USA, how can we go there as an RN?

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in this forum, most of us would like to go in the USA, but there are lots of procedures we need to follow. there are lots of requirements, and as i go along on the other forums it is posted that retrogression is not yet lifted. it really bothers my mind..pls help, especially those who are working there and who have worked there..

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

regardless on route you have to meet board of nursing requirements and pass NCLEX and if not obtaining a visa through spouse will need visa screen requirements and English exams. That is if you want to work as a RN in the US and the general route especially if not highly experienced in an area is via greencard so have to find an employer who is willing to wait the years until you if lucky get work visa and move. There is really no quick way to do it, same goes for many countries, you have to go through the process, have your nursing qualifications assessed and if necessary complete local exams

No one knows at the moment when retrogression will lift but some countries may have a harder time due to the high demand on visas

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i really want to work as an RN there in the US, one is to help my family here in the Philippines and to experience nursing on it highest level, because there in the US you will be working with so much high technology gadgets, nurses around the world and doctors too..plus the patients from different nations, i know i am an instrument of God who will help those sick patients in everything i can do..

i know it will not be as easy or as quick as i like, only God know when but with the help of this forum i am getting a lot of ideas form you guys..i would want this year to take the exam, and of course to pass it on my first take..and what if i pass it,, can i still stay in the philippines because of the retrogression or i really need to go there before my nclex expires which is only i think for 3 years onlly..am i right..thanks for your quick reply..

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
i really want to work as an RN there in the US, one is to help my family here in the Philippines and to experience nursing on it highest level, because there in the US you will be working with so much high technology gadgets, nurses around the world and doctors too..plus the patients from different nations, i know i am an instrument of God who will help those sick patients in everything i can do..

i know it will not be as easy or as quick as i like, only God know when but with the help of this forum i am getting a lot of ideas form you guys..i would want this year to take the exam, and of course to pass it on my first take..and what if i pass it,, can i still stay in the philippines because of the retrogression or i really need to go there before my nclex expires which is only i think for 3 years onlly..am i right..thanks for your quick reply..

Where do you want to live in the US? We do not recommend Ca for initial licensure as they will delete your file after 3 years unless you provide them with a SSN which you will not get until in the US on a valid work visa, saying that some have managed to extend their file for 12 months. May be better considering another state for initial licensure. Many have staying in their own country whilst waiting for retrogression but also some are considering other countries. Would recommend a job and gaining experience whilst waiting

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Taking the NCLEX exam and passing it does not get you a visa right away that permits you to work here. You cannot even start the petitioning process until you have passed the NCLEX exam.

Please be aware that even with passing the exam and finding an employer, the expected wait for a chance at a visa is about five years. There are many more applicants from your country than there are visas available.

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.

Suzanne/Silverdragon,

Just wondered if either of you guys heard of this news recently? I have just come back from vacation in Florida and my Aunt who lives in the US said that she had read that due to the urgent need for nurses they are looking at making them excempt from retrogression?

I did a search and found this statement:

" December 3, 2007 - As you know visa retrogression has now been ongoing for the past 12 months. During this same time several ultimately failed efforts were made with the U.S. Congress to end retrogression. There are optimistic signs that retrogression will end sooner rather than later. Legislation will again be introduced in December 2007 in the U.S. Congress that if passed would end visa retrogression for RNs and PTs".

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This is now February, 2008 and nothing has been done. Just because you hear of something, getting it passed is another story.

There are always going to be limits on the number of green cards issued by the US government. Physical therapists can get sponsored under the H1-B visa, but that is not available to nurses because of the strong nursing unions, and the poor treatment of many that were under this visa in the first place.

Do not expect to see anything done until after the election and then there are still limits on the number of people being issued green cards per country, do not expect that to lift.

There are more than 600,000 currently in nursing schools in the Philippines right now, and not enough jobs for them in the entire world to cover that many.

There are already many more applicants from your country than there are visas available and we do not expect that to change. There just is not any fast way to get to the US, and be aware that there are already many that are in the final steps of immigration and they already have been approved on all petitions and documents so they would be first in line for any visas.

They are never going to issue unlimited visas for nurses to the US, that would not benefit anyone; including you as a nurse that wishes to work here.

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.
There are more than 600,000 currently in nursing schools in the Philippines right now, and not enough jobs for them in the entire world to cover that many. There are already many more applicants from your country than there are visas available and we do not expect that to change. There just is not any fast way to get to the US, and be aware that there are already many that are in the final steps of immigration and they already have been approved on all petitions and documents so they would be first in line for any visas. They are never going to issue unlimited visas for nurses to the US, that would not benefit anyone; including you as a nurse that wishes to work here.

Thanks Suzanne, I have another question for you, if I came to the US with my husband (we are looking at a E2 or L1 visa), if I have all the correct credentials and have passed the NCLEX, would I just be able to apply for a nursing position locally on my own or do I still need to get a further license?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks Suzanne, I have another question for you, if I came to the US with my husband (we are looking at a E2 or L1 visa), if I have all the correct credentials and have passed the NCLEX, would I just be able to apply for a nursing position locally on my own or do I still need to get a further license?

Not sure on E2 but with L1 you should get L2 which you do get permission to work, but may have to wait for EAD before you can work, although any children can't. But if the L1 is cancelled as far as I am aware so is the L2 unless a window opens giving you the change to change status or you have started the consular process

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Specializes in Oncology, Palliative care.
Not sure on E2 but with L1 you should get L2 which you do get permission to work, but may have to wait for EAD before you can work, although any children can't. But if the L1 is cancelled as far as I am aware so is the L2 unless a window opens giving you the change to change status or you have started the consular process

Silverdragon, what is an EAD?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Silverdragon, what is an EAD?

Employment Authorization Documents = EAD

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