An international nurse student seeks advice to build her carrier....

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Hi All!!

This forum has been very useful to me and has provided me with the best guidance in all confusions. Once again, I seriously need your help.. Please advise me.

I hold BSN degree from India and I have completed my bachelors in 2008. I wanted to mention this point to highlight that I am not a fresh graduate. I came in US at around Sept., 2009 for Masters in Gerontology program. I am continued with it and also preparing for NCLEX which I hope I would be done with by December.

My major concern is what should I do right now to make my resume look good when I apply for job of RN? I can't work because I don't have a RN license. I can't join any RN to BSN program because I am already BSN. I dont want to start my carrier without basic RN experience. I have little experience of working in India but it wouldn't count here.

Is there anyone like me in this forum who has made her carrier thorough these odds?:confused: Is there anything I can do to have little experience in US health care system by the time I pass my NCLEX examination? I wouldn't even mind to work for free.... I love my field but it seems like every door is closed for me. :crying2:

Please reply.... Eagerly waiting for your suggestions...

rajal8787

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Are you a US citizen or do you have a visa/immigration status that permits you to legally work in the US?

If not, you have to check with the state in which you intend on practicing as to what they require, take and pass the NCLEX, and many other things that take currently many years d/t retrogression.

There might be potential in seeking to be a H1B visa holder, as you are getting your master's in gerontology - then again you have no experience.

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Thank you for the prompt reply..

And Yes, I am going to take the NCLEX for state of Maryland soon. But before that, is there any thing i can do? I mean, Observership; similar to what new physicians do...I am thinking of talking to the HR department of the local community hospital of Jersey city.. but not sure if it would work out or not... Do you know anybody/any nurse student doing similar thing to gain her first hand experience??

Thank you again..

RUpal

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You probably should check out the international forum as the topic of working in America is discussed there quite often.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

And Yes, I am going to take the NCLEX for state of Maryland soon. But before that, is there any thing i can do? I mean, Observership; similar to what new physicians do...I am thinking of talking to the HR department of the local community hospital of Jersey city.. but not sure if it would work out or not... Do you know anybody/any nurse student doing similar thing to gain her first hand experience??

Again, are you a US citizen or do you have a green card/Visa that permits you to work in the USA?

If you do not have such, then you are affected by retrogression and there are limited to no opportunites to work in the USA. Please do see the International Forum for more info.

MDs do internship, but the only "internships" for nurses outside of "practicums" for senior nursing students, are those offered to new grad nurse employees of facilities, some of those requiring employment afterwards for a period of time. As those are employment situations, YOU MUST have citzenship here, or a green card, or a Visa permitting you to work. Many nursing students work as nurse techs or aides, but again, these are employment positions are require legal permit to work. Some students work as techs, and use something called OPT after they graduate but the hours and the time to do this is quite limited to only a few monthes. As such, most employers do not use OPT staff - they cannot work long enough to justify training.

After you get your Master in gerontology, there might be a possibility of an H1B but those very limited.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

You need to be clear on what visa are you looking at working on? You may be able to use OPT once you have completed your training but that has to be applied for a few months before you graduate.

If you are able to find a job once you have your masters you may not be affected by retrogression however finding a job in the current US economic situation especially meeting requirements and use your masters is what may be your hurdling block. Be aware you may have no choice but return home if you can't find a job and you need a work/immigrant visa to allow you to stay in the US

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Hi, I am actually planning on going to India for my BSN in Nursing. I had few questions, since you just finished you degree.

1. Which college did you attend in India? I was looking at colleges in Chennai and Bangalore. Manipal University was one college I was interested in.

2. What is the procedure once I return to the US (I am a citizen, so I won't have issues with visa or anything.

3. Would I be able to take the NCLEX after I return, or do I have to take extra classes?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hi, i am actually planning on going to india for my bsn in nursing. i had few questions, since you just finished you degree.

1. which college did you attend in india? i was looking at colleges in chennai and bangalore. manipal university was one college i was interested in.

2. what is the procedure once i return to the us (i am a citizen, so i won't have issues with visa or anything. you follow state requirements for foreign trained

3. would i be able to take the nclex after i return, or do i have to take extra classes?that will depend on the non and what your transcripts state

answered in blue

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