thinking about moving to USA

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Hi everybody,

I am a graduated australian RN. I'm thinking of moving and working in Florida or any other states of US. Is it possible to get license and find a RN position in US for an overseas nurse with no experience? If I pass NCLEX-RN exam how long is it valid? Is it possible to sit exam and get license without SSN and valid US visa? For fingerprint background screening the applicant needs SSN if I do not have SSN am I still eligible to apply for licensure by examination in Florida or any other states and sit NCLEX-RN exam? I will be much appreciated if someone shares her/his experience of getting license and finding RN job in US.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the nurse registration forum,

Starting point would be reading the state board of nursing for the state you want to live and work and see requirements. You will need clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. Without meeting requirements you will not be able to sit NCLEX and employers generally require pass in NCLEX or eligibility to sit exam. Also due to the high volume of local nurses struggling to find work not having experience may hinder you finding employment. Which visa would you be looking at?

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Thanks a lot, Silverdragon102. I am thinking about Florida or any other state where SSN is not required to start the process of licensure by examination. As a holder of Australian passport I believe that E3 visa is a good option for me.

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Specializes in Psych.

A SSN is your key to working and living in the US: it is your unique identification number and it will follow you for your entire life. You will always need a SSN number to work or live in the USA.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Be aware that the pay rates in FL are quite low and the conditions for FL nurses are poor. In addition, the over abundance of unemployed nurses in that state make finding a job there quite difficult, much less finding a good job.

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thanks, caroladybelle. I did not have an idea about situation in Florida. What states are the best in terms of nursing employment and getting license for foreign nurses?

aklgap, I can not get SSN without working visa, therefore I am trying to figure out the process for foreign nurses in US.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Florida will not issue the license with out a SSN. Officially per federal mandate no US state is to issue a professional license to a candidate without a valid SSN. How this regulation is implemented varies between states (CA, VT, MD, AZ your application will not be accepted without a valid SSN, FL won't issue license without SSN but will process and permit NCLEX auth)

The states with the highest pay and better conditions have hundreds of nurses lining up for each position posted. These states rarely have employers considering visa sponsorship as there is no need with a surplus of applicants that are US educated citizens and permanent residents.

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thanks, caroladybelle. I did not have an idea about situation in Florida. What states are the best in terms of nursing employment and getting license for foreign nurses?

aklgap, I can not get SSN without working visa, therefore I am trying to figure out the process for foreign nurses in US.

To red caviar: I'm just curious you say you're a AU graduate but are you a AU citizen or PR or ?? Just so that there's a bit more details so as to better figure out your situation the best we can.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
To red caviar: I'm just curious you say you're a AU graduate but are you a AU citizen or PR or ?? Just so that there's a bit more details so as to better figure out your situation the best we can.

They mention the have a Australian passport so believe they must be a citizen

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So far I understant that I can apply for licensure by examination in some states (e.g. Florida, Arizona, Colorado...) without SSN. Nursing experience is not required to sit exam. NCLEX results do not expire – once I submit a copy of your SSN to the Board then my license will be issued. As soon as I pass the exam can I look for a nursing job across US or am I restricted by a state of application, for example Florida? Thanx, guys for help.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

You are restricted by the state you are licensed in.

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You are restricted by the state you are licensed in.

I will not be able to find a job in another state and apply for a license there until I get my primary license in the state where I applied for licensure by examination, is that correct?

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