Australian nurse wanting to work in America

Updated:   Published

Hello! I am an Aussie RN from Melbourne Australia. I am very interested in working as a nurse in America due to family reasons. Especially interested in Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Colorado or Arizona. I have completed a 3 year bachelor course in Australia and am concerned that I may not have the required obstetrics and pediatric hours required. Is there a course I complete in Melbourne or even in the USA to make up these hours? I would love to know where to begin the process of moving to the USA. i would like to add that i was an IV drug endorsed enrolled nurse for 5 years prior to an RN in case that helps. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you

LostOnEarthRN said:

So if I'm planning to be endorsed in Texas after NY then do I need to apply for both the CES and CVS? Apologies, it's a little confusing to me.

You only need to do the CVS for NY. 

Once you become registered in NY you then transfer (known as "endorsement" in the US) the license to Texas or any other state. Some states might ask for a CES with this application at which point you would need to get one from CGFNS. Texas definitely does not need a CES to endorse from New York. 

I have been messaging them lately however as I was interested in converting my Texas license to a  "compact" license to work in another compact state and they are asking for something similar to a CES to confirm my degree.. I'm a little worried they won't let me so I haven't sent it yet haha - keeping the dream alive!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
A B said:

Can I ask how you endorsed? Did you need to complete a visa screen to do so? I'm worried CGFNS will say my nursing hours are insufficient once they review my visa screen. Am already licensed in New York but have a job lined up in Maryland (which I'll probably obtain that license by endorsing to a compact state that doesn't require CES). Thanks so much. 

I didn't have to do a visa screen because I obtained my green card through marriage. As far as I am aware immigration and nursing licensure are very separate systems. 

The only issue you might have is registering in a state without having a social security number yet!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
LostOnEarthRN said:

How have yall found CGFNS overall? I see some people saying the communication is poor. How was the application process? It seems to be pretty detailed.

CGFNS is THE WORST.

If they didn't have all my documents already I would use literally anything else. But they almost have a monopoly on this service so they charge what they like and do it how they like. 

I think there are one or two other companies that do it but they aren't as well known and there's a chance they could be worse - although I'm not sure how it could even be possible TBH

Good luck with your applications!

The good news is you can work in NZ easily if you prefer haha. The bad news is the US will make this very hard for you ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Daniel Timmons said:

CGFNS is THE WORST.

If they didn't have all my documents already I would use literally anything else. But they almost have a monopoly on this service so they charge what they like and do it how they like. 

I think there are one or two other companies that do it but they aren't as well known and there's a chance they could be worse - although I'm not sure how it could even be possible TBH

Good luck with your applications!

The good news is you can work in NZ easily if you prefer haha. The bad news is the US will make this very hard for you ?

Yes, I'm seeing exactly what you mean with their communication. I've tried for a week to get in touch with someone there before I pay for the CVS. Guess I'll just bite the bullet and pay because so far I have spoken to 0 CGFNS employees. It's also been hard to get someone in NY to return a call and I'm in the states at the moment. I'm assuming that I'll have to take the x2 mandatory training sessions with NY state before I start the CGFNS application.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
LostOnEarthRN said:

So if I'm planning to be endorsed in Texas after NY then do I need to apply for both the CES and CVS? Apologies, it's a little confusing to me.

If you do CES, you will most likely get deficient so probably do CVS, get registered @ NY then endorse your license for Texas. Goodluck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sam2053 said:

If you do CES, you will most likely get deficient so probably do CVS, get registered @ NY then endorse your license for Texas. Goodluck!

Thank you. Do I need to have an account with the NY board or do I just do the mandatory online courses and then go through CGFNS and they handle everything from there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.
Daniel Timmons said:

You only need to do the CVS for NY. 

Once you become registered in NY you then transfer (known as "endorsement" in the US) the license to Texas or any other state. Some states might ask for a CES with this application at which point you would need to get one from CGFNS. Texas definitely does not need a CES to endorse from New York. 

I have been messaging them lately however as I was interested in converting my Texas license to a  "compact" license to work in another compact state and they are asking for something similar to a CES to confirm my degree.. I'm a little worried they won't let me so I haven't sent it yet haha - keeping the dream alive!

Transferring license isn't always guaranteed, as compact licensure isn't, either. Every state has different requirements and they review the information. I just heard of someone from England denied in Indiana, trying to transfer from Georgia d/t educational requirement differences

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nurse.

 

 

Hi, thank you. I will try this. I am not sure if the CES report can be extended. Maybe someone on here will know the answer or if not, try calling CGFNS (ideally as soon as they open) as it is hard to get through to them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Sarah Jackson said:

 

 

Hi, thank you. I will try this. I am not sure if the CES report can be extended. Maybe someone on here will know the answer or if not, try calling CGFNS (ideally as soon as they open) as it is hard to get through to them.

If your documents haven't expired (you can extend the expiry for $$) but your report itself has expired you can just apply for another report and it would be done pretty quickly (Again $$)

Money makes the US go round... You can pay for everything but It's a headache. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Update: After leaving this process on hold in 2019, I reapplied to NY BON late 2021 and after a lengthy wait for CGFNS to review my education I finally got my ATT ? this process took a year ??‍♀️ CGFNS took forever to review my education transcripts. They are almost impossible to contact regarding an update.

Anyway, sat the NCLEX exam yesterday after 2 months of solid study so here's hoping I pass ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Haematology/Oncology.
OzNurse73 said:

Update: After leaving this process on hold in 2019, I reapplied to NY BON late 2021 and after a lengthy wait for CGFNS to review my education I finally got my ATT ? this process took a year ??‍♀️ CGFNS took forever to review my education transcripts. They are almost impossible to contact regarding an update.

Anyway, sat the NCLEX exam yesterday after 2 months of solid study so here's hoping I pass ?

I am keenly following this thread and dying to know how you went. Will be starting my path to American license soon. Fingers crossed for you ?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
NO50FRANNY said:

I am keenly following this thread and dying to know how you went. Will be starting my path to American license soon. Fingers crossed for you ?

Well good news, I passed NCLEX in 75 questions. And I am officially RN licensed in NY. What a journey. Now for the next stage, Visa Screen etc etc etc. This process just goes on and on and on...

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion