i am a doctor by profession

ukstudent · Nov 27, 2007

You need to check out the international forum. There is a long delay in getting a green card. If you are here on an education visa, you will not be allowed to stay after you have finished your schooling.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 27, 2007

Currently there is a retrogression and affecting all nurses regardless of country they are living in. Also after huge amount of applications of AOS July/Aug 07 I don't expect a window to open up again for a few years. I would suggest a good read in this forum as much has been discussed on it

lawrence01 · Nov 28, 2007

Since you haven't even started the course yet then I wouldn't spend much time on the whole procedure other than getting the bird's eye view and who knows by the time you finish the course, retrogression may have already been lifted.

In a nutshell, once you finish your course you need to apply for licensure in a specific State Board of Nursing. You have to comply with all their requirements for Licensure by Examination. Since you are US-educated, you're requirements are the same as everyone else even though you are not a US Citizen. Foreign-educated nurses have slightly diff. requirements and varies from one State BON to another.

Also you will have to do Visa Screen Certification as well from CGFNS/ICHP. They update their requirements every year that can be read on their annual handbooks, so no point getting to details as by the time you will avail of it, it may be slightly diff. from the current but always involves passing the NCLEX and passing an English Proficiency Exam as requirements and of course validating your transcript of records from your school.

After passing the NCLEX and having the Visa Screen Certificate, you then have to find an employer to petition you (I-140) and file an Adj. of Status (AOS; I-485) but as Anna mentioned this can only be done when there is no retrogression.

If you want more info., you can read our stickies above as most FAQs are already answered there.

angel143_69 · Nov 28, 2007

THank you very much,,

you have cleared most of my doubts,, But can u let me know whether I can do the acclerated BSN course in 11 months.

thanks in advance...

lawrence01 · Nov 28, 2007

THank you very much,,
you have cleared most of my doubts,, But can u let me know whether I can do the acclerated BSN course in 11 months.
thanks in advance...

You can read about that on Suzanne's MD to RN program sticky above.

You need to find one that is accepted in all 50 States.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 28, 2007

You can do an accelerated program that can be completed in about a year, but again the issue is that there are no green cards available now; and we do not expect the AOS processing to open up for at least two years if not longer.

Also be aware of the fact that there is no guarantee that by attending school in the US for nursing that you will automatically be able to get a green card and remain here, alot also has to do with your country of birth and the number of applicants for the green card from there.

If from one of the PIC countries, chances are much slimmer for you to get the green card due to the number of applicants ahead of you. What type of visa are you currently on at this time?