British - US paediatric nurse help!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 17, 2006

Hey, hopefully some1 can help me here.posted once before but think i posted in wrong place! i am a bachelors degree (NOT BSN, british is BN) Paediatric nurse, lookin to come to the USA. However everywhere I turn is conflicting info. I qualified in December, and so far have been told that A; I will need 2 go back 2 uni 2 pick up extra courses since I am only trained in paeds, B; I only need to sit a 'special' test in Missouri (where my dad lives and i want 2 b licensed) to practice here. C; if I go back 2 school here I dont need 2 sit CGFNS, and my degree is automatically converted.
please can sum1 tell me if any of this is true??! I have been in the USA for 7 weeks now, I go home in 2 and a half,as I just feel I am banging my head against a brick wall!From reading ur stickys suzane is goin thru new york my best option (would i b able 2 register in missouri after this?) or do i need 2 pick up extra classes b4 i can sit nclex? I already have a hospital willing 2 sponsor me once I have state licensure, on H1B. Im very confused! also what of the agency procare usa? does any1 know anything of them? they r the ones who told me iwould prob need 2 pick up extra classes. sorry 4 posting such a huge thread! Lisa.

US nursing is generalised where as UK nursing now is specialised. This will probably mean that you will have to pick up classes, unfortunately there isn't any available in the UK. You need to have done a certain amount of hours in paeds, mental health, mother and child as well as adult. You can't get H1B as a nurse it has to be a greencard. You don't need an agency to do anything you can do it yourself but be prepared for a long wait to come over. CES report from CGFNS will probably be your starting point as you will know what if any areas need to be made up. Each BON is different and has different requirements. I have tried to get onto the Missouri State Board of Nursing but for some reason can't so not sure what they require.

In what capacity is your dad living over here?

suzanne4, RN · Feb 17, 2006

Anna is correct, 100%. You have been given 100% incorrect information. Let me try to clear things up for you, and anyone else that is reading this.

The Peds specialist in the UK doesn't qualify for licensure in the US, in any state, as is. You must make up the needed hours, best bet it to have CGFNS do a review of your curriculum and tell you exactly what will be needed.

There is no "special" exam for working in Missouri. The licensing exam for all states is the NCLEX-RN, and to qualify to sit for that, you must meet licensing requirements for the US government, as well.

Making up the deficient hours doesn't automatically convert anything, your degree is never converted, what ever degree that you have received form your University is the degree that you will have.

CGFNS exam will be dependent upon the requirements of Missouri. That will be something that you will need to look into. Some states, if it is required, permit endorsing there without it, others require that you obtain it.

You still need to obtain a Visa Screen Certificate also for immigration purposes, as well. That is available thru CGFNS.

I would start with the CES, and find out what classes they will specifically require you to take.

Just something else to throw into the equation, that I am sure that you do not want to hear, is if you want to come over again and get petitioned while you are at your father's home. Make sure that you get a "real" visa before you leave the UK, you cannot get an Adjustment of Status in the US from the visa-waiver, since a visa doesn't exist to adjust. You must have a Visa that will permit you to remain the US for the full 180 days.

Please let me know if you have any more questions. The thing that is confusing to many is that you do not apply for the NCLEX exam, you need to apply to a state, and once all of your credentials are accepted by them, then you are granted permission to sit for the exam, it is the final step in the licensing procedure in any state, not the first.

cheeky207 · Feb 17, 2006

Thank u! I had eventually figured out that much about the nclex! and unfortunately i now also know about the visa issue. Does New York require the CGFNS exam then? as i also have family there.I know Missouri does require it. so if i went for licensing as a foreign nurse in ny (after i had picked up the classes required) am i then able to sit for licensure in Missouri, or would i still require 2 sit cgfns?

How long is the whole process likely to take (excluding classes)?and im presuming that i would be able to take these classes at an american uni? or online?

so, first step is to apply for ces, or to apply to a board first then ces?

and when i return home, is the length of time all this is likely to take worth me getting a proper nursing job, or should i just stick to temp bar jobs or whatever?

also, how have i ended banging my head against a brick wall, when u know what ur talking about lol!

thank u again

lisa

cheeky207 · Feb 17, 2006

hey anna sorry, didnt reply 2 u! my dad is a green card holder, has been for about 20 years. he has looked in2 bringing me over that year, but the wait for visas is approx 5 years. joyous! i thought u could come over on an H1B, as nursing is a specialised occupation?

suzanne4, RN · Feb 17, 2006

Once you take and pass the NCLEX exam, you never have to take it again. It has reciprocity in all states.

H1B visas do not exist for nurses, and you would not want one if they did exist. Forget about going that route. Another name for "slave" labor for nurses in the US.

It will take you only about one year to get a green card.

You cannot do the classes on-line as you will physically need to do the clinical training along with it. Requirement is that they be done in an approved school of nursing, both the theory, as well as clinical hours. You can check out some of the community colleges in your dad's area and see if you can attend as a guest student, you do not want to go thru the regular admissions process, since you will not be getting a degree from there. Best bet is to speak with the Dean of the program directly.

You will need to check out Missouri's requirements for licensure by endorsement, that is what you would be doing if you got your license first in NY. And NY doesn't require the CGFNS exam.

cheeky207 · Feb 17, 2006

How on earth do u know all this stuff! thank u so much! one last quick question (then hopefully i can stop abusing ur knowledge lol!). The only problem is that i would require to work over here part time whilst i was a student. I know that in order to gain a student visa (which enables me 2 work) I would require to go to a school with an accredited international programme. so would going to a junior college actually entitle me 2 a student visa?

lisa

suzanne4, RN · Feb 18, 2006

Unfortunately, you would not qualify for the student visa, you would only be making up those two sections as a guest student, and not be considered a full-time student either. Or registered as a regular full-time student.

By the time that you would get approval to work, you would have finished your classes.

You are actually not permitted to work on the student visa in the US without getting approval from immigration. It is not granted automatically.