passed the NCLEX, now what?

purplemania, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2004

I can't believe you have gotten this far without knowing the answers to those questions. I would call (or visit) the Board of Nursing for New Mexico. Ask about an attorney to help you get thru the process. They may have names, although I doubt they are able to "recommend". Otherwise, you will need to contact an attorney's office in your area, or go to a librarian, and learn how to find a lawyer specific to your problem. Wish I had more advice. But good luck. You have come a long way already!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 10, 2004

Okay, I am totally clueless. I just passed the NCLEX in the state of New Mexico. I did not take CGFNS. I have a multiple tourist visa which allowed me to take the NCLEX in the US. Now I'm lost. I'm going to take IELTS for the Visa Screen Certificate, but I have not yet processed my application for that. Should I do that even if I haven't heard back from the board of nursing? (I found out that I passed through quick result online). How long would it take to recieve the visa screen? I am a Hong Kong resident but I finished my BSN degree in the Philippines. If I opt for permanent visa, how long would it take before I can start working in the US? I heard that H1C visa is the fastest way to get there. I tried researching about it, but I can not find out how I can get the hospital to sponsor me. Also, I am aware that the fiscal year starts on Oct 1. Does that mean I should not process my papers before then? I am totally confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated. As much as possible, I do not wish to go through an agency, but all these questions in my mind are tempting me to. Thanks a bunch in advance. God bless y'all!

Before you can do anything else, and before you should do anything else. You must sit for the set fo English exams and pass them. You also need to apply for a Visa Screen Certificate as soon as possible. It will take you about 4 months to receive the Certificate once you pass your English exams.

Since you have a tourist visa, you can actually go to the US and look for a position and get sponsored. Once a petition is submitted for you, you can begin work 90 days later, since you will be filing for a change of status.

The temporary visas are totally useless, very few decent facilities are even using them when theyare available. The fastest way for you is to get hired while you are in the US, or when you can go back over. And just have a change of status submitted. It will take you about 18 months minimum to receive your green card, once you have your Visa Screen Certificate in hand. This must be submitted with the change in status paperwork if you are foing things in the US. Until you have the Visa Screen Certificate in hand, there is nothing that an immigration lawyer can do to speed things up for you. You are one of the lucky ones that does have a tourist visa, you just have to follow the proper channels.

Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions......... :balloons:

NYrnTX · Aug 10, 2004

Suzanne,

Does that mean that someone who does not have VisaScreen Certificate cannot apply for I-140 (Petition) and I-485 (Adjustment) together ?

suzanne4, RN · Aug 10, 2004

If you are in the US, and applying for a change in status from the US, you must have a copy of the Visa Screen Certificate attached. If you are overseas, then you just need a to show the US Embassy your copy when you go for your interview.

You get the EAD due to the "Change in Status" petition, not from the I-140.

pink-coated apple · Aug 10, 2004

Thanks very much, purplemania and suzanne4! :)

My parents do not recommend going there as a tourist and filing an adjusment of status because 1, I run the risk of having it denied because I entered the US under false pretense, and 2, I would be waiting for (at the very least) 3 months as a tourist. That would mean I won't be allowed to work. Where can I get the money to support myself, then?

I've a question regarding my license. I never knew that some state will not give foreign NCLEX passers their lisence unless they get an SS number. I don't know if New Mexico is one of those states (Most certainly hope not). I tried researching about it, and I tried calling the BON but I can never get hold of them. Does anyone know if New Mexico would give foreign nurses their license after passing NCLEX even if the said nurse does not have a social security number?

Thanks again!!!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 10, 2004

If you see your name under New Mexico's BON website, then they have issued you your license. It will say directly on their website if they require you to have a SSN in order to issue you the license. California requires one but NY doesn't. It doesn't matter whether or not you have a SSN at this point, it will get issued to you in time before you begin work. You do not need one before, as you are not working in the US and have no need to apy taxes there.

If you haven't completed the English exams or applied for the Visa Screen Certificate yet, you are looking at about two years before you will be working in the US. Your choice whether you wait that long or wait 90 days for an EAD.

pink-coated apple · Aug 10, 2004

Thank you very much! You have been a big help. I guess this is going to be a really tough decision. I'll be praying real hard about this. One last question, if I do opt to wait for the immigrant visa, does it mean I better start looking for an employer as soon as possible? I know it would be better to do everything yourself instead of going through an agency, but it seems like it's very troublesome though. Or am I just feeling that way coz I don't know exactly what to do? Hehe. Would it be advisable to go through an agency, to save me the trouble? Thanks again!!! Sorry for the stupid sounding questions! God bless you richly!!!

suzanne4, RN · Aug 10, 2004

You can not begin the process for the petition for immigration until you have an employer. The employer submits the petition, not you.

Your choice but it will take you much longer if you go with an agency and not as a direct hire. They only do one application at a time, wait until they get results from that, and then go to the next step. You can get things done much faster if you do them yourself.

Please let me know if you have any more questions.............. :balloons:

alumbi · Nov 23, 2004

:stone Hello Suzanne,

i appreciate your help.so you are saying that i will not be able to file I-40 or 485 or EAD (i never get with out a sponsor) with out a visa screen certificate in my hand ,is that right?

suzanne4, RN · Nov 25, 2004

:stone Hello Suzanne,
i appreciate your help.so you are saying that i will not be able to file I-40 or 485 or EAD (i never get with out a sponsor) with out a visa screen certificate in my hand ,is that right?

If you are already in the US, and are filing a change of status, then you must have a copy of the Visa Screen Certificate to be submitted with the papers.

Once the papers are submitted, you will be issued an EAD in ninety days which permits you to work, so it is quite important that you have that document. If you arebeing petitioned from outside the US, then the Visa Screen Certificate is only needed when you go for your interview at the US Embassy. It gives you alot more time to get it...............

Hope that this helps.................remember that it can take about four months on average to receive the Visa Screen Certificate.

NYrnTX · Nov 25, 2004

This is a myth floating around these forums that VisaScreen is required to file Adjustment of Status (I485) for Nurses who are already in US. It is NOT TRUE.

In other words, VIsa Screen is NOT REQUIRED to file I 485 petition. Ofcourse, it is better to have the VisaScreen ready while you submit your papers but it is NOT REQUIRED at this stage. You will get your EAD if you submit I485 WITH or WITHOUT Visa screen, provided ALL your other documents are legal and legitimate. As a qualified RN your first priority is to get your EAD and start working. You just dont have time to wait for the MERCY of CGFNS (4 months...1 year...who knows what CGFNS is doing ) to get your visa screen.

The only disavantage of this approach is you will get an RFE from your service center asking for Visa Screen WHEN THEY START processing your petition. This will be after 6-15 months after you file your papers. This RFE may delay your entire GC process for aprox 4 months. But who cares? Since you are working on your EAD you can afford another 4 months of delay. (ALERT : If you dont have a Visa Screen WHEN they request it in RFE, you are in DANGER. They will reject your I485 and automatically cancels your EAD).

If you dont have VisaScreen READY, Your first aim should be (find an employer) to file I140/I485 together and get EAD within 2 - 3 months and start working. Once it is done, waste no time BUT try hard for your English Tests and get your Visa Screen. CGFNS allows you to apply for VisaScreen well before completing English tests. Apply for it ASAP so that CGFNS can collect documents from your nursing school, validate it and make it ready for review IMMEDIATELY you submit your English scores.

Another Myth (about NCLEX exam) floating around here is that, you will receive your ATT from the Board of nursing. It is NOT true. you receive your ATT from PEARSONVUE only. The BON makes you eligible to sit for NCLEX and they inform PearsonVue about it. BON dont even inform you at all. Then PearsonVue will sent you the ATT.

If you are already in the US, and are filing a change of status, then you must have a copy of the Visa Screen Certificate to be submitted with the papers.
Once the papers are submitted, you will be issued an EAD in ninety days which permits you to work, so it is quite important that you have that document. If you arebeing petitioned from outside the US, then the Visa Screen Certificate is only needed when you go for your interview at the US Embassy. It gives you alot more time to get it...............
Hope that this helps.................remember that it can take about four months on average to receive the Visa Screen Certificate.