RN4US

I-140 for Schedule A is still at October 2006....it's a long, long wait! https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=NSC

I also suggest that you take all the necessary exams first. Why? Just what the other poster above said, the fundamentals (by the book) knowledge is still fresh in your head. The worst thing that could happen is you gain the "wrong" experience and you began to think that is right. And then, when you start answering the NCLEX exams, you will be confused with what is right and what is wrong. In short, don't get polluted with experience. Pass all the exams while everything you know is by the book.

This is what I know from reading various websites like USCIS, immigration forums, law firms newsletters, etc: For H1 and L1 and their derivatives, their status is called dual-intent status. Dual intent because they are allowed to be on two intentions: non-immigrant and immigrant at the same time. Once they applied for permanent residency (AOS), they are not losing their non-immigrant status (H1 or L1). However, if they applied for EAD and used it, their status becomes "AOS pending". If they applied for AP and used it, their status becomes "Parolee". However, the catch is this: there is no way the USCIS can detect that the EAD is used unless it was audited during the I-9 audit. So there are some who escape this part and be able to renew their H1 or L1 or derivatives. Use of AP is easily detected and therefore, the status as per USCIS record becomes "Parolee". Most of those with H1 Visa do not use EAD while those in H4 uses it because H4 alone is not allowed to work. So most of those in H4 applies for EAD and use it. However, another catch is this: If their espouse maintains the H1B status, he/she can easily have the H4 stamp back in their home country....no questions asked.

I admire your optismistic view and I fully support you on that as I will also benefit just in case a miracle comes up along the way. Let's see what happens..who knows!

It's like taking up nursing course in 6 years. The last two years are all OJTs without pay. More Filipinos are now enrolling in Nursing School and I wonder if there are still some taking up MD. I think the real shortage is not with the nurses but with the doctors. So the best solution, increase the salary of doctors. Forcing them to stay is a short-sighted solution. After 2 years, they will all be gone. And then because it will take too long, fewer students will enroll in Med. School and then after 4 to 8 years, we'll a bigger problems.....NO MORE DOCTORS TO HOLD FOR TWO YEARS!!! They all have gone nursing school or other professions. Increase the salary, not the years of education/service!!!

ei, snowstorm, kindly edit your "Nov. 2007" and "Oct. 2007" in post numbers 31 and 35. I think you are talking about "2006". Whatever, I still cannot understand your point. Are you saying that there must be Schedule A visas available until this moment? That is not possible because Schedule A visas were available until January. 2007....I guess it was exhausted during that period (Dec. to Jan). http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_3100.html And my dear, there were also many plus their dependents who got it through Consular Processing....add that to your equation and there shall be no balance. Do not under-estimate the number of approvals using CP process at that period....we've seen it with our eyes how many nurses were flying to the US with their x-ray results on their hand-carried luggage....

Thanks again. That is exactly my point in this thread. So we cannot expect any immigration bill being passed before election.

Thanks for that answer. Yes, it was done before in 2005. What was holding it being done now except for that July VB thing? Is it only that?

Taking NCLEX-RN in the US is not a valid ground for deportation, planning to work is. Having documents which are not subversive in nature is also not ground for deportation, having "pirated" documents is.

What visa do you really have? Tourist visa is NOT a working visa. You are not allowed to work in the US using a tourist visa. It is illegal to do that.

It looks like this subject is a field no one dare to thread. So you believe there's a "vacuum" that foreign nurses need to fill?

While reading some thread here, I saw that there were several school of thoughts. Some people believe that there's no real shortage of US nurses, there's only shortage of US nurses working as nurse. Some people believe that there's real shortage of US nurses and many nursing jobs left unfilled because of that. Some people believe that there's real real shortage of US nurses because the former nurse have gone to other professions and there's no way of getting them back. What else is there? Where have all nurses gone?

So you think recapture of unused visas for specific use of Schedule A occupations only can stand the heat of politics at this moment (meaning before election)? If yes, state your reasons and evidences.

registered nurses are on schedule a. what is schedule a? here is the official definition from dol: http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/perm.cfm ****quote**** schedule a occupations schedule a is a list of occupations, set forth at 20 cfr 656.15, for which the department has determined there are not sufficient u.s. workers who are able, willing, qualified and available. in addition, schedule a establishes that the employment of aliens in such occupations will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of u.s. workers similarly employed. the occupations listed under schedule a include: physical therapists - who possess all the qualifications necessary to take the physical therapist licensing examination in the state in which they propose to practice physical therapy; and professional nurses - the alien (i) has a commission on graduates in foreign nursing schools (cgfns) certificate, (ii) the alien has passed the national council licensure examination for registered nurses (nclex—rn) exam, or (iii) the alien holds a full and unrestricted (permanent) license to practice nursing in the state of intended employment. sciences or arts (except performing arts) - aliens (except for aliens in the performing arts) of exceptional ability in the sciences or arts including college and university teachers of exceptional ability who have been practicing their science or art during the year prior to application and who intend to practice the same science or art in the united states. for purposes of this group, the term "science or art" means any field of knowledge and/or skill with respect to which colleges and universities commonly offer specialized courses leading to a degree in the knowledge and/or skill. an alien, however, need not have studied at a college or university in order to qualify for the group ii occupation. performing arts - aliens of exceptional ability in the performing arts whose work during the past 12 months did require, and whose intended work in the united states will require, exceptional ability.****end of quote**** i agree that there is misalignment of visa usage (140,000 per year for eb) and the actual need. most of the 140,000 goes to it professionals who are not even in the schedule a list. why is this so? for occupations not on the schedule a list, they have to go through a labor certification process, which nowadays could take just 5 to 6 months to get. are they adding up to the work force? definitely, no! these it professionals already have h1b or l1 visas in the us. they are just asking for permanent residence status. therefore, many of them are already in the us. they are the ones doing the adjustment of status. adjustment of status eats up 80% of the eb visas. only about 20% goes to consular processing. another thing, nurses falls under eb3. one good thing for philippines but not for india and china, there is a per country limit. each country is given about 9,800 eb visas per year. go figure....how many years would it take us to get our visa?

To help you, I am going to give some advice but will not spoon-feed you with information. You have to decide it yourself. You have to ask yourself several questions. 1. What are my immediate objectives (short-term)? What do I really want in life (long-term)? 2. Will going to US, Canada or New Zealand fulfill my short-term objectives? 3. If yes, pursue it but always have a plan B. 4. Will it also fulfill my "wants" in life? 5. If yes, pursue it and be ready to get out of your comfort zone....you have to research...plan....act....! At the end of the day, ask yourself...is it what I really need to live a happy life? If yes, what are you waiting for....live your dreams and be happy!