Is there anyone in this forum like me who is planning to work in US without any employment agency?
I don't have any employment agency taking care of my application in US right now. I am just lucky to have a distant relative who referred me to work in NJ as a direct hire.
It has been very difficult for me because I have to shell out a good sum of money from my own savings. I paid the attorney general for the visa processing and all the necessary exams and requirements needed.
Sometimes, I just feel that I am left alone in the dark specially the previous months because of the retrogression issue. I just hope my application is still on the process.
Its a good thing that through this forum, I can say all that I want and express how I feel as a struggling nurse here in the Philippines . All I want is a good future for my husband and 1 year old baby boy.
You are correct. However, because there are too many nurses now who already passed NCLEX, by law of supply and demand, Ca. Hospitals and Facilities are now demanding to see the license. Don't get me wrong. I was in that situation two months ago. You are lucky if you talk to the Director of Nursing who also has knowledge of immigration.
During the interview, most DON will ask if you have a license. Most of them has no knowledge of the immigration process and didn't know that it's like chicken and egg question if they require you to get a license before they petition you. I was explaining that I need to be petitioned first (to get SSN) before I get the license.
The best answer would be if they ask you if you have a license is to say "I just passed NCLEX-RN and once I submitted SSN, it will be on its way".
By the way, I was talking about direct hire employer. For agencies, they know everything.
that's great to hear! some of us newbies might have panicked when you said they look for a license. whew! thanks for clearing that up! thank you too for giving us a tip on how to answer queries for interviews.
Employers would like to see the license as well, not only passing NCLEX. If you do not have SSN and you've taken exam for Ca., then you would have difficulty getting a direct hire employer.
Sorry, but definitely not how things are done in CA at all. Any foreign nurse will not get their license until they are in the US and have been thru the immigration process. SSN# are not issued until the nurse has arrrived in the US.
So how do you explain all of the foreign nurses that went the direct hire route and are working in CA as we speak?
In the majority of the states, the nurse does not get their license until they are already in the US and ready to begin work. All foreign nurses need to be petitioned to get a visa that will permit them to work.
And even US immigration does not require a license, but only proof of passing either the CGFNS exam, or the NCLEX-RN exam. No where does it state that a license is required.
You are correct. However, because there are too many nurses now who already passed NCLEX, by law of supply and demand, Ca. Hospitals and Facilities are now demanding to see the license. Don't get me wrong. I was in that situation two months ago. You are lucky if you talk to the Director of Nursing who also has knowledge of immigration.
During the interview, most DON will ask if you have a license. Most of them has no knowledge of the immigration process and didn't know that it's like chicken and egg question if they require you to get a license before they petition you. I was explaining that I need to be petitioned first (to get SSN) before I get the license.
The best answer would be if they ask you if you have a license is to say "I just passed NCLEX-RN and once I submitted SSN, it will be on its way".
By the way, I was talking about direct hire employer. For agencies, they know everything.
Since you are mentioning DONs, this means that you are speaking of nursing homes, and that is never the way to start in the US. HAving thirty to sixty patients to be legally responsible for makes you high on the list to lose a license, and then you lose the green card, since it was based on your having a license as an RN.
And sorry, still do not agree with you on this. It may be for those from your country, and would not doubt it, but it is definitely not the case for all foreign nurses at all in CA. It is increasingly difficult to get a position in CA if from the Philippines, and has nothing to do with an actual license or not. A license cannot be had until the nurse has gone thru the immigration process, otherwise no SSN#. Does not matter what the DON knows or does not know.
And sorry, the agencies are the worst at giving information, most of it is pure garbage just to get the nurse to sign on the dotted line and then you get sold to the highest bidder as a slave.
that's great to hear! some of us newbies might have panicked when you said they look for a license. whew! thanks for clearing that up! thank you too for giving us a tip on how to answer queries for interviews.
And I will give you one major suggestion:
Stay away from nursing homes.......................and I am quite serious on this. That is not the way to start your career in the US. Sad to say, but very true.
That is if you can land a job in a hospital very quickly...that would be good. My experience in looking for a job in Ca. is that if you have enough and 'right' experience, you can land a job in a hospital. If you're just a new graduate and just starting out, it will be very difficult and nursing homes will be your choice.
Working for a hospital is always better than nursing homes. Suzzane is right. However, the other side of the coin, is that the quick path to get a job for a newbie? You're lucky if a hospital petition you if you're just a new graduate. It's like winning a lotto.
On the other hand, nursing homes will petition new graduates. It is a bitter pill but still an available option.
It is entirely your choice. I know someone who after one year in nursing home which petitioned her and after getting her GC, she resigned and landed in a nice job in a hospital with a nice signing bonus. I also know someone who got several years of experience here in the Philippines, landed a job in a hospital in US as well.
It's up to you where to get the experience - in a hospital here in the Philippines or in a nursing home in the US.
It depends on your circumstances. The choice is entirely yours.
So how do you explain all of the foreign nurses that went the direct hire route and are working in CA as we speak?
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Tell me if I'm wrong but my best guess is that they have solid experience and were among the lucky ones to get from the 50,000 visas. And another, they have recruiters who assisted them. Recruiters are just the same as agencies. They make you sign a contract as well. They get the 'money' from the hospital.
Stay away from nursing homes.......................and I am quite serious on this. That is not the way to start your career in the US. Sad to say, but very true.
this is very true! be resourceful and the internet has huge variety of infos, be patient and most of all PRAY that you will get the right job you deserve.
And what did they promise you? There is a retrogression in place, so you will only be able to get the I-140 submitted and then will be affected by the slow down in the visas.
Did you sign with a hospital directly, or nursing home, or agency?
I also want to go directly. so how to contact recuiters?
I would suggest trying more hospitals and recruiters. I am using a recruiter and going direct to a hospital with no problems and no mention of using an agency. Infact the recruiter helped me find another hospital after 1st hospital backed out once I received approval. Although this caused me delays atleast I didn't have to worry about finding another hospital myself, she did all the work
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I also want to go directly. so how to contact recuiters?
Hospitals should be able to tell you which recruiters they use. You need to approach the hospitals in the area you want to work and ask then if they do direct hire and petition for GC and the process you need to do for their support ie inhouse of recruiter. Be aware that with retrogression more and more employers are waiting for the outcome before commiting to foreign nurses
potskipottie
18 Posts
that's great to hear! some of us newbies might have panicked when you said they look for a license. whew! thanks for clearing that up! thank you too for giving us a tip on how to answer queries for interviews.