Australian nurse wanting to work in America

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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

Specializes in ICU.
4 hours ago, Daniel Timmons said:

Hello!

This is an old thread; and I've been gone for a long time! The pandemic really dragged me down on this for a while. BUT. I was just able to sit the NCLEX with New York State. I passed two weeks ago and as soon as they process it I should be registered in the states as an RN - no more steps needed!

I was working in VIC with HCA before I moved and married a US Citizen. I'm actually a naturalized citizen myself now; but you don't have to do that to work as a nurse haha.

I have to say our degree is not valid in every US state (It might vary from Uni to Uni but I was educated at Flinders SA) - I won't be able to work as an RN in California for example - without further study. But NY is 100% confirmed.

 

Feel free to ask any questions you need but I started this a few years ago now so I might not remember everything 100%

This is helpful, thank you and well done on passing the NCLEX. My main questions really are around how to actually begin.

1. Did you use an agency in the US?

2. Should I register to sit the NCLEX immediately? My understanding is that this is the minimum requirement in all states and there's no time frame on it. So it sounds as though I could sit it and potentially pass it next week but not actually get a job in the states for 2 years if that was my preference.

3. How did you figure out if your degree was valid or not?

Thank you!

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Specializes in Intensive care.
11 minutes ago, oliviajb93 said:

This is helpful, thank you and well done on passing the NCLEX. My main questions really are around how to actually begin.

1. Did you use an agency in the US?

2. Should I register to sit the NCLEX immediately? My understanding is that this is the minimum requirement in all states and there's no time frame on it. So it sounds as though I could sit it and potentially pass it next week but not actually get a job in the states for 2 years if that was my preference.

3. How did you figure out if your degree was valid or not?

Thank you!

Hi,

 

RE NCLEX

 

It is actually a lengthy process for us from outside of the US. Each BON (Board of Nursing) will have different processing times depending on demand. But few things to consider when deciding which state to apply:

1. Will they accept the Aus degree as sufficient? I hear some were asked to do Paeds/Maternity units. (I don't know much about this as I did a 4yr BSN overseas)

2. Will that state release your license without Social Security Number (SSN)? We can only get an SSN if we are have a working visa, so need to apply to a state that doesn't require it.

3. As mentioned above, it can be a bit of a process to even just apply to a BON. So would be best to start the application as soon as you are ready as this can sometimes take up to 8 months (NY BON)

 

My personal experience with NY BON:

1. Register online. Can't remember the fee.

2. Do their mandatory course on child abuse and infection control. You'll need to pay for these as well.

3. Request my uni to send my transcript and all documents to NY BON directly. 

4. Request AHPRA to send proof that you are registered (good standing cert I think)

5. Then the wait starts. The BON will assess all your docs and when they find it sufficient/equivalent to their Nursing course, they will then issue an "Eligibility" to take the NCLEX. 

6. Pay for, sit and pass the exam.

This is a rough summary of how you can get licensed as an RN in USA. I hope this helps.

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1 hour ago, oliviajb93 said:

This is helpful, thank you and well done on passing the NCLEX. My main questions really are around how to actually begin.

1. Did you use an agency in the US?

2. Should I register to sit the NCLEX immediately? My understanding is that this is the minimum requirement in all states and there's no time frame on it. So it sounds as though I could sit it and potentially pass it next week but not actually get a job in the states for 2 years if that was my preference.

3. How did you figure out if your degree was valid or not?

Thank you!

1. I didn't use an agency - I did call some to see if I could join because I was totally lost as to what to do. Unfortunately because I already had a Greencard they weren't interested in me. I think that they like to hold your contract over your head as an immigration benefit because they like to contract you on for a number of years in exchange for helping with registration. It would mean a lower rate of pay but I think it's probably worth it... The USA likes to be as confusing as possible when it comes to beaurocracy and paperwork and if you go it alone you're going to be slogging through a lot of it... And there are tons of associated fees as well. If you're signing something you'll be paying.

2. You can't register for the NCLEX until you have applied with whichever state you have chosen to sit for. They will give you an ATT(authority to test or something) To do that you will need to have your education verified and it will really be the last step in registration rather than the first. Don't pay for the NCLEX until you are ready to sit the exam... It's like $200 USD and expires after a certain time.. I lost one of my fees because life got in the way. Frustrating!

3. This is.. difficult. And expensive. And time consuming. Odds are that if your degree was a three year course you will only be eligible for registration in some states and there's no definitive list out there. Initially I applied to TEXAS because that's where I am. I put in my application for verification with CGFNS and It came back as deficient in pediatrics and mental health. Ironically once I have registered with New York I believe I can transfer my registration without issue .. this isn't confirmed yet though.

Unless you did a course with a significant number of clinical pediatric hours (I think midwifery might cover this in AUS) you won't be cleared for work in all states. And even if you have been a PICU nurse for 20 years it doesn't count if it wasn't under the direction of an educational degree. Same goes for mental health courses and hours. There's no such thing as bridging courses either- I think there were some at one point but what happened was that there was a lack of clarity in exactly what was required and people would do these courses and STILL get rejected. Wasting time and money. 

Ultimately CGFNS will verify if you are eligible for a state board. You can submit your documents directly to the NY state board for verification (as said above by Fil Aussie RN)- but I find CGFNS to be more transparent and if you do apply for some other states they will ONLY accept CGFNS education verification and it will stop you from having to constantly have documents sent from your universities to the different state boards etc. (Don't even get me started on the US postal service... They lost so many pieces of certified mail I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss AUSPOST)

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Specializes in CTICU.
On 4/27/2022 at 7:10 PM, oliviajb93 said:

Hi there,

I realise that this is an old thread but I'm keen to see if anyone has had any success in working in the US and an Aussie? I'm a CCRN in Melbourne and am starting the research journey now! I'm looking at a few different agencies as that seems the most efficient way of doing this. Has anyone had success with a specific agency or doing it themselves?

Thanks!

Yes, I worked in Melbourne ICUs and then came to the US many years ago now. I did it myself without an agency. As it's fairly simple for an Australian citizen to get an E-3 working visa, it's not really worth the hassle to get an agency and be tied to them if you don't mind doing your own legwork. 

1. Start early with course by course eval of your uni transcript by CGFNS as (I) they suck and (ii) they take forever and (iii) that will decide what else you will need to do. 

2. Decide what state you want to apply to for a license. Generally easiest to apply where you want to work, unless it's a state with complicated rules. 

3. Keep copies of everything scanned.

It is now >15 yrs since I got here, and some things are hard to recall, but I wrote in great detail about my timelines on here and happy to answer questions. I don't have recent experience with application times etc. I can tell you there is currently many open positions here, and that US employers often do not know about the E3 visa for Australians and how little it requires of them, so it's a good option to have.

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Specializes in Nursing Student.

Hi everyone, I have been following this for some time and would like your advice.

My name is Brazos, and I am currently an American studying the Masters RN course at USYD and graduating the end of this year. I do not place to go back to the states anytime soon, but life happens and if I am sent back that I would like to be registered in both. 

I am seeing the peads placements that a lot of states require. In this case, at USYD we have an elective placement we get to choose from that is 4 weeks long. Peads is one of them. Would it be best to take this placement in order not to worry entirely for my board registration? I would rather do high acuity, and maybe register for NY than transfer to Texas? I am not sure how that well that would abode.

Thank yall for your time! 

Brazos

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14 minutes ago, Brazos said:

Hi everyone, I have been following this for some time and would like your advice.

My name is Brazos, and I am currently an American studying the Masters RN course at USYD and graduating the end of this year. I do not place to go back to the states anytime soon, but life happens and if I am sent back that I would like to be registered in both. 

I am seeing the peads placements that a lot of states require. In this case, at USYD we have an elective placement we get to choose from that is 4 weeks long. Peads is one of them. Would it be best to take this placement in order not to worry entirely for my board registration? I would rather do high acuity, and maybe register for NY than transfer to Texas? I am not sure how that well that would abode.

Thank yall for your time! 

Brazos

Hi Brazos,

You could do the Peads placement and see what happens, you might get lucky and have it meet the requirements. The only people who could tell you exactly what those requirements are is CGFNS and when I asked them they didn't want to tell me haha.

The truth is that nobody really knows exactly how many hours you need or what would be equivalent. We can only do the best we can! ?

It is likely that if it is a significant amount of hours it might help you down the road. You may also need Mental health hours; which is the same situation 

I wish there were easily accessible bridging courses! I wouldn't mind working in California haha.

I'm interviewing for jobs right now - excited to get back into it!

 

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Specializes in Nursing Student.
2 hours ago, Daniel Timmons said:

Hi Brazos,

You could do the Peads placement and see what happens, you might get lucky and have it meet the requirements. The only people who could tell you exactly what those requirements are is CGFNS and when I asked them they didn't want to tell me haha.

The truth is that nobody really knows exactly how many hours you need or what would be equivalent. We can only do the best we can! ?

It is likely that if it is a significant amount of hours it might help you down the road. You may also need Mental health hours; which is the same situation 

I wish there were easily accessible bridging courses! I wouldn't mind working in California haha.

I'm interviewing for jobs right now - excited to get back into it!

 

Hi Daniel,

Thank you for your advice. Yes, CGFNS not telling sounds very American. They expect you to know, without actually knowing. It is -fun- like that. USYD already gives us a course in mental health with placements. I did it back in January. I forgot there is a requested amount of hours the states require, and its kind of odd they do not tell us. Maybe some research into it. I might ask my American nurse friends then.

Honestly, if theres no courses, we should make one one day. It would be great and so useful. The states just do things differently. OMG good luck with your jobs! How exciting for you ?

 

Brazos

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Specializes in CTICU.
On 6/2/2022 at 11:45 PM, Daniel Timmons said:

Hi Brazos,

You could do the Peads placement and see what happens, you might get lucky and have it meet the requirements. The only people who could tell you exactly what those requirements are is CGFNS and when I asked them they didn't want to tell me haha.

The truth is that nobody really knows exactly how many hours you need or what would be equivalent. We can only do the best we can! ?

It is likely that if it is a significant amount of hours it might help you down the road. You may also need Mental health hours; which is the same situation 

I wish there were easily accessible bridging courses! I wouldn't mind working in California haha.

I'm interviewing for jobs right now - excited to get back into it!

 

I had 80 hours of each mental health and paeds placement and that was sufficient for CGFNS and my states licensure.

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Specializes in Nursing Student.
12 hours ago, ghillbert said:

I had 80 hours of each mental health and paeds placement and that was sufficient for CGFNS and my states licensure.

Hi there,

Thank you so much for that info! May I ask which states license did this qualify for? I did 120 hours in mental health and my peads placements will be 160. Not really looking forward to it as I wanted to do ED/ICU again but beggars can’t be choosers I suppose.
 

brazos

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Specializes in CTICU.
19 hours ago, Brazos said:

Hi there,

Thank you so much for that info! May I ask which states license did this qualify for? I did 120 hours in mental health and my peads placements will be 160. Not really looking forward to it as I wanted to do ED/ICU again but beggars can’t be choosers I suppose.
 

brazos

So far I have been licensed in Vermont, Pennsylvania and West Virginia without issue.

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Specializes in Nursing Student.
On 6/6/2022 at 7:57 AM, ghillbert said:

So far I have been licensed in Vermont, Pennsylvania and West Virginia without issue.

Did they ask for obstetrics placements as well?

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Specializes in CTICU.

No, I actually didn't do any OBGYN placements.

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