Confused! Please Help!

CHATSDALE · Jan 7, 2007

check with suzanne who is the resident dispenser of knowledge per international nurses

good luck

suzanne4, RN · Jan 7, 2007

First of all... I hope I'm in the right forum to ask my questions....
I am quite confused... in fact very confused... and really need help!
For me, I am seeking nursing education in Belize, it's a caribbean country, of course, outside US. And I would want to work in US as a RN.
Somehow, I got the idea that I need to get a permanent resident visa.. CGFNS... TOEFL (Since I'm a Taiwanese)... and NCLEX... and a sponsor?!
Well, this is a whole lot of requirements coming down on me at once! Right now.. I feel only STRESS....
Can anyone or Suzanne the expert to simplify all procedures and exams that I need to go through?... Tell me what I need to do if I want to work in US as a RN. Explain everything from the beginning.... because I'm mix-up.. @@
Look forwards to see my savior replies! Plz help... and thank u in advance!

Have you actually started nursing school there? If you wish to work in the US, you will need to follow the same channels to work here, as if you had attended school for nursing anywhere in the world. You will need to get a permanent resindent card, called the green card to work in the US. But not one thing can be done for any process until you actually graduate from an approved program for the RN and have a completed set of transcripts.

Suggest that you read the Primer that is at the top of the International Forum, it contains all of the information that you will need.

You will need to take and pass the English exams, either the IELTS series or the TOEFL series, and the NCLEX-RN exam, and get a Visa Screen Certificate at the very minimum. The rest depends on where you are going to be working, each state has their own requirements.

WindCloudG · Jan 7, 2007

Have you actually started nursing school there? If you wish to work in the US, you will need to follow the same channels to work here, as if you had attended school for nursing anywhere in the world. You will need to get a permanent resindent card, called the green card to work in the US. But not one thing can be done for any process until you actually graduate from an approved program for the RN and have a completed set of transcripts.
Suggest that you read the Primer that is at the top of the International Forum, it contains all of the information that you will need.
You will need to take and pass the English exams, either the IELTS series or the TOEFL series, and the NCLEX-RN exam, and get a Visa Screen Certificate at the very minimum. The rest depends on where you are going to be working, each state has their own requirements.

Hi Suzanne,

Yes, I started my nursing education here at Belize. However, right now, I'm just a second yr student. I would need to study for four years before I graduate with a Bachelor degree in Nursing. And after I graduate, I will also attend a license exam here. Although I still have time, I would want to know everything in advance, so I wont freak out at the end.. like I'm right now.. haha.. Moreover, I would like to prepare in advance for the NCLEX and any other exams that I need to take, for I believe I will definately need some more study beside the nursing courses here.

Now I understand that I will need to apply for a green card. But.. "an approved program for the RN?" Do u mean that.. the Bachelor of Nursing program here need to be approved by the hospital in the US where I intended to work?

I will take the TOEFL when the time comes. And what is a Visa Screen Certificate?

Moreover... Don't I have to take CGFNS?

And... International Forum means International Nursing Forum, right? This might be a stupid question... I just need to make sure.. ^^

Look forward to see replies.. I feel "safe" now~

lawrence01 · Jan 8, 2007

Don't worry too much. Just get the basics for now. I say this because requirements and policies really change quite fast. This includes requirements of State BON and even US immigration policies. A lot can happen in 2 years time.

Just in the last year and a half saw some State BON foregoing the need for the CGFNS Certification (CGFNS Exam) and changed it to requiring just a Credential Evaluation (CES). Likewise, some States that previously only accepted just the TOEFL now also accepts IELTS and in a couple of months there will be a new US Immigration policy for nurses, PTs and other skilled workers.

I recommend reading the Stickies above as those will answer most of your questions and then some.

What may be true today might be diff. in a few years time. But one thing is for sure.. you can count on allnurses.com to have those new info. updated as it comes by.

To ease your mind a bit you can start thinking w/c State you consider working and living and take it from there. Just remembering always to check up on those websites when it's your time to apply and re-check their requirements and policies as it may change by that time.

Happy reading here.

WindCloudG · Jan 10, 2007

Thx alot Lawrence! It's a very helpful suggestion from u~ I will just ease off a bit.. ^^

Of course, I would definately count on Allnurses! I love being here!

For now, i will update myself from stickies.. now and then~~~