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Discussion

RN or BSN?

Hello everybody,

I have just become a member of this forum and it seems a very exciting and informative forum.I hope you people can give me some advice as I am totally confused.

I have been in US(California) since three years.Right now I am on the dependent visa(H4).Since two years I have been taken the prerequistes for the nursing field. I had applied for RN as well as BSN just to increse the probability of getting in as it is so difficult.Now, I have been admitted to both of them.So I am confused as to which is a better option for me to select.Many questions revolve around this decision.

Should I do RN and then do the bridge program?But in that case,since I am on dependent visa,will the hospital sponsor me and can I start working after RN once I give the NCLEX?

Or is a four year degree a requirement for hospitals to sponsor me green card?

Else,should I change my status to F1(student visa) and do BSN or RN?

If I plan to work simulatneously while studying once I complete two years of BSN,what can I work as and how should I go about it?

Lastly,is a SSN required to give NCLEX or get the license?

I know these are a lot of questions,but I need to reply the school at the earliest.It would be great if you all had some information regarding these questions and could guide me.:rotfl:

Featured Replies

I don't know answer to all of your questions but I just want to say that I'm also doing the RN of 2 year degree. If you go for 2 year degree then you can work on your temporary licence when you graduate untill you take your NCLEX. For your BSN, you don't need to take another NCLEX if you are already an RN . rubby

  • Experts

The biggest problem that you will face depends on which country that you are from. There is a new law that may go into effect which will limit the number of nurses from China, India, and the Philippines which will be accepted for green cards in the US. We won't know the outcome until the 15th.

Currently, if you train in the US, whether you get a BSN or a two year program, it will make no difference.

You are much better going for the student visa, as you will be albe to get an OPT which will permit you to work as soon as you graduate, otherwise you will have to wait the 90 days like everyone else before you can begin work after you graduate and apply for a job and are accepted. Best thing to do would be to speak with your immigration attorney who handles your visa, if at all possible since he would know your individual case the best.

Either way, once you have passed the NCLEX exam you never have to retake it again.

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

  • Author

I am from India

The biggest problem that you will face depends on which country that you are from. There is a new law that may go into effect which will limit the number of nurses from China, India, and the Philippines which will be accepted for green cards in the US. We won't know the outcome until the 15th.

Currently, if you train in the US, whether you get a BSN or a two year program, it will make no difference.

You are much better going for the student visa, as you will be albe to get an OPT which will permit you to work as soon as you graduate, otherwise you will have to wait the 90 days like everyone else before you can begin work after you graduate and apply for a job and are accepted. Best thing to do would be to speak with your immigration attorney who handles your visa, if at all possible since he would know your individual case the best.

Either way, once you have passed the NCLEX exam you never have to retake it again.

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

  • Experts
I am from India

Right now with the new law expected to go into effect in a few weeks, I would at least wait until December 15th to see what happens. If it does go thru, and you attend school here in the US, you may need to leave after completing your training, or wait a number of years before being able to work.

I am waiting for a response from a few immigration attorneys on this point, if the nurse has actually trained in the US. Still waiting for the response, I will post it as soon as I receive it.

Sorry that I can't offer anything else at this point.

  • Author

Hey Suzanne,

I had a quick question.If I plan to do the BS in nursing and transfer on F1. When can I start working?If I plan to use CPT ,can I start working after I complete two years or I have to wait till I finish the graduation.If i can work after two years,what will I be working as?

Right now with the new law expected to go into effect in a few weeks, I would at least wait until December 15th to see what happens. If it does go thru, and you attend school here in the US, you may need to leave after completing your training, or wait a number of years before being able to work.

I am waiting for a response from a few immigration attorneys on this point, if the nurse has actually trained in the US. Still waiting for the response, I will post it as soon as I receive it.

Sorry that I can't offer anything else at this point.

  • Experts

Right now if you were completing the two-year program, you would be able to work after completing that program. And once you sit for the NCLEX exam and pass it, you would be able to work as an RN. If you go for the four year program, you would not be able to work until after you have completed the four years.

But I am not sure what is going to happen to students that are training in the US right now who were expecting to be able to work as soon as they finished. You may only be be able to work for one year of the OPT time, and then have to leave until your number is available. Just not sure how it is going to be interpreted.

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