Need info please. Foreign Grad, No local license, Migrated to USA. Confused w/my options.

[antigen_dw]

Hi Guys.

First of all, I am thankful for this website being up. It's nice to see a network for nurses available online. Such a great amount of information here. I thank you in advance.

I am confused and lost and don't know what to do. I am also a little afraid. Here is my story.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Philippines. I have checked WES and it said it is an equivalent based on the school I graduated from. But the degree that I have is almost 10 years old. I graduated in 2008. Nursing really didn't pay very well in the Ph, about $100/month which is not enough. I had to make money right away. I landed a job as an english coach, progressed to operations manager 6 years after I graduated.

My GF at that time (now my wife), she and I had been together for 13 years. We talked about getting our lives in order and settling in the Philippines. I was in a good place financially doing a job that didn't involve any nursing.

Fast forward 2013, We found ourselves migrating to the USA. (Funny story! It only took us 3 weeks from filing to medical examination via direct consular filing). I am currently waiting on my application for citizenship, it had already been 3 years. I had a hard time finding work here that paid enough to survive until I discovered the grocery business / RETAIL which paid more than double the minimum wage.

Yesterday, I had to go to urgent care. First time I had to use my insurance in the USA. I found myself wanting to become a nurse here. I've always wanted to do something that would impact and change lives. I had that before I migrated, retail is really just pure business and selling.

So, my question is, Where do I start? Am I going to be eligible to go to school, would I need to go school?

Or more importantly, are there any other career paths that I can take?

Thank you so much in advance! Sorry for the long read. Have a great day!

[dishes, BSN, RN]

Have you looked on your state board of nursing (BON) website for the application instructions for nurses who were educated outside of the US?

[kimesha101]

You need to apply to have your education evaluated by your state. Then if it is a a level equate lent to that of the US then they will allow you to take the NCLEX exam.