in USA, is there anything else I'll need to research and complete?

Also does anyone know what this is - CGFNS commission on graduates of foreign nursing schools? I'm not sure if this is even required

If anyone could help with particular things I should research or do before I graduate, considering it might be too late by then - I'd be immensely grateful.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Expect a long wait and this is once you have met state requirements and find a employer. As a new grad you will find it hard to get H1b as it is a specialised visa and employers will expect experience. CGFNS is one of the services required by TX and they are a service used by many states for verifying your training to theirs. Many US nurses especially new grads are struggling to find work so expect things to be hard as an international nurse with no experience.

Starting point would be looking at the state BON website for requirements as a international nurse

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

The US does not routinely offer a grad year like some countries do. The facilities that offer a nurse residency for new grad nurses tend to select local graduates who completed their clinical/practical rotations in the facility and are highly competitive.

I'm not familiar with the NZ nursing education,it is my understanding that the general nursing ed in AUS does not include maternity as that care is usually handled by midwives.

In the US, all states require candidates for nursing licensure to have completed theory & clinical in adult, pediatric, mental health/psych, geriatric, and maternity/obstetrics to be eligible to sit the NCLEX and subsequently licensed as a registered professional nurse. Many Australian trained nurses are not eligible for US licensing due to lacking of clinical/theory education in obstetrics.

So in addition to retrogression and limited working visa issues, there may also be an issue with equivalent education.

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