New York - NCLEX Clarification

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Hi Suzanne,

I recently graduated from BSN course here in Manila. I'm thinking of following your advice re: New York route for first time foreign nurses. I already got my transcript and ready to mail it , I have a question though: Is it ok not to take the local licensure exam here because the next schedule is June, i dont want to waste such a long time.

However, in one of the 3 application forms for New York - the one submitted to CGFNS verification requires them to inquire from the licensing authority - my question is if i was never licensed, what would they get from licensing authority? In other words, is local licensing a requirement?

Second question, i just got married, in the application form is it ok to put in my maiden name - all my passports and school records are under my maiden name. I dont want to create confusion from change of names with my NCLEX, and other forms, is it ok to use my maiden name? I dont have an identification card (ID) that has my married name on it.

Thank you so much in advance. You are truly a gift for all of us...

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A license in your home country is not a requirement for licensure in the US, only a completed set fo transcripts. The place where it asks where you are currently licensed, just put none/recent graduate.

Keep everything in your maiden name, especially that is what all of your ID is in. You can always submit a mariage certificate to immigration to include your spouse for immigration purposes. Not everyone changes their name any more to begin with. :)

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dear suzanne

thank you for your prompt reply. i have follow-up questions. this is kinda detailed. im sort of planning my 'life' and want to have some degree of certainty.

assuming i have submitted my transcript and currently awaiting advise from new york, i plan to take the english test and prepare for nclex while here in manila. once i get my notice from bon new york, i plan to take my exam in us using my tourist visa.

1. is this ok or will i be ask by the consul at the port of entry what my intent is?

2. my visa screen can only be processed once i passed my nclex - can i wait for this while staying for 6 months in the us? or would you advise me to go back home while awaiting for my visa screen.

3. once i have my visa screen and while in us, can i apply for change of status?

4. is it correct to assume that once you have filed for a change of status, you cant go back home at least while your greencard is being processed? how long does this take?

thank you

a license in your home country is not a requirement for licensure in the us, only a completed set fo transcripts. the place where it asks where you are currently licensed, just put none/recent graduate.

keep everything in your maiden name, especially that is what all of your id is in. you can always submit a mariage certificate to immigration to include your spouse for immigration purposes. not everyone changes their name any more to begin with. :)

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There is no issue with coming to the US o na tourist visa. As long as you pass the NCLEX, you will currently find it quite easy to get an AOS filed on your behoalf. I do not recommend it but it can be done.

Be aware that you cannot have anything filed on your behalf for at least 60 days after your arrival in the US. Make sure that you have the permission of the BON to sit for the NCLEX exam before you even arrive here. That is the most important thing.

You do not apply for the change in status, your employer has to do that.

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dear suzanne,

i have a few more clarifications...

1. i do not quite understand what you mean when you stated " as long as

you pass the nclex, you will currently find it quite easy to get an aos

filed on your behoalf. i do not recommend it but it can be done."

what is then your recommendation? is it to take nclex outside us like hongkong and just wait here in manila for my visa screen to be processed before going to us? assuming this is your recommendation, do i still have to wait " 60 days" before the employer files an aos?

and, yes i will make sure that i have a schedule with bon before going there.

2. what is the "60 days that you mentioned." does that mean that even if i received notice that i passed the nclex, i cannot do any adjustment, etc until 60 days have passed? what is the significance of this? or is it to prove to immigration that i have no intention of working. i just dont want to be out of status while process everything.

3. my last question is normally how long (in months) is aos? you are not allowed to work during the said period but i do understand that you can be legally allowed to stay because precisely an adjustment of status is pending.

hope you can clarify the matter.

thanks again.

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Immigration does not permit an Adjustment of Status to be filed on your behalf before you are in the US for at least six months. As long as you get the papers filed before your visa expires, that would be okay.

Once the AOS is filed, along with the other required documents, an EAD will be issued that will permit you to work, once you get your Social Security Number. On average it has been running about 60 days before you will get the EAD in Calfornia. Different centers process at different times.

But be aware that if you do not find an employer right away for some reason, etc., and do fall out of status for whatever reason, you may be asked to leave the US and may not return for at least 3 years. I do not recommend the AOS route unless you have really done your homework. It makes it harder for others to get a tourist visa in Manila when someone doesn't return.

Just remember that..............

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As a new grad right now, and with everything completed right away for California employment, the current time is less than one year for you to have a green card in hand by following the procedures for waiting until you get your green card to come over.

What about your spouse?

Remember that it will be about 120 days without any pay while you are waiting. Will you be able to afford that?

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Hi! Of course i have no intention of overstaying that is why i want to plan ahead and make sure that i do my homework. I have a multiple entry visa which i ve used many times and have no intention of overstaying because that will make matters worst.

1. Anyway, are you saying that i do my processing here until my VISA SCREEN comes out? So correct me if I'm wrong but it doesnt seem to do any advantage if you have a tourist visa on hand. I heard that processing will be much faster if the foreign nurse resides in US than in Manila. Now i have a toursist visa but i dont think i can really use it to fasttrack my application.

2. I have lay out a mini-plan,following your advise to take NY board for 1st time foreign nurses. Just let me know if this is ok:

by December i plan to take my english exams,

then by March i plan to take my NCLEX and hopefully submit my application for VISA Screen.

Once i have my VISA SCREEN, is it then ok to go to US, say New York, look for an employer then they will take care of my adjustment.

Is this the track that you will prefer me to take, if not, what is your suggestion.

In other words, do all the processing in my home country until i get my visa screen.

Sorry for involving you into so many details, i have no one to ask... ANd what about my spouse (he has a multiple entry toursit visa too), at what point can i include him in the application process- once i have my Visa screen. Does he need to be in the US as well when AOS is filed by employer?

Your reply here will probably answer all the questions i have in mind...

Thank you again... I will write again to inform you of my progress... God bless you!!! You are an inspiration...;)

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You do not need to wait for the VSC before coming to the US, but make sure that you have approval already to sit for the NCLEX exam before coming over. And try to have the English exams done before.

The rest will be up to immigration as to how quickly things will get processed.

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TAKE THE CP ROUTE.

check around this forum. a lot of pinoy nurses (who have graduated years before, and in fact have practiced their chosen vocation religiously in their home country) are taking the usual CP route.

the tourist visa-AOS combination has its built-in complications (check suzanne's posts). all you have to do with CP is accomplish all the steps, submit all requirements, and practice patience (by waiting for all the steps to happen).

obtaining a GC is sweeter this way, methinks.

besides, while waiting for the process to finish (within a lil over a year), you can gain a bit experience in a local hospital setting by applying in one. you'd also have the privilege of serving your countrymen.

my hat off to those who are true nurses by heart. a GC is just a well-deserved reward or a logical continuation of their nursing adventure.

thanks.

:)

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There is no issue with coming to the US o na tourist visa. As long as you pass the NCLEX, you will currently find it quite easy to get an AOS filed on your behoalf. I do not recommend it but it can be done.

Be aware that you cannot have anything filed on your behalf for at least 60 days after your arrival in the US. Make sure that you have the permission of the BON to sit for the NCLEX exam before you even arrive here. That is the most important thing.

You do not apply for the change in status, your employer has to do that.

i have a follow up question..

how can i apply for my sit in nclex exam?hows the procedure?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
i have a follow up question..

how can i apply for my sit in nclex exam?hows the procedure?

This thread is from 2005 best look at the sticky at the top of the pages, but a lot depends where you want to live in the US

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