Hey, any Aussies working in the USA?

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I have nursed in the USA and contemplating on going again. Would love to touch basis with any Aussies who are currently working in the USA at the moment, or who has recently worked there?

Drop a line when time permits?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks Brissygal:bow:

Specializes in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ortho..

Thanks for all the info. I have spoken to an agency who have dealt with sending nurses to the States on an E3 visa and they assure me that I do qualify for the E3 and that it does not matter that my degree was only 3 years and not 4. I trust they have relevant and correct information as they have experience iln this particular type of visa.

I realise no there is no opportunity for a green card due to the retrogression at the moment, however I do not wish to apply for a green card. I was informed by the BON in WI that I require CGFNS but I will check with them whether they require just a visa screen cert. or the exam also.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks for all the info. I have spoken to an agency who have dealt with sending nurses to the States on an E3 visa and they assure me that I do qualify for the E3 and that it does not matter that my degree was only 3 years and not 4. I trust they have relevant and correct information as they have experience iln this particular type of visa.

I realise no there is no opportunity for a green card due to the retrogression at the moment, however I do not wish to apply for a green card. I was informed by the BON in WI that I require CGFNS but I will check with them whether they require just a visa screen cert. or the exam also.

Agency will not make the decision to whether your training meets requirements for E3 the US government will. Also for the visa you will definitely need the visa screen certificate. That is a requirement for all healthcare workers regardless on the visa type unless you are getting visa via another route like fiancée or spouse

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ortho..

which 4 states require the CGFNS exam?

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zonnenshijn... if you get stuck with sorting your USA paperwork out let me know. I too am living in Brisbane and have passed my NCLEX, am registered in 2 states(VT and CO) and as of 6 weeks ago have my VSC in hand. I did this on my own, without agency help, and it is do-able... esp considering the agencies will bind you to a contract that you may not want to be stuck to, and the exit fees can be pretty steep. I can't help you with the application to WI, but figure you can look that up most likely on their website and download application packages offline. I haven't applied for the E3 visa yet... have got a few family commitments, weddings etc, here until the end of the year and then was going to consider if i still want to move to CO in Dec/Jan then will go for it then. my reasons to nurse in the US are purely selfish ones...basically want to be near the ski resorts in the Rocky Mtns! work will probably be a little hard to come by in those areas, but looking all the same. so give me a msg if you need help sorting stuff out.

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ortho..

Hi Susieok! Thanks heaps for your kind offer. How did you find the NCLEX? Did it take long for you to get your VSC? I am hoping the BON in WI only require the VSC and not also the CGFNS exam! Hopefully will hear from them tomorrow. Will let you know if i need any help. Thanks again! ps what area do you work in? I have been doing everything on my own so far, the agency just gave me some tips but i haven't signed on with them. They did tell me that there is no problem getting the E3 visa as we are automatically a 'speciality occupation' due to nursing being a degree course. Do you know much about the E3 visa?

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Specializes in CTICU.

You can't say the 3 yr degree is not equivalent to the 4yr BSN - CGFNS found that mine was. It totally depends on the degree. I strongly urge people to consider doing things themselves though - I organized my own stuff from start to finish, and it was time-consuming and expensive, but not difficult. I'd MUCH rather that than being dependent on and "owing" an agency (especially if you're getting an E3, which the agency doesn't have to pay anything for!).

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Not all three year programs that offer the BN are considered the same as the BSN here in the US; it also depends when you graduated from your program.

Best is always to get the CES done thru CGFNS which is required for the majority of the states here and see how they consider your program first. That will give you the best answer.

Each person is evaluated for the specific courses that they had in their program, and two students from the same school may have taken different electives which can make a difference in determining if one will get accepted or not.

In contact with many nurses from Australia, and I am hearing from more of them that their three year program was not considered the same as the BSN here, so that is also what I am basing things on.

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ortho..

Hi Ghillbert. Thanks for tip. Will probably keep doing everything on my own rather than sign up with agency. I am getting myself all terribly confused b/w CGFNS cert and the exam!

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Specializes in Oncology/Haematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Med/Sur.

Just out of interest Suzane 4 - what position do you hold in the USA? As you seem to be referencing this E-3 visa and the stipulations regarding it. Just interested? Very informative discussion.

Cheers

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Specializes in Operating room, SDC.

hey zonnin :-) do you have to apply to the state board of WI?? cant you just apply like to another state and get an endorsement that way? wouldnt that be easier???? rather than going to have to sit for the CGFNS? remember what i did? I applied through the state of NM which is a compact state, so that means it has reciprocity with other states. Now im not sure which states though. guess you can google it. I didnt have any problems getting one for Alaska, i just got an endorsement. I paid alot for my alaskan license over $300US, but some travel companies here will reimburse some, if not all! I think what you need to do now, is just wait and see what WI BON says or go through another BON and just send them email and ask questions. I knowCGFNS took ages to do my CES. NM did my credentialing and told me what i needed to do in order to be able to sit the NCLEX in less time...and you know what?..you are pretty much set once you pass your NCLEX, the world is your oyster here with the choices of where you want to work and you know i did it myself, i just hunted for a good travel company to get a job here, but then again you dont have to even do that, some hospitals are willing to negotiate rather than pay all the fees to a travel company. Hope this helps! :typing..

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ortho..

I heard from the BON in WI today and even when applying for endorsement (which i will be doing as i am getting my license through the BON in Vermont) they still require the CGFNS exam and visa screen cert. So, looks like WI is out of the picture for the moment and will look at other States that make it slightly easier to work in. Will send you an email soon and keep you posted!:typing

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Specializes in Operating room, SDC.
I heard from the BON in WI today and even when applying for endorsement (which i will be doing as i am getting my license through the BON in Vermont) they still require the CGFNS exam and visa screen cert. So, looks like WI is out of the picture for the moment and will look at other States that make it slightly easier to work in. Will send you an email soon and keep you posted!:typing

Hmmmmm, that doesnt make sense, because NCLEX is a step up CGFNS, so if you have passed your NCLEX there is no reason why you should do CGFNS also?????:banghead:

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