Any advice on getting a job in california???

angel Ann · Oct 30, 2004

hi,i wonder if you''ve heard about O'grady peyton international? they've got their office in birmingham.You can try this site www.ogradypeytoninternational.com My friends are working in US,the standard of nursing is a bit different and I think you have to pass the NCLEX exam to become a licensed RN there.Some American people around here will be able to give you more advice if you try to go to california nurses forum/threads.hope this helps:)

fergus51 · Oct 30, 2004

I don't have any advice about a recruiter since I came here on my own from Canada, but have you looked into getting lisenced and writing the NCLEX? You should be able to get that info through the California board of nursing, though it may be faster to get lisenced in another state and then endorse that lisence to California. You will also need to do your visa screen (http://www.cgfns.org) and I believe you need a greencard to come here as a nurse, so you'll need to look into that. It can take over a year.

California is a great place to live, but San Fran is notoriously expensive so keep that in mind when you are looking at wages!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 31, 2004

Hi, can anyone give me any advice on the best way to get a job nursing in california. I have spoken to a couple a agencys but the ones that are actually being helpful and returning my calls dont recruite for that area. can anyone recommend anyone they have had dealings with???? Also i have heard the job is quite different in the states does anyone have any experiences of working in the US who could enliten me ???

If you look in the Internation section there are more threads on this but generally for CA you are looking for an extremely long wait, I believe the CA BON has a waiting list of over 12 months and that is just to get processed. I would suggest going another route. It can be done on your own but you will need CGFNS (either exam or CES depending on BON) and pass the NCLEX, from Jan it can be sat in London. You will have to be RN with training experience and hours in general, mental health, mother and child.

I am just waiting for immigration but have managed to get CGFNS CES and visa screen (definately needed for immigration) and NCLEX, and it has taken me 12 months to get this far

Suzanne$ gives excellent advice and can be contacted, but she has given alot of advice in the International forum

Hope this helps

suzanne4, RN · Oct 31, 2004

hi,i wonder if you''ve heard about O'grady peyton international? they've got their office in birmingham.You can try this site www.ogradypeytoninternational.com My friends are working in US,the standard of nursing is a bit different and I think you have to pass the NCLEX exam to become a licensed RN there.Some American people around here will be able to give you more advice if you try to go to california nurses forum/threads.hope this helps:)

OGP has a bad track record from many of the posters here. I again will state what I always do, if you are living in the UK and wish to emigrate to the US, do it on your own. An agency is not going to speed things up for you, actually only slow you down....................most of the work as far as testing, filing of forms can be done by the nurse. Agencies are only beneficial when the cost of the fees is prohibitive to the nurse, other than that, they are not providing the service for free, but you essentially will be paying them. Doesn't the money look better in your pocket?

angel Ann · Oct 31, 2004

OGP has a bad track record from many of the posters here. I again will state what I always do, if you are living in the UK and wish to emigrate to the US, do it on your own. An agency is not going to speed things up for you, actually only slow you down....................most of the work as far as testing, filing of forms can be done by the nurse. Agencies are only beneficial when the cost of the fees is prohibitive to the nurse, other than that, they are not providing the service for free, but you essentially will be paying them. Doesn't the money look better in your pocket?

has it? oh,i didnt know until you said.But why is that?.because all i know they were alright because my friends went to this agency before and as far as i know,they havent encountered any problem.There might be some changes now that im not aware of.Thanks for the warning anyway.

elnski · Oct 31, 2004

has it? oh,i didnt know until you said.But why is that?.because all i know they were alright because my friends went to this agency before and as far as i know,they havent encountered any problem.There might be some changes now that im not aware of.Thanks for the warning anyway.

well ur friends didnt tell u the other side of the story perhaps they never thot that depsite paying this much to them, they only get this much from the job theyv sign contract with...

u know.. a bit shy, a bit ashamed... and a bit of pride... :uhoh3:

so, way to go l. dunn ul alright matey!! go do it on ur own!!! we're just two stepS behind...(GUITAR BACKGROUND FADES....)

l.dunn · Oct 31, 2004

going it alone sounds more daunting it appears a complex procedure... however you are right i would prefer the money in my pocket. Has anyone actually done it this way who can enlighten be by sharing their experience??? all advice much appreciated cheers!

suzanne4, RN · Nov 3, 2004

going it alone sounds more daunting it appears a complex procedure... however you are right i would prefer the money in my pocket. Has anyone actually done it this way who can enlighten be by sharing their experience??? all advice much appreciated cheers!

You will need to complete and pass the NCLEX exam, which will actually be offered in London beginning in January,and if you trained in the UK, you have your English exams waived. Apply for your Visa Screen Certificate, and that is it. I highly recommend that you do not go the route of initial licensure in California. Reasons: 1.) They will not actually issue your license until you have a Social Security Number. 2.) If you decide that you want to work in another state instead, you will not be able to endorse until you actually have the hard copy of the license, as California will not sign off on any papers as you would not have the actual license then. 3.) The waiting time for them to issue you the ATT letter. 4.) The time that it takes to get the green card processed so that you can work.

By doing it on your own, surf the internet and find hospitals that look interesting to you. If you aren't sure of any, post them on here, and you will get answers about the ones that you have seen. This will giveyou a start.

Good luck...................... :balloons:

sitael · Nov 3, 2004

Hi there, how true that application for NCLEX in California BON is a long wait? somebody suggested that i apply for Colorado coz it has a reciprocity in california, how true is this?:)

You will need to complete and pass the NCLEX exam, which will actually be offered in London beginning in January,and if you trained in the UK, you have your English exams waived. Apply for your Visa Screen Certificate, and that is it. I highly recommend that you do not go the route of initial licensure in California. Reasons: 1.) They will not actually issue your license until you have a Social Security Number. 2.) If you decide that you want to work in another state instead, you will not be able to endorse until you actually have the hard copy of the license, as California will not sign off on any papers as you would not have the actual license then. 3.) The waiting time for them to issue you the ATT letter. 4.) The time that it takes to get the green card processed so that you can work.
By doing it on your own, surf the internet and find hospitals that look interesting to you. If you aren't sure of any, post them on here, and you will get answers about the ones that you have seen. This will giveyou a start.
Good luck...................... :balloons:

Rocknurse, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 4, 2004

The thing about OGP is that they don't tell you anything throughout the process and it gets very frustrating. Also, they promise you can go to one place but then when the time comes they tell you there are no openings there. They usually find you jobs in underpriviledged and deprived hospitals that are desperate. I found out the hard way. It took me 2 years to get to the USA and then I ended up 3000 miles away from where I wanted to be. On the other hand, I did get here, I got a green card and now I live where I wanted to be. Just keep an open mind and have plenty of patience. It's a very long process. A friend of mine did manage to get to California simply by sticking to her guns, and I was offered a job there myself. Everything is possible but never think it will be easy. You have to get through the NCLEX first, and then the nightmare of visa paperwork. Still, if I can do it anyone can

cariad · Dec 1, 2004

I am now into my fifth month with O'Grady and found the process of emigrating, frustrating not just because O'Grady dont keep you informed very well, but because unless you know someone who has been through the process, you sometimes dont absorb the information that they do give you, I am now working a long way from where I wanted to go, but it is a small price to pay for the green card, OGP pay for just about everything and the wages are good. and the experience is what you make of it. you can spend all your time moaning about it, or make the best of it and enjoy it. I would never have been able to afford to come here, never mind live and work here, and at the end of the contract I can decide where I want to be.