To all Foreign Nurses - Do not lose hope!

[TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN]

Visas are currently unavailable for foreign nurses who wish to work as an RN in the US. Nobody knows if relief will be available in the near future or worst, none at all. Nobody knows about the future of immigration in America, even the President or the most experienced politician or immigration lawyer. Much worst any ordinary American even if they will claim they have a lot of experience.

It may take you 5 years, 10 years or 20 years to be able to come here because of the backlog but DO NOT ever lose hope. Yes, America doesn't have an open door policy but it will always be open to anybody who wish to enter legally especially to foreign nurses. Visas may not be available at the moment but it will probably in the near future. If it won't, too bad. This is not the only country to work as an RN.

For the meantime, take the opportunity to apply to other countries. There is a nursing shortage in other countries as well. Get more exprience and make sure you take all the necessary exams and secure your position in line. Until such time visas for the US will be available again.

Again, it may be a long wait but do not EVER let anybody take your dream away from you! Good luck to all foreign nurses...

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

We have never suggested anyone loses hope but have realistic expectations and be aware that retrogression does exist and demand is higher than visa allocation. Much better to look at gaining experience as a nurse whilst waiting. You never know going to another country aside from the US means you find somewhere else to settle. Also think of others who are waiting in the queue and try not to think on jumping over their heads, we have seen posters posting on ways to jump the queue and just not fair on the ones waiting for their turn

[TravelingBSNRN, BSN, RN]

Also think of others who are waiting in the queue and try not to think on jumping over their heads, we have seen posters posting on ways to jump the queue and just not fair on the ones waiting for their turn

You always had good advices Silverdragon. I agree with you about the above statement. It is nothing different than crossing the border illegally then demand for your rights!

[suzanne4, RN]

This is exactly what we have been saying all along, get experience where ever one can get it. And this is going to mean that one is going to have to take and pass the local license where ever you are to get a license to be able to get experience.

Most other countries require two years of experience now and this is the point that we are trying to make to all of you. Get the experience and things will come for you. But working in a call center is not going to get you the experience that you need as an RN.

And we are expecting the US to tighten their requirements and actually require the local license as it did in the past before coming here, when the CGFNS exam was required for all before one could come here. All states also required it back then and we are seeing more and more states require it again.

There are no longer any quick fixes to come to the US, even training here no longer guarantees that one will be able to stay and this is the point that we have been trying to make for sometime.

There are still many places where you can practice as an RN, and get paid for it in the RN classification. That is all that we have been suggesting that one do. These training programs that you have to pay for are only that, training. And they do not count as work experience.