Australian nurse wanting to work in America

[Aussienurse123]

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

[uounique]

On 4/27/2021 at 2:32 PM, Maria Rountree said:

Thank you Annie!

And thank you AussieNurse123 for your advice on working as a tech, great to know!

Thanks eeveryoneelse replying! I follow this constantly, I love hearing everyones stories experiences

Sure thing!

[Maria Rountree, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi Aussienurse123

How did got figure out what OB/PAEDS classes you needed and what to enroll in? 

Thanks again

[Perlas]

@Maria Rountree...hi Maria..just want to ask how far are you now in processing,have you done visa the visa screen ?I am waiting for my Ny eligibity as soon as I read that someone have been successful I process mine going back to school for paeds and obs deficient..thanks

[Maria Rountree, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I haven't continued with my process yet, but I will do so soon!

[jeff214]

Hello everyone. I have my US license already (yay) and got a job in Tennessee, however I would really like to work in New York instead but it's really hard to get jobs in major cities there if you apply with agencies (they offer Green cards) because agencies usually have job offers in rural areas. So now I'm thinking of applying directly to hospitals in cities that I like but it has to be E3 (work visa) and not green card. Has anyone have the same problem with me? please enlighten me.

[Maria Rountree, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Hi Jeff214

My friend literally landed in NYC today from Melbourne and she found her nursing job (and subsequent E3 sponsor ship visa) though these people...

https://atlassearchllc.com/

[jeff214]

On 6/26/2021 at 6:05 AM, Maria Rountree said:

Hi Jeff214

My friend literally landed in NYC today from Melbourne and she found her nursing job (and subsequent E3 sponsor ship visa) though these people...

https://atlassearchllc.com/

Yeah I tried that agency and I would not recommend them. The guy I talked to was just bragging about their agency for the whole 30 mins. Like seriously, he just asked me one question and the rest was him talking about how good their agency is, so I have to stop him and told him I am not interested. Good for your friend though but no thanks. 

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

On 6/25/2021 at 4:05 PM, Maria Rountree said:

Hi Jeff214

My friend literally landed in NYC today from Melbourne and she found her nursing job (and subsequent E3 sponsor ship visa) though these people...

https://atlassearchllc.com/

E3 visas do not require sponsorship. You apply for it yourself. You need an employer to offer you a position but there is no "sponsorship" such as there is with an immigrant visa.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

On 6/23/2021 at 11:21 AM, jeff214 said:

Hello everyone. I have my US license already (yay) and got a job in Tennessee, however I would really like to work in New York instead but it's really hard to get jobs in major cities there if you apply with agencies (they offer Green cards) because agencies usually have job offers in rural areas. So now I'm thinking of applying directly to hospitals in cities that I like but it has to be E3 (work visa) and not green card. Has anyone have the same problem with me? please enlighten me.

This is not a problem if you present it properly to the HR departments. First get your license in the state that you want to work, then contact HR at hospitals - all are short staffed and desperate for RNs. If you explain you are eligible for indefinitely renewable (in 2 yr blocks) working visa that does *NOT* require sponsorship for GC, and explain all you need is LCA and offer letter. The problem may be going out of country to get the new E3 - I usually went to Toronto as it's close to me and got a new one issued (instead of renewing in-country with the same employer), but Canada isn't taking visitors right now I believe.

[brissygal, BSN, RN]

Hi Jeff 214,

ghillbert has sound information and she has her finger on the pulse. You can  present HR departments on E3 visa. I did, worked in the USA for 5 years under this visa (had it renewed twice by my employers). Its an awesome visa for Australians but you must have a Bachelor degree and apply for a position that warrants a Bachelor trained Nurse but given the nursing shortage I don't think you will have an issue on this front. You do have to get the E3 visa outside the USA. It would be worth contacting the Australian Embassy in USA to verify your options if you are in the USA.

Best of luck,

Keep us informed how you go?

 

 

[JennyV]

Hi all

Thank you guys for creating this post and it has helped me tremendously as I was about to give up my hope to work in the US.

I am just wondering if anyone can help me clarify the issue with obtaining SSN? Do I need one for an initial license in NY? My plan is to transfer to Washington State after all as I have family there. Would I need a SSN for endorsement in WA if I don’t already have one? 
Thanks a lot

Jenny

[YeXinZhi, BSN, RN]

7 minutes ago, JennyV said:

Hi all

Thank you guys for creating this post and it has helped me tremendously as I was about to give up my hope to work in the US.

I am just wondering if anyone can help me clarify the issue with obtaining SSN? Do I need one for an initial license in NY? My plan is to transfer to Washington State after all as I have family there. Would I need a SSN for endorsement in WA if I don’t already have one? 
Thanks a lot

Jenny

Hi Jenny, 

Based on my experience, no you do not need your SSN to obtain your NY license (my first US license was NY). Washington state however requires it so when you apply for reciprocity. Hopefully you would already have obtained an SSN by then. 

Vince