International nursing students in the US

World Immigration

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For those of you that are studying in the US under either an F-1 visa, or any other where you do not have permission to work, and will need to apply for a green card when you finish your schooling-----this is for you.

You must meet all of the requirements for immigration that a foreign-trained nurse does, the only exception that you have is that the English requirements are waived for you. You still need to submit the application and get a Visa Screen Certificate. This is offered by CGFNS and the application is available on their website, http://www.CGFNS.org. There is only one application available, whether you did your training in the US, or overseas.

You will still need to find an employer that will petition for your green card. You will still need to undergo a physical exam at a physician's office that is approved by USCIS an have verification of all titers and vaccinations. If you do not have verifiable proof of having had chicken pox, etc., you will need to have either a titer drawn, or receive the vaccination. Immigration is very strict now with this, they will no longer go on what you are verbally telling them.

Hope that this helps...............most of you will also be able to get an OPT for one year of training while your documents are being processed, but you can only receive the OPT once, especially if this is now a second career for you, and you already used your OPT status for the other.

If you are coming to the US just for the MSN, and already have a BSN from overseas, you will be required to write the English exams. You are only exempt from them if this is your initial training as a nurse, meaning ADN or BSN only.

I am graduating with ADN-RN in December. Then I will apply for OPT.

Does anyone know of hospitals that would hire new grads on OPT? What about hospitals that would sponsorship for work visa, or green card? Can anyone help?

I am currently located in Riverside, CA. I have been living here for the last 7 years, I have a BSN from my country (not Nursing), and I need a job very baddddd. and as soon as possible!!! Can anyone help?

Thank you very much. :nurse:

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I am graduating with ADN-RN in December. Then I will apply for OPT.

Does anyone know of hospitals that would hire new grads on OPT? What about hospitals that would sponsorship for work visa, or green card? Can anyone help?

I am currently located in Riverside, CA. I have been living here for the last 7 years, I have a BSN from my country (not Nursing), and I need a job very baddddd. and as soon as possible!!! Can anyone help?

Thank you very much. :nurse:

OPT you will need to contact hospitals and see if they will accommodate but even they agree to petition you for a GC you will not be able to stay after OPT finishes and work whilst being processed. You will either have to think about staying as a student once OPT finished or leave the US. Not sure what your other occupation is but may get a H1b in that occupation if you can find a employer. With retrogression currently you are looking at several years processing before getting a visa enabling you to stay in the US and work

Hopefully you have already applied for OPT as I believe it takes several months to be processed

While on OPT you will get an EAD card. As long as you get a job you should be able to work on your EAD card. However as the previous poster said you can not get an H1B visa as an RN and even though RN's are exempt from labor cert you can only apply in the Empl Based 3rd preference category which is currently retrogressed and even Unavailable.

Your best bet is to finish your 1 yr OPT and after that apply for admission to an RN -BSN or RN - MSN program. If you complete an MSN and work as a Nurse Practitioner or Administrator etc you are elig for H1's. ... And you never know the laws may change in your favor. You may be able to continue working outside while studying using CPT - Co curricular Practical training.

hi I have a question. I did think about getting my master degree after I've done my OPT (for my BSN)..well...since it's no way for a new grad to get H1b........ but I need financial resource for my master degree..so could I use CPT to work as an RN while I am in MSN program?

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You need to discuss with your International advisor on how CPT works as I believe it will have an impact on OPT if you work too many hours. Also you need to be full time as a student to stay so not sure how many hours that will leave you to work.

http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/cpt.htm

Lot of Universities will also offer Graduate Assistanships to MSN students. As an F1 student you may be able to work on Campus as a Teaching/ Research/Lab assistant. Depends on the state and Univ you may even qualify for instate tuition or a tuition waiver.

I am not sure of the extent of your financial needs but H1 or direct sponsorship is not an option at this time.

hi I have a question. I did think about getting my master degree after I've done my OPT (for my BSN)..well...since it's no way for a new grad to get H1b........ but I need financial resource for my master degree..so could I use CPT to work as an RN while I am in MSN program?

finally done..spent 8 hours reading all the 95 pages. :yeah:

I have a question for you suzanne4.

Im an international student from sweden (born in iran, but lived my whole life in sweden, since the age of 1) and in 2 weeks im about to apply for the ADN program the community college if offering.

the waiting list will be for 2 semester, meaning i will get in Fall 2010.

And then 2 years of nursing school + getting my NCLEX -> i will be done by the end of 2012.

then I can apply for OPT and work for a year, which will end 2013.

whats the chances of this whole circus (retrogression) being over by end of 2013?

Maybe I should give up becoming a nurse?:cry: I want to become a nurse so badly.. By the time I will be done with school, i will have a 120 000 dollar debt which needs to be paid and im scared and terrified that all this time and effort being spent, would be for nothing.

I wish I was born in the US..

finally done..spent 8 hours reading all the 95 pages. :yeah:

I have a question for you suzanne4.

Im an international student from sweden (born in iran, but lived my whole life in sweden, since the age of 1) and in 2 weeks im about to apply for the ADN program the community college if offering.

the waiting list will be for 2 semester, meaning i will get in Fall 2010.

And then 2 years of nursing school + getting my NCLEX -> i will be done by the end of 2012.

then I can apply for OPT and work for a year, which will end 2013.

whats the chances of this whole circus (retrogression) being over by end of 2013?

Maybe I should give up becoming a nurse?:cry: I want to become a nurse so badly.. By the time I will be done with school, i will have a 120 000 dollar debt which needs to be paid and im scared and terrified that all this time and effort being spent, would be for nothing.

I wish I was born in the US..

$120,000 is not worth a community college education. As far as retrogression being over by 2013, it could be the doors maybe open but you will be behind the nurses who have PD 2005.

The purpose of student visa is for you to bring your knowledge to your home country. You will not be able to apply for immigration until you complete your education, meaning you will be behind all the people who apply in 2009, 10, 11, 12, etc.

I would suggest, you go to school for in your home country ( I am guessing it much less expensive), get nursing experience in your home country, and then apply for immigration. I know this is not the answer you want, but you will be a nurse and make yourself an attractive candidate for when the US doors reopen.

$120,000 is not worth a community college education. As far as retrogression being over by 2013, it could be the doors maybe open but you will be behind the nurses who have PD 2005.

The purpose of student visa is for you to bring your knowledge to your home country. You will not be able to apply for immigration until you complete your education, meaning you will be behind all the people who apply in 2009, 10, 11, 12, etc.

I would suggest, you go to school for in your home country ( I am guessing it much less expensive), get nursing experience in your home country, and then apply for immigration. I know this is not the answer you want, but you will be a nurse and make yourself an attractive candidate for when the US doors reopen.

my grades are too low to apply for nursing school in sweden. my gpa in sweden is 3.0, you need at least 3.3. thats why i moved to the us from the beginning. i was accepted by my grades + to get the knowledge, experience and practice to stay and work. So going back to sweden means that i will never become a nurse. this was my only chance :/. One of the few dreams I have in life, but maybe you are right, maybe i should go back home.. i have to think a little bit. thank you for your answer though.

Can you boost your grades to get in Swedish School?

How about becoming an international student in Australia, New Zealand, or Canada where immigration is now open.

Or continue going to school in the USA and then returning to Sweden to practice nursing until immigration opens up?

If your goal is to become a nurse, don't give up.

Can you boost your grades to get in Swedish School?

How about becoming an international student in Australia, New Zealand, or Canada where immigration is now open.

Or continue going to school in the USA and then returning to Sweden to practice nursing until immigration opens up?

If your goal is to become a nurse, don't give up.

I have spent so much time and money to become a nurse in the US, so other countries would not be an option.

and if I take my ADN in the US, it will not be valid in sweden, only the BSN is valid. And I cant really afford going to a unversity to get my BSN in nursing. only the tution fee would be + 20000 dollars/year.

I dont know what to do.. is it possible to work in canada with my ADN + RN license after passing the NCLEX ?

Aquarius 85,

Since Sweden is a part of the EU you are lucky that you can study and work anywhere in the EU. In your situation I would try and see if you can get admission into other English speaking EU countries like the UK, Ireland etc.

If that doesnt work for a good cheap Nursing education try India or the Philipines.

Unless you have some other Immigration avenues that may possibly open up (Marriage to a US citizen or Green Card holder, family based immigration) I would not spend 120k US $ getting a ADN in the US. I got my ADN for less than 10k from a community college.

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