NY state NCLEX...need SSN?

MikeyJ, RN · Nov 25, 2008

With any state board of nursing, you typically need to do finger printing, go through a background check, and be able to prove you are a U.S. resident or citizen.

allnurses Guide · Nov 25, 2008

MikeyJ, that's just absolutely wrong. Plus it doesn't answer the question.

Some states require fingerprints in order to do FBI/background checks. However none of them require fingerprints as proof of citizenship. Indeed, SBONs even license non-immigrants such as myself. I am not a USC or permanent resident. I am here on a legal working visa, with a valid SSN though.

OP, I haven't heard that. Your best bet would be calling the NY board and asking, or checking their website. I'm pretty sure they'd update with that info if it was true.

charmbee · Nov 25, 2008

can anyone suggest how to get through this? do they accept working paper or student visa?

charmbee · Nov 25, 2008

thanks you! but just out of curiousity were they able to release your license (if you did take the exam) with a valid working visa? if so does your status change once you start working for a hospital?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 25, 2008

NY can change their requirements and require SSN before they will issue a license buy I doubt they will stop foreign nurses applying. The NYBON should be up to date on current requirements

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 25, 2008

Although I did my initial application a few years ago with NY they did issue me a hard license and I lived in the UK. Az used to issue license to foreign nurses but now they require proof before they will issue but are not stopping foreign nurses applying for licensure and sitting NCLEX

charmbee · Nov 25, 2008

ok so I called the NY state board of Nursing - and just to clear all this misconception up, they still let students WITHOUT SSN# take the exam BUT they will hold onto your license until you get your situation fixed...Im currently in the state of NY and was devastated when I heard they weren't even letting students without SSN take the exam, California is the state that is doing it NOT NY according to the lady i spoke to.

so is there a way I can get a hospital to release my license after taking the exam?? bc I know there are hospitals petitioning nurses etc.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 25, 2008

For a start Ca will allow foreign nurses to apply for licensure just will not issue a licensure without a SSN and will destroy file after 3 years unless you apply to another state and move results across.

If you are looking for a petitioner then you are going to have problems. We haven't heard of many hospitals in NY petitioning foreign nurses for a while and even had nurses struggle for OPT in NY and had to move state. Also unless you have a valid work visa then you can not adjust to a working visa due to retrogression.

charmbee · Nov 25, 2008

retrogression? sorry for being not up to date but what is it?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 25, 2008

retrogression? sorry for being not up to date but what is it?

Since Oct 06 the US has been in retrogression with No visas. Current visa processing time is Jan 05 although if from India and China will be longer (2001) Can not adjust visa to stay and work. Much written on here already have a read

suzanne4, RN · Nov 26, 2008

It does not matter if they will not issue a license with or without a SSN#, the problem is that one cannot work without a valid visa to do so. And with the retrogression that has been in place for over two years, this is something that you should have been told about by your international advisor.

You may be able to qualify for the OPT; but then there are no visas for you to be able to obtain for you to work afterwards.

Suggest that you take the time to do some reading on this site for information that you truly need to have.