Uk to USA going it alone advice?

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 3, 2006

Ok so am taking all your advice and going to do this myself not through an agency your advice was great and your all right it is complicated but not so difficult as you think and there are lots of hospitals in New Jersey where I want to go who hire direct. Plus my sister is in New Jersey so she can help to.
I just want to check with you knowlegdeable guys Im on the right track with what I have done so far or is there more I can do right now?
I have applied to CGFNS for the Credential Evaluation Service I am an RMN in the UK but also have a B.A degree in Behavioural Psychology so have no idea what theory and practical hours I will need to make up. Each of my qualification issuing boards have contacted me to say they have sent the forms and validation to CGFNS this week, I sent my part to CGFNS 2 weeks ago.
Am I right in thinking I also need to apply for a Visa Screen through CGFNS aswell? Should I apply now or wait for my Credential evaluation to be done?
I plan to go to the USA initially on an F1 Student visa to make up the hours over there, I was going to wait for the credentials to come back then apply to the nursing schools in New Jersey to make up hours, get my I20 issued then go for visa interview. I have the money to do this as we will sell the house we have here and have about £20,000 in the bank account to show immigration to fund ourselves (me and my husband) plus we will live with my sister.
Once I have completed my hours in USA nursing school I plant to sit NCLEX then apply for jobs and sponsership and convert to my green card while still in the USA so I dont need to come home at all.
Any suggestions, advice or time saver tips anyone can give me will be very greatfully received you guys are so supportive of each other here it is great I am so so glad I found you all right at the start of my journey!!!!
Ruthx

You will need Visa screen through CGFNS and may as well apply now and once you have passed either CGFNS exam or NCLEX you need to arrange results to go to them you will be issued visa screen. The issue is making your hours up and staying in the US and not come back to the UK whilst green card is in progress. I am not sure if you can do it that way plus I am not sure if you will qualify for F1 whilst you are making your hours up.

Suzanne will be a long and offer more exact advice just how I see things.

Good luck on your journey

rsmit02 · May 5, 2006

Hi Anna,

Thanks for your reply why is it I may not qualify for an F1 visa to make up hours? I thought as long as you did over a certain amount of college hours is was fine? I havent actually approached anyone about making up hours as I havent heard from CGFNS what I need to make up so dont want to approach anyone till I know for sure what Im asking them for. My back up plan is to go to the us and do my entire RN course again on an F1 visa if thats what it takes I am so determind to do this!!

Any help is so much appreciated!

Ruthx

suzanne4, RN · May 5, 2006

She can qualify for the F1 visa is she takes enough credit hours that term.

Or she can get a regular tourist visa, for the 6 month period to complete the hours. You do not need a student visa to attend class in the US.

The issue is that NJ will require the CGFNS exam, and all documents need to be submitted at least 90 days before the exam. That puts a damper on things; as far as getting everything done in the 180 day window.

You cannot get permission to sit for the NCLEX exam, for NJ, without having taken the CEGFNS exam first. That is the only issue, but you really do not need the student visa to just make up the two courses, they can usually be done at the same time.

I would not apply for the VSVC at this time yet. You need to know what you are going to have to make up and how soon before you can do it. If you can start right away, then great. But if you have to wait, the VSC application is only good for two years.

I would wait and hear what CGFNS says when they do the CES report. Then go from there.

rsmit02 · May 6, 2006

Suzanne,

Thank you so much for your reply I wonder if it os possible for me to phone you or arrange say an MSN chat session. I really know nothing about all this and when you say

"The issue is that NJ will require the CGFNS exam, and all documents need to be submitted at least 90 days before the exam. That puts a damper on things; as far as getting everything done in the 180 day window"

It makes me realise how little I know as I have no idea what you mean by that paragraph!!!

I really could do with even just 10 minutes of your time to help talk me through this just once so I know what I am doing. I have rung CGFNS, NJ BON, USA Embassy visa helpline in Londan and Burlington Community college international student advisor and am still confused. Each of these people know their own area but cant help me with an overall plan of what I should be doing. CGFNS say just submitt the Credential evaluation stuff, NJ BON says speak to CGFNS, Visa helpline tells me all about different visas I understand every cattegotr from the F1 to the Green Card but they can help me with what I need to do pick the visa and the nursing.

Please I really appreciate all you d here and know you must be busy but is there any chance we could arrange a phone or internet chat for any time convienient to you.

Ruthx

suzanne4, RN · May 6, 2006

I sent you a pm, look for it.