Recent Nursing Graduate in Portugal working in California (Brazilian Citizen)

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Hello everyone!

I am new to the site, and I was hoping experienced nurses can give me some advice. I am trying to take the NCLEX-RN in Europe, I wrote the examination company and am awaiting their response to find out where they hold exams. Before I apply to sit in for the exam, I would like to know what my chances are.

I would like to work in California, and was hoping to see what the reality of obtaining a work visa as a Brazilian student that recently graduated university.

Cheers!

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Realistically you don't really have much of a chance. You do not apply to sit the exam. You apply for licensure in the state you want to work in and you have to meet their requirements before you will be allowed to write the exam. Going the Green Card route would mean finding an employer willing to wait the 6+ years it will take.The job market is not very good and they will hire a citizen instead of someone who will not be able to work for years.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Have you started the process with a state? You can not sit NCLEX without meeting state requirements and given permission to sit NCLEX. If you look on pearsonvue website you should be able to see where in the EU you can sit the exam. Be aware that CA will not accept application without a US SSN and that you will not get until in the US with a valid work/immigrant visa

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No I have not started the process yet, although I am looking at the reality of California. Is the term of obtaining the work visa, 6+ years for Brazilians as well? I would have a much easier time finding work in the UK, but my boyfriend is moving back to California and I am investigating whether working there is a reality. I planned on going to the UK after I graduate but if there is a plausible way to do it...I will try it.

Thank you for the responses!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Work visa is different to immigrant visa. Work visa (H1b) requires job to be BSN and employer files in April with October start, some facilities are not affected by cap and can be filed straight away but you can not start work until the H1b is issued. With immigrant visa it depends on place of birth to how long it takes to get the visa. Check out US visa bulletin for current dates, most nurses come under EB3.

The UK the NMC requires minimum of 12 months full time experience before registering and going through the process to work as a RN. Then you have to find a sponser for work permit if not from the EU or UK

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Also, I am reading on the Visa website regarding the EB3:

"


    • You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent, and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation

    • You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States

    • Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree
      "

      with the current state of employment and job positions, is it correct to assume that qualified workers ARE available? Perhaps they will overlook it, and is this the visa that takes 6 years that loriangel mentioned, or is this one much quicker?


Have you started the process with a state? You can not sit NCLEX without meeting state requirements and given permission to sit NCLEX. If you look on pearsonvue website you should be able to see where in the EU you can sit the exam. Be aware that CA will not accept application without a US SSN and that you will not get until in the US with a valid work/immigrant visa

You mean CA will not accept an application for a nursing job, or rather an application to sit in for the exam?

Thanks

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Also I am reading on the Visa website regarding the EB3: " [*'] [*]You must be able to demonstrate that you possess a U.S. baccalaureate degree or foreign degree equivalent, and that a baccalaureate degree is the normal requirement for entry into the occupation [*]You must be performing work for which qualified workers are not available in the United States [*]Education and experience may not be substituted for a baccalaureate degree " with the current state of employment and job positions, is it correct to assume that qualified workers ARE available? Perhaps they will overlook it, and is this the visa that takes 6 years that loriangel mentioned, or is this one much quicker?

USCIS will NOT look the other way if it is shown that qualified US applicants are available for a specific job. My aunt's non-healthcare company wanted to outsource a department overseas. They wanted to eliminate US jobs to send them overseas. The USCIS categorically denied the visas for the workers to come to the US to train with current workers and also denied the temporary visas for management trainees as there were qualified US applicants.

You can find current wait find for visas on the US immigration website , it's based on country of birth/citizenship. Some visas have a 12-15 year backlog.

You mean CA will not accept an application for a nursing job, or rather an application to sit in for the exam? Thanks

If you submit an application for nursing license by examination or endorsement to CA BRN without a valid social security number your application will be automatically denied with out refund of fees paid

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