job seeking advice

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Hi all

I'd like some information and advice please. I am looking for work in mental health nursing in New York. I am not a qualified nurse, I am a British nursing assistant with 13 years experience and have a national qualification in health and social care. I currently work in a low secure unit. I would like to know if psychiatric settings in NY use unqualified staff such as myself or does everyone have to be an RN? If unqualifed staff are used then would I as a British national have any chance of obtaining a work permit?

My girlfriend has to move to Manhattan for her work as a lawyer and I want to go with her and I would need to work there obviously.

Any help or advice anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Richard Bannister

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Specializes in ICU.

You'd probably have to get certified as a nursing assistant here to be able to get a job in mental health...maybe you might be able to get a unit secretary job here without any training.

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Thank you for your reply. Do you not think it's possible to get a clinical ward based job as a nursing assistant?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

You might consider purchasing a paper called The Chief, which posts different civil service positions and exams. The one you may be interested in is either Developmental Aide, or Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide. Also, there are some private psych hospitals that may consider hiring you, Holliswood Hospital, in Jamacia Queens may be one. It would probably be more beneficial to get into the private facilities with the additional course in the CNA, but it's not always necessary to have it when applying for the State Civil Service jobs, just passing the exam is sufficient for some of them. Good luck!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

It may be possible to get a clinical ward job given your experience but you would have to get certified here as a cna. I am not sure how the process for work permits work or if you would qualify for one. I have read for immigration consideration you have to hold atleast BSN.

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Could I get in touch with you and chat over the net to pick your brains further? Many thanks for previous advice.

You will be able to PM and use email function when you have 15 posts on the board.

Nightmare ....Moderator.

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Can anyone offer advice on the minimum criteria for getting a work permit in order to work in the US as a nursing assistant? A previous poster has suggested that you need to hold a 'BSN' in order to meet the criteria? What is this? I'm looking to move to Manhattan to be with my lawyer girlfriend who's had to move there for her work .Also any advice on the exam I need to take prior to taking up work would be much appreciated.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I think in order to get a work visa you need to be an RN with a BSN degree at least for health care, I do not think cna would qualify. I am not sure the other area's that will get you work visa or permit(non healthcare).

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I think in order to get a work visa you need to be an RN with a BSN degree at least for health care, I do not think cna would qualify. I am not sure the other area's that will get you work visa or permit(non healthcare).

Not exactly the news I was looking to hear:banghead:. Do you or anyone know who I would need to approach to find the information I need for certain? As I said I am not just looking for work in New York as a whim or because it seems a fun thing to do, it's a necessity. My girlfriend will be working there and I don't want to lose her because I can't get work legally. I have only ever worked in mental health and it's pretty much the only thing I have experience in. Help please!!!!

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

I am sorry it was not the news you wanted to hear. You may want to look in the internation threads here on AN and see if you can can find more information. How is your girlfriend abe to work here? is her company providing the work visa?

here is the link to the international forum https://allnurses.com/forums/f75/

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I am sorry it was not the news you wanted to hear. You may want to look in the internation threads here on AN and see if you can can find more information. How is your girlfriend abe to work here? is her company providing the work visa?

here is the link to the international forum https://allnurses.com/forums/f75/

Hi, thanks for the quick reply. My girlfriend is a lawyer and has been headhunted by a top law firm in Mahattan, so work permit issues don't apply to her! For those with not so high accademic qualifications it is much more of a challenge. I do have a nationally recognised UK qualification in health and social care however it is not to a degree or diploma level. I also want to get a job where I can be an asset to any employer and use my experience and skills.

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.

Ok your answer is what I was thinking. I am not quite sure how it works, but like you said the higher the job and your qualifications and degrees along with a high need for that specialty can get you the work visa. But unfortunatley the "working class" so to say is much harder.

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