jbearmn

I don't know how to start to tell you my story. I'm Japanese and an LPN in Minneapolis, MN. I have my LPN license since 2005, but I've never practiced nursing in MN. The reason is that LPN is not qualified for the working visa in the US. (Even though US is having nurse shortage too.) So, I have been working as a medically trained interpreter. Last October, I had a chance to be an LPN...in Alberta, Canada. I went to the Alberta Health Care Job/Immigration Seminar in Minneapolis. Supposedly, Alberta is having nurse shortage and even LPN is qualified for Canadian Work Permit as long as if you are approved by College of Licensed Practical Nurse of Alberta (CLPNA). I processed my LPN license and I received my LPN license from CLPNA in December 2008 for year 2009. (Now, I have LPN license in 2 countries!) However, looking for an LPN positions in Alberta is very difficult. I applied several Health Regions, but some are not hiring international LPNs at all; some are totally ignoring my resume and copies of my LPN licenses...never respond. Some health system is blaming the current economy condition so that there is no opening for international nurses. And some are giving me totally unreasonable excuses. My question is "Is Alberta is having nurse shortage really?" Why did the provincial immigration personnel came to Minneapolis and had several recruitment seminars then? Now, I'm licensed in 2 different countries, but I cannot practice nursing in both the US and Canada. I feel like I shouldn't become or pursue a nurse. Very disappointed. But, the reality is I'm still looking for an LPN job in Alberta every day.... very pathetic. I would like to get some educational assistant/benefit in order to become RN and Nurse Practitioner once I get a job. So, going back to school is not an option right now. (I really need to work as a nurse.) What should I do now? Otherwise, I feel like useless.

Thank you Suzanne4! The reason I took a 2 year LPN program was my (previous now) immigration attorney's advice. 2.5 years ago, she told me that I can get the H1-B work visa or a permanent residency if I become either an LPN or an RN. I CLEARLY remember that she looked at some immigration law book and told me that I can be qualified for green card. To me honest with you, I lost my job by 9/11. I was an interpreter/translator for a Japanese business consulting company. I had a professional job. After 9/11, my work load got minimized. A friend of mine suggested that I should become a nurse becuase of the nurse shortage here in the US. I thought that that would be a great profession. Plus, my immigration attorney's advice let me got into Nursing. I have done lots of medical interpretation before. I though that the nursing knowledge helps me to be a professional medical interpreter as well. I just wanted to have the better financial situation after struggling to find a full time job. That's why I decided to study Nursing. However, it didn't work. Nothing works in the US! If I decide to move to Canada, I am not looking for an LPN position there since I have a 4 year college degree. However, I would like to know about "bridge program." Is it the same as an RN mobilty program? I went to several community colleges to find out the RN mobility program. The eariest I can finish this mobility program is in June 2007. I could take some pre-requisite classes and most classes are able to be transferred. Maybe, I just need to take less than 30 credits to complete this program. However, as an international student, I have to keep my international student status which I have to take at least 12 credits per semester, meaning that I have to take some extra classes. I don't know if I can afford extra classes...financially. I am not qualified for Finaical aid at all so..... It seems like I told you everything what I have done and what I'm trying to do. At this point, 80% for sure, I want to move to Canada and start over my original career. I mean I'm still interested in Nursing, but I think a profession with my 4 year college degree makes much more than an LPN anyway. Thanks for your advice. I appreciate that you gave me lots of ideas.

Thank you guys! I already used my OPT when I graduated from a 4 year college. My LPN Nursing degree is lower than my education and I already used once. So, OPT is not the option for me. I'm living in Minneapolis. Actually, today, I went to couple community colleges to find out if I can take a Nursing Mobility Program. And I made an appointment with a new immigration attorney tomorrow morning. I hope he can tell something good news. Otherwsie, I am looking at moving to Canada. I feel that there is NO HOPE here is the US. I have a 4 year college degree and I am an LPN and still I cannot find a job!? That's totally ridiculous! Don't you think so???

Thank you for your advice. Do you know exactly when USCIS chaged this regulation? Otherwsie, if you are true, I think I am going to sue my immgration attorney for malpractice. Many foregin nurses are coming from other countries such as Philippines to the US as nurses. They can get the special work visa and they are eligible for the green card....thay are treated SO WELL. And I am the one educated in nursing in the US, graduated from a Nursing School in the US, passed the NCLEX-PN and I am actually an LPN in the US.....I cannot get a job just because LPN is NOT qualified for H1-B!? Is it so funny???..... You said that 2 year RN is qualified for green card, right? How about H1-B? I guess I should look into the 2 year RN program....

Hi! I just graduated from 2 year LPN program in May and passed the NCLEX-PN in July. (this month) I have been looking for a job as LPN, but I have been experiencing difficulty to find a job becuase I am Japanese and I need the H1-B visa support. I had several job offers, but the problem is H1-B visa. Most organizations told me that 2 year LPN or RN are not qualified for H1-B visa since H1-B is for BA/BS. (I have 4 year college degree, not Nursing.)Most organizations support RNs who have 4 year RN degree. This is not just organization's policy. It's regulated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. (Formaly INS) It's been this way for several years. Before I decided to go to the Nursing school, I discussed with my immgration attorney 2.5 years ago. She told me that LPN is qualified for H1-B. Did USCIS change the immigration law for Nurses? I feel like totally busted! I have no idea how I can find a job or what I should do next. I know that I am not planning to go back to RN program right this moment. I rather to work as an LPN and have some nursing experience before I take RN program so.... I was one of the best nusring students when I had clinical at a clinic. They offered me a job before I passed the NCLEX-PN. My classmates found jobs right away and started working as LPN. I'm the only one still looking for a job... I feel terrible now. Any suggestions?