unni

I am also on H4. Once you finish you associates degree you will have to pass the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to become an RN. You will then need to apply for a Visa Screen certificate from CGFNS (You will be exempt from the english exam).

As far as employment is concerned it all depends if the visa numbers for Schedule A category are current when you apply (they are current right now but no one can predict what will happen when you graduate). If not you will not be able to work unless you have an EAD or employment authorization through you husband.

Lets hope Sch A visa numbers stay current. Nurses cant apply for H1 visas unless they have a Masters and the job requires a masters degree.

Hope this helps. First try to get into a program.

Thanks a lot. That was a good piece of info. So it means after I complete my associates degree (while on H-4) I cannot work unless I get my EAD through my spouse even if I have a license, since what i will be having is only an assocites and not Masters degree which will not allow any employer to sponsot H-1. Kindly let me know what I understood is right.

Further, if I get an EAD through my spouse and get a job in Nursing and if then my employer is ready to file a GC can my employer file for me when my spouse's GC is pending. What steps my employer should take? Please clarify

Unni,

The bottom line all boils down to 1 thing ie

Are visa numbers for Schedule A nurses current for your country when you graduate and employer is willing to sponsor. Lets say you actually graduate today. Today visa numbers for nurses are current, so today you can apply directly for I 140 and I 485 and can get EAD on your own merit and start working regardless of your husband's visa situation.

Million $ question is will the visas be current when you graduate and are ready to work. That no one can answer or predict. The State department has said that Scheduled A visas for nurses are expected to be current for fiscal yr 2006. So that means that atleast till October 2006 visas will remain current, but no one can predict what dates will be when you are ready to apply.

I have similar concerns but most ppl including my husbands attorney have said that since the shortage of nurses is expected to be in place he does see Congress/Senate doing something about it and increasing visa numbers. Bottom line is that if any of the Congressman/Senators are themselves admitted to a hospital today a large proportion of the nurses they encounter will be from other countries.

Where are you located and what schools are you trying for. What are your prior educational qualifications ?

Hi Texan Canadian,

Thanks a lot. Even a lawyer wouldn't explain it so well. I will be studying from Fall 2006 at University of Toledo and u know its a two year program.

Basically I am from India and already have a Master's in Human resources from India (which I believe is equivalent to a degree in this country).

If there is any further info or clues pl do not hesitate to reply. Ok real quick. Will my degrees from India count , if I try to apply for H-1 after my graduation here? I know this is an unnecessary question but still trying to learn things.

Thanks

Unni,

Your Masters would have helped you get an H1 if you were trying to get a job in HR or Management etc, but to get an H1 in nursing you would need a masters in Nursing.

Id ont know if you are aware but there is something called an accelerated Bachelors or Masters degree where you can get your degree in 18-24 months if you already have a University degree. Granted these programs might be difficult to get into and/or expensive but they do exist. You may want to check and see if such a program exists in you area.