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contact the BON of where you want to work - and see what they will accept in terms of make up hours. Certain states aren't accepting distance courses from accredited universities. I'm from Australia and was short in both obstetrics and paeds by 20 hours each - and now I'm having to do 2 distance courses (expensive and time consuming and lengthy) to get my hours up. I was told by a nursing agency (geneva health) that i just couldnt go and make up hours I was lacking without doing a full course. Unfortunately i dont think it'l be as easy as joining a class in Florida for 10 hours.. Keep checking the international threads - lots of cases where people have done distant courses to make up hours and have been declined because BON just arent accepting them best of luck

zonnenschijn I feel your pain! I am so frustrated with the whole process I can't understand why they make it sooo difficult to work in another country.. I just did 80 hours mid clinicals, and now I've still got to do paeds as well! paying for both the courses along with a month of leave without pay, along with all the HUGE costs associated visa screens CGFNS forms, NCLEX etc is sending me broke! I am now like you getting stuck into the workbooks, I just need to get them done ASAP because nothing else can be done until I get that academic transcipt! Are you sure you wanna go through an agency rather than finding a hospital where you actually want to go? Which agency are you thinking about going through? I am going in October on a tourist visa and am going to search for places to work then - hopefully a hospital is willing to sponsor me! I'm heading to Colorado - the CO BON require you to go through CGFNS for a full course by course report, and I've been informed that CGFNS accept Otago courses in terms of make up hours, so if your keen on Colorado then you can go there! Check out the CA BON website tho - they should have all the info on international nurses on there. Like you I've been tossing up whether going through all of this is worth it.. But if you really want to work in the US then whats a year (or 2 or 3!? in getting your reg) In the end it will be worth it!! And you'l have it for ever. I know someone and they go over for 2 months of the year and work in the US and then come back to Oz cause they earn good $$$ And they LOVE australian nurses, so i'm sure once all the paper work is done finding a job wont be too hard. I know lots of people are advising against going to the US right now and that there a few jobs around, but I say go for it! there are always means and ways around everything Hang in there and good luck!

Casserooni, I am in the exact same boat as you. I am doing 2 distant courses in paediatrics and obstetrics via Otago Polytechnic school of nursing in New Zealand. I am planning on going to Colorado however have not contacted the BON yet, after reading this I definately would. I DID NOT KNOW that they would not accept some courses. I will be DEVASTATED to say the least if they wont accept these courses that I'm doing through Otago.... I found out about Otago through Geneva Health - I would assume that they are credible and that people have been accepted doing these courses.. I HOPE OMG now I am stressing, i just paid the $1600 and start clinicals on Monday AND have taken a month of leave without pay to do them!!! if anyone has heard of people that have done the courses through Otago and have been accepted PLEASE let me know!

I can't apply to colorado nursing board until I finish the courses in order boost up my hours that I am lacking in right?? At this stage I am not eligible to sit the NCLEX nor apply to NB so I'm stuck until I get these course finished. I know I'm not going get things done by October. I don't think this is going to come through for another year at least! I'm wondering if i could get away with not getting a visa screen... but it's probably better to be safe than sorry Thanks for your replies, really appreciate it!

I haven't applied to the nursing board yet. Is this something I should do ASAP? I have downloaded the forms but haven't filled them out. I'm thinking i'l get an E3 visa or H1/2B. Any suggestions? I'm aware of the 4-6 months for eligibility to sit NCLEX Thanks for the reply

Joanna re: Hello I am a British nurse. Dont mean to sound on a downer about this but we were in the process of emmigrating to America. I passed the nclex exam and fortunately i didnt need to do extra studying for obstetrics etc...I got to the first stage the DIAC which was a total nightmare due to the visa retrogression. In addition the second stage at the National Visacentre was currently dealing with May 2004 applicants therefore not only would you have to wait for the Diac you then have a lenghty wait for the NVC. If you are prepared for the long wait I reckon about 6 years I would look at other options. Why America and do you have any family. Joanna Thanks for your reply, From my understanding I am not eligible to sit the NCLEX until i have enough hours in obstetrics and maternity so therefore i have to do extra study... Pardon my ignorance, but what is DIAC? My boyfriend is a citizen and we want to move and live over there. I've already booked tickets for October 09 and will be doing seasonal work until my nursing reg comes through... If it ever will! 6 years??? Is this true? i'm not prepared to wait that long

Hi all, I'm a nurse from Australia and am undertaking the LOOONNGG process of getting my nursing reg to the states. I'm planning on working in Colorado. I have to do 2 courses to make up hours in paeds and obstetrics, and then i'm planning on applying to Vermont (Q1. Is vermont good to go through?) Also from there I will sit the NCLEX, Q2. it doesn't matter what state I sit the NCLEX in does it? Q 3. I've just come across visa screens and have no clue what this is?? can anyone give me some info? Q4. After I sit the NCLEX, whats the process in order to work in the US? Is all I have to do is find a hospital to sponsor me (or go through an agency?) Is there much paperwork to do after I have sat the NCLEX? Any advice would be appreciated, I'm feeling very overwhelmed!!! Cheers

hi, I'm an australian nurse also needing to do obstetrics and paediatrics in order to make up hours to meet US standards. I am doing it through Otago Polytechnic University in New Zealand via distance education. The bonus of doing it through these guys is that you can do it as quickly as possible (after you enrol they send you the booklet which you fill out and then send back for marking) so if you want to do the courses asap you can do it in as short a time as you like. the only down side is trying to find clinical placement (2 weeks for each subject) - (i'm tring to find places in melbourne however everyone keeps knocking me back because they dont have a legal agreement with the university). hope this is helpful - contact the school of nursing if your interested