Just graduated---need advise

[AussiRN]

Hi

I just graduated from a university at Sydney and lucky found myself new graduate programme (job) which i will start in Feb. 2009

Now what I really want to do is pursue a post grad. in USA and then work there, which is why I am requesting guidance from you all. My interest are in critical care, theater and management aspect of nursing.

Please guide me how and which post grad. is possible and how to work there after I finish or while I m doing my post grad as an RN in USA.

Thanks in advance.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

There is a poster here who recently came from Australia he can guide you. My advice is get some experience under your belt, Universities and Colleges are very expensive in the US.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Congrats on your graduation and grad program!

When you say you want to pursue a post grad, what do you mean? A MSN? What would you like to specialize in? They do not have "postgrad diplomas" in specialties like critical care etc in the US per se.

Your path to the US depends upon your needs. Do you want to work here while studying? Or just come and study fulltime? There are visas for each situation: the work visa, which means you'd have to work fulltime and study part-time, or the study visa where you study full-time and cannot work (apart from a minimal amount on campus).

If you want to work in the US, you need to be a specialist in order to get a professional visa for the US (at this current time). You will not be a specialist after your one year grad program - you'll probably have to aim for a job in the area you're interested in, and then apply for the US after getting some experience.

If you want to study full-time, you can get a student visa. You'd have to have enough money to support yourself through the course of study, plus for international student fees (think $$$$$$).

Let me know if you want any more info.