Cocoabeach

Hello,
I am a registered adult nurse in the UK with two and a half years post registration experience.

I am keen to emigrate to Florida with my husband and two sons. Having looked at a few forums, this is starting to look like the impossible dream. Does it really take 6 years to get a visa? Do US hospitals employ many UK nurses? Are there nursing jobs in Florida?

Looking at job sites, there seem to be jobs, but is this a true representation? I am reluctant to get my NCLEX if I never manage to get a visa.

So many questions! I hope there's someone out there who can answer some of them.

TIA

scrubbedexpat099

Could your Husband get a job transfer, look up L1 visa, you will get a L2 and be work authorised.

Cocoabeach

Thanks for your reply boiler. Unfortunately, the company he works for has no links to the US, so that's not an option for us.

scrubbedexpat099

Perhaps get a job with a Company who would sponsor a move? You need to work with a Company for a year before you can move on a L.

Cocoabeach

That's an option I suppose. We were considering Australia as well, so maybe this would be the better option.
We are only in the initial stages of planning at the moment. We don't want to start spending out on things like the NCLEX if I have no chance of getting a visa.

scrubbedexpat099

You can always contact Hospitals and see, EB3 would likely be the category. It is a long process and not cheap, agencies I have seen sponsor, not sure if they are cracking down on this but they usually then have you over a barrel.

Silverdragon102

Starting point would be getting registration sorted with the state. You need to make sure you have clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. Shortage of any of these will mean you do not meet requirements and will need to top up. Employers may look at you more favourably once registration as RN is sorted. Then it is a case of calling hospitals in the areas you want to live and work in and ask them if they are willing to sponsor

Pulaski

The only reported successes I recall seeing here on BE, which may or may not be representative, have been via the agency route.

sarasota chic

Hi Cocoabeach,
I am a U.K. RN working in Texas I used the agency route and was sponsored for the Green Card, please feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

cams278

Cocoabeach

I spoke to several US nursing agencies back in the summer. I've been told that the new immigration rules now mean that the UK nursing degree is not deemed adequate for nursing in the US. The agencies couldn't after any advice on how to get the required practice hours as they only counted pre registration hours. Even though I've cared for children in my current post, this woul dnt be considered.

cams278

Cocoabeach

I would speak to some agencies like OGrady Peyton or Assignment America, they are really helpful. Good luck x

Silverdragon102

sarasota chic