Green card& associate degree

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I'm an International student here in the US. I plan to start my nursing career in US with the Associate Degree after My graduation. And I need some information about the process to work legally here as a nurse. I appreciate any advises.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

You would be best to look at the International Forum as they will have more answers that would pertain to your special circumstances.

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thanz traumaRUs

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You need to start reading up on Retrogression as this has been ongoing since Oct 06 and there are many many nurses already in the queue and have been waiting over 5 years and no end in sight. ADN will get you a greencard in the US if you find a employer willing to wait the 5+ years however it may not be recognised in your own country and once you have used OPT (at the end of training and have applied for it) if you plan on staying in the US you will have to maintain your status another way like maintain F1

Be aware it may be hard to find a employer due to the fact that many US or PR nurses are struggling to find work and a new grad with no experience plus looking for GC will be even harder

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Specializes in family practice.

One thing i can tell you is that Associate degree wont help you if a hospital or anyone is to file for you based on the H-1B visa. You would need a four year or advanced degree. But if you get your associate, after graduation i believe you would be given a one year work permit...

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I'm not sure if there are any special circumstances for nurses that make the green card process easier (I think there are for doctors), but I know when my husband was getting his green card, it was probably one of the worst experiences ever! He is originally from Australia and it took us almost 2 years to get through the process due to incompetent workers who did not know what they were doing. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the process. That is my best advice. Go to the immigration website and look at the info needed to complete the green card app also.

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Specializes in LTC, AL, Corrections, Home health.

Yeah you can work on getting a work permit or green card based something other than employment is your best bet. The job market is tough and it is hard for even citizens(especially new graduates) in nursing to get a job at times and an employer would have to pay additional money to sponsor you, plus then pretty much garntee you a job into the future, and lay offs are become far more common as well. So unfortunately find a company that is willing do all of that extra work will be difficult if not impossible. Perhaps in a very rural area or some place that they are really desperate and cannot retain staff, but I doubt it. Those visas for skilled worker are generally safe for those who are wealthy businessmen, doctors, scientist, etc.

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thank you! I'll think about study more 4 years college since now. But it cost a lot, while my budget is small. I plan to get an associate degree, then find a job in major nursing, like a nursing assistant. After working a few years, and get some money, I come back school to earn a RNs degree. Do you think it is possible?

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Did your husband get any US Degree in this major? Because if he had US degree, the process might be easier. Do you remember how many process does he have to take when he apply for his green car? cause I have no idea what to do about that. I'm just 18 years old. I'm going to college this August. I'll get my associate degree in the next few years. Like you said Making a green card needed time, so I want to start it from now.

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Yes, I am a F-1 student. I want to ask that if it is possible to become a nursing assistant with the associate nursing degree. because I really cant afford for the 4 years nursing training. Do you know any kind of visa that I can apply to be eligible to this job?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Chanlam......... there is no work visa for nurse assistant to work in the US, it is very hard to get a immigrant visa for the US and work visa usually requires skill and minimum of BSN or at least 12 years experience in that profession and I doubt nursing assistant would be accepted

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

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