Can International Students with Associate of Nursing and RN license work in USA

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Hello all, I just got my RN license and am wondering if international students have to obtain a bachelors degree first to work in the USA in a hospital. I was hoping to gain experience and study at the same time, but friends say you need a bachelors as an international student.

Specializes in CTICU.
I dont get it, it doesnt make any sense. Why havent my school counselor said anything about this or even stopped me from applying to the program when you apparently cant work in the US with an ADN even though you have taken your RN license. I dont really believe in this.. I have read a lot about people getting sponsored, so I guess, that is what I have to do after getting my license..

Maybe I didnt make my self clear, im studying here in the US.

Why would your school stop you applying? Where you end up working is not their problem - getting your school fees is their priority.

It doesn't matter where you study. You *may* be eligible to work for one year after graduation as a part of your student visa, but after that you must leave unless you have another method to immigrate. You cannot be sponsored for a green card, you cannot qualify for a work visa. Anyone who offers you those things is either lying to get your money, or prepared to do something illegal.

Why would your school stop you applying? Where you end up working is not their problem - getting your school fees is their priority.

It doesn't matter where you study. You *may* be eligible to work for one year after graduation as a part of your student visa, but after that you must leave unless you have another method to immigrate. You cannot be sponsored for a green card, you cannot qualify for a work visa. Anyone who offers you those things is either lying to get your money, or prepared to do something illegal.

thanks for you answer. im going to nursing department tomorrow to cancel my program. im so depressed right now.. i always dreamt about becoming the greatest nurse in the world.. now i know it was only a dream..sigh.

life sucks.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
thank you for your answer. Dont you think the situation will improve within 2-3 years? the economy should be back on its feet soon? sucks, that i have spent 50000 dollars and 3 years of my life for nothing... i was to stupid to believe that dreams could come true... what was i thinking..

Hard to say but there are already a massive queue of people ahead of you and only x amount of visas allocated annually and demand at the moment heavily outweighs the visas allocated and nurse come under the same category as other professions (EB3) ADN will meet immigration for petition of GC and you may get OPT allowing you to work in the US once you have completed your training but once you have done that and retrogression is still ongoing then you have to either maintain student status or see if your ADN training meets your home country requirements enabling you to work (or another country that accepts ADN)

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
thanks for you answer. im going to nursing department tomorrow to cancel my program. im so depressed right now.. i always dreamt about becoming the greatest nurse in the world.. now i know it was only a dream..sigh.

life sucks.

if it is your dream why cancel? Nothing stopping you from going for BSN and then you can work anywhere. The US has been under retrogression for several years and your International advisor should have been able to point this out to you. Just because you train in the US doesn't mean you have to stay there to work. There are many good nurses the whole world over

thanks for you answer. im going to nursing department tomorrow to cancel my program. im so depressed right now.. i always dreamt about becoming the greatest nurse in the world.. now i know it was only a dream..sigh.

life sucks.

Where are you from? If you are Canadian you can get a TN Visa after you graduate without a BSN.

Where are you from? If you are Canadian you can get a TN Visa after you graduate without a BSN.

Sorry, im from sweden.

I dont get it, it doesnt make any sense. Why havent my school counselor said anything about this or even stopped me from applying to the program when you apparently cant work in the US with an ADN even though you have taken your RN license. I dont really believe in this.. I have read a lot about people getting sponsored, so I guess, that is what I have to do after getting my license..

Maybe I didnt make my self clear, im studying here in the US.

Hi there am also interested in the ADN nursing program,I would be an international student like your self.

I would like to know if as an international student are u allowed to take the NCLEX-RN EXAM,to gain your RN License after completing the program.

Is it true that you will not be able to work in the US with an ADN?

And Do hospitals only sponsor person with a BS?

Thank you?

thanks for you answer. im going to nursing department tomorrow to cancel my program. im so depressed right now.. i always dreamt about becoming the greatest nurse in the world.. now i know it was only a dream..sigh.

life sucks.

Why would this change your dreams? There are plenty of good nursing programs and plenty of places to practice nursing besides the US. You can still be "the greatest nurse in the world," regardless of whether you are able to stay in the US or not ... Best wishes!

Before one comes to the US to study, you have to make sure that the US nursing program that you're attending would qualify for you to take your RN board exam in your own country. Why? The reason being is that you're going to be forced to go home even if you find a sponsor due to the long line of people waiting for a visa, and you want to keep your skills up to date. If you attend a program that your home country doesn't accept then what are you going to do when you get home? How are you going to work? It's your responsibility to make sure that your degree is going to be accepted in your home country and also in a country in you wish to practice.

Don't give up on your dream of being a nurse. Find out if the RN program that you are currently in will be accepted by your country. If not, then once you're done, then start looking at the BSN program as a student, but you most likely wont be able to work because working a full time job is hard and going to nursing school at the same time. Good Luck

Thank you very much! what about if I am getting married to by bf from the states,would I be able to work in a hospital with a green card with an ASN.

Don't get married for the sole purpose of staying in the US. If you love your boyfriend and feel that you really want to spend the rest of your life with him, then I'd say GO FOR IT. But a long as you meet all the eligibility requirements and you have the proper visa/green card, also have a valid ss# then you should have no problems sitting for the NCLEX. Finding a job is going to be a whole other issue. Good Luck

Thank you so much for all your help!I just have one more question after finishing a 2 year ASN degree can you take the NCLEX exam to let your license as an international student?or you have to have a green card.

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