Nursing in US Saga Continues - Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

[somewheresunny]

Greetings. I'm a new member here but had been a lurker for ages. Just to give you a bit of info. I'm a BSc in Nursing graduate with UK license for 15 years and specialises in intensive care nursing.

As the username implies, I prefer to live somewhere warmer and drier most of the years. In as much as I love nursing here I'm becoming more interested in working in the US. Florida is the only place I'd been in the US on holidays. To be honest, Australia, NZ nor Canada doesn't pull me.

I understand that there is retrogression and that the current visa bulletin is only dealing with priority dates of May 2006. That is, if the employer who sponsored the applicant has not decided to withdraw as is the case with some applicants. These stories are evident in some forums I've read.

I had been thinking about this for years and years but the furthest I had done was wto print out an application form from one of the BON. I understand that it's a long wait and it may "quite possibly" not happen. But if by any slim chance the opportunity arises again, I'll never be able to partake if I don't get the ball rolling. Despite the recent global recession which affected the UK, I'm still currently employed and I'm quite happy to wait if this may mean waiting upto 10 years. If near the time, the likelihood of getting a visa is less than nil then I may possiby consider Australia. (No offence intended to Australia)

I was about to start sorting everything out only to find out that Vermont now requires SSN (social security number), in what potentially may be rolled out to the very limited number of State BON that does not require SSN at present time.

1. I understand that New York does not require one to possess an SSN. Once you passed the NCLEX, what will happen when New York will require an SSn in the near future as in the case of previous international applicants who passed NCLEX through Vermont BON? Will your NCLEX be disregarded etc....?

2. I understand it's a tedious process and I will need to avail of one of the CGFNS service dependent to which state BON, any opinion as to which of the limited State BON's would be the easiest route? I understand, the final place of licensing will rely entirely on which state will require nurses in the future.

3. I'm a ware that a few years back, visas that were released where all employment based immigrant EB3 visas. Although the chance of it being ammended is highly likely, is EB2 completely out of the story given my current standing? Unfortunately, I don't possess an MSc degree.

There's so much to talk about. Apologies for such a long winded post. Have a lovely day.

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

1. States that changed rules and started requiring SSN will typically keep NCLEX results active for a period of time to allow you to transfer the result to another state. They do purge results after a period of time to clean their database. If you were issued a license, you get to keep the license but may be unable to renew if the state all of a sudden changed their rules and started requiring SSN.

2. CGFNS has a state to state table of requirements here. However the table does not say which states require SSN.

3. Even with your years of experience, it's going to be hard to justify "exceptional ability" via an EB2 Visa without an advanced degree (master's or higher). You may have luck with H1B Visa if (1) you find a hospital willing to hire you and sponsor the visa and (2) only a nurse with BSN or equivalent are hired in the hospital's ICU's (which is very unlikely for you to come across).