flori73

Hi there,

Well i'm new to the site and i am desperate for some advice.
I'm a british RN with a BSc and i don't relly know the best place to start to be able to Nurse in the US.

I realise i have to get a licence from my preferred state which is florida but then i've heard that other states are easier to get your licence from so that i can then be eligible to take the NCLEX exam.
Does anyone know which states are the quickest to process nursing licences and how soon the whole process can be started.
Or would it be better to go to an agency that will handle all this for me for a fee!.
Are there any nurses out there who can advise.

Many Thanks

Duncan Roberts

As far as I know, there are no visas for nurses and won't be for several years. Google nurse retrogression

ian-mstm

Getting licensed and getting a job offer are quite easy - there is a nursing shortage, to be sure. However, there are no visas for nurses currently available and there likely won't be any visas available for several years yet. Quite simply, without a visa, it will never happen. I'm very sorry!

As Duncan suggested, Google "nurse retrogression".

Ian

GeoffM

Vermont. No idea why but that's the one I often hear.

Agencies will make promises that they can't keep ("retrogression will end soon", "there's a bill going through which will change things", etc, etc). They will also tie you in to a contract for a number of years while taking 25% of your salary for the privilege. Having said that, some do offer online NCLEX training which is what my wife is using - we're attempting on my merits for the visa, not her nursing for the reasons Ian and Duncan have given.

Are you married to somebody of the opposite gender who has in-demand skills?

Silverdragon102

Most states take on average 4 months to process a foreign nurse, most also require the services of CGFNS which can be a pain as they are slow to do anything. As mentioned there is a retrogression so no worry on looking at a fast state because if looking for a immigrant visa you will have a long wait and although people think there is a nurse shortage on another website I go on (allnurses.com) I see lots and lots of threads on nurses both new grad and experienced struggling to find work in the US.

Be aware some agencies charge a cancellation fee of over $40,000 and the process can just as easily be done on your own.

Another thing to be aware of is when did you train because you do require hours in Paeds, Mental health, Obstetrics and adult to meet US requirements in both clinical and theory?

Mummy in the foothills

Lots of unemployed nurses around here too. I'm one of them.

JAJ

Australia is a lot more welcoming to British nurses, followed by New Zealand and Canada.

Silverdragon102

But even then for Canada a lot will depend on when you trained and that you have hours both clinical and theory in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and General Adult.

flori73

Hi There,
Thank you all so much for replying i realise now that maybe i'm not going ot get there as a nurse, When i started training they were throwing visa's at you! Never mind I'll have to try another way maybe buying a business. My husband to be is an electrician not sure if they are in demand. I finished training just over a year ago, and i did about 400 hours of paeds and a full module on MH so not sure if that is enough. I'm an orthodpaedic scrub nurse and i also do C-Sections sometimes so i could use some of those hours i guess or is not that easy?
We just want to get there ASAP.

Thanks agaisn for all your advise i really appreciate it.
x

Jerseygirl

Sorry but being an electrician isn't the route to the US.

Duncan Roberts

Electricians are always in demand but not for immigration purposes. Well, unless he does specialist electrical work on the space shuttle or something.

christmasoompa

Both nurses and electricians are on the list of 29 eligible 'high demand' occupations for Canada though if that helps? Not sure if you've considered it but obviously a similar culture to the US and much easier emigration wise.

flori73

I know thank you, we're going to buy a business there is always more than one way to skin a cat!!!

Duncan Roberts

Don't buy a business to get into the US, buy a business because you want to own and run one and accept the risks and responsibilities that come with it.

Bob

Why? What's the life threatening mad dash reason? Magically change and improve your life?