I have a friend who applied to Ca BON in 2005 and passed NCLEX. Because of retrogression she has been unable to provide a SSN to get her license. She just got her GC (after 6 years!!) and is coming...
Unless you have had your interview at the embassy you will not be eligible for a visa if your priority date is after Jan. 2002. Paying the visa fee means nothing at this point. I'm sorry,