Nursing in California - Aussie Nurse - Process

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 5, 2012

Currently you can not apply to CA ( plus a couple of other states) without US SSN which you can not get until in the US with a valid visa. Not sure what experience you have but many US nurses in CA are struggling to find work so may be hard to find a employer. There are a few posts discussing E3 and will post members name later to search for and read what they say. You will need to find a state to apply to and meet requirements for licensure before they will approve to sit NCLEX and once you have met requirements and license issued once in the US you can apply to CA and meet their requirements. Be aware depending on your transcripts you will be required to have both clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult.

ceridwyn · Jun 5, 2012

Mental health is not a problem usually as all nursing degrees in Australia are required to have large amount of mental health in their programs, I did weeks and weeks of the stuff clinically and theory ""çoncurrently''. Its the paeds and obstetrics that our degree does not have as these are considered specialisations, to do after general nursing education. Adult should be no problem, med and surg, mental health, rehab. aged care. Come to think of it mental health is considered a specialisation as well!

To the poster, it will be difficult for you to be considered on par education wise with the Californian RN. Many Australian nurses have had to take on subjects of paeds and midi, (unless you are a midwife and have worked in paeds for a few years) and then you must pass the NCLEX. Jobs apparently are extremely difficult to get there according to the Californian nursing forum, they are difficult to get anywhere in the States.

Celestial2311 · Jun 8, 2012

If using a agent is the only way to come to the USA. What advice would you have using migration employment agents. Things to look for. What I am entitled to, what to bargain for. What to avoid. Any other important stuff. Then again how does it work. Is there a contract for a certian period under which I will have to work for them. What would you suggest if any other alternative? Thanks.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 9, 2012

Using an agent is not the only way. You could do it yourself but I doubt you could bargin for much with current economic state in the US. Depending on visa will depend on contract but if E3 I believe you will be tied to one employer unless you find another employer willing to go route and then you may have to apply for another E3 visa for new employer

NO50FRANNY · Jun 9, 2012

If using a agent is the only way to come to the USA. What advice would you have using migration employment agents. Things to look for. What I am entitled to, what to bargain for. What to avoid. Any other important stuff. Then again how does it work. Is there a contract for a certian period under which I will have to work for them. What would you suggest if any other alternative? Thanks.

I wouldn't go through a recruitment firm if possible and when I made enquiries about a year ago, none of them were taking on Australian nurses because of the GFC and lack of positions. To register as an RN in the States (if you are not a midwife or paeds nurse) you need to do extra study and clinical placements to be given authority to sit the NCLEX exam. Our bachelor's degree does not meet their requirements for paeds/obstetrics in any US state. I have just completed two of the four modules necessary through Deakin Uni's Professional Development Unit in Melbourne externally and they are the only university in OZ that offer the course. I managed two modules in 3 months while working fulltime (2 assignments, 2 exams). The total cost is around $6000. You have to organise your own 80 hour clinical placement for each specialty which is difficult to arrange and I am still trying. Once you complete all this the board of nursing in whichever state gives you "authority to test". Then you sit the NCLEX (in Sydney), hopefully pass, and then after a few months you will have your registration. Bank on everything taking at least a year at bare minimum.

Recently, California changed their rules and decided that after many years, they would no longer accept Deakins' course, however, every other US state does. Interestingly if a New York nurse wants to work in California they have to do further study also. If you want to register in CA, you have to do the study there at around $10,000 I believe. This is the kind of money you owe your recruitment agency if they facilitate your registration. I know of someone who went through a recruitment firm to get registered and due to family issues was unable to go- they billed him $20,000. I am not sure how you would go doing the study and maybe trying to register in a different state and transfer across to CA, I don't think you would get around their requirements somehow. As for the working visa, you need a job first I believe and employers won't be interested unless you are registered. There is an awful lot of legwork involved but like they say, anything that is worth doing.... If you do all this you can register in Canada and 49 states of the US.

grantsally1 · Jun 10, 2012

Hi celestial 2311. I was reading your posts with interest. We are also Aussies and my wife has been through the painful and $$$ route to get her ATT number to take nclex in hawaii soon. We started the process about 18 months back and let me tell you cgfns are a nightmare to deal with. We will be using E3 visa and if she passes nclex obtaining a New Mexico license. My wife has been working as a midwife for 14 years and will be looking at labor and delivery type positions at magnet status hospitals. We are also looking at agencies but realize it is straight forward dealing direct with large hospitals HR departments and will probably not use an agency. I think you may be looking at the hardest state to gain employment in ca. We have toyed with Tx which has many magnet status hospitals and appears to be doing better than other states or nth Carolina. We will be traveling with 3 young kids of school age also and seeing as much as possible of the U.S.

Celestial2311 · Jun 16, 2012

Thanks everyone for your post. Grantsally1. What is unclear here is how to get around to getting a SSN to register for NCLEX. What is the meaning of ATT that u have used. Then also is it possible to contact the hospital directly and will they wait so long for the completion of all formalities before starting employment. SSN or social security numbers are only issued to US citizens or have a work permit. Catch 22 how to get around this. Then again calling hospitals, which department do we call and would they have the time to entertain our calls. Are there any agents here in Australia that do the migration and employment process. Lots on the US side, but googled and could not find employment agencies here.

Celestial2311 · Jun 16, 2012

Hi again,

Is there a migration visa that can be availed from Australia to migrate to the USA for nurses.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 16, 2012

Thanks everyone for your post. Grantsally1. What is unclear here is how to get around to getting a SSN to register for NCLEX. What is the meaning of ATT that u have used. Then also is it possible to contact the hospital directly and will they wait so long for the completion of all formalities before starting employment. SSN or social security numbers are only issued to US citizens or have a work permit. Catch 22 how to get around this. Then again calling hospitals, which department do we call and would they have the time to entertain our calls. Are there any agents here in Australia that do the migration and employment process. Lots on the US side, but googled and could not find employment agencies here.

There is no way to get around the requirement of a US SSN. ATT is something you receive from pearsonvue via the board of nursing that gives you permission to sit NCLEX because you have met their requirements.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jun 16, 2012

Hi again,
Is there a migration visa that can be availed from Australia to migrate to the USA for nurses.

There is the E3 for Australian citizens which allows you to live and work in the US however if immigrant visa is what you are looking for then you come under EB3 which is affected by retrogression, several years wait and not many employers willing to wait that long. As an Australian citizen you have the option of E3 whilst waiting however if that expires or employer no longer wishes to employ you you have to leave whilst waiting for immigrant visa to move up the queue and be issued

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 16, 2012

After you take the NCLEX the license is automatically issued to you; you're done. This is why a ss card is required before taking the NCLEX. I don't know one state that doesn't require the ss card first before taking the NCLEX.