In the US on an F1, BSN then Masters, then???

[keeksbrit]

Hi

I am just completing my pre-req's for a Direct Entry Masters, and given the current economy and immigration situation and re-thinking my plans. I am hoping to work as a Pediatric Psych NP eventually, and am now panicking as things are so dire here in the States! So, now I am going to complete a regular BSN (I've done all my gen ed and science requirements, just need to complete all of the nursing ones) and then hope to work for a year and get some experience, then go back to school for the MSN, and then have another 12 months OPT. This will take 5-6 years and I realize it's a long time and it's expensive!!! But hopefully this will give enough time for the economy to stabilize, and more importantly allow me to gain a thorough grounding in nursing at both levels, so I can either get a job here or return home to the UK and work in Pediatric Psych there. I am really lucky as I have a huge opportunity to go to a good school in a great city here in the States and whether I stay here or not, I think the education and experience I will gain will be totally worth the cost. Especially as my personal interests lie in very cutting edge pediatric psychology (attachment theories and neuro development in neonates and infants as a consideration in advanced nursing practice) so.... please can someone tell me I am not insane to want to devote the next 5 years of my life to this??!! :)

[suzanne4, RN]

With the things the way that they are now, and knowing that there are no visas available and many more in queue for the Adjustment of Status to push that back for more than five years at the earliest; I would not count on the US for anything right now.

Even going for the MSN, will not guarantee that you will be able to remain here and work as we are seeing even now and before the economy took a nose-dive that employers want to see several years of US experience before they will hire for a job that requires the MSN as entry level..

Please do it because it is something that you truly wish to do, not as a means to remain in the US. Then you can see what happens.

And you need to be aware of the fact that we have seen an increasing number of new grads that are American and do not to deal with immigration, have problems with getting hired. This is going to directly apply to you as well.

[keeksbrit]

I definitely value the education above anything else. If I got offered a great job back in London/Canada/NZ then that's where I would go. It's not essential for me to remain here afterwards, it's just I am (crazily) choosing to get my education here as I feel it's so well respected world wide, it will open doors for me world wide :) My motive is to become as educated in theory within my chosen niche as I can and then take that theory and use it in the real world.

It worries me to see how many people on this website are so desperate to come to the US, and they don't seem to listen to people who are here. The situation is not good. My own home country, the UK, is in dire straits too. I am privileged in that I have the resources to get a good education. I am not desperate to remain here afterwards though. Nor do I consider it my right to remain here afterwards. Some people on this forum seem to think the US is obliged to let them remain here and work. That's a really bad attitude, and to have such a sense of entitlement shows a deeper problem within that person IMVHO.

[suzanne4, RN]

I wish you the best in your career. And you are most definitely taking the right attitude with it.

And I can assume that you will do quite well.

If you need help with anything, please do not hesitate to ask.

[keeksbrit]

Thanks so much Suzanne . I've spent a few hours reading threads here (avoiding doing my statistics project LOL) and it has been an eye-opening experience.

I hope more people come to realize that the US is not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It's an amazing country for sure, with lovely people and good opportunities for those who seek them out. But nobody is automatically entitled to live here if they weren't born here. Immigration is a privilege not a right. Even as a student paying huge fees, I feel so lucky to have the chance to learn from some amazing professors, study alongside some incredible nurses-to-be, and absorb everything I can from this experience. There are others on this forum who I feel could learn from my attitude. Again, this is IMVHO.

[Rene3]

"can someone tell me I am not insane to want to devote the next 5 years of my life to this??!! :)"

No , you are not insane, you are wise. After 5 years, the economy of the US will be in the upswing again. The nursing shortage is getting worse and here you are having a masters degree. Would magnet hospitals turn away a pediatric nurse with a masters degree? I dont think so. Good choice!!!

"I hope more people come to realize that the US is not a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow"

I agree, if you are just earning a minimum wage in the US it is very difficult much more if you have a family to feed, clothe, and send to school especially in these times. On the other hand, people have dreams that gives them direction, strength and a sense of purpose however difficult the situation is. Thats the reason i would encourage my US co workers when i had a chance working in that great country, to pursue their RN- BSN or even better MSN. Sad thing is that many of them found it "impractical" to go back to school. Some would not even go up in the clinical ladder. I respect their point and i gues it is just a difference in priorities at that time.

"It worries me to see how many people on this website are so desperate to come to the US"

Yes, so true. Its their American Dream. Immigrants would like to see for themselves what theve seen on movies, Disneyland, Statue of Liberty, Empire state building etc. To the US nurses, you are still furtunate even in these times, you have a government that can bail you out in recession while in other countries, nurse has to fend for themselves where only the fittest can thrive.

keeksbrit, Good luck to your American Dream!

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

I do know many nurses who choose not to go back to school. I went back and got my master's degree and there were many nurses who were my age.

Also a new graduate nurse with a MSN is still a new graduate. My government has done nothing for me personally except raise my taxes, no bail out for me.