Newly qualified Irish nurse hoping to move to U.S ASAP

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Hey everyone,

Is there any Irish nurses that have moved to the U.S recently to practice as a RN.

I have always wanted to nurse in the U.S preferably California or New York but I cant seem to get advice from any Irish nurse who has done this lately ! (most Irish nurses are going to the U.K, Australia or Canada)

Any advice would be great!

I have received a permanent job in Ireland on a medical/surgical ward but I am only 22 and in need f change!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Take the "permanent" job, get some experience, and then work on moving to the US. You will have a lot of competition from graduates of US nursing schools, especially in New York and California. Do you have a bachelor's degree?

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Thanks Lev

yes I have a bachelors degree in general nursing. I think an American hospital has to help in getting me a visa to work too so I'm sure they'd need to be very confident in me.

Any other tips?

Thanks a million

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

You'll definitely need experience before coming here, and be sure to check out any issues with licensing, as CA has some strict standards, and doesn't accept licenses or degrees even from other states in some cases.

I would try to gain experience in the US with a work visa in another state that has a harder time with getting nurses, like North Dakota. That may be your best bet for getting here, getting a couple of years in, then transferring somewhere more appealing for you. Plus, you can travel and see what places you really like at that point.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
Thanks Lev

yes I have a bachelors degree in general nursing. I think an American hospital has to help in getting me a visa to work too so I'm sure they'd need to be very confident in me.

Any other tips?

Thanks a million

Both of those 2 areas have an overwhelming number of nurses looking for jobs. I don't think it's going to be as easy as you think. Competing with citizens who don't need a visa, are familiar with the area, and have most likely done clinicals at the facility will generally get the jobs first. I agree with PP, go with an area that is not as overwhelmed with nurses looking for jobs, get experience, then try your luck

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Hi Louise. I would echo what the other posters are saying about getting experience before coming. take that permanent job and work it for two years. Those years will fly by.

California and New York are probably the two hardest markets to penetrate in the U.S., with California being the hardest because of its strong union and high wages.

Having said that, I do not think it is impossible to get your first job in California. I am from California, I left San Francisco to go to nursing school in another state, but I came back and got my first job in Los Angeles. It took me eight months after graduating, but I got a job.

I personally don't think you need to live in North Dakota, but it would definitely be a lot easier to get a job there. That would be like living in County Donegal vs. living in Dubs or Wicklow. The United States is huge compared to Ireland, there are many other larger cities aside from LA or NYC that you can work in and have a healthy social life to boot. :-)

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I am in the same boat, I graduated in Ireland and worked in the uk for 3 years. I am starting the process of getting my rn license for Massachusetts. I would recommend starting the process now as it can take up to 18 months or so to get sorted.

From what I have researched myself, we need to get a credential check done. Visit cgfn website and you will either need a CES (professional) or CP report. This involves getting your university(NUIG for me)secondary school and an bord altranis to send our leaving certificate, university transcipts and the Irish nursing board to send a copy of our Irish license sealed and stamped to cgfn address. It has to come directly from the 3 organisations...we can't put everything in an envelope and post it directly from our home address!

Once all our checks have been compared to the American nursing programme we will hopefully receive a certificate to say our nursing programmes match. Then you apply via Pearson company to complete the Nclex and then a nursing agency will help sponsor you (hopefully!!)

As as I said the process is long and frustrating so I advise to start now!

Hope I'm some sort of help! All the best with it! í ½í¸ŠâœŒí ¼í¿»ï¸

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum,

Take the position whilst you go through the registration process and immigration process it is not quick so you may as well gain experience

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