Wants To Be A Nurse In Cali Needs Advice

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Hi There Guys,

I am practically new in this forum and it feels good to have such forum to guide us in all our endeavors in this very challenging and rewarding carreer.

Anyways I am here to seek advice and opinions since I am a fresh graduate of BS Nursing here in the Philippines and right now I am currently preparing for the Local Licensure Exam here in the Philippines to be a RN.

It has always been my dream to work in the US especially in California since I am eyeing on working at LPCH in Stanford. I actually have a tourist visa and now I was wondering what are the steps I need to do in order to be able to work in California legally? What is the best route to take?

To my researching these are the steps I need to take I do not know which is right:

  1. Be an RN in your country
  2. Pass the CGFNS
  3. Pass the IELTS/ TOEFL
  4. Pass the NCLEX-RN
  5. Look for an Agency

Are these the correct steps to be taken? If not what am I suppose to do?

I hope to hear and get some feedbacks cause it has always been my dream to work in the US.

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I already answered your pm.

You are not required to be a licensed nurse in your country, only need a completed set of trasncripts.

You do not need CGFNS exam.

You need the English exams and the NCLEX-RN, and that is it.

Do not go for initial licensure in CA, or you will be waiting about four to six months for approval, as well as the another month to hear if you passed.

I am moving your post to the International Forum, you need to follow a completed different format than American nurses do.

Please read the stickies at the top of the International Forum........

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I already answered your pm.

You are not required to be a licensed nurse in your country, only need a completed set of trasncripts.

You do not need CGFNS exam.

You need the English exams and the NCLEX-RN, and that is it.

Do not go for initial licensure in CA, or you will be waiting about four to six months for approval, as well as the another month to hear if you passed.

I am moving your post to the International Forum, you need to follow a completed different format than American nurses do.

Please read the stickies at the top of the International Forum........

Hi There Suzanne,

Thanks for answering my first query now is there other states like New York who is fast in processing papers for NCLEX? How about Nevada do they have a long process like California? The problem with New York is that I do not know anyone there so it would be a bit harder if ever I do try my luck there... What are the requirements for Nevada?

Also which one do you advice to take the NCLEX exam is it better to take it in countries like Hong Kong or in Saipan or Guam or is it better for me to take the exam directly in the state that I am applying? Would I have better edge or advantage? Or its just the same?

My dad worries about the expenses since it would be more expensive going to the US rather than in HK but there are circulating rumors that if I do take the NCLEX in HK, Guam or Saipan and if ever I do visit the US after that (since i have a tourist visa) i might jeopardize my visa? Is there any truth in that?

I am very sorry if it seems that i have a lot of questions but your opinions really means a lot to me in making my perspective in things a lot clearer... thank you again and looking forward to hearing from you... thanks :)

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Where you go for initial licensure has absolutely nothing to do with where you will be working. You always want to select a state that will issue you a hard license without the SSN#, etc. Then you can do what you want, and work where you want.

There are so many rumors floating aorund Manila right now, that I would be quite rich if I got one penny for each of them. There are new ones, actually in the hundreds that start there on a daily basis.

Whether you come to the US to take the exam, or go somewhere else, makes no difference. If you ar coming to the US, maks sure that you have already been accepted by a state to sit for the NCLEX, otherwise you could have to retunr home before getting to take the exam. And this is happening right now to several that post here. Never, ever come to the US, until you are ready to take the exam, and I mean ready, not mailign your application to the state when you arrive here.

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Thanks suzanne for answering my queries... so I take it with what you have said that California aside from taking a long time to process papers and at the same time getting results... they also do not give out hard license?

Is there any other state aside from New York which are fast in processing? How about Nevada or Florida? are these states better as compared to the processing of California? Do you have know any other states that does not require SSS Number? Or is it just New York?

I am so sorry if I have a lot of questions... its just that I miss my brother in Cali already... i was quite confused with what you said about it does not matter where I would get my initial license...

So even if I obtained my license in NY i can still work in nevada or California?

Hope to hear from you again :) take care and thanks for all your help :)

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Florida will not issue you a license without the SSN#.

Actually most states will not. You want to select a state that will.

Florida and Nevada require the CES, from CGFNS.

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