Australian RN moving to Dallas-can u help?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 6, 2008

Moved to the International forums, where you will definitely receive more accurate answers to your queries. Good luck to you!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 6, 2008

Hi all,
My husband and I are relocating to Dallas. I understand that my degree (BN) is missing Maternity and Newborn nursing components. If I complete those, does anyone know if I need to write the NCLEX here in Australia or can I just come to Texas and do it there? I believe I need a Texas License though for my E3 visa.
Has anyone done this, or know of anyone who has done this?
I would love any help or advice on offer, we are super keen to leave Australia. I can complete the Maternity and Pediatric modules here, but if I can obtain sponsorship and licensure without having to take the NCLEX then I can apply for my visa before our arrival in Texas.
You can see how complex it all is!
Thanks anyone for your help,
hope to see you in person soon!
xx:nurse:

Hi and welcome to the site

If you are able to make up your hours before coming to the US then better to do so but you will need to meet requirements for foreign trained nurse which includes CES done by CGFNS which can take a few months and maybe worth starting the process and they will say for def which areas you are short of hours then once you have completed those hours arrange for them to be submitted. You can apply for everything before moving to the US and if you are looking for an employer they will favour more if you have already taken and passed NCLEX and I believe that you need employer for E3 so may still be looking at some period of time before moving. There are a couple of threads already on E3 so suggest a search

suzanne4, RN · Mar 6, 2008

If you are the one that is specifically applying for the E3 visa based on being an RN, you will have to have taken and passed the NCLEX exam as well as have a Visa Screen Certificate in hand before you will get the visa issued. Not sure if you were the one that was applying, or your husband was with his work.

Best suggestion is to have CES do the credentials eval that Texas needs and see what they give you credit for. Your degree is not the same as the four year BSN that we have in the US and you may need hours in some other areas as well. Texas will not look at your application without the CES being completed and sent to them.

You also will not permission to sit for the NCLEX without having all hours completed beforehand.

Aussie Nurse RN · Mar 6, 2008

Hi Suzanne,

This is such an awesome site! Very helpful.

I need to determine the difference between my entering the US on an E3 visa or applying for a Green card. Is there currently an allowance for green cards for Australian nurses? Or should I just stick with the E3 idea? We have spoken with an attorney in Calif. and he says he can turn around an E3 in just a couple of weeks.

The state of Texas allows evaluation service from CGFNS, IERF or ERES - are they all of the same quality or would you recommend one over the other?

Thanks in advance for all your help, there should be an online community service award for all the people you help. I appreciate your work.

Lisa

suzanne4, RN · Mar 7, 2008

There are no green cards available for anyone at this time, no matter country of birth. You are looking at a several year wait for one at the earliest.

I always recommend only the CES as that is accepted in all states that require a credentials eval as well as most universities if you decide to go ahead with your schooling at a later date.

The E3 visa requires an employer to start the process, and yes, it can be done in just a short time but you have to have the NCLEX exam done as well as a Visa Screen Certificate in hand to be submitted with the petition.

The attorney can give you a list of the other requirements to obtain that visa, since it is a treaty visa, there are other requirements as well.

Best of luck to you and please let me know if you have any more questions.

And thanks for the lovely note.:nuke: