A few pre-NCLEX questions

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2007

You will need to have a license in the state where you wish to work. Suggest that you check out their requirements for endorsement, you will need to meet those if you wish to work in WA.

And if you want to get a green card, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam, especially if you are not taking the CGFNS exam. You need a passing score on one of those to be able to be petitioned.

The exam can be written anywhere in the world where there is a Pearson-Vue center that does the NCLEX exam. You can write it in Hawaii if you wish, or even London. The location of the center has nothing to do with which state that you are writing the exam for.

Nuieve · Apr 7, 2007

You will need to have a license in the state where you wish to work. Suggest that you check out their requirements for endorsement, you will need to meet those if you wish to work in WA.

That's what I want to do. To get the endorsement. But I wonder if license is issued upon successful completion of the exam right away, or after getting a green-card/SSN/work permit... I looked into OR registration papers that they sent me, can't find info on this...

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 7, 2007

That's what I want to do. To get the endorsement. But I wonder if license is issued upon successful completion of the exam right away, or after getting a green-card/SSN/work permit... I looked into OR registration papers that they sent me, can't find info on this...

I have my AZ license in my hand and don't have SSN as not in the US yet. But I know to renew I need SSN and thankfully not due until 2008 and hopefully retrogression is sorted and I am out there by then.

Nuieve · Apr 7, 2007

I have my AZ license in my hand and don't have SSN as not in the US yet. But I know to renew I need SSN and thankfully not due until 2008 and hopefully retrogression is sorted and I am out there by then.

So it's issued immediately, but to renew it one needs to have SSN. Ok, thanks...

suzanne4, RN · Apr 7, 2007

So it's issued immediately, but to renew it one needs to have SSN. Ok, thanks...

Depends on the state where you are endorsing to, not all issue a hard license without a SSN# in the first place. CA will not issue a license to a nurse without a SSN#, but if they have a license from a state that has issued them a license, CA will give them a temporary license that is good for six months. But they still need a SSN# to get a permanent license.

You will need to make sure that you meet the requirements for endorsement for the new state. You cannot just endorse a license, you need to meet the requirements. And if they have requirements such as CES or CGFNS exam, for endorsement, then you need to follow that.

Nuieve · Apr 7, 2007

Depends on the state where you are endorsing to, not all issue a hard license without a SSN# in the first place. CA will not issue a license to a nurse without a SSN#, but if they have a license from a state that has issued them a license, CA will give them a temporary license that is good for six months. But they still need a SSN# to get a permanent license.
You will need to make sure that you meet the requirements for endorsement for the new state. You cannot just endorse a license, you need to meet the requirements. And if they have requirements such as CES or CGFNS exam, for endorsement, then you need to follow that.

So, in other words I need to look for the states that issue license without SSN? I mean, employer can't sponsor anybody just based on the fact they passed NCLEX exam (but don't have license), right?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 8, 2007

So, in other words I need to look for the states that issue license without SSN? I mean, employer can't sponsor anybody just based on the fact they passed NCLEX exam (but don't have license), right?

No, you are 100% incorrect. You need to focus on getting a license for the state where you wish to work. You are focusing on the SSN# and that is a moot point at this time. Most employers are aware that a foreign nurse will not have an actual license in hand until they are ready to begin work. They care that you have passed the NCLEX exam, and that you meet requirements for licensure in the state where you will be working.

You are going to need to meet the requirements of the state where you wish to work, either going thru them for initial licensure, or to endorse to them. And the requirements will be mandatory to meet.

An employer can petiion anyone based on the fact that they have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, but the issue is that you will need to be able to obtain a license in the state where you wish to work. Getting petitioned deals with immigration only, you need to focus first on being able to get a license to work as an RN in the state where you want to be.

suzanne4, RN · Apr 8, 2007

Washington requires the CGFNS exam for initial licensure but not for endorsement. But they will not permit endorsement until you have a SSN# in your posession.

Where did you actually attend school?

Nuieve · Apr 8, 2007

No, you are 100% incorrect. You need to focus on getting a license for the state where you wish to work. You are focusing on the SSN# and that is a moot point at this time. Most employers are aware that a foreign nurse will not have an actual license in hand until they are ready to begin work. They care that you have passed the NCLEX exam, and that you meet requirements for licensure in the state where you will be working.
You are going to need to meet the requirements of the state where you wish to work, either going thru them for initial licensure, or to endorse to them. And the requirements will be mandatory to meet.
An employer can petiion anyone based on the fact that they have passed the NCLEX-RN exam, but the issue is that you will need to be able to obtain a license in the state where you wish to work. Getting petitioned deals with immigration only, you need to focus first on being able to get a license to work as an RN in the state where you want to be.
Washington requires the CGFNS exam for initial licensure but not for endorsement. But they will not permit endorsement until you have a SSN# in your posession.
Where did you actually attend school?

Suzanne, thank you very much for clarifying that. Basically, although I currently live in WA, I don't plan to work here. I was only interested in getting WA license in case I'd have to find a sponsoring employer from the very state I get registration in (dealing with sponsor search would be easier in my own town, we have abundant hospitals). But I'll have to talk to them anyway to find out if NCLEX exam is enough for them.... I graduated from ukrainian school. I found out yesterday that I completed CES (my school was asked to clarify a transcript and never did, but it looks like they approved me anyway), but oh well, who cares...

I have another question though... I've read reports somewhere on this site that it takes about 3 months on average for a state nursing board to evaluate my eligibility, is this correct?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 8, 2007

Average wait time is about three months on average. But that you already have the CES completed, that should save you some time.

Suggest that you focus on where you wish to work first, and then proceed from there. You should start with that as a focus and all will fall into place. It will make it easier for you to do.

Best of luck to you.

Nuieve · Apr 8, 2007

Average wait time is about three months on average. But that you already have the CES completed, that should save you some time.
Suggest that you focus on where you wish to work first, and then proceed from there. You should start with that as a focus and all will fall into place. It will make it easier for you to do.
Best of luck to you.

Thank you. :)