I am a new graduate. It took me 6 months to find RN job. Now I'm working in a nursing home here in bay area. I get paid $32/hr. Hospitals' hiring freeze is still on going. I tried applying to prison, but I didn't get the position. I just have to thankful I got this job.
I thought LPN and RN are pretty much the same. I just realize now that those programs have different procedures before being able to work. I heard from some friends that if you have a visa (doesn't have to be a working visa) as long as you're BSN graduate from foreign countries you can take the board exam. Then once you pass it I think the hospital or something will petition you. I'm not sure if that's true just hear sayings though...