Passed NCLEX today. what is the next step

suzanne4, RN · Jul 29, 2007

Glad to hear that you passed the NCLEX exam. You can go ahead and apply for the VSC now. Send the required form to your BON to have them complete it and they will submit it to ICHP/CGFNS for you. Most of them charge a fee, and that will need to be included.

Right now, we still have the retrogression in place. All that you will be able to get submitted is the I-140, nothing more. There was just a small opening where the I-485 could be submitted, but that requires that the I-140 be submitted by Tuesday. No way that you can get that done as you need written verification from your BON and that always takes about three weeks to get done.

Definitely suggest that you use an attorney, and one that specializes in nurses. Do not try to do it alone, one thing left out and it can be months to get it fixed.

I would focus on getting the I-140 completed at this time, we do not know when they will accept petitions again for the EAD and the AOS. There will be some new visas available in October, but doubt if they will be for the I-485 at all, especially when USCIS was just forced to accept them when there are no visas available. You will not be able to go any further than that at this time.

Best of luck to you.

anfe · Jul 29, 2007

tks Suzanne for your speedy reply to my question.. Appreciate it.

Re the forms. Where do I find the VSC forms that I have to submit to my BON? Can I do it before I recieve my official license. I used the Quick Results option to find out my NCLEX results today, so I don't have my official licence from the BON as yet.

Do Canadian citizens have to use CGFNS as well?

tks

Glad to hear that you passed the NCLEX exam. You can go ahead and apply for the VSC now. Send the required form to your BON to have them complete it and they will submit it to ICHP/CGFNS for you. Most of them charge a fee, and that will need to be included.
Right now, we still have the retrogression in place. All that you will be able to get submitted is the I-140, nothing more. There was just a small opening where the I-485 could be submitted, but that requires that the I-140 be submitted by Tuesday. No way that you can get that done as you need written verification from your BON and that always takes about three weeks to get done.
Definitely suggest that you use an attorney, and one that specializes in nurses. Do not try to do it alone, one thing left out and it can be months to get it fixed.
I would focus on getting the I-140 completed at this time, we do not know when they will accept petitions again for the EAD and the AOS. There will be some new visas available in October, but doubt if they will be for the I-485 at all, especially when USCIS was just forced to accept them when there are no visas available. You will not be able to go any further than that at this time.
Best of luck to you.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 29, 2007

All that desire a visa to work in the US, whether TN Visa for the Canadians which is a treaty visa, or the green card; all must have a Visa Screen Certificate.

The form that needs to be submitted is included with the VSC application and you can find it on www.cgfns.org

At least for you, if there are delays for sometime with the green card, you still are fortunate to have the TN Visa to use if necessary.

You can go ahead and submit the form now to the BON.

RNGrad2006 · Jul 29, 2007

Suzanne or anyone who knows the process
Found out today that I Passed my NCLEX. F1 student graduated in May 06, currently on OPT until Jul 2008.
What is my next step? Do I apply for the VisaScreen cert. now or when I receive my official RN license? After this is done, pls walk me thru the process as it is right now.
After the VisaScreen what is the next logical step? My employer has agreed to sign the green card paperwork as long as I pay for the lawyer. I have not looked up a lawyer as yet.
Can anyone recommend an experienced lawyer, who is well versed in green card applications for RNs. How much do lawyers charge? do I really need a lawyer?
Realistically, Where do things stand with the retrogression?
tks

What country are you from? My lawyer uses a case manager to help with all the paperwork and believe me it is a LONG process it took me months to get it all together. The visascreen also takes several months to get since they have to verify licensure etc... and the CGFNS is not a quick process at all. I was in the US with a US education and it still took about 3 months. I would highly recommend a reputable attorney. If you are originally from the Phillipines the case manager I have been working with is originally from the Philippines (my attorney is American) and many enjoy working with her. She is very resourceful and efficient. The case manager does much of the initial work and then the attorney reviews everything prior to submission to USCIS. I was lucky in that they continued collecting documents and processing even during retrogression in order to be prepared when filing was allowed since it is very hard to predict when that will happen. From what I have heard the cost of the lawyer for the RN is about $10,000 for most RN's. My attorney is very experienced in this so I would highly recommend them. I am fortunate in that I am not required to pay the legal costs for myself, only for my husband and children. PM me if you have specific questions since I have gone through so much paperwork through this process I understand what you are going through now. It is a long journey but definitely worth the effort.

suzanne4, RN · Jul 29, 2007

The case manager that you are referring to is actually a paralegal. Similar to a nursing asst helping a nurse. I prefer neve to use them, but have the attorney do all of the paperwork themselves.

Have seen too many cases come up with issues and delays because the documents were not prepared by the attorney in the first place.

This is my opinion on it, and only recommend that attorneys be used that do the work themselves and not use paralegals. Especially when there is a time limit involved, and if a case is not 100% complete it can be returned.

Bulaklak · Nov 22, 2007

Hi Suzanne,

I need your help...

I'm actually in NYC and i'm studuing to take the NLCEX wuth a F1 visa. I have some questions important for my future life here (or not here...):

- Should I begin the process with the visascreen now even if I don't pass the NCLEX yet and didn't finish the first process with the CGFNS?

-Is it true that hospitals don't sponsor any immigrant nurses since october 2006? What do you think about that? Have I any chance to become a nurse here before 3 years?

-I begin my process with the CGFNS in June 2007, how long does it take to obtain the ATT to take the NCLEX?

I hope to hear you soon, I'm wondering if I stay here to take the NCLEX or If I come back to my country to take this exam...

Thank you very much for your help!:balloons:

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 22, 2007

Hi Suzanne,
I need your help...
I'm actually in NYC and i'm studuing to take the NLCEX wuth a F1 visa. I have some questions important for my future life here (or not here...):
- Should I begin the process with the visascreen now even if I don't pass the NCLEX yet and didn't finish the first process with the CGFNS?
-Is it true that hospitals don't sponsor any immigrant nurses since october 2006? What do you think about that? Have I any chance to become a nurse here before 3 years?
-I begin my process with the CGFNS in June 2007, how long does it take to obtain the ATT to take the NCLEX?
I hope to hear you soon, I'm wondering if I stay here to take the NCLEX or If I come back to my country to take this exam...
Thank you very much for your help!:balloons:

Better to start VSC process once you have passed NCLEX and if needed English exam, VSC application is only valid for 12 months and if there are any delays you will have to pay again.

Retrogression has been in situ since Oct 2006 but you can still look for a petitioner (much better if passed NCLEX) Hard to predict when it will be resolved but will probably be affected due to elections next year. Also may be hard to find employer in NY to petition for GC

If you are going through CVS then you are looking at approx 6-8 months before you get your ATT