I passed my NCLEX this month and I am now just waiting on my PA license being issued!

I have had major issues along the way (someone out of my control and sometimes I just gave up for a few months) with my process and application as you can see from previous posts. I also hit a bit of a hiatus when we moved to the US as we tried to adjust to life here.

This post is merely just me posting how proud I am that I finally did it! Such a heavy weight has been lifted from me. I am very fortunate to have a job as a registered nurse lined up - I started working as a PCA/tech this Summer for an organization who have supported me. 
 

It can be done UK trained nurses! Thank you to previous postings on here/other members who have also had success stories - your positivity and guidance is much appreciated!

If any foreign educated- esp UK - trained nurses need some help, please reach out! 

After CGFNS review, the NJ Board of Nursing issued a deficiency letter requiring additional clinical hours in:

Adult Medical – 30 hours

Adult Surgical – 30 hours

Maternity/Infant – 30 hours

Psychiatric/Mental Health – 30 hours

I've contacted many nursing schools in the U.S. and UK, but I keep getting rejected because I'm not enrolled in a full programme or they don't offer stand-alone clinical placements.

I'm now willing to travel anywhere in the world to complete these hours as they have stated in my letter that it can be done anywhere in the world. 

My questions:

Has anyone completed BON deficiency clinical hours outside the U.S.?

Are there known bridging/refresher programmes or schools that accept international nurses?

I trained 20 years ago and never expected to move to the U.S., otherwise I'd have chosen Adult Nursing. Any advice or personal experiences would be really appreciated.

Thank you!

Have any UK trained/registered nurses had any issues with the NMC finding out who to contact regarding filling out request for license/registration paperwork? Spoke to a NMC representative on the phone who told me they don't need to fill the paper work in as the requesting party can openly search me on the register? I won't be able to progress if this document isn't processed. Just wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation before I contact the CGFNS.

Many thanks 

Lauren

So I know this topic has been talked about over and over but I still require some anwsers that I just cannot seem to find....so here goes....

I am a 26 year old RN working in a hospital in London (plastic surgery nurse) I graduated in August 2015 with a Post Graduate Diploma in Adult Nursing. So in August 2017 I will have been two years qualfied and ready to move to California (all agencies and all US nurses i've spoken to state I will need 2 years experience in the UK before I can get a job there). Additonally I am currently studying my Masters degree in Nursing which I will graduate from in September 2017.

I have ordered my transcript from my univeristy to be sent to CGFNS and I have sat down with the programme lead of my nursing programme to fill in the additional form that CGFNS require stating my exact theory and clincial hours of each area, thankfully, as I knew even prior to starting my course I wanted to nurse in the US I think I have (just) enough theory/clinical hours in paeds, midwifery and mental health due to relentlessly asking for experience in these areas as a student, alongside my plentiful hours in theory and clinical of adult nusring covering all areas from med to surg. I am aiming on taking my NCLEX next summer so that hopefully (!) by September 2017 I will have a valid NCLEX certificate, obviously I can only book to take this if CGFNS decide my theory and clincial hours are enough...am I right?

So the questions...

Can I sit the NCLEX in the UK and just state that it is the Californian board of nursing that I want my results sent to?

Is an agency the only way to go in regards to getting a job in California due to not having social security number or is it possible independently?

How long does CGFNS take to get back to me in regards to my transcript/hours?

And how long does it take to receive NCLEX results?

and finally....am I crazy for thinking this is even a possibility that before i'm 30 I could be working as a nurse in California?

Any useful, positive, helpful information would be greatly received.

Thanks

I am a Registered Psychiatric Nurse trained in Canada. I have heard rumours that there are some states we can practice in.

Does anyone know someone who has done this or have you done this?

Could I write the NCLEX and then work as an a RN(diploma) there. Our course is 2 and half years and we get a diploma. I was thinking of going to Texas or hawaii.

Thanks a bunch,

2525

Anyone have any info? I’ve been tossed back and fourth between the nursing boards and the university. Essentially, if I can pass the NCLEX after school, it appears that I’m all good?

Any information would be appreciated!

To maintain my F-1 status, I was thinking about declaring a second major so I can take in-person classes for that major, while doing the RN-BSN online. Has anyone done something similar? Would this be okay in terms of maintaining visa status? I'd really appreciate any advice or experiences. Thank you!

My name is Luis, I'm a Registered Nurse from Cuba, currently licensed in Nevada. I've been working in home care and recently started studying EKG interpretation and cardiology topics through CEUfast and ECG Academy.

I'm working hard to improve my English and clinical skills, and I'm looking to grow professionally into telemetry or cardiac care. I would love to connect with others, get advice, or simply share experiences.

Thank you and blessings to all!

I was wondering if anyone has experience with breaching contract with an agency.

I have signed up with AVANT this May to hopefully move to USA next year to work as RN.

(FYI, I am currently an RN working in South Korea, specialty ICU, 8 years of experience)

I have received email from AVANT that USCIS has sent a RFE this August and has not returned with any replies since.

Some personally issues came up and which holds me back from moving over.

The contract does not specify how much I would be paying as penalty and I was wondering if anyone could give me a ballpark on how much they would be expecting me to pay for the services they have provided.

Anything comment will be great help! Sincerely

I one of Registered Nurse in India working currently I would like to work has Registered Nurse in Germany but one thing is making me backward is my condition which I'm Chronic Hepatitis B with Viral Load less than 0 will im able to work as Registered Nurse German

I hope you doing good.

My question is has anyone had experience terminating a contract with a nursing agency? I'm feeling really stressed about their poor communication. I haven't heard back from them in over two weeks.

I sent multiple emails for questions but nothing heard back. Is this normal? 

Also, the agency told me that all of their work was paused due to retrogression, which I understand. However, I was not informed about this until I personally reached out to the agency.

I need to work in order to maintain my visa status, so I can't just keep waiting without any clear timeline or expectations.…..

I don't know what should I do... my mind said terminating contract and looking for another agency is might be the best………. Please share your wisdom and opinions please...

Thank you in advance, I ask because I might be able to require the specific clinical hours that I need in my second year of nursing school, otherwise I'd have to request them after I graduate and hopefully have them granted to me (also, as far as you know, do US colleges/hospitals/agencies offer opportunities for foreign nurses to get their clinical hours so that they may be fully equivalent educationally speaking and take NCLEX?).

A specific list with hours for each area would also be highly appreciated.

Looking for any insight, tips, leads, experiences from this group.  

I am a U.S. citizen and nurse of 17 years (in U.S.) currently residing in South Africa with my recently retired husband.  I am interested in working part or full time for at least a few more years, but am not able to work for a South African company due to VISA regulations concerning foreigners.  

I am thinking my best bet is to look into something remote with an international company.  Other considerations would be possibly cruise ship stints or travel nursing.  

My  experience is in Med-Surg, PACU, OR, and management.   Any ideas on where to start?  Companies, websites, etc?   

Thanks in advance.  

I'm a italian nurse student. I'll graduate in April and i wish to find a job in US

Does anyone know of schools or programs in Texas where I can

take only these specific remedial courses (not a full degree program)?

I've been searching but haven't found any options. Any recommendations or experiences would be appreciated!

[/COLOR]

Nasreen's story is not an isolated incident. It brought back memories of my early years in nursing. When I graduated in 2014, I witnessed the same harsh realities. Despite a decade passing, little has changed. Nurses in Pakistan continue to face overwhelming workloads, poor working conditions, and a lack of institutional support. This has led to widespread burnout and a critical loss of nursing talent.

According to the Pakistan Nursing & Midwifery Council, Pakistan has around 107,643 registered nurses as of 2024. This number is starkly insufficient to meet the needs of a population of over 240 million, resulting in a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:40, far from the recommended 1:10. Burnout is rampant. Studies indicate that 48% of nurses experience moderate stress, while 30% endure severe stress. A staggering 79% report severe burnout and a diminished quality of life. This not only impacts the well-being of nurses but also compromises patient care and overall healthcare outcomes. In addition to this, bullying in the workplace adds another painful layer to the burdens our nurses carry. In Karachi, a study of 458 nurses across public and private hospitals found that 33.8% had experienced bullying or "mobbing" behaviors, often from those in managerial positions, while on the job. Even where prevalence appears lower, such as the 8.0% reported in a Lahore survey, these figures likely underestimate the problem, given nurses' reluctance to speak up for fear of retaliation.

The challenges are not confined to clinical settings. In academia, the shortage of qualified nursing educators is also obvious. Many institutions prioritize profit over quality education, burdening students with high fees while providing inadequate training. Many private nursing institutions treat education as a profit center, imposing costs that are unaffordable for most Pakistani families. For example, the tuition of the Aga Khan University School of Nursing is PKR 620,400 per annum. At the same time, the nursing program at Pak International Medical College exceeds PKR 1,897,500 annual costs that force students to work part-time and jeopardize their studies and well-being. These financial pressures contribute to high dropout rates and deter talented individuals from pursuing nursing careers.

Beyond high tuition and limited clinical exposure, nursing students in Pakistan often enter training programs starved of genuine role models. Many faculty members lack recent hands-on experience in fast-paced hospital environments, having transitioned into academia years ago without opportunities to refresh their clinical skills. As a result, students rarely witness the art and rigor of bedside care demonstrated by seasoned professionals.  Equally troubling is the minimal collaboration between nursing institutions and clinical facilities. In most colleges, academic calendars and hospital rotations operate in silos: curricula are designed with little input from frontline nurses, and clinical sites are used merely as venues for mandatory hours rather than dynamic learning labs. Moreover, the Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC), tasked with setting curriculum development and accreditation standards, has struggled to enforce compliance. Such systemic lapses compromise the quality of nursing education and erode public trust in the profession.

Despite nurses being the backbone of healthcare delivery, Pakistan allocates only 1.2% of its GDP to health, far below the WHO-recommended 5%. This chronic underfunding manifests in outdated facilities, insufficient supplies, and stagnant salaries, conveying that nursing is undervalued. Recently, government nurses in Lahore have launched a major strike to protest the proposed privatization of public hospitals, a movement that has been met with repeated tear-gas shelling and heavy-handed tactics. Despite official silence, the crisis has claimed lives: a nurse was tragically killed in an elevator collapse at Mayo Hospital, an incident deliberately downplayed by authorities. Meanwhile, staffing shortages persist across the province: although 3,000 new nurses were recently recruited, virtually all assignments have been concentrated in Lahore's district headquarters, leaving rural DHQs chronically understaffed. In these facilities, a single nurse may be responsible for as many as 65–75 patients, and even in intensive care units the nurse-to-patient ratio routinely exceeds 1:10 far above internationally accepted standards compounding fatigue, jeopardizing patient safety, and underscoring the urgent need for equitable staffing and transparent accountability. On International Nurses Day, 12th May 2025, under the theme of "Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for nurses strengthens economies,” we must turn heartfelt applause into real, lasting change. First, our health systems need safe staffing guarantees, so no nurse feels abandoned on a ward. Enshrining minimum nurse-to-patient ratios (for example, one nurse for every four patients in acute care) isn't just a number on paper; it's a promise that every caregiver will have the support they need to deliver safe, compassionate care.

Education sits at the heart of nursing excellence, yet too many aspiring nurses teach themselves through fragmented lesson plans. We owe it to rebuilding our faculty pipelines: offering competitive salaries, robust scholarships, and ongoing professional development so that skilled clinicians can step into the classroom and students' lives as true mentors. At the same time, the Pakistan Nursing Council must be strengthened and resourced to regularly audit nursing colleges, update curricula with modern practice, and hold profit-driven institutions accountable when they cut corners.

Financial hardship should never stand between a passionate student and the nursing profession. We can roll out need-based scholarships, subsidize fees at public colleges, and cap costs at private schools so that no family must choose between food on the table and a nursing degree. And once nurses enter the workforce, their well-being must remain a priority: accessible counseling services, peer support groups, and practical burnout prevention programs can help them carry the emotional weight of care without carrying it alone.

Nasreen's story of a single nurse managing a dozen critically ill patients without support should not be our "new normal.” After more than a decade since my graduation, nurses in Pakistan still endure burnout, educational gaps, regulatory failures, and financial strain. On this International Nurses Day, let us honor nurses not with empty accolades, but with concrete policies and investments that restore their dignity, bolster their capacity, and secure the future of care for all Pakistanis. Please share this message, engage your peers, and demand accountability because when we uplift nurses, we fortify our nation's health.

First, while waiting for your NCLEX state passing letter or ID which will be mailed to you by the BON ( Board of Nursing ) which you chose to be registered do not waste your TIME, schedule for IELTS. For US skilled Immigration, nurses are ONLY required to get 7 in speaking and a total band score of 6.5 The sooner you do your IELTS the earlier you get an employer and the earlier you will get your VISA SCREEN ( which is a requirement for immigration purposes).

Second, once you receive your certificate of license from your state. Keep it for future reference. Pass the IELTS and as much as possible aim for good scores not just 6.5. Because remember that you still need to wait for your PRIORITY date to be current so might as well get OPTION B while waiting for your American dream. You can try to work in UK, IRELAND or AUSTRALIA. It would help for your credentials in attracting employers.

Third, once you pass your IELTS get an AGENCY or direct employer who can petition you so you will have a PRIORITY DATE. Why I say so, having the priority date is very important because this will serve as your ticket to USA. Some of my friends are lucky enough to have their PD even without IELTS yet. How so? They found a direct employer who filed a petition for them. As for me, I'm lucky to be part of it. My IELTS fee was reimbursed and my VISA SCREEN was paid by my employer too. Hence, I have saved a lot. For the IELTS it is $200, VISA SCREEN thru CGFNS is $540.

Fourth, once your agency or employer filed your petition they will be responsible for paying your petition fee which is 700$. Then all you need to do is to comply with their set of requirements. Agencies have their own scheme so I cannot disclose what set of requirements were asked to me because it differs from one to other. After that, wait for your vISA screen certificate and PD to be current. Then, you are ready to go to America after you successfully do your Embassy Interview and pass the set of requirements.

Fifth, most of the agency/ employer would ask you to go back to bedside once your PD is close to the current date so you will be oriented to the clinical setting. Then, just adhere to what your agency would ask you to submit so there are no delays.

Lastly, do not forget that everything happens for a reason so it needs patience for you to succeed. Nonetheless, IELTS , VS, or your state licenses and PRC have expirations. For: IELTS (2 years)

VISA SCREEN ( 5 years)

STATE licenses ( depends on which state you are licensed)

PRC ( 3 years )

Renew your licenses. Have your ALL your black and white READY. We all know that MONEY IS an ISSUE but there are ALWAYS means if you have the WILL.

GOD BLESS!