Newbie - Have I got it right???

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 1, 2007

Just wanted to check I understand the US immigration process properly -
1) Visascreen via CGFNS (using transcripts)
2) once done, sit NCLEX
3) speak to potential employers/BON
The reason I wanted to confirm this is that I qualified in 2006 and know that I don't have enough hours Practical/theory in some areas, but I have contacted my Uni and they are happy to help add to my transcripts and my local hospital are also happy to help, but reading the CGFNS it says I need to cover the following areas-
Adult nursing - no problem
Mental Health - no problem
Community nursing - no problem
Pediatrics - placement sorted
Maternity - placement sorted
The problem is I can't find how many hours I need to do practical/theory and anything specific they are looking for??
Can anyone help??
I contacted the BON in Hawaii where I want to go and they referred me back to CGFNS, or should I go through Vermont/New York instead (can this be done??)
Sorry to be a post, but I'm really confused!!!

Hours vary from state to state and will usually be decided once they recieve CES from CGFNS unless they do their own assessment, I think for Hawaii you need CES from CGFNS, the same docs can be used for visa screen and once you pass NCLEX you need to ask BON to send confirmation to CGFNS and usually involves a small fee. Visa screen is best not to apply for it until you have passed NCLEX. Application is valid for 12 months and if there are any delays then you will have to pay some more if the delay takes you over 12 months. Once you have pssed NCLEX that is the time to look for potential employers but be aware that retrogression is in progress affecting everyone regardless of country and employers may delay accepting foreign nurses until they know what is happening.

Suggest you read the International forum on retrogression, plenty of threads on that subject and also read the sticky/thread in the international forum called Primer to working in the USA

Would also recommend that you do not register with pearsonvue until you get the OK to sit the exam. They will issue ATT once they get OK from BON

Where do you want to work? much better to apply to that state straight away as when endorcing you have to meet their requirements for foreign nurse, especially with retrogression on at the moment no one is moving anywhere quickly

Employer will then start the process by applying for I140 and that takes on average 7 + months to get, so have plenty of patience and expect a long journey

Hope this helps

Scotnurse2006 · Aug 1, 2007

Thanks Anna, I've been trying to read as many posts and sticky's as I can, but just don't want to make a mess of it all, I expect it to take 18-24 months, so I appreciate from reading all the threads that I'm in for a long wait

Thanks for your response!!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 1, 2007

Thanks Anna, I've been trying to read as many posts and sticky's as I can, but just don't want to make a mess of it all, I expect it to take 18-24 months, so I appreciate from reading all the threads that I'm in for a long wait
Thanks for your response!!!

Your welcome. Plenty on here either done it or going through it although we do try and get few more UK nurses posting on here that are staying in the UK.

I woul say order would be

1. Apply to BON

2. Apply pearsonvue once OK is given to it exam cos you met requirements of licensure

3. whilst applying for visa screen start looking for employer and they start I140

Would also suggest checking out the NCLEX forum and start studying now

Also we try and meet up most tuesday nights for a chat in the chat rooms between 8-10pm UK time

Anna