Published Apr 5, 2009
DocsWifey
114 Posts
Hello, I'm new here and I have some questions. My husband and I are both nurses in Germany and we worked on an ICU. We're in the US since July 2005, just moved to CA. We already have our certified translation in front of us, my question is, what comes next??? My husband says there has to be some kind of evaluation, where can I do this and what does it cost? Do we need some kind of "english-test"? TOEFL or ESL or can we do a college course in something? I'm trying to contact the nursing board here in CA, but so far they haven't responded. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you
Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN
3,181 Posts
If you check the top of this board you can see lots of information on how IEN can apply to work in the USA. The biggest obstacle is the Green Card. Since you have been here since 2005 that doesn't seem to be your issue.
Yes, you will need to pass an English test and have your nursing credentials evaluated. there are services explained above how to get this done. Since it has been several years since you practiced nursing you may have to do a refresher course.
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Look at the BRN website and meet requirements for foreign trained nurse, they will need a copy of your transcripts sent from your nursing school. If you haven't already sat NCLEX and passed you will need to do that before you will be allowed to work as a nurse
Thank you!
Yes, we have a green card since we came here, my husband is actually citizen now. Can I do the NCLEX without having everything evaluated?
Does somebody know, could I work as a tech or something similar in the meantime?
Thanks again for your answers!
5cats
613 Posts
No, NCLEX is part of the registration process. First BON has to find out if you're eligible for registration. So evaluation comes first.
Thanks!
If you have a visa allowing you to work then you can do what ever job you can find. You just can't work as a nurse until you have met BRN requirements and passed NCLEX.
On average looking at 4 months before you get eligibility to sit NCLEX. We have a great NCLEX forum in the student section