Nursing US with Australian Registration

berrylion · Sep 26, 2009

I suggest you go to cgfns.org, they may have the information you need. I know when I did it (early 90's) I sat for the CGFNS exam in Australia. When I got the results of that I then could sit for the NCLEX. They had a special visa for nurses at that time, but I think that has been discontinued. I also think you can sit for the NCLEX outside of America. You would have to check there website for that.

Goodluck

Susan

dvsbec · Oct 14, 2009

Lana - I am in Australia, and am currently in the process of obtaining my NCLEX. There are some nursing boards that do not require CGFNS - Vermont and California are two that I know of. You can apply through them to get your NCLEX, then transfer to whichever state you want to work in.

I'm not sure about getting a job or visas yet - that will be my next step! I'm considering going through an agency, just to take some of the hassle out of the process.

As for sitting the NCLEX, you can now sit the exam in Sydney - it costs an extra US$150 to sit the exam in a foreign location, but I guess its still cheaper than airfare to anywhere else! Once you have been given your authorisation to test, you have 12 months to sit the exam.

Good luck!

Becky

Silverdragon102, BSN · Oct 14, 2009

Each state has their own requirements and if you plan on working in New York then just follow instructions on CGFNS for CVS as that is required whether initial process or endorsement

You do not need a visa to sit NCLEX as that can now be sat outside the US but you will need to get a visa sorted for working in the US. I presume you will be going the E3 route and you will need to meet requirements

Moved to the International forum

allnurses Guide · Oct 15, 2009

E3 is for specialized professionals (same as H1B, but just for Aussies). You may not qualify with one year's experience.

You cannot apply for any work visa - you must be sponsored by an employer. This won't happen until you have both a local license and Visa Screen Certificate.

Your steps for New York:

1. Apply for CVS credentials evaluation by CGFNS organization. Be warned - they suck. Expensive and useless. This involves sending forms to your school for them to fill in, attach transcripts and return to CGFNS directly.

2. Apply for NYS licensure. I believe you have to take an Infection Control and a Child Abuse module.

3. When approved and you receive ATT, apply at Pearson-Vue website for NCLEX. As far as I recall from a couple years ago, your ATT (from NYS) is valid for 90 DAYS ONLY, even if your Pearson registration is valid for 12 months.

4. Sit exam

5. Get license

6. Find employer to write job offer letter and fill in LCA online

7. When almost ready (6 mo before) to start work, apply for VSC. Only took about 6 weeks for mine. You need it at your visa appointment at the consulate (in theory; noone asked for mine).

8. Apply for and receive visa.

9. Start work.

================

The US job market depends where you are. In various states it's horrendous, where I am it's still okay. Investigate beforehand! I would not tie myself to an agency, but if you do, check the get-out penalty. Many charge $10-40 K to break the contract. If you hate it here and get homesick, that is a lot of cash!

cris7 · Apr 11, 2010

hey lana its great to have found this thread as i am also interested in working in NY. how u goin with the whole process?

anyway, ghilbert r u situated in NY? jus want to know also how long did the process take for you (starting from gettin the licence to working in the US.)

allnurses Guide · Apr 11, 2010

No, I am in PA. Took about 6 months from starting to getting US license. I already had a job offer, so getting visa and starting work was very quick with E3.

cris7 · Apr 11, 2010

tats quick eh... thnx

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 11, 2010

CVS takes approx 6-8 months because CGFNS do all the chasing and they have a 6 month window to get the documents back. If they receive documents sooner then once your file is complete they will forward it to NY BON who will then make their own assessment. They will then give you eligibility to sit NCLEX. Finding employer and then starting the E3 would be next

cris7 · Apr 11, 2010

thnx for that silverdragon... i havent read anything about NYS BON requiring RNs to have completed a course in paeds and obstetric..well i hope this is the case...

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 11, 2010

thnx for that silverdragon... i havent read anything about NYS BON requiring RNs to have completed a course in paeds and obstetric..well i hope this is the case...

Regardless on state RN's in the US are general trained and must have hours both clinically and theory in Paeds, Obstetrics, mental Health and General Adult. If your transcripts do not show these clinical and theory hours expect to have issues

chantelle2010 · Apr 11, 2010

Hi there

Boy am I glad to have found this thread, I too am in the process of tryna move to the US and have been finding the whole process really overwhelming and almost gave up. I guese even more so for me because I am a UK trained nurse and specialised in Psychiatry. Ghillbert, how difficult is it to get mental health jobs in PA? I have family based in PA and that is my first choice, then New York.

Also, does anyone know how many hours exactly are required for the Peads and Obst, because even though I chose the Psychiatry specialisation, I do remember having placements in Peads as well as on the labour ward.

E3...wow, there's a bit of light there, I will have completed my nurse practitioner training end of this year, do you think that will qualify me for the E3?

I have started studying for the NCLEX, DVSBEC, how are you finding the preparation and any tips? I havent done General Nursing for so long and some of the sample questions I am coming across are totally freaking me out. I have been told that one would realistically need 6months study to pass it, is this a realistic estimation.

Thanks guys for all the information.