Non-immigrant in USA wants to work after LVN, LPN, CNA or ADN course --- possible?

jimthorp · Jan 20, 2006

I suggest you contact the immigration office with your questions.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2006

Also, does anyone have any ideas on costs and completion time frames?

I am not knowledgeable about work visas, so I will not be able to adequately help you with that issue.

However, I can tell you about costs and completion time frames for each of the different programs. The LPN/LVN program takes 11 to 12 months if completed at a trade school, and 18 months to 2 years if completed at a community college. Trade school nursing programs tend to be much more expensive than those offered at local community colleges. Trade school LPN/LVN program completion leads to a diploma in practical or vocational nursing. Community college LPN/LVN programs lead to an associate of applied science degree in practical/vocational nursing.

Completion time of an RN program depends on several factors, such as waiting lists and prerequisite classes. Most RN programs require that you have completed classes in algebra, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, and possibly microbiology prior to even applying to the nursing program. If you have completed these needed classes, your wait to get into an RN program will be shortened. Many community college RN programs have waiting lists of 2 to 3 years long, whereas many private universities have no waiting lists. However, the community college has cheaper tuition. If your prerequisite classes are completed and there's no waiting list, you can complete an RN program in 2 to 2.5 years that will lead to an associate degree.

austin heart, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Community college LPN/LVN programs lead to an associate of applied science degree in practical/vocational nursing.

I do not believe that there is such a degree. The only associates degree in applied science is the ADN that you recieve in order to take your NCLEX-RN. The vocational portion you can either just pick up along the way in an RN program (as I did) or do the VN portion only but you do not recieve a degree for the VN portion only. You recieve a certification to test for your NCLEX-PN. And many of the VN programs at the community college level will also require you to have classes in algebra, english and anatomy & physiology, etc to enter the program.

Here is the excerpt from the web site of the community college in which I graduated from...........

The Associate Degree Nursing Program (A.D.N.)

Nursing is a care-oriented profession requiring a well-educated nurse. The curriculum of the Odessa College Nursing Program prepares graduates to assume beginning staff positions under supervision as providers of care, coordinators of care, and members of the nursing profession. Upon successful completion of the licensing examination, N-CLEX-RN©, the graduate becomes a Registered Nurse.

Odessa College offers three options to obtain the Associate Degree in Applied Science for nursing. Each option requires the same non-nursing courses to complete the degree requirements. The Day Option and Evening Option also require the same nursing courses. The Transition Option allows the licensed vocational nurse (L.V.N.) to receive credit for selected nursing courses through advanced placement. Transition students must hold a license to practice nursing as a L.V.N. in Texas.

To the OP, I would suggest contacting immigration to see if it is even possable for you to obtain a work visa before I invested any time or money into an education that you might not be able to put to use in this country.

Good luck to you, I hope that it works out!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

I do not believe that there is such a degree. The only associates degree in applied science is the ADN that you recieve in order to take your NCLEX-RN. The vocational portion you can either just pick up along the way in an RN program (as I did) or do the VN portion only but you do not recieve a degree for the VN portion only.

The associate of applied science in practical nursing does exist. I know whereof I speak. Thank you.

http://www.ndscs.nodak.edu/instruct/curriculum/asbfactsheets/PracticalNursing.htm

Lewis-Clark State College

austin heart, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Sorry, I stand corrected. :)

I just can't understand dedicating yourself to taking 4 semesters of nursing at the community college level and receiving an Associates Degree only be able to become an LVN. I am definatly not trying to offend you (or any one else) only educate myself, but what is the point when you can do 4 semesters of nursing at the community college level, have an ADN and be able to become an RN and make almost twice the money? I mean if you are going to dedicate yourself to the 2 year program why not an RN program? Because most that are good enough students to make it though the VN program are good enough to make it through a RN program. I don't know, just my :twocents:

Sorry to the OP, I know this is a little off topic.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Sorry, I stand corrected. :)
I just can't understand dedicating yourself to taking 4 semesters of nursing at the community college level and receiving an Associates Degree only be able to become an LVN. I am definatly not trying to offend you (or any one else) only educate myself, but what is the point when you can do 4 semesters of nursing at the community college level, have an ADN and be able to become an RN and make almost twice the money? I mean if you are going to dedicate yourself to the 2 year program why not an RN program? Because most that are good enough students to make it though the VN program are good enough to make it through a RN program. I don't know, just my
Sorry to the OP, I know this is a little off topic.

I agree. In my opinion, it's a waste of time and effort to earn a 2 year degree in practical/vocational nursing when a 2 year ADN/ASN will result in better opportunities and more money in the same amount of time. If you're going to become an LPN/LVN, I'd rather take the 11 to 12 month route at a vocational school.

Sorry for going off the topic...

suzanne4, RN · Jan 21, 2006

Welcome to Allnurses.com...................:balloons:

Now to answer your questions, after I move this to the International Forum, where it is better suited. Hope that you do not mind.

Immigration will not issue you a green card for the LPN license, and that is what you need to work as an RN in the US. You can get a green card, for you and your immediate family if you go for at least the two year RN. If the training is done in the US, then it is accepted with the two year program. If the training is done out of the US, then two years is usually not accepted. The requirement is that the nurse be what is considered a "professional" nurse in their country, the LPN/LVN is considered a technical degree.

RNs also get the green card in an expedited fashion, a year or so, vs. the four to five years or longer for other professions.

Hope that this clears up things for all of you.............feel free to post in the International Forum is you have any more questions related to working or training in the US.:)

Quiel · Jan 22, 2006

Suzanne4/TheCommuter/Austin_At_Heart/JimThorp:

Thank you all for your very helpful posts/replies! It is really so important to me and my family to succeed in what I'm trying to do ---- to work as a nurse in the USA. Could you please comment on the following follow-up questions if you know the answer (at your earliest convenience):

1) From what I'm gathering, what seems to be the proper course of action for me is to take the 2-year RN degree while we're here in the USA, then apply for a geen card. Is this accurate? Will I be able to apply for a greencard right away upon completing it in 2 years, or will I first need to find an employer (who will then "sponsor" my greencard so I can legally work for them)?

2) Could you please provide a little bit more detailed direction for me to understand this 2-year RN degree? Is this the "ADN"? (If it is, I will start looking for more detailed info regarding this.) I will be in southern California while I'm studying. Any suggestions on where I could find more info? Are there any scholarship/pay-later grants for foreign students that I could take a look at? What will be the admission requirements? Are there long wait lists or will I be able to enroll in a couple of months? Will the "training" be completed in the same 2-year period, or will it happen after completion of theoretical studies?

3) Because I have 3 small kids, it will help me cope with the physical stress if I'm able to take much of the classes online, at least during the first 6 months. Is this possible? If it is, will this be cause for non-issuance of a green card or finding work? Please share any actual experiences you might have encountered personally or through other people.

4) I'm 43 years old and I had been a fulltime mother for the last 10 years. Do you see any potential problems with this in relation to my future duties as an associate degree nurse? I have always been fascinated with medical science and becoming a nurse had been one of my life-long aspirations, so I know I will be excited about the lessons and the take-home assignments. With proper training, I'm also confident of my ability to handle the intellectual challenges of modern medical machineries and equipments. Finally, I believe I am what you would consider a "compassionate" individual who cares about helping other people who are sufferring (physically and otherwise). I'm not sure, though, how I can handle too much physical activites such as lifting/carrying heavy items/patients, etc. My communication skills might also need some improvement. What about physical and emotional stress --- how much do you see in your day-to-day jobs? Any advise/info you can provide with regard to these things will be really helpful to me in assessing my suitability for the nursing career which, hopefully, I'll be able to figure out BEFORE we start investing our last penny on the degree (which hopefully will be no more than $5K per year!).

5) My husband is a few years younger than me and have signified willingness to switch careers from IT to healthcare/nursing. Assuming he can do this while still working to support 5 people on his income, do you think having him become the "nurse" will be a better option for us in terms of finding stable and permanent employment in the US?

Thank you! If everything goes well (and this site still exists after 2 years), my first paycheck will be spent showing my appreciation to this site and those of you who have helped me :-)

Quiel

PS: Please give me advise on how to properly post on this site. Should I start a new thread for my follow-up questions (specially if it's been several weeks since I posted my original questions)? Or is it generally preferred that I post at the end of the thread?

suzanne4, RN · Jan 22, 2006

Suzanne4/TheCommuter/Austin_At_Heart/JimThorp:
Thank you all for your very helpful posts/replies! It is really so important to me and my family to succeed in what I'm trying to do ---- to work as a nurse in the USA. Could you please comment on the following follow-up questions if you know the answer (at your earliest convenience):
1) From what I'm gathering, what seems to be the proper course of action for me is to take the 2-year RN degree while we're here in the USA, then apply for a geen card. Is this accurate? Will I be able to apply for a greencard right away upon completing it in 2 years, or will I first need to find an employer (who will then "sponsor" my greencard so I can legally work for them)?
2) Could you please provide a little bit more detailed direction for me to understand this 2-year RN degree? Is this the "ADN"? (If it is, I will start looking for more detailed info regarding this.) I will be in southern California while I'm studying. Any suggestions on where I could find more info? Are there any scholarship/pay-later grants for foreign students that I could take a look at? What will be the admission requirements? Are there long wait lists or will I be able to enroll in a couple of months? Will the "training" be completed in the same 2-year period, or will it happen after completion of theoretical studies?
3) Because I have 3 small kids, it will help me cope with the physical stress if I'm able to take much of the classes online, at least during the first 6 months. Is this possible? If it is, will this be cause for non-issuance of a green card or finding work? Please share any actual experiences you might have encountered personally or through other people.
4) I'm 43 years old and I had been a fulltime mother for the last 10 years. Do you see any potential problems with this in relation to my future duties as an associate degree nurse? I have always been fascinated with medical science and becoming a nurse had been one of my life-long aspirations, so I know I will be excited about the lessons and the take-home assignments. With proper training, I'm also confident of my ability to handle the intellectual challenges of modern medical machineries and equipments. Finally, I believe I am what you would consider a "compassionate" individual who cares about helping other people who are sufferring (physically and otherwise). I'm not sure, though, how I can handle too much physical activites such as lifting/carrying heavy items/patients, etc. My communication skills might also need some improvement. What about physical and emotional stress --- how much do you see in your day-to-day jobs? Any advise/info you can provide with regard to these things will be really helpful to me in assessing my suitability for the nursing career which, hopefully, I'll be able to figure out BEFORE we start investing our last penny on the degree (which hopefully will be no more than $5K per year!).
5) My husband is a few years younger than me and have signified willingness to switch careers from IT to healthcare/nursing. Assuming he can do this while still working to support 5 people on his income, do you think having him become the "nurse" will be a better option for us in terms of finding stable and permanent employment in the US?
Thank you! If everything goes well (and this site still exists after 2 years), my first paycheck will be spent showing my appreciation to this site and those of you who have helped me :-)
Quiel
PS: Please give me advise on how to properly post on this site. Should I start a new thread for my follow-up questions (specially if it's been several weeks since I posted my original questions)? Or is it generally preferred that I post at the end of the thread?

Two year ADN is the way for you to go. You will need to be petitioned by an employer after you pass the NCLEX exam. Most community colleges have waiting lists in Southern CA, as well as pre-reqs that need to be done before you can get into any program. Some of those classes can be taken on-line.

Whether the nurse is a male or a female, salaries are the same. It depends if you wish to work or not while he is going to school.

You can start a new thread, if you wish, but if has anything to do with immigration, or related to that, post it in the International Forum, if it specific with Southern Ca schools, post it under the CA forum.