Foreign nurse who wishes to get MSN degree in the US

[MelodiousDreamer, BSN]

I'm a foreign nurse who recently passed NCLEX and got licensed in the state of NY. I would like to be a nurse practitioner and hopefully this would lead to getting a sponsorship and an employment based visa in the near future. I would like to know whether it's more difficult for a foreign nurse to gain admission into an MSN program or whether schools prefer students with years of clinical experience here in the US?

I'd appreciate any feedback, thanks :)

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Depends on the program. Some require experience in the APN specialty applying for while other programs do not. You will be required to have an active RN license for the state where the school is as a condition of enrollment. Some schools do not admit international students. Try contacting a few schools admissions and graduate nursing department for details.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

I am assuming you are interested in NY programs since you have a license there. Schools vary in terms of being selective - there are well known programs that have numerous applicants each year and will only admit the top applicants, i.e., those with above average GRE scores, years of relevant RN experience at the bedside, good references, and well written goal statements.

In theory, you could get accepted as a foreign student on an F1 Visa to any nurse practitioner program that meets criteria as a SEVP institution (see: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/school-search). The bigger question is whether you can get approved for a visa given the requirement that you must be able to prove that you have finances to support living in the US and paying for your education.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

I didn't have any trouble being admitted to MSN program in the US. I was working in the US on a work visa at the time. I did have a local RN license in the state I went to school in (as required for clinical placements). I was not eligible for financial aid and tuition was more expensive as I was considered a "non-resident" by university rules.