Quickest Way for Getting Things Done and Licensed in US

[suzanne4]

As most of you know, I have been recommending initial licensure in NY for quite some time. And for those of you that did not heed the warning, you now know why.

New York is three easy applications only, next you take the NCLEX exam, then you get a hard license and can endorse to almost any state afterwards. Because of the requirements of the Special Credentials Verification for New York, you do not have to do any of the running around to obtain your documents. CGFNS will obtain them for you....after you sign the release and send them the money.

NY also requires two short classes that can be done on-line, one on Child Abuse, and the other on Infection. Both are available for about $15 each and take only one hour or so.

NY BON application can be found at http://www.op.nyed.gov. You only need to submit "Form 1."

The Special Credentials Verification can be found at http://www.CGFNS.org, as well as the Visa Screen Application.

Once you have received documentation from NY that your credentials have been received and approved, submit payment to Pearson-Vue for the NCLEX exam. http://www.perasonvue.com. They are the ones that will actually send you the ATT letter, upon approval of the Board of Nursing. Be aware that this ATT (authorization to test) is only good for ninety (90) days. You will have onlt that amount of time to get the exam done in, otherwise you will lose your payment and have to start again.

Hope that this helps................ :balloons:

Most importantly, NY will issue you the license without a Social Security Number.

[chlyxenne]

Do you know when will you actually be given the green card and leave for the US? You should confirm this 1st. If your sure your going to get it and go to the US as a green card holder in less than 6 mos. then maybe that is the best route but if it's more than 6 mos. then applying from here would be best.

I also agree with Suzanne about applying in Vermont then endorsing to CA.

CA and Vermont will evaluate your transcripts w/o going thru any services of CGFNS but Vermont will be faster since there are more applicants being processed for CA plus the fact that you'll get your license # right away unlike in CA where they won't give you your license # unless you already have a SSN.

Best of luck. :wink2:

the instruction packet is already on its way, so we're expecting probably within the first quarter of next year, il have the interview... i dont know how long before i get hold of a green card though.. we're still waiting for my medical & interview dates. that's why we decided that i start applying for nclex now so that by the time i get to cali, i wont have to wait that long anymore (if everything goes just as expected)..

anyway, il hold my application for a while and decide if i should take vermont instead.

big thanks for the suggestions. :)

if u have other things in mind that might help me in my case, id be more than glad to know. thanks & good luck to all! :)

[lawrence01]

Suzanne, do you know what's the ave. processing time for Vermont compared to CA's 4-6 months? Thanks. :wink2:

[suzanne4, RN]

Processing time is much faster, but in her case she doesn't have any immigration issues to deal with. If immigration is needed, and the VSC is required, then you really aren't saving that much time, espeically isnce you will need to endorse afterwards.

I recommend Vermont only when the nurse already has a green card, or will be getting a spousal one. For anyone else, as per what I keep writing. I still do not recommend CA for initial licensure, even for a foreign grad, even one with a green card, as they still have to go thru the credentials evaluation that CA does on their own. Time wise it is not any faster if you have a green card, or even a US Passport, if you graduated from nursing school overseas, you still have to go thru their process.

[chlyxenne]

Processing time is much faster, but in her case she doesn't have any immigration issues to deal with. If immigration is needed, and the VSC is required, then you really aren't saving that much time, espeically isnce you will need to endorse afterwards.

I recommend Vermont only when the nurse already has a green card, or will be getting a spousal one. For anyone else, as per what I keep writing. I still do not recommend CA for initial licensure, even for a foreign grad, even one with a green card, as they still have to go thru the credentials evaluation that CA does on their own. Time wise it is not any faster if you have a green card, or even a US Passport, if you graduated from nursing school overseas, you still have to go thru their process.

ok, im finally looking at vermont... but quick question: what if my credentials have already been sent to california? do i have to send another set to vermont? or i have no choice but to go on with cali?

[suzanne4, RN]

If you hav enot submitted an application and paid the fee, you are free to change.

California BRN has nothing to do with Vermont's BON, so you would need to have the documents sent to them. Our Boards of Nursing are not inter-related when it comes to applying for licensure of a foreign trained nurse.

[chlyxenne]

If you hav enot submitted an application and paid the fee, you are free to change.

California BRN has nothing to do with Vermont's BON, so you would need to have the documents sent to them. Our Boards of Nursing are not inter-related when it comes to applying for licensure of a foreign trained nurse.

well, such a relief!! thanks for the info!

--btw, wont i get into trouble if i apply to both (or in any 2 states for that matter) at the same time?

[suzanne4, RN]

If you haven't sent in the application and paid the fee, then you have not applied to CA. Simple as that.

[chlyxenne]

If you haven't sent in the application and paid the fee, then you have not applied to CA. Simple as that.

oh ok... im guessing the application has to be sent prior to the crdentials.. hmmm guess iv gotten some wrong info there.. thanks suzanne! things have pretty much went topsyturvy inside my head :chuckle

[muturi]

Just to echo many in thanking Suzanne.You will never know what a jewel you are.I needed to hear your opinion on my situation.Am a Kenyan nurse nursing in Britain these last 3 yrs.I passed my cgfns and also possess an nclex pass letter from california dated july 2004. One and a half yrs after my passing nclex and i have not achieved my dream of nursing in the u.s. Do you know of any way i can substitute my california passletter into a full licence with any other state? I also think my so called agent is one of those crap groups whose hallmark is dragging their feet. How easy and/or sensible would it be for me to change representation? I need help pleeease:redlight:

[suzanne4, RN]

All you need to do is get a job offer, where ever you wish in the US, once your petition has been taken care of and you finally have your green card or permission to work in the US, you will get your SSN# and then can just endorse to the other state, sincer you already have passed the CGFNS exam.

You cannot endorse to another state since you do not hold a US license as of yet.

Where do you wish to work?

I definitely suggest that you leave who ever you are working with? Bu thave you signed a contract with them already where you will be penalized?

[higas]

Hi Suzanne,

I'm an EMT-B working on an I, but would like to become a nurse. Does your advice to get the license in NY still apply, or is that after I have to take a bunch of other classes. I hold a B.S. degree in Health Administration.

Thanks

[suzanne4, RN]

Are you actually nurse, not sure what you are asking? Are you an American citizen? If you are an American, you can apply to any state for licensure, this is directed towards foreign-trained nurses.

You are unable to apply for licensure as a nurse unless you have completed an approved nursing program.