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.

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

You cannot work in another state unless licensed by the state board of nursing. Once you get an initial license you can apply for a license by endorsement in other states. But as an internationally educated nurse , you will most often need to meet the same requirements for license by endorsement as one does for license by examination.

Nothing will stop you from applying even now but without a current active nursing license your application will not be considered. There is no shortage of nurses seeking employment in much of the US, especially in "popular" states like CA, NY, FL. There are dozens if not a hundred applicants for a single job opening (and most are qualified US citizens/ permanent residents that do not require visa sponsorship).

Are you certain your education will meet US standards? Many AUS nurses are denied upon evaluation for lack of clinical & theory in obstetrics/women's health since AUS puts women's health under midwives.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
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.

Having a pass with NCLEX or even a license issued doesn't stop you from looking at other states but you can not start working in other states until you have a license issued for that state and have legal leave to remain in the US to live and work in the US

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Thank you, guys, for very useful and helpful answers, much appreciated. I understand that to find a rn job in US in my situation is practically impossible. However I just want to start this long and difficult process to be ready to move to US if my husband manages to find a software engineer job there. I do not know exactly how long time the process of getting US license takes, but I guess it takes more than 6 months, so it may be a good idea to start it beforehand while we are in Australia.

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

You may not be eligible for E3 as an Australian PR and not a citizen. I believe the visa is restricted to citizens of AUS. You should check into this option

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
You may not be eligible for E3 as an Australian PR and not a citizen. I believe the visa is restricted to citizens of AUS. You should check into this option

They have an Australian passport so must be a citizen

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
They have an Australian passport so must be a citizen

On their other thread they stated that they are a PR in AUS.

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no, I have an Australian passport.

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