Hiring International nurse with an Associate Degree

[worldtravel2000]

Hi,

I am currently on H1B visa. I am planning to go back to pursue my Associate Degree in Nursing. I will try to do it full time, which means, I will terminate my H1B visa and apply for F1 visa. I would like to know what is the possibility for me to find a job in the US after I complete my program and if I passed the NCLEX test. Someone mentioned that hospital typically doesn't hire International nurse with an Associate Degree program even if s/he is certified RN. The main reason is because the INS will not grant any work visa for an Associate Degree graduated nurse. Do you think that is going to change anything if I have already had my BA and Master?

Thanks

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

No. You must have a minimum of a BSN if you want to immigrate to the US as an RN.

[Kosmonavt]

You don't need a bachelor degree to emigrate to the U.S. as a RN. I don't know what makes you think about changing a career, but your major problems will be:

1. To get admitted into the nursing program. Most schools have 2-5 year waiting list. The only exception may be the private schools that charge about $20k per year. Most of them award BSN (4 years).

2. It's pretty much close to impossible to get H-1B for a new grad nurse. You will not be able to file for GC either unless some comprehensive immigration reform will take place. Those international students who graduate now are only eligible for 1 year OPT. It's really hard to get a job in a decent place if you are on OPT. Most of the international new grad nurses will have to go back to school or to leave the county because of retrogression and inability to file for adjustment of status.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

For US immigration you can do it with a ADN if done in the US however generally ADN is not accepted in other countries and with retrogression there is no guarantee that you can stay in the US once completed training.