Swiss RN starting off as CNA-question

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hi everybody,

I am a RN with 5 years of experience and I was trained in Switzerland. I am looking into possibilities to start a career in nursing in the US, most likely in Virginia as my boyfriend lives there. I know that the process of getting licensed to practise as an RN in the United States is very time consuming and can take up to two years. Therefore, my idea that I have been thinking of is that I would like to get certified as a Nurse Assistant and work in that position for a while if I can find a job while preparing for the NCLEX-RN. I know that most hopitals don't hire Nurse Aids without Certification so I think I have to get certified and sit through the test even though I am an overseas trained nurse.

The question I have is, does anybody know if it would be possible for me to just take the CNA test without having to actually take classes, so I wouldn't have to pay for classes ?

Thank you guys already for your response...

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Specializes in CTICU.

Even if you get certified as CNA, you couldn't get a job - what type of visa were you planning to use?

Sounds like in order to do what you want, you would have to get married to your boyfriend (or move on fiance visa), get work authorization, then you could do your CNA stuff while getting your RN license.

However you do it, there's going to be significant delay in order to get a visa that permits you to live and work in the US.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Doubt it will take 2 years to get license sorted in the US. As mentioned in previous post the biggest question is which visa are you looking at?

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So I would basically have to find an employer that sponsors my visa if I don't come to the US on a fiance visa, is that correct...?Sounds pretty much impossible as there's enough CNA's who wait to get hired I guess...

it might still not be a bad idea to go for a Certification as a Nurse Assistant. I could imagine it still gives me more options in the long run?

I was also wondering about the type of visa I would need to take CNA classes. As it usually only takes about one or two months to complete the course would it be possible for me to do this on a visitor visa or do I need a student visa for that too?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You will find it extremely hard to get a work or immigrant visa as a CNA. You would have better chance once you have your RN license sorted with a state and passed NCLEX. Even if you find a employer for immigrant visa you will join the long long queue caused by retrogression, many have been waiting years for a visa allowing them to live and work in the US. If you are BSN and have specialised experience you may find a employer willing to file a H1b for you but either way unless you come over on a Fiancée or spouse (married to a USC) you are looking for a employer who will file an application for you which with the current US high unemployment and lots of other changes happening with the medical field in the US you will probably have a struggle

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Specializes in CTICU.

I would go so far as to say you cannot get sponsored as a CNA. Sponsorship generally for a work visa, which is the only type available right now, would require a bachelor degree of both you and the job you're taking. CNA obviously requires neither.

If you live in a visa waiver program country, you get 90 days in the US. You'd have to ask the school if you could take the classes as a visitor without a student visa.

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thank you guys for your feedback.I actually don't plan on coming to the US on a fiancé visa so as you all told me, the situation looks much more difficult then. I am a little confused,not sure what's the best thing to do...

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