International Student seeking information to study in the US

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Hi everyone, I'm Phuong and I'm planning to travel to the US to study for an Associate Degree in Nursing in Fall 2018 after finishing my Bachelor Degree (non-nursing) in my home country. Due to the fact Vietnamese education system and US education system are different from each other, I'm left with so many questions about admission and job out-come still in my mind... So, here they are.

1. I've read on the colleges websites' admission information that, apart form the TEAS V/ HESI score and TOEFL/IELTS they will base their admission on GPA (Grade Point Average). But as I would have completed a Bachelor Degree before hand, would they rate me according to my high school GPA or University (non-nursing) GPA?

2. Is the waiting list real for Houston Community College and other public CC in the area? I heard from many sources that even when you've passed the pre-requisites you still have to wait on a (usually) long waiting list for up to 2 years. If this is real I don't know how my visa would be although I can fall back home and get a job to wait...

3. Is it too late to begin your work as a RN when you are 26 - 28 years old?

4. How can I get a CNA degree while in school (if need be)? Does being on an ADN program mean you can volunteer or apply for CNA work after you pass the state-specific exam and before you complete ADN?

5. Does it better to be good at a low-key school than be average at a top-notch school? In my country the school/ institution you graduate form means everything. Is this the case in the US too?

I'm planning my career ahead so hopefully I can prepare both mentally and monetary from now. I hope I can make it. Thank you guys so much for your help!

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Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

Check out Peninsula Community College in Washington state. There are a large number of international students (large to us its a relatively small area) a strong nursing program,and no wait lists. The college does have a lot of prerequisite courses. but after obtaining a bachelors you may have already taken most. It offers an RN program with small class sizes, there was a recent turn over in staff but the new teachers are all very supportive and I love it. The are also part of a new direct transfer agreement in this state which means when you graduate with an associates in nursing that degree and all the credits will transfer to any other 4 year college in Washington like the university of Washington with offers many advanced nursing degrees. The college web site is Peninsula College

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Specializes in Post Acute, Med/Surg, ED, Nurse Manager.

I missed a few of your questions... I am 34 and starting the nursing program and I am by far not the oldest. So age isn't the biggest factor your willingness to learn is.

Colleges and some private LTC (long term care) facilities offer a CNA class. it is not a degree, it is a three-4 week class, then a state test to make sure you know the skills. You can absolutely obtain that while working on your nursing degree.

I would not say that the school you attend is the end all in your career in the US. Perhaps a better way to think about it is there are more than enough jobs to go around. The NCLEX test everyone equally regardless of what school they attend so everyone should be at the same competency level as a new graduate.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

A caveat about working in the U.S. while going to school. If you are coming to the U.S. on a visa, much depends on whether it is one that will legally permit you to work. The CNA training is not a degree but does prepare one to be certified and can work during school, but only if you have the appropriate visa status, which is hard to come by, even for those with an RN license.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Working on a student visa is generally limited to on campus work after completion of your first year. You must show proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition, fees, room & board, healthcare, daily expenses, and any incidentals for your entire stay in the US without depending on working while here

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@Valcorie34 Thank you, I'm checking it!

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@JustBeachyNurse I have sufficient financial proof for covering all the fees and expenses. I heard that it's hard to score a job nowadays in the US after graduation if you have no experience, and people are recommending working as a CNA so...

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
@JustBeachyNurse I have sufficient financial proof for covering all the fees and expenses. I heard that it's hard to score a job nowadays in the US after graduation if you have no experience, and people are recommending working as a CNA so...

Working as a CNA will not get you a work visa

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.
@JustBeachyNurse I have sufficient financial proof for covering all the fees and expenses. I heard that it's hard to score a job nowadays in the US after graduation if you have no experience, and people are recommending working as a CNA so...

Uuhhhhh, it will be difficult if you get your nursing degree, unless you have a Visa that permits you to work. The rules against working do not change when you gain an RN license. For some nationalities, it takes 6 to 10 years to obtaining a working Visa.

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