Is that hard a foreign educated RN without experience(new graduate) find a job in US?

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Hi,

I'm a Portuguese educated RN. I attend a Portuguese Nursing School -University during 4 years. As professional experience I just have the academic internships. I finish the school 1 year ago.

In the meantime I married and me and my husband moved to the US - CT state. I am now a permanent resident here.

I really would like to practice nursing here, and I already know what to do to reach the Cunnecticut RN license. But the fact of not having experience itself will be an obstacle to getting a job later? I am really worried about that because I have qualifications and I'm afraid will never be able to exercise nursing in this country. :cry:

Anyway I would also like to know if is possible to work as a CNA or PCA, because I'm already a nurse in another country and thus I am able to perform without difficulty their functions.

I would be grateful for any information that you guys might give me.

Thank you so much.

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http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3121&q=389430&dphNav_GID=1821

Here is the information on obtaining a nursing license. Looks like you have to take the CGFNS prior to the NCLEX. Once you qualify you can apply for a position. In may take awhile and the nursing situation maybe more open to a new nurse.

Looking at the stats on the NCLEX page all that qualified to sit for the exam passed.

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US educated new grad RN's are having problems finding a job. Get in contact with the Connecticut Board of Registered Nursing and see what you have to do in order to get licensed in that state. Boa Sorte (Good Luck in Portuguese)

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Yes, unfortunately in the CT state I need to take the CGFNS... :(

However, I am considering applying in NY state, since they only ask the CES...

You said that "It may take awhile and the nursing situation maybe more open to a new nurse.".... More open to a new nurse?? Could you explain please... :confused:

Thank you so much for the help!!!! :nurse:

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Yes, unfortunately in the CT state I need to take the CGFNS... :(

However, I am considering applying in NY state, since they only ask the CES...

You said that "It may take awhile and the nursing situation maybe more open to a new nurse.".... More open to a new nurse?? Could you explain please... :confused:

Thank you so much for the help!!!! :nurse:

The time it takes to get your transcript evaluated and get permission to sit for the NCLEX is around 6 months. Then you have to sit for the NCLEX.

In Portugal did you have OB, Pedi, and Psych ? If not you may have to make up hours.

Going to New York is fine, if you plan on getting a position in New York. I have read the New York market is tough. Being in MASS I often see the nursing jobs open in Conn and their seems to be more openings in Conn. Many open jobs makes it easier for the new nurse to get a position/ I don't think you can get your license in NY and expect it to be transferred over to Conn.

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NurseCubanitaRN2b

Muito Obrigado (Thank you very much in Portuguese!!!:wink2:) and thanks for the tip...

What about CNA or PCA??? It is possible to work with my qualifications or should I enroll in some PCA program? (which makes no sense because I will learn what I already know)

thanks again....

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Why would you want to do CNA or PCA? You're already a RN in Portugal. If you have the education, then you should do everything possible to use it. Don't limit yourself to a CNA or PCA, don't get me wrong, they're great staff to have, but you're already educated. What type of degree do you have in Portugal? Here we call them Bachelors in Nursing from a University. If they have it from a technical or community college then most likely they have a ADN. There are some diploma programs, which are very good from what I've heard. They go about 3 years, and my friend attended one and was very thorough.

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Well, in Portugal I had that classes (OB, Pedi, and Psych), but obstetrics was included in the medical surgical class (a 4 semesters class). However, I also did an internship in obstetrics, pediatric, psychiatry and so on.

NY is only an hypothesis... I didn't know that the market is so tough...

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NurseCubanitaRN2b... I just want to do CNA or PCA because I am in the country and I really need to work... So, that way I am working in a hospital (what I love) and earn some money while I dont have the RN license.

My degree in Portugal is the same thing that Bachelors in Nursing from a University, because I attended the university during 4 years...

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Do you guys call it Bachelors in Nursing?

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In Portuguese we call "Licenciado em Enfermagem" (Enfermagem=Nursing) I dont know how to translate the word "licenciado". Is similar to a bachelor, here in the states.

In Portugal all the people that attend a university (during 4 years) is called "licenciado".

Then if you want to continue your education, you can take a master degree (in Portuguese "Mestrado")

Specifically in nursing, you can still get a specialization. Then the nurse is called "enfermeiro especialista" (specialist nurse).

In addition, there is also the possibility of pursuing a Ph.D., in portuguese Ph.D is called "doutoramento".

Recently, Portugal was suffered an academic reforme called Bologna Process, in which all undergraduate courses lasts for 5 years (3 years, "bachelor" +2 years-master). So when you end the University has a master's degree. This process was implemented across Europe to facilitate the mobilization of students and later workers. Therefore, there is a standardization of courses across Europe.

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i am also a foreign educated RN and with no nursing experience. it took me 3 months to find a job.

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