hello. question about foreign RNs applying in US.

[chazer]

Hello everyone! A newbie here so i hope i'm doin this right. I just would like to ask a question about foreign RNs- when they go to the US to apply (direct hire) for a nursing job. Retrogression aside (yes i am aware that AOS is not possible just yet), when a foreign RN (all requirements completed- y'know like NCLEX passing, ielts, VSC in possession, tourist visa, etc.) chooses to apply online, i noticed that some hospitals request for SSN number (in California, us foreign RNs don't have it yet) so this hinders us from going further. Would this mean our only option would be to visit the hospital personally to submit resume, cover letter, apply?

Also i am aware that since local experience is not the same as US working experience and our certificates, licenses are not recognized over there, how do we go about selecting a job title to apply for online when we clearly don't meet those requirements- yet?

And then we aren't classified as US new grads either so we can't apply for the new grad. training programs some hospitals have. So where do we fall under?

Also, don't you think it would be wise to get your letters of recommendation or list of references prepared before leaving for the US in case your employer asks for them? Question is if we are targeting several hospitals (applying to numerous since we don't know our chances of getting hired and when- ya, foreign RNs have a timetable since we don't have SSN- in Calif.- living is harder), imagine how inconvenient it would be to ask your supervisor for how many letters. Then the problem of who to specifically address the letters to while still in our country. How did those who went through AOS in the past get thru this? Would a list hatreferences be adequate for foreign RNs?

Thanks! and i enjoy reading all your posts- very helpful.

In short once you guys have reached the "other shores" how did you go about obtaining your job? and how long did you guys and gals have to wait for the hospitals to respond to your application?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

I did everything online, never met my future employer until they made a visit to the UK. You can get a job offer and go through the process as most employers are aware that foreign nurses will not get their SSN until they arrive in the US with a valid work permit. Much better to find employer once you have completed NCLEX and passed it aswell as language exam. There are a lot on here that have received jobs without experience and without stepping foot in the US.

I would suggest doing plenty of reading on here, plenty of info floating about

Welcome and good luck

[pinoy_guy]

and then we aren't classified as us new grads either so we can't apply for the new grad. training programs some hospitals have.

you can apply for new grad programs.

good luck.

[chazer]

Thanks. For pinoy guy, do you know of pinoy RNs who have done so?

I noticed that some hospital websites are not exactly "equipped" to recruit RN immigrants so if these hospitals do have new grad training progs., wouldn't they still have to consider the paperwork involved and legal responsibilities tied to getting us working there?

Anyone else would like to share their AOS experiences? Y'know about how you guys have dealt with hospital requirements, application process and so forth.

[suzanne4, RN]

AOS is not a viable alternative at all for you as there are no visas available at this time, and that means that no petitions can be submitted that will permit you to remain in the US.

And attempting to go thru the AOS route because you can qualify for the tourist visa is not a good thing to do. There has been a retrogression in place since last October and many here have been waiting for their visa. So just cutting in front of them in line is not an acceptable behavior. And it also then makes it harder for any others from your country that would wish to get a visa to visit the US from being able to do so. Not a good thing at all.

And with the number of people that are in front of you and already in process, you are going to be waiting a couple of years before you are going to be able to get a visa for the US. Just is not going to happen.

And this is also for others that have the same idea. There are hundreds of thousands in school for the RN in your country right now, and there are not enough visas to cover those that wish to work someplace else.

As a foreign grad coming to the US from your country, unless you have years of experience, and I mean years, you are going to be considered as a new grad, and will start from the beginning as the others do. We do things quite different in the US from what you are used to.

Two of my co-moderators here have been waiting patiently for visas for sometime, and when I see someone that has not even started the process wishing to just jump ahead of them, it does not sit well with me. Not picking on you, since I have no idea who you are, but when I hear mention of AOS from a tourist visa right now, it definitely does not make me happy at all. And most cannot afford to be in the US for five months without any income coming in, so then illegal jobs kick in and with a high chance of getting caught. Have seen it happen too many times in the past six months or so.

And with the retrogression in place, you are going to find it difficult to find a facility for direct hire at this time. We also expect the Philippines to remain under the retrogression for sometime, as the number that wish a green card far exceeds the number that are available every year.

Best of luck to you.

[chazer]

No hard feelings. I understand the limitations with this retrogression in place and i do intend to do things legally though i am just asking about the application process and how those who have gone through AOS have gone about getting their jobs as foreign RNs. A pretty harmless bunch of questions but definetely ones people like us will have to encouterer once over there. It may be a distant future to us but it will happen.

But hey if anyone else would like to share what they have gone thru specifically regarding application to job acquisition, please continue posting;). Don't intend to step on anyone's toes. Cheers

[suzanne4, RN]

What we are trying to tell you is that things are quite different this year than they were in the past, or even for those that underwent AOS last year.

Hospitals are very aware of what is going on with immigration right now and we do not know when there will be visas available again for those from your country. So that is also going to make it harder. And add to it the fact that the costs of immigration fees have almost doubled in the past few weeks.

And as we have stated over and over again, you just need to contact facilities. Needs change all of the time, so even facilities that did any petitioning a year ago, or not necessarily doing it now.