Advice required for Australian going the E3 path

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Hi,

My CES report was finally issued after 12 months of delays. CGFNS states that my 3 Year Bachelor of Nursing Degree is equivalent to a (first level) trained Nurse or 3 year diploma and my diploma of midwifery is equivalent to a certificate of midwifery in the U.S. I have completed all the required degree content areas in med/surg, mental health, obs, ped, etc in 1993 but I didn't study subjects as 'humanities'.

My concern relates to when applying for jobs with hospitals that require a BSN my CES report will not show BSN equivalence. At this stage I am planning on taking the NCLEX through Vermont BON after approval and plan to work in Labor and Delivery or similar in early 2013. I have 14 years experience as a Registered Midwife in Australia and 6 years general nursing prior to that. If Ghilbert could give my some light on this subject that would be much appreciated. Should I be contacting CGFNS to enquire to why they didn't equate my Degree to a BSN or not worry about it?

thanks

Specializes in CTICU.
I have another silly question would like to ask you. Will critical care and specialty (PACU, OT) nurses usually get pay more in US ? Also, how the hospital system work in US, because I see they have University Hospital, Medical centre etc. They are not the same as Aus, only private and public. If you have some experience in this matter, and give me a brief idea, that will help me understand more about the US health care system, so I can adapt into that easier in the future. Thank you grantsally1 !!!!!

Pay depends on the place. There is no standard rate like there is determined by the government at home. It depends on the hospital. For example my hospital has a professional ladder where you can do extra certifications etc and get advanced up the pay scale. So in that case if you did your CCRN certification you'd get more, not because you work in ICU.

Academic or University hospitals tend to work like the public ones at home - big, with tertiary services, trauma, transplant, and affiliated with a university, research etc.

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Pay depends on the place. There is no standard rate like there is determined by the government at home. It depends on the hospital. For example my hospital has a professional ladder where you can do extra certifications etc and get advanced up the pay scale. So in that case if you did your CCRN certification you'd get more, not because you work in ICU.

Academic or University hospitals tend to work like the public ones at home - big, with tertiary services, trauma, transplant, and affiliated with a university, research etc.

Hi ghillbert

Thank you very much for your advice, and time !!!! How is the summer in US at the moment !!! I heard they have so many festival all over the US at the moment. Hope you are enjoying the time there !!!

The reason I am asking you is because I am General RN and work only in Surgical Ward at the moment. I am worries it will be hard for me to find a job in US with my current experience. Because I see most of the advertisements on Indeed are recruiting ICU or specialty RN. Also, I heard ICU Nurse in US will get pay more, and easier to get a job in Floor Nurse.

I am also curious do RN in US look after Pediatric and Maternity Patients as well ? As you know in Aus , we do not look after them in general hospital.

Thank you ghillbert ​!!!!

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Hi Ghillbert,

New to all this and I really want to do it without an agency as you have suggested

I have been reading your various advice and agree with grantsally1 about you setting up a company to assist Aussie nurses (rather pay you)!

I have 20 years nursing experience (with a few kids being born in that) and I am a midwife too

I have degree in nursing, post grad in midwifery, masters in emergency and masters in NP (endorsed) and work in the ED and have done for nearly the whole 20 years - I have been in a remote ED for the last 15 years in the Northern Territory mainly caring for indigenous folk

I have started CGFNS - is this where I should start? - I would really like to relocate myself and family to Hawaii - I so love the locals there - I have put Hawaii down as the USA state on the CGFNS

Once I get this (any advice making getting through this CGFNS???? would be appreciated)

is it correct I then apply to the State of Hawaii nursing Board?

I see they require a Social Security number for this - how do I get this? through the E3 Visa? My understanding is you cant apply to a USA state nursing board without this SSN if that is what they request - Im not sure what comes before what - the nursing board license/NCLEX/SSN/E3 ? - would you advise applying to a different USA BON or just stick with Hawaii?

I believe once I get a USA Nursing license then that allows me to apply to sit NCLEX? or can i sit this without the license? Not sure what comes first the chicken or the egg - can you make this process a bit clearer for me so I have a bit of a path to follow so I dont have to engage a agency

thanks a lot

cheers

kelali

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Some states will allow you to send in application without a US SSN but will not issue a license once you have met requirement and passed NCLEX. A US SSN can not be applied for until in the US with your visa. Nursing license means you have met requirements and passed NCLEX

Basically process for most's states is

1. Independent assessment of transcript, most states use CGFNS

2. Once report ready apply to the state

3. Once state happy you have meet requirements they give the OK to sit NCLEX

4. Once passed NCLEX depending on state will depend whether letter confirming you meet requirements for a License or license is issued.

5. Look for employer and start the process for whatever visa you are going for. Remember for most they are employer driven meaning it is the employer that has to start the process and provide certain pieces of paperwork. Some visas like E3 can be applied for by the person but the hospital has to provide certain paperwork and you have to apply for VSC from CGFNS before getting actual visa

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thanks Silverdragon102 - great overview

Just to clarify a few things then - any tips with the CGFNS? - I am about to hit the payment key?

I have asked to have most of my quals looked at - that is 4 universities - is that wise???? and is it better to put a few of the USA states on the list of the CGFNS or will I just stick to Hawaii?

So back to the SSN - if Hawaii ask for a SSN - I can still apply to the BON in Hawaii but skip the section about SSN - they can still pass you to sit the NCLEX without it - is that what you are saying above?

Plus can I ask I see you have admin under your picture - do you work in admin for nursing?) are you from Aussie land? and if so where are you working?? and what part did you find the most challenging? the NCLEX is worrying me as I am not good at exams - did you sit the NCLEX in Aus or in the USA - I would really appreciate your ongoing input and I am genuinely interested in what your doing - I fully understand this process may take me some time to achieve so plus I may get rejected too !!!!!!! however Im 'old' and have 3 primary school children to consider who are busting to come over with me

Also what is the VSC - sorry for my apathy

cheers

Kelali

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Admin just means I am part of the site staff.

I am a nurse from the UK currently living and loving Canada. I did have a employer for the US having met requirements and passed NCLEX however got caught up in retrogression and would have been waiting 10 years to get to the US. NCLEX is aimed at new grad so when preparing for it practice as many questions as you can and read the rationale as it will help you find key words to help you in what the questions are asking and looking for in the answer

VSC is visa screen certificate which is required federally for work/immigrant visa stating you are a nurse and meet visa requirements

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

CGFNS takes on average 4-6 months depending on how timely they receive documents.

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Thankyou Silverdragon102

Your advice is perfect

Nclex - what system/books/you tube do you advise?My understanding Is I cant sit NCLEX unless I have registered with one the USA BON is that correct?

Plus another dumb question - what is retrogression?

Is Canada not so rigid to get to practise in?

cheers

Kelali

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

You are applying for licensing to the board of nursing and the nclex is part of the process. If you don't pass nclex you can't receive nurse license

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Specializes in Critical Care/NICU.

When I took my nclex I used the kaplen book and ncsbn question bank which I paid for 3 weeks. I studied every day and passed first time. Good luck in your journey

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thankyou Silverdragon102

Your advice is perfect

Nclex - what system/books/you tube do you advise?My understanding Is I cant sit NCLEX unless I have registered with one the USA BON is that correct?

Plus another dumb question - what is retrogression?

Is Canada not so rigid to get to practise in?

cheers

Kelali

Canada has similar requirements and some provinces are tougher.

Correct you can not sit for NCLEX until OK'd by the state BON. resources I used and found helped most was Saunders comprehensive and NCSBN learningext but look at the NCLEX forum under the student tab above, plenty of good advice and support there.

Retrogression basically means demand for immigrant visas (employer based) outweighs actual amount of visas allocated annually resulting in a lengthy wait for a visa which goes on place of birth. Do a search for US visa bulletin and you can see what is what.

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OK my brain is still spinning but just some more questions if you dont mind?

The Hawaii BON ask for SSN - how and where does this sit in this whole process -

First I do the CGFNS (If I am lucky I might pass)

Second I then get a report from them which then allows me to apply to BON Hawaii - however I I have to supply a SSN and from what I have read so far I think this will be problem - ???? Can you advise me on this?

If I did Pass BON Hawaii this then get me a letter to sit the NCLEX

Am I on the right track here?

cheers

again

Kelali

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