US visa help for dummies

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Hi everyone!!

I've been searching for info on working in the US for a long time now and just when I thought I understood the procedure, I find something else that I didn't know or need to know - I'm seriously not that stupid I think but I would love someone to explain what I need to do from the beginning to be able to work in the US pppllleaaseee!!

Ok firstly, I should tell you that I am an Aussie and currently completing my final year of a nursing degree(woohoo)....

So I don't understand the 'OB and PAEDS" hours??? How many hours?? Can I count the prac hours done through uni?? I have done 80 hours maternity prac but no paeds yet.

If it takes a long time to apply for the NCLEX - can I put my name down before I actually finish my degree so i don't have to wait later on???

Would I be better off going to the states and talking to hospitals to shop for jobs soon or should I wait till I graduate?? Who can I contact (agency wise) that could give me advice on how to get registration in Utah (where we want to go)?? I guess I was just naive thinking that I would graduate here then apply for the E3 and I could jsut go there and work - there is alot more to this than I thought but feel it will be a worthwhile thing for my family - so I would rather find out now so I can start the ball rolling rather than wait and have to start from scratch later on! What kind of time frame do you think I will be looking at from my graduation?? I plan on doing my postgrad here anyway so there's 1 year accounted for!

Any advice would be muchly appreciated!! THANKYOU!!!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Starting point is take a deep breath

You can not start application with a state board of nursing until you have graduated. Each state has different requirements in regards hours for the 4 specialities required so hard to say what will count but both theory and clinical will be required.

If you are planning working for 12 months post grad then I would say you have plenty of time to go through the procedure as average processing time with state BON is 4-6 months before eligibility to sit NCLEX and then you have to find a employer willing to go through the process with you. I am not sure if E3 will allow spouse to work but ghilbert is more savey with E3 and will probably be along to post

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average processing time with state BON is 4-6 months before eligibility to sit NCLEX

Sorry my topic is not about visas...

Silverdragon, why is it that i keep hearing the process takes 4-6 or 8 months, when my friend got her ATT for california, everything went smoothly, and she got the ATT only 2 months after everything was submitted, and she went to school in the Philippines. Is 4-6 months supposed to be the maximum, the average, and including if more requirements are requested or what? I ask because i'm trying to decide where to initially get my license as quickly as i can because i'm trying to make it for an FNP Program in September.. therefore all i need is a license, doesn't matter from what state. What state has the quickest processing time for international grads with SSN??

thanks :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Sorry my topic is not about visas...

Silverdragon, why is it that i keep hearing the process takes 4-6 or 8 months, when my friend got her ATT for california, everything went smoothly, and she got the ATT only 2 months after everything was submitted, and she went to school in the Philippines. Is 4-6 months supposed to be the maximum, the average, and including if more requirements are requested or what? I ask because i'm trying to decide where to initially get my license as quickly as i can because i'm trying to make it for an FNP Program in September.. therefore all i need is a license, doesn't matter from what state. What state has the quickest processing time for international grads with SSN??

thanks :)

CA do their own assessment where as most other states rely on CGFNS or other acceptable agency to assess transcripts which is the reason of 4-6 months only exception I would say is NY as CVS takes up to 6 months before CGFNS transfers everything to NY BON. Also even with CA a lot will depend on how timely the BON or CGFNS etc receives all the documents as that is what tends to delay things

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Specializes in CTICU.
Sorry my topic is not about visas...

Silverdragon, why is it that i keep hearing the process takes 4-6 or 8 months, when my friend got her ATT for california, everything went smoothly, and she got the ATT only 2 months after everything was submitted, and she went to school in the Philippines. Is 4-6 months supposed to be the maximum, the average, and including if more requirements are requested or what? I ask because i'm trying to decide where to initially get my license as quickly as i can because i'm trying to make it for an FNP Program in September.. therefore all i need is a license, doesn't matter from what state. What state has the quickest processing time for international grads with SSN??

thanks :)

You have a SSN already?

I wanted to work in PA but it was much quicker to get licensed in Vermont and then endorse to PA. I did not have a SSN until I got here with the work visa, so PA accepted a waiver form and issued the license then I gave them the SSN later.

Are you planning to work (E3) or attend school (F1), or both? Because there are several steps you won't have to do if you're planning on a student visa, one of which is the SSN issue.

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I wanted to work in PA but it was much quicker to get licensed in Vermont and then endorse to PA.

Are you planning to work (E3) or attend school (F1), or both? Because there are several steps you won't have to do if you're planning on a student visa, one of which is the SSN issue.

E3 Visa for Australians?? I'm not from Australia:)

Which is faster, to get the license from Vermont or from New Mexico?

How long did it take for you to do the Vermont Specific Credentials Evaluation Service (CES) report, and then how long to wait for Vermont to give you the ATT?

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Specializes in CTICU.
e3 visa for australians?? i'm not from australia:)

which is faster, to get the license from vermont or from new mexico?

how long did it take for you to do the vermont specific credentials evaluation service (ces) report, and then how long to wait for vermont to give you the att?

why did you say this then?

i guess i was just naive thinking that i would graduate here then apply for the e3 and i could jsut go there and work

i don't know if vt or nm is faster, i only applied to vt. the timeline is not really relevant because it was >5yrs ago.

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