Australian wanting to register in State of NY for E3 visa

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Hi everybody,

I'm a Registered Nurse in Australia who holds a Bachelor of Nursing from QUT and 12 months of experience.

I've been trawling this forum and several others, as well as visiting professional sites, to understand the pathway of acquiring registration and a position to work in the State of New York, via the E3 visa.

As far as I understand, the process is as follows:

-Have my degree considered and approved by CGFNS

-Apply to sit NCLFX-RN through Pearson VUE once my degree has been approved

-Complete mandatory NY State Child Abuse and Infection Control training

-I believe I am now registered in NY State? Correct?

-Head to US on VWP to find a position that satisfies E3 requirements

-Have employer file for LCA, return to Australia to apply for E3 visa

-Move to US to start employment

Have I got the steps in correct order?

A couple of questions;

How does one complete the mandatory training without having a visa?

I've seen on the list of education providers from the NY BON website that this training can be completed online? Would I need a US address to complete this or could I complete it in Australia, just as I can sit NCLFX-RN in Australia?

Can anyone recommend any job search websites to start my hunt from once I arrive in the US?

How difficult is it to actually attain a position that REQUIRES a BSN or equivalent, and not just PREFERRED? (This is needed to satisify E3, as this visa is a "specialty" and to my understanding, many RN's practice in the US only having completed an Associates Degree and not a BSN?

Thanks for your advice.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Courses can be done online and you do not need a US address

Only issued a license once you meet NY BON requirements (CVS) and passed NCLEX. You will also be required to get a visa screen certificate once passed NCLEX. CGFNS will be able to use documents received for CVS plus verification from BON you have passed NCLEX.

Once you have paid for and completed application for CVS you then apply to state BON as they will not assess your application and CVS without actual application to BON submitted.. Be prepared for a 6-8 month wait before eligibility to sit NCLEX is given and your transcripts must show clinical and theory in Paeds, Mental Health, Adult and Obstetrics. Have seen a few Australian nurses post they are deficient in Obstetrics

ghillbert posts are probably the best posts to look for in regards the E3

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Pardon my ignorance, but what is CVS?

So I complete the mandatory training after having my degree assessed, then sit NCLFX-RN, then once all of those documents are filed, I receive registration?

Thanks for your time frame notice, that doesn't really bother me as I'd prefer to save some more money before heading over :)

I definately doubt the theory and practical in Obstetrics and the practical in Paeds. How would one overcome this? I saw a thread about another applicant completing some courses at Deakin University back here in Aus to satisfy requirements..would this just be a Graduate Cert/Diploma/Masters of Nursing in that field?

If I completed a Masters of Nursing in the States, could this perhaps satisfy the Obs/Paeds? (Yes, I understand this is an expensive endeavour!)

Thanks for your swift response.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

CVS is required by NY BON for all International nurses and application is found on the CGFNS website.

Generally Masters training in the US requires you to have a RN license which you will not get until you have passed NCLEX

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Pardon my ignorance, but what is CVS?

So I complete the mandatory training after having my degree assessed, then sit NCLFX-RN, then once all of those documents are filed, I receive registration?

Thanks for your time frame notice, that doesn't really bother me as I'd prefer to save some more money before heading over :)

I definately doubt the theory and practical in Obstetrics and the practical in Paeds. How would one overcome this? I saw a thread about another applicant completing some courses at Deakin University back here in Aus to satisfy requirements..would this just be a Graduate Cert/Diploma/Masters of Nursing in that field?

If I completed a Masters of Nursing in the States, could this perhaps satisfy the Obs/Paeds? (Yes, I understand this is an expensive endeavour!)

Thanks for your swift response.

CVS is Credentials Verification Services. Its done by CGFNS, they basically evaluate your licence, registration, education and credentials and then send it to New York board of nursing. It usually takes around 6 months for them to do their verification. If the BON is satisfied with it,along with your mandatory training, you'll get an eligibility to test, then you register with Pearson Vue to sit NCLEX (which is also offered in Sydney BTW).

Re: Lack of hours, you basically have to wait for your CVS to be complete as each set of credentials are assessed on case to case basis.

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Hi everybody,

How difficult is it to actually attain a position that REQUIRES a BSN or equivalent, and not just PREFERRED? (This is needed to satisify E3, as this visa is a "specialty" and to my understanding, many RN's practice in the US only having completed an Associates Degree and not a BSN?

Thanks for your advice.

this issue, and the LCA are your trouble spots. very few nursing positions available to someone with one year experience require a bachelors degree. these positions are open to anyone with an RN certification, even if it's based on a hospital certificate that required only 1 year training. as for the LCA, you will have to get someone to lie for you in certifying that there is a shortage of skilled nursing staff. the agencies that arrange this klind of fraud are geared toward 3rd worlders, anyway, so will not be willing to give you a decent contract offer.

stay in oz. your standard of living will be better there than here as a contract nurse. get a masters in some field that actually does have a deficiency and try then.

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Hello, sorry to just add in on these posts, I am trying to do the same as Mallory11 and get a work in NY as a nurse, however I have 7 years nursing experience, (4 being in ED) i have applied for my CVS to be reviewed and registered and applied for my NYS licensure before hopefully getting approval to sit my NCLEX. Is there any point starting the job hunt while I wait for these to get approved. Im now worried about my paeds/obs hours as well..

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Hello, sorry to just add in on these posts, I am trying to do the same as Mallory11 and get a work in NY as a nurse, however I have 7 years nursing experience, (4 being in ED) i have applied for my CVS to be reviewed and registered and applied for my NYS licensure before hopefully getting approval to sit my NCLEX. Is there any point starting the job hunt while I wait for these to get approved. Im now worried about my paeds/obs hours as well..

Hi Debstar, I am from Adelaide, Rn 5 years in Surgical Ward. I am looking for work in US as RN BSN, under E3 visa. Do you mind to share with me your experience about getting Paed and Obs course/hours ? Do you mind also to share with me your experience in job hunting as BSN RN abroad(from Aus)? because I prefer to stay in Aus and looking for job online, and I heard only RN BSN is qualified for E3 visa.

Thank you very much for your time.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I've had 4 E3's - at no point has anyone asked about the nursing position requiring a BSN. In fact, nobody at any of the 3 consulates I have applied at (Melbourne, Perth, Toronto) have so much as looked at the position description. That said, if you look for "Magnet" accredited hospitals, they have BSN only positions as they need a certain % of BSN nurses.

There is no website apart from those for the actual hospitals that will get you a job in the US from Australia. You need to visit and find someone who wants to hire you. On the plus side, it's very cheap and easy to get an E3 and all the employer has to do is give you job offer letter and complete online LCA, then you can go get your visa. Noone here knows about the E3 (including immigration staff half the time...) so make sure you do your homework and know what to tell the prospective employer. DON'T say "sponsorship" is required - make sure you say that you do NOT need sponsorship (expensive) and make sure you say it is NOT the same application process as a H1B (hospitals are familiar with this as all have foreign docs on this) but that the visa is very similar to a H1B, minus the labor process and cap.

I take so much supporting paperwork to every visa application appointment, and the only thing they ever ask for is the LCA and offer letter. Then they ask what my position involves, or something about the employer, and that is it. Interview over. My latest one was as an NP and they asked what is the difference between a nurse and a nurse practitioner, and that was all.

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Ghilbert is absolutely correct. At no stage did the Consulate ask to see any paperwork other then the certified LCA. A couple of basic questions and that was it. Not even a look a the job offer from memory or the Visascreen etc etc. You don't have to worry about the visa side of things at all, the hard part is getting the job offer.

Your issue will be with hospital HR which haven't dealt with E3 visas before. Often they are reluctant to change or do something different. If other Aussies have been or are employed on E3 visas at the location it will make it a LOT easier for you.

Thanks to Ghilbert, Dixie9 i think, and silverdragon with their advice, I did everything myself and did not use an agency. Most large hospitals will recruit direct and may use an immigration attorney. I doubt any agencies other than travel nursing will get you in the door with a hospital as they charge upwards of $10K fee for the privilege. And travel nursing requires prior U.S nursing experience.

If you have experience you should be okay with a lot of searching but without experience you may struggle. I am now working in the U.S on E3 and loving it. It takes time and $$ but you have the option of E3 and most others don't. I did not have to complete make up courses as I completed my degree a long time ago when it was a general nursing degree which included obs, paeds and I did midwifery after that.

At least you can now get GCFNS to do your report quickly by paying extra and not wait for an eternity. Believe me they were the most slow and frustrating part of the process. You have to expect that when they have no competition.

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Hi

Are you able to give me advise on how to do things my way without going through an Agency?

I am an Aussie RN, did a fe post graduate courses, and have worked in Theatres for about 8years now. I am looking for adventure and work experience and I think US is where I want to go. I am currently waiting for the CES from CGFNS then the next step I think is taking the NCLEX. Any advice on where I can do a self review then might take the exam later this year. I figured once I have the CGFNS and NCLEX sorted, I can start looking for an employer under the E3 visa. Is this correct? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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