NP program in California on a H4 Visa (with an active RN license from Vermont BON)

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Hi everybody,

I have given my NCLEX exam for Vermont state when I was in India and passed it on my first attempt. I have an active license from Vermont BON. I came to US on H-4 Visa and now I am in Los Angles, California. I want to start Nursing practitioner program in any nearby university. I tried to look around but most of the universities want California RN license for admission. Could anybody please suggest me some universities in LA or surroundings where I can get admission on the basis of my Vermont License. Since I am on H4 and I cannot work and get SSN, endorsement of RN licence to CA is not an option for me. I would appreciate your help. Thanks in advance.

Mandeep

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

If your plan is to attend a program in CA, you MUST be licensed as an RN in CA. Part of NP training is the clinical component which requires that you possess a valid RN license in the state where your clinical rotations are spent. Also be aware that H4 Visa may not allow you to attend university in the US. As a foreign national without legal residence status, you will be required to have a student visa.

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If your plan is to attend a program in CA, you MUST be licensed as an RN in CA. Part of NP training is the clinical component which requires that you possess a valid RN license in the state where your clinical rotations are spent. Also be aware that H4 Visa may not allow you to attend university in the US. As a foreign national without legal residence status, you will be required to have a student visa.

Thanks for your reply. I think conversion of H4 to F1 (Studend Visa) should not be a problem provided I have admission in a school. Can I get admission on the basis of my Vermont License and then endorse it to CA before starting of the clinical rotations?? For License endorsement, I need SSN which I can only get if I work on campus after getting admission. I am looking for some university which needs license from any state for admission. Thanks again.

Mandeep

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

You'll have to discuss that with the schools you're interested in. They may admit you with a Vermont license and have you register for non-clinical courses first. Those courses do not require an active license in-state. They may say that the admission to the program will be contingent on the fact that you would already have a CA license before you start the clinical courses. It's worth a try I think.

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You'll have to discuss that with the schools you're interested in. They may admit you with a Vermont license and have you register for non-clinical courses first. Those courses do not require an active license in-state. They may say that the admission to the program will be contingent on the fact that you would already have a CA license before you start the clinical courses. It's worth a try I think.

Thanks for your advise.

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Specializes in CTICU.

Yes every NP program requires you to have a local license so that you can do your clinicals in that state. Agree that it's worth asking about being admitted to non clinical courses though. You can study on an H4 but you can't get a SSN so for that reason F1 would be best.

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Specializes in ICU, LTACH, Internal Medicine.

With H4 only, you cannot legally work on any position. Conversion to F1 will require you to come back in your home country for at least few months and give very limited work opportunities. After you graduate, you'll have to change your status to "working immigrant", and I'm not actually sure that NP positions offering H1 or J1 visas really exist.

You have to find a good immigration lawyer familiar with situation in the state(s) where you're going to study and practice. Be VERY careful and avoid making any decisions based on what university advisers may say, as they can let you study knowing well ahead that having licence and having right to work are two completely separate things.

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Specializes in CTICU.

You do not need to leave to switch to F1, you can change visa categories in-country.

NP jobs are eligible for EB2 green card visas also because they require a masters degree as a minimum requirement. I know this because I am in the process of getting one right now.

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Hi Mandeep 4

I know that u had posted this in 2012. i just want to know whether u had any luck in joining for NP program. I wil soon be in a similar situation.I am coming to US on a H4 visa and very much interested in doing NP in family practice. I passed NCLEX RN in oct 2006 and is licensed with new mexico board of nursing. Kindly let me know if u could join for NP.Thank u in advance

Anna

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