International nurse seeking the first job assistance

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Specializes in OR.

Hello Fellow nurses,

I am completely lost here. Back where I come from (UK), I am highly skilled with 6 years of experience in my specialty (OR). I recently immigrated to the USA and I feel that no matter what, I cant even find someone who will look at my profile. I have taken up volunteering at a local hospital where I am hoping to network and maybe someone will hire me. I was thinking of going back to school and getting a higher qualification but I want to first give job hunting a try. Now my question is, if I want to do a periop course here in GA, where should I start. The college system here is something I dont understand. Please help me. Is there any nurse managers here that would be willing to look at my profile??

thank you

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Are you licensed & eligible to work from an immigration standpoint? If so, you may want to explore opportunities in free-standing surgical clinics. The pay and benefits may be lower, but if you are employed, you would then be eligible to take the CNOR certification exam. I can guarantee you that CNOR certification is very valuable to acute-care employers - it will open doors for you.

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Specializes in OR.

Hi HouTx,

I have a valid green card so i am ok in that respect. I will check to see if there are any free standing surgical clinics. I will surely keep you informed. and thank you for your response

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Hi HouTx,

I have a valid green card so i am ok in that respect. I will check to see if there are any free standing surgical clinics. I will surely keep you informed. and thank you for your response

Do you have an active license to practice nursing in your state? You will not be able to get any kind of nursing job without a current license. If you aren't already licensed, that would be the place to start. Best wishes!

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Specializes in OR.

I am licensed in my state. But I think the problem is that I don't have any US experience. I don't know if any employer will count my UK experience

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Specializes in public health.

I would think your experience in the UK would count. Have you tried to talk to the nurse recruiters directly? Maybe ask them what hospitals look for?

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Specializes in OR.

No. Actually I do not know anyone. I am also trying to figure out LinkedIn. I start voluntary work on 27th. Hopefully I will be able to network. Thank you sourApril.

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