UK Nurse needing SSN for Florida License

KCMnurse, BSN, MSN, RN · Apr 11, 2016

I am not sure if you already passed the NCLEX? If so then you would have had your transcript evaluated by ECE or some other credentialing organization. If not your first stop would be there. Even with an American husband to 'scoop you up' the process is tedious and expensive. I moved here from the UK years ago, my transcripts were evaluated then and accepted. I did not need any additional classes or clinical experiences. Best of luck to you.

HelenaUK · Apr 11, 2016

Totally understand and I am working towards NCLEX - I have looked into the credentials for Florida and I am a bit worried about the obstetrics and paeds part of their education requirements though... Brill that yours were accepted even though you presumably didn't have dual training? I am prepared for a long haul process but I'm so glad I joined this forum it's so nice talking to people who have done it, I don't know anyone in my life who has moved to America so none to advise me, you guys are a great bunch to talk to x

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Apr 12, 2016

Florida is definitely strict on clinical/theory for all generalist nursing areas and one poster was flagged for not having microbiology and nutrition. See if the board of nursing has a list of minimum educational requirements & school clinical/theory hours. Some states list some do not. Good lucj

britpanda · Apr 12, 2016

I'm British living in Florida working as a nurse as well. I moved here after my GCSEs so obviously my nursing education was here. However, I'm fairly familiar with the differences between UK and U.S. Nursing as well as the immigration battles you may face. Feel free to email me [email protected]

HelenaUK · Apr 12, 2016

Excellent I so appreciate all you guys' help - joining this group has been the best thing ever for inspiration and tips - and reality checks! Never giving up on my Florida dream :-)

RUmedic · Apr 13, 2016

I am in Tampa, Florida and there's absolutely and positively no shortage of nurses here. That being put aside, there are numerous opportunities for nurses that have over 1 year of bedside nursing experience in a specialty area.

Your challenge will be mostly with finding employer who would be willing to sponsor your H-1 visa, which is long and very protracted process that may take 2-3 years as there are strict annual work visa quotas.

You will find such employer faster if you gain some experience as a nurse specialist and obtain one internationally recognized certification. One such certification readily comes to mind - CRNI (certified registered nurse infusions).

Once you have that marketability, you would then need to concern yourself with finding the right employer willing to sponsor you. Also, for the purpose of taking and passing NCLEX you might want to ask FL BON if they would be willing to accept ITIN (individual taxpayer identification number - issued by IRS) in lieu of SSN.

You'll need your FL RN license before you apply for employment that requires work visa sponsorship, or else no one will talk to you.

Lastly, Florida overall has fewer opportunities than other states that may be underserved. I just got an offer to interview for med/surg in West Virginia, where they pay for nurse to re-locate to that state. That is something to consider. There is another one I got asking if I'd be interested to move to Arizona, the whole package paid plus $62K per year to start.

You got to go where there's need and it's not Florida :)

HelenaUK · Apr 14, 2016

RUmedic I really appreciate your informative reply, I will look into the CRNI route to make myself more appealing. What do you mean bedside nursing experience? Do you mean that working in A&E isn't very appealing for employers?

I know you say that Florida isn't short of nurses as I had incorrectly read, but what about smaller towns in Florida? I appreciate I may not be able to jump straight into an ED job in a big Miami or Tampa hospital, but what about nursing homes or something more low key? Is any area at all short in Florida?

I will think about other states to start off with to get me into America. Just had my heart set on a Florida life but it seems I may not be able to afford to be picky.

Re the ITIN - FL Board says that they will only give me a 30 day permit in lieu of no SSN - but that would be impossible to get a SSN in 30 days as I would need to get a job and visa application done in a month surely?!?! Unless immigration would give me a SSN immediately just because I have the license but no job?

Thank you again for taking the time and effort to help me

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 14, 2016

Most employers understand that a US SSN can not be gotten until in the US with a valid work or immigrant visa. You can apply for US SSN as soon as you land and usually takes up to 4 weeks and some employers will be willing to wait until you get sorted before starting work. Also a lot of employers will look at application as long as you have something from the BON saying you have met requirements and passed NCLEX. Immigration do not give out SSN and will not give you one just because you require a license. ITIN usually given if you are required to complete a tax form but do not qualify for a US SSN

RUmedic · Apr 14, 2016

Very simply: One cannot apply at Social Security Administration for SSN unless they possess a valid work visa, Green card, refugee visa, F-1 visa (education) or exchange program visa, etc. There are other types that are mostly related to diplomatic stuff.

One CAN apply for ITIN if they anticipate to make more than $600 per year while in U.S. and plan on filing - Uncle Sam always wants his cut.

Some organizations will take ITIN. FL BON may or may be one of them. FL BON will issue temporary 30-day permit to work in lieu of license only to fresh graduates who are U.S. citizens and alien residents. These graduates must pass NLCEX and get licensed if they want to continue working. This does not apply to non-immigrant visitors.

It really boils down to flying to the states, taking the test and then leaving with a license (hopefully), while seeking and finding employer willing to sponsor H-1 visa.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 14, 2016

It really boils down to flying to the states, taking the test and then leaving with a license (hopefully), while seeking and finding employer willing to sponsor H-1 visa.

They will not have to fly to the US. Can sit the exam in London UK. They can also look for employers for green card as not many nurses get H1b visa due to the high costs to the employer

RUmedic · Apr 14, 2016

You can't get a Green card without first obtaining a work visa, becoming investor or becoming sponsored by first line family member through marriage, i.e. spouse, parent.

Employers don't have the ability to produce green cards without petitioning USICS through some sort of loop holes like L-type visa, a company's employee that is overseas and is moving here, or H-1 visa through labor department, which is hard, or some kind of religious worker, etc. This is so convoluted, you are just really going to confuse this girl in UK.

Let's face it, no employer will do it unless there's a tremendous interest in a candidate such as academia, research, stuff like that. If you're it, there is chance. If not, it's tough, will take a lot of work, money, resources and no guarantees.

Besides we have plenty of U.S. candidates that don't require sponsorship. I don't mean to sound harsh, but that's the reality.

HelenaUK · Apr 14, 2016

Thank you all again for your responses. I certainly have no special skills like research or unusual courses yet, but was an army medic before the nursing degree so maybe that will look good in applications.. I understand some of the different ways to obtaining a green card but I think the only one that would apply to me is getting a workplace to sponsor me.. so basically there is nothing I can do in the meantime to apply for one really.

What I am just questioning now is whether I should be looking to get licensed through another state that doesn't require SSN, and then endorse into Florida. It seems a silly way of going round the houses, but I am worried that I'll pass NCLEX and all Florida BON's verifications and then never be given a license because of this SSN. And if I pass NCLEX through Florida, then start applying to jobs and showing them a letter/proof that I nearly have a license - even if the job miraculously okays this - then won't my license application to Florida expire after 30 days and deem everything I've done irrelevant?

Ahgh this process is unbelieveable, it's so excellent talking to you experienced life coaches!!!