Is there any foreign country RN can work under US license?

Emergency RN · Dec 13, 2009

There are many opportunities for US trained RN's in other nations, especially so working for Americans of special social or political station. A former classmate from Brazil, upon graduation and return there, was able to get a position working as an RN for the American Embassy in Sao Paulo. It was because they wanted someone able to perform nursing to US standards and could also speak fluent English.

I would suggest that upon return to your home country, you also contact any businesses or other government organizations of US origin, and inquire about job opportunities with them. Further if you still have time, you should look into getting a US based company to sponsor your return to your native land. That is, have them hire you while you're still in the US, and then assign you back to your country, where you would continue to work for them there.

Insofar as a blanket license reciprocity internationally; each and every country is different, so I suggest you check with their Boards of Nursing or relevant equivalents.

Good Luck.

chazman1040 · Dec 14, 2009

Were you wanting to stay and work in the United States? If you do then get your Visa Screen, then write the NCLEX to get an RN license through any state. Then find an employer willing to sponsor you for an employment based "Green Card". The process is long but I think it is worthwhile.

elkpark · Dec 14, 2009

You would have to meet the requirements of each, individual country, the same as people in other countries do when they want to practice in the US. You may have some difficulty with an ADN degree -- I think that most countries require a BSN (or the equivalent) for licensure. But, again, that may vary from country to country.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 14, 2009

Moved to the international forum

A lot will depend on the country you wish to work in but remember you still have a long process to go through and meet that country's requirements both as a nurse as well as immigration

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Since you're getting an ADN you might run into some obstacles in working elsewhere. I hope the ADN accepted in your home country becaues if not, then you're stuck unless you can find a country that does accept the ADN.

Before one decides to do an ADN program, they should make sure it's accepted in their home country before they begin just in case they must return home. At least they can find work at home. Good Luck

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2009

Were you wanting to stay and work in the United States? If you do then get your Visa Screen, then write the NCLEX to get an RN license through any state. Then find an employer willing to sponsor you for an employment based "Green Card". The process is long but I think it is worthwhile.

Depending on which country your coming from the process can be a minimum of 5-7 year wait. I'm unsure if that would be considdered worthwhile. Right now in the US there are many unemployed new grad RN who can't find a job. It's going to be very difficult for a foreign grad RN to find a job when Americans can't even find a job so therefore there's no need to import. Is there really such thing as an employment based "green card"? I believe employment based "visa" would be the H1b visa and she clearly doesn't qualify for it being only an ADN holder and no experience in a specialized field. True she can write the NCLEX-RN and if she does want to immigrate to the US under a green card, she can prepare everything, and have a lot of patience until she can get a green card. Important thing for her to do is to gain some paid work experience.

What I don't understand is how can an international student get priority over an American Citizen/Legal Resident and be admitted into an ADN program, when so many of our people are getting turned away. I wonder if they have to set aside a certain amount of spaces for international students. I know they have to have income and pay their own fees for classes, but that's very expensive and to come out with an ADN.

elkpark · Dec 14, 2009

What I don't understand is how can an international student get priority over an American Citizen/Legal Resident and be admitted into an ADN program, when so many of our people are getting turned away. I wonder if they have to set aside a certain amount of spaces for international students. I know they have to have income and pay their own fees for classes, but that's very expensive and to come out with an ADN.

In my (admittedly limited) experience, there's no "set-aside" for international students, but schools looooooove to admit them (any major, not just nursing) for exactly the reason you note -- the international students pay the "full ride" (full tuition, fees, etc.) with no discounts for financial aid, in-state tuition, etc. Schools make more money off them than they do the local/citizen students.

Aquarius85 · Dec 16, 2009

The reason why US schools love internation students are because we pay full tuition. By that I mean, US Colleges must share the money they get from US residents for tuition fee which are then devided by X amounts of colleges in your state or city. BUT with an international student, the college does not have to share the money with the rest of the state or city, so the money goes directly into to the school.

Thats what I have been told.

kLepTo · Mar 21, 2010

Hi, babylove7477. I was just wondering if you finally found an employer or any other solution to your problem. I'm in the same boat as you are.

allnurses Guide · Mar 22, 2010

I know US-trained ADNs can get licensed in Australia. See other posts in the international forum by someone who did it. You are not under your US license, you must apply for a local license.

Nurseaid · Apr 3, 2010

Saudi Arabia is your bet, or the Middle East in general. Check it out. Good luck.