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Discussion

Can someone help me please i got a question

Hi i'm Michael, a nursing graduate and already a newbie registered nurse in the Philippines.. I came here in United States hoping for a better future, like some of the nurses do..

My question is that, do i have to become an LVN first before i take NCLEX or should I go straight becoming a nurse since im a foreign graduate.. I really don't have any idea about the process here in US.. and any info would mean a lot to me.. god bless fellow nurses..

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    • Featured Replies

    What sort of Visa, immigrant status do you have?

    As far as I know, with retrogression in effect, it is a 5 year or more wait for a BSN RN nurse grad to acquire green card status to work in the USA. And while some come over on H1Bs, that requires experience in an acceptable specialty, something that a new grad does not qualify for.

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    • Author

    i have already my greencard with me as well as my social security.. but the thing that i dont have is the experience and specialties..

    tnx for ur time

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    • Expert

    There is no reason that you "have" to get licensed as an LVN/LPN before pursuing RN licensure (by the way, you have to pass an NCLEX exam for each -- NCLEX-PN for LVN/LPN licensure, and NCLEX-RN for RN licensure).

    FWIW, I've heard discussed previously on this site that some PI nurses who come to the US choose to take the NCLEX-PN exam and get licensed as LPNs because they either can't pass the NCLEX-RN exam (it's harder) or they don't want to try, even though they are educated and licensed as RNs in their home country.

    But there's no requirement that one be an LPN/LVN first and then seek RN licensure -- if you meet the educational and other requirements, you can apply directly for RN licensure.

  • Quote
    i have already my greencard with me as well as my social security.. but the thing that i dont have is the experience and specialties..

    tnx for ur time

    You best bet for information would to be review the threads in the International forum. Does your green card permit you to work unrestricted in the USA?

    If you are, as you graduated presumably from a foreign program, you need to contact the Board of Nursing in the state in which you desire to work, explain what sort of working permit that you have, and that you graduated from a program in PI. They will direct you in the paperwork that they need, and whether your need to be tested on English, etc., then you will have to do the NCLEX, either RN or PN. Silverdragon or Ghilbert in the International forums can usually give more accurate info.

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    • Author

    thank u so much guys.. i gained so much info from you. i would try my best to pass nclex-rn not nclex-pn first, and hopefully i will be able to nail it..

    @elkpark- thank you so much. i really appreciate all of your ideas..

    @caroladybelle - my greencard says no restriction on where i cud work here in US. and im planning to take my nclex here in California.. i have passed all my rqts for the nclex-rn exam, and i'm still waiting for their reply..

    hope to get intouch with all of you more.. godbless

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