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Hi, I am a foreign student hoping to get a job as a nurse in a hospital in the US after getting an Associate's degree from a college here in NYC (I'd like to bring my parents here who have it tough where they are right now; this is pretty much the only reason for me not wanting to return home). Does anyone have information on how difficult it would be for a foreign applicant to try to score a job with only an Associate's degree in hand? I initially applied to Columbia's BS/MS program because I assumed it would be easier for me to get the work visa if I graduated w/ an MS. But I didn't get into that program so now am worried that the Associate's would not have a similar guarantee waiting for me once I graduate? Any help or advice would be so extremely appreciated...

Yeah, I thought that calling later in the day today might be a good idea, since they'd have a better sense of things by now... But seems that there was still the possibility of Monday looming! Also, I do recall noticing that last year's applicants received their responses in batches, too, right? So this seems kind of predictable.

To everyone else who's feeling as anxious: Just called and Naveed said that they were looking to send out emails by batches and are hoping to send the biggest batch of responses out by tomorrow, but he also said that if things have to be delayed till Monday, they'll definitely send out an email to let us know that, as well. (Oh, man....here's to hoping that we'll know by tomorrow!!!)

Moving to the NP forum would be hugely helpful, thanks!! I applied to Columbia's ETP program. It seems that people are allowed to work as an RN after the BS has been completed, but doesn't appear to be a mandatory requirement, no.

I knew the difference; was just waiting to hear the particular details of different challenges associated with NP experiences from you. I'm taking it all in (hearing about RN experience as well as NP experience) because I still have the B.S part to go through..so I appreciate hearing how it all works, you know?

Great question! I'm applying to be an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Please describe how the two are completely different worlds??

Thank you both so much for your elaborate descriptions. This was greatly helpful; it was exactly what I was looking for insight on! Totally on-point and really well-explained. Thank you bigtime :)

Thanks so much for the reply. ANAL is great. I can do that; & I prefer to be like that. How emotionally involving is it, though? Also, how much responsibility is in the care of the nurse? For instance, do you have an example of a major procedure that a nurse might have to perform? I am concerned about whether I can handle seeing the pain. I know that going into nursing requires me to become a stronger person but I am just trying to gauge what lies ahead for me in Acute Care which is supposed to be reasonably different from another speciality. (I'm not weak hearted but I tend to over-empathize and this has been my college professors concern when I indicated I wanted to go into nursing -- but I am sure I can learn to manage that and maintain a professional emotional stance.)

Does one need to be particularly hard core for this? I'm new to nursing, applying to BS/MS program; and am choosing Acute Care as my speciality because gerontological isn't available (I hope to be able to switch to that later on -- but that's another question for another post that I've already put up). Any words of advice would be so much appreciate. --

Hey ShipMedia, thanks so much for the advice. I truly appreciate it! I've been wondering about the Associate degree myself and from an outsider's perspective, it all looks the same. But I appreciate your sharing your experiences on the job market scene because I'm a foreign student: after graduating I'll have to seek out jobs that are not only willing to hire me but are willing to hire and *sponsor* me as a foreigner. Again, thanks!! I don't know if I'll get into a BSN program at this point (a lot of deadlines have passed) but I'm certainly going to try..

Hi all, I have a question: does it make sense to do the Associate degree (e.g. from BMCC) before applying to a fast track BS/MS like Columbia's ETP? I have a Masters degree in Humanities but I have to complete pre-req's for any fast-track program. Here's the problem though: since I'm an foreign student, I can't stay in the country to do pre-req courses. I need to be properly enrolled in a degree program to get to stay here. So I'm thinking of just starting the Associate degree at BMCC which doesn't require me to take any additional courses. And THEN applying to the ETP. However, does that sound stupid? I have no real knowledge on how nursing works (I'm a mere baby on this but am trying hard to learn). I know that a MS would beat an Associate degree in any other job market, but does this hold true for nursing? Many many thanks in advance if someone could give me some info on this. Warm wishes.

Hi, I'm very new to this but was under the impression that I could do my pre-reqs before school started next year, and not before I applied to nursing schools. It seems to depend on the schools? I'm obviously a noob here but am interested in applying to nursing school for next fall/summer. I've only volunteered once in a hospital (because I come from a country where volunteering isn't that easy to do for women). Also, I have a background in human rights work and have a 3.83 GPA in English Literature. I feel like all signs point to me not getting into the program I'd like to get into (Columubia ETP) because of the lack of real experience in a hospital, but could I try anyways, do you think? Thanks so much in advance!! :) A-