Recruitment of international students who studied nursing in the US

Soy · Oct 16, 2003

sorry about the double posting. didn't realize it would appear twice. oops

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Oct 16, 2003

Don't know how to advise you, Soy, but wanted to welcome you to the BB at Allnurses !

I would think that if you graduate here in the US and pass the NCLEX, then it shouldn't be much of a problem other than the visa status, but I really don't know. I'm confident that someone here will pipe up soon, and be able to provide you with some helpful info !

Soy · Oct 16, 2003

thank you for the warm welcome.

this is really a great forum!

Azdream'nRN · Oct 22, 2003

Dear Soy,

I do know something about it. I am a nurse-paralegal and try my best to keep up with current immigration law. If you go to one of those international nursing agencies, you will just be sucked for a lot of money, you will have to sign contracts and pay over a large portion of your precious earned cash to them for their "fee." It's a RIP OFF, in return for a promise for your green card. The lawyers fees will eat you alive.

If you are already in nursing school on a student visa, you are at a GREAT ADVANTAGE because you have your foot in the door, meaning, you are already in the USA! :)

The BEST thing for you to do is to go and talk to some RN recruiters at various hospitals in the Bay area and explain your situation. They like to hire immigrant RN's WITHOUT AN AGENCYS INTERVENTION and can sponsor you too. They can consider hiring you upon graduation and you can work for them for maybe 2-3 years and they should sponsor you for your green card.

If you get an offer from an employer that only offers a work visa instead of your green card, then keep looking, a mere work visa is nothing permanent in the USA. If they want you to work for them for 5 years before you are able to receive green card sponsorship, then forget that too, it's too long to wait as our immigration laws are changing and God knows if you even like the place that hires you to stay there for that long.

Hospitals are starting to send their own recruiters to Asian countries, bypassing these agencies to bring nurses in, however, it takes a long time for them to do this and you would have to pass the CGFNS exam if you graduated from a nursing school overseas.

If I were you, I would not leave the USA for a visit to your home country even on a student visa before you finish school, because the United States is not letting people come back in drastic numbers even though your student visa says you can come back in. You are taking a risk of losing everything you put in, like however many years you spent in school plus the money. They are really only targeting people from Asian and muslims countries at this time. Often times you can be on the plane headed back from your country and denied entry at the airport for any small reason. I have heard of many, many horror stories because the current presidential adminstration has changed our immigration system. So, becareful. I hope you will not have to return home anytime soon for any reason. If you don't believe me, just check out the legal site at http://www.ilw.com and read the bulletins for yourself.

Soy · Oct 22, 2003

Dear Azdream'nRN,

Thank you so very much for the advice. I do know how much more difficult it has become for international students.

It's also very reassuring to know that hospitals are willing to sponsor. It's a tricky position for international students when it comes to seeking employment because we get conflicting messages all the time as to how to bring up the subject of sponsorship. Some people say we shouldn't say anything about our visa situation until we're offered a position, others think say we should just come right out and make that clear. I've had people tell me they've tried both (in other fields) to no avail. I know nursing's different and now I know I can approach hospitals honestly without feeling like I have to hide anything.

So thank you again!

-Soy

Azdream'nRN · Oct 22, 2003

Dear Soy,

Just bear in mind that you let them know what you need and where you legally stand and that you desire green card sponsorship. I know countless individuals who have gotten employment in nursing and their green cards as well within 2 to 3 years. They will tell you how long the whole process will take in their area of the country from start to finish.

Some of these immigrant nurses have come to the USA for short visits only, on a visitors visa, to go to Disneyland for instance and have taken the NCLEX exams while they are here. They are careful not to tell the immigration folks (officers) at the airport that they are intending immigrants, that is to say, that they only say they are here only to go to Disneyland, or they would be denied entry into the USA after all the time and money they spent on air tickets and an a visa.

Then they apply for jobs and tell the nurse recruiters they are looking for sponsorship and usually get replies like, what areas of the hospital are you interested in working in, what shifts, can you do nights??? And when can you start, etc. You will most likely be put on nights or evening shifts.

The nursing administrator will link you up with the immigration attorney that works with the hospital and they will either pay the attorney's fee or a portion of it as a "relocation or hiring bonus." It is nothing to be shy about, it is something that is done all the time, especially in California. It is a darned good way to get U.S. Permanent Residency. It is a way that is still open to you. I think you should start going around and making contact with these nurse recruiters, even though your graduation may be a while off yet, because once they get to know you, that you are interested to work with them, they will pursue you to work for them! :)

Soy · Oct 23, 2003

I knew I should have gone to that open house

Soy · Oct 23, 2003

oops, that got posted before I could finish. Anway, Azdream'nRN, you have given me some good ideas and from now on, I think I am going to start attending those open houses and contacting hospital administrators because you're right, the sooner I get contacts, the easier it's going to be for me when it's time to get a job. You seem very well informed on the subject. It's such a relief. I was originally debating whether or not I should post this thread, as this is the first BB I've ever participated on and I am so glad I did! This is really a wonderful way for nurses & nursing students to connect! Thank you!

Azdream'nRN · Oct 28, 2003

You're most welcome! :)

shiropaku · Nov 12, 2003

Dear Soy.

Hi. My name is Shiro.

I'm very familiar with your nickname because I'm from the country of soy sauce.

Anyway, I am an international student who is staying in California too.

I have passed NCLEX-RN recently, so I'm looking for a sponsor now.

Actually, I am interested in RN recruit agencies to apply for a job. However, Azdoream'n RN is giving advice that you should visit hospitals directory.

I still don't know which is better. I want to hear someone's experiences or opinions.

I found a recruit agency called "NIS" ttp://www.nis.ph/nurses.html

What do you think?

They say that nurses don't have to pay for attorneys if you make a contract which states that you have to work at a hospital for 3 years. It sounds very good to me though I have never heard anyone who has used this kind of services.

I self-studied to pass the exam, so I don't have many friends who have the same situation as me. Soy, I hope we can share information and someone gives good advice.

If I get some information, I would like to write a message here!

C'wing · Nov 13, 2003

Hi Shiro, (Konnichiwa)

Like you and Soy, I'm also an international Nursing student in CA! (we should have a club for Inter' Nursing Student~)

I've checked the website you provided; it does seem attracting and promising. However, I would research more about the company or talk to ppl who have tried it before diving into it; I've heard of some scam agencies who screw ppl up. It's just better to be cautious, since you'll have to sign several yrs. of contract w/ them.

Last week, I was talking to a friend of mine who's got her residency in CA thru' Nursing directly from the hospital. It took her about 2-3yrs (however, that was many yrs. ago). She also told me that in other states where applicants are not as many as in CA, you might even obtain it faster.

Best Wishes to you. Keep us posted~:)