My name is Daniel and I'm a 24y old RN from European Union. I'm currently studying Informatics and will most probably finish somewhere in July 09 (Engineer of Informatics, Associates Degree). I finished a medical high school (4year program), have a diploma, a license to work and 3years of experience working in a local hospital.
Recently I was thinking of moving to New York because that's my wish since I was a little kid, to live in USA. I started gathering information about visas, green cards and whatnot and I came to a conclusion that moving to US is everything but a piece of cake. Apparently they don't give away GCs just like that .
So after spending few days intensively reading this board I learned the following. To successfully migrate from EU to US as a RN I would need:
- a diploma (check)
- license to work (check)
- CGFNS or NCLEX (none)
- TOEFL or IELTS (none)
So where can I apply for these exams in Europe? Can I do them online? All I could find online were testing locations in US and nothing in Europe. So can anyone help me out here?
There's one more thing that bothers me. I found this website that sponsors international nurses for US green cards and they say that you need to graduate from a nursing program (Bachelor or Associate degree). Now here in Europe we have totally different school systems and titles usually don't match those in US.
In US you have high schools which last 12 grades all in one part and then you move on to colleges but we in Europe have elementary schools (8 grades) and then you choose what you want to do in your life and go to that high school. Now I've chosen nursing and I went to medical/nursing high school (4 grades) and by the age of 19 I was a RN and fully qualified for work. I don't have a Bachelor's or Associate's Degree but I'm still a RN. Is that a problem? Am I not qualified for a nursing position in US?
The other thing I've noticed at US employers is that they look for RNs specialized/licensed in different fields like RN-ICU, RN-ER, RN-OR and so on. Here in Europe nurses in hospitals work wherever they put them to. I worked in a hospital for 3 years and few months I was working at a Hematology department, then they transfered me to Cardio ICU room, sometimes I would be working at a department of Dialysis and so on. We're more like general nurses and not specialized in one field only. So when I apply for a job, what position to choose?
One more thing, how do they treat foreigners in US? Is the staff friendly and willing to give a hand in the beginning or do they just put you somewhere and expect you to work fully individual? How are these relations between nurses and superiors?
I'd very much like to work in US but I'm not sure what to expect.
So basically:
- what exams and where
- degrees and titles
- relations nurse/superior-nurse
I would be very thankful if someone could answer my questions, I would really like to pass those exams first and then look for a job. I hope I'm not spamming this forum so if these questions were answered earlier I apologize in advance and hope someone could point me to those threads.
Thank you very much and all the best to nurses, our job is really not appreciated enough.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
When going to a new country you have to meet their requirements, not every country will train the same way. If looking for a petitioner as a LPN then you will not meet immigration requirements, you have to be RN. If you are lucky to get a GC in the lottery you could apply for LPN and at least be able to work.
Yes, that's exactly what I was saying Silverdragon102. In case I win a GC and move to US I would like to know if I qualify for work as a nurse (LPN). For sponsorship I know I need to be a RN.
It's just that I'm 24 now and 4 more years just sound so LONG and FAR AWAY. If I knew back then what I know now, I would definitely proceed with my education but now I see myself as an old guy who should have family by now and not go to school and waste my time anymore (I am finishing my Associate's from Informatics this year).
I'm from Germany living in Florida and just sat for the NCLEX last week.I have a nursing diploma(3years),10 years of regular school(considered highschool i guess..)and 2 years of experience(from german hospital)which they didn't want papers from.Had to do the evaluation through CGFNS and the TOEFL.
But every state is different.Good Luck with everything:D
Yes, NY only accepts the CVS but that is not a credentials review and is not considered the same as one. It is also not accepted by an university or college that you would be considering to continue on with your trainings.
CGFNS will not send you the CES unless you have another recipient included on the application. Then a copy will be sent to you. There is absolutely no reason for any attorney to ever need the CES report for any purposes, it does not help them in any way with whatever type of immigration case. It is purely a credentials review.
Just pick a school or university that you are interested in and then have their name down as the recipient, it will take care of two things at once for you. And you can then see your report. Be aware that if you still want NY, then you will have to complete the CVS as well, but I would just start with the CES and follow what we have told you. It will give you the most bang for the buck as we say here.
Just to respond to your post about the Green Card lottery. You would be granted a visa based on the lottery and not because of an employer petitioning you, there would be no need to be sponsored by an employer. And you would be able to work as an LPN, provided that you meet the requirements for licensure and write and pass the NCLEX-PN exam.
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Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
When going to a new country you have to meet their requirements, not every country will train the same way. If looking for a petitioner as a LPN then you will not meet immigration requirements, you have to be RN. If you are lucky to get a GC in the lottery you could apply for LPN and at least be able to work.