Australian RN wants to work in USA

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HI all,

I am a RN from australia and from Nepal. I did my certificate level (3 yrs) nursing from nepal and my Bachelor of nursing from Australia. Now i am working as a RN in australia. I got a green card from USA and want to move to USA. I don't have any idea, what do i need to do be a RN in USA.

Can anyone help?

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

where do you plan to practice as an rn? each state have different requirements. tell me the state and i'll try to look/post the link for requirements for foreign graduate rns.

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Specializes in ER.

Are you an Australian citizen, or Nepalese?

You will need a work visa first off, and you will need to inquire in the specific state you want to work in as to whether or not your educational degrees are accepted.

You'd have to take NCLEX possibly- not sure about that.

Why do you want to leave Australia? I'd love to work there actually...

The grass is always greener.....

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I came from Germany with RN lisence and had to go through credential eval and take the NCLEX. Been in a nursing program for foreign nurse here in the U.S., choice of my own, for one year and we had nurses from 8 different countries. All had to go through the same process. There are credential eval services in Philadelphia, and two in CA. I would, if you have to go through the same process recommend, Philadelphia and in CA ERES, not IERF, they make everything very difficult. And as far as I understand, once you have a green card, you also have work authorisation.

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Specializes in Advanced Practice, surgery.

Moved to international for a.better response

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Thank you all for your reply...

@agldragonrn, I would like to work in virginia, california or colorado....

@hoopschick, i am nepelease with american green card

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You are aware there is a time limit to either activate your green card or time you are out of the US on a green card before being thought of as abandoning it?

There are links to the various Boards of Nursing at the bottom of the page however unless you have your SSN already California will not accept your application. Only once you have met requirements and passed NCLEX will you get a license

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

virginia: http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/nursing/nursing_forms.htm#rn (see licensure by examination - registered nurse)

california: http://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/lic-exam.shtml

colorado: http://www.dora.state.co.us/nursing/applications/rnoriginal.pdf

do you have a social security number already? most of the states require you to have it for the purpose of nclex-rn application.

good luck!

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@silverdragon102, yes i am aware of it and i am traveling every 12 months until i get my likenese and find i good job...thank you so much

@agldragonrn, yes i do have SSN...thank you so much

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Also, be aware that the US is in recession, making it quite difficult for anyone to get a nursing job, in many states.

I do not know about Colorado or Virginia, but I have known plenty of experienced nurses try to move there and find that there were no jobs to be found for months/year.

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