Working as a LPN/LVN as a German

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Hello everybody,

my name is meike, 21 y.o., and I'm from germany.

Atm I'm studying nursing which is new in germany, usually its a training which takes 3 years.

My wish and my dream is to move to Irvine after I finished my exam. I've been to

SF and Irvine a few years ago and I felt like my home's in the US, especially in Irvine.

I did many researches and I recognized that it's even with the NCLEX and the TOEFL hard to work as a RN if you've a german degree in nurisng. I found out that LPN/LVN are on the same level of nursing like german nurses and I asked myself (and now YOU):

Do you think it's possible that I'll work as a LPN/LVN?

And do you think I have to do the NCLEX for that also?

If you have any experiences or if you know something that may help me please answer - it will help me a lot!

Best wishes,

Meike

PS: Sorry If I wrote someting wrong, I didnt write/talk English a lot after my Abitur ;)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

LPN will not get you a work or immigrant visa allowing you to live and work in the US. Many German nurses meet state requirements and pass NCLEX

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Why I wont get a visa If I get a job at a hospital? As a LPN for example? I would work there and nevertheless I wont get a work visa?

So I have to pass NCLEX in any way - RN or LPN its not important?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Requirements for work or immigrant visa is RN. Part of employer requirements wil be a license and final part of meeting requirements is passing NCLEX so RN is important in this case and not LPN.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

LPN is considered vocational/trade. RN is considered skilled/collegiate/professional in the eyes of immigration.

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And If I pass the NCLEX I can work as a RN then?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
And If I pass the NCLEX I can work as a RN then?

There are two NCLEX exams. NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN. Passing the nclex is one component. You would need to apply for an RN license by examination, prove English language competency, meet the educational requirements, and pass the nclex to obtain licensure then seek employment as a registered nurse

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Meike - please go to the CGFNS webpage and read about the process of getting nursing education evaluated.

There are several components when a nurse wants to work as a nurse in the US.

1. Only RN qualify for visa - but to be honest, there are not that many employers who will sponsor a nurse for a visa to begin with

2.You have to have at least 3 years of nursing education or BSN and your education needs to be equivalent to the US education for nurses. You have to have clinical hours in all main areas including community health. In Germany, this can vary depending on where you go to school and the hospital. The agency that will look at the education and determine if it is equivalent is the CGFNS. There is also WES.

3. There are language requirements. When a person starts the CGFNS process it usually tells them about the general requirements. The board of nursing in each state may also have special requirements although it is mostly the same.

4. You have to check with the board of nursing in the initial state of licensure as to what the requirements are. The BON is the one where you apply for initial licensure and they evaluate if what the CGFNS has figured out qualifies you in their eyes. If they approve, they will allow you to sit for the NCLEX . Once you pass and you have your license you are allowed to practice as a nurse in that state BUT you need to be LEGALLY allowed to work as well!!! The CGFNS includes some kind of certificate that tells employers that you are eligible for a certain visa but it is a lot of work and costs for the employer - it is not like they are just waiting for people to get sponsored.

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Thank you JustBeachyNurse and nutella.

I will visit the CGFNS website.

How many are the clinical hours? In my bachelor study I am at least 4 weeks in all main areas.

Is community healt like home care? Visit people to dress their wounds for example?

I have to spend 6 weeks in "home care", I dont know how it's called in the US.

I tried to find out what RN learn specifically in their studies, but I didnt find anything - maybe you could help me?

Like a schedule of all 3 years? ;)

Best wishes!

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Thank you JustBeachyNurse and nutella.

I will visit the CGFNS website.

How many are the clinical hours? In my bachelor study I am at least 4 weeks in all main areas.

Is community healt like home care? Visit people to dress their wounds for example?

I have to spend 6 weeks in "home care", I dont know how it's called in the US.

I tried to find out what RN learn specifically in their studies, but I didnt find anything - maybe you could help me?

Like a schedule of all 3 years? ;)

Best wishes!

Community health is a broader term that also includes home care.

No, I do not have a schedule.

To be honest, it is best to focus on your education at this point.Just make sure that your clinical placement includes all major areas including psych, maternal, child, community health, med/surg and so on. You can also ask your school how they came up with your BSN curriculum and what it is based on to get more insight.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Community health is a broader term that also includes home care.

No, I do not have a schedule.

To be honest, it is best to focus on your education at this point.Just make sure that your clinical placement includes all major areas including psych, maternal, child, community health, med/surg and so on. You can also ask your school how they came up with your BSN curriculum and what it is based on to get more insight.

Not just clinical but clinical and theory on all areas: adult medical/surgical maternity/obstetrics, geriatrics, psych/mental health, community health and pediatrics. Plus coursework in nutrition, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, basic pathophysiology, and pharmacology. For CA the clinical and theory must be concurrent in the same time period.

There is no set schedule. Each board of nursing sets minimum clock hours in each discipline for theory & clinical and corequisite courses. The schools of nursing set up the academic structure as they see fit to meet the standards of the board of nursing and accrediting agency (as appropriate)

Ultimately it's always recommended to obtain nursing education in the country where you plan to live and work as requirements vary greatly in even neighboring countries

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Thank you for your answers and your advices.

You helped me a lot!

Let's see what my future will look like :)

I will do my best!

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