Need info please. Foreign Grad, No local license, Migrated to USA. Confused w/my options.

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Hi Guys.

First of all, I am thankful for this website being up. It's nice to see a network for nurses available online. Such a great amount of information here. I thank you in advance.

I am confused and lost and don't know what to do. I am also a little afraid. Here is my story.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the Philippines. I have checked WES and it said it is an equivalent based on the school I graduated from. But the degree that I have is almost 10 years old. I graduated in 2008. Nursing really didn't pay very well in the Ph, about $100/month which is not enough. I had to make money right away. I landed a job as an english coach, progressed to operations manager 6 years after I graduated.

My GF at that time (now my wife), she and I had been together for 13 years. We talked about getting our lives in order and settling in the Philippines. I was in a good place financially doing a job that didn't involve any nursing.

Fast forward 2013, We found ourselves migrating to the USA. (Funny story! It only took us 3 weeks from filing to medical examination via direct consular filing). I am currently waiting on my application for citizenship, it had already been 3 years. I had a hard time finding work here that paid enough to survive until I discovered the grocery business / RETAIL which paid more than double the minimum wage.

Yesterday, I had to go to urgent care. First time I had to use my insurance in the USA. I found myself wanting to become a nurse here. I've always wanted to do something that would impact and change lives. I had that before I migrated, retail is really just pure business and selling.

So, my question is, Where do I start? Am I going to be eligible to go to school, would I need to go school?

Or more importantly, are there any other career paths that I can take?

Thank you so much in advance! Sorry for the long read. Have a great day!

Have you looked on your state board of nursing (BON) website for the application instructions for nurses who were educated outside of the US?

You need to apply to have your education evaluated by your state. Then if it is a a level equate lent to that of the US then they will allow you to take the NCLEX exam.

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