Pulaski

OK, I learned something today.
I'm going to claim this as a technical win, but it isn't a very satisfying one.

Silverdragon102

Starting point would be meeting state requirements and passing NCLEX. Depending when you trained and what is on your transcripts will depend on whether you meet state requirements. Your transcripts will be expected to show minimum of clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. Look at an average time of 4-6 months to go through the state process to get eligibility to sit NCLEX at a minimum.

Once you pass NCLEX and either receive a letter stating you meet state requirements and a license will be issued once a US SSN is submitted or a license is issued you then need to find a employer willing to go either the H1b route or immigrant visa and depending on job for GC will depend on what category your employer can apply for. Mostly nurses meet EB3 which currently is under retrogression and waiting time is 3 years (Oct 2010). What you need to be aware with is the dates for EB3 can go forward as well as backward so time will vary.

I started the process several years ago and got caught up in retrogression and if I hadn't moved to Canada and love it I would have been waiting 8 years for my PD and arriving in the US.

Also be aware that many US nurses are struggling to find work in many states so you really need to check out what the demand is like to whether you will find it hard or easy to find employer willing to go through either process

Silverdragon102

Also to add I knew someone that moved to the US as a RN and was also UK midwife trained but she had to do a year long course and sit an exam before she was recognised as a midwife in the US

Bob

We don't know what the OH does, is he can get a visa, then what you say is true, the OP could work to getting certified here and get a job.

But if the OP is hoping to get a visa based on UK qualifications as a midwife, then realistically what you said doesn't matter as it's not going to get them a visa.

Hotscot

That's reasonable Bob.

mwdake

Yes, that is true.
My wife was originally going to sit the NCLEX in London but she ended up taking them in Fort Worth, TX.
The big difference between now and then is there were plenty of hospitals willing to sponsor for H1B visas back then not so much now.

augigi

I am licensed an an RN in VT and PA, and a CRNP in PA, and have never had to show a copy of my working visa (australian on E3 working visa).

DebzinUS

Its probably just a matter of time. I have two active RN licenses, VA and GA. Georgia law changed in 2011, and requires those applying for an initial or renewal of an existing license to submit an affidavit of citizenship and at least one copy of a secure and verifiable document with their application.

http://sos.ga.gov/acrobat/plb/99%20A...itizenship.pdf

Bob

Which doesn't help the OP as neither of those states are the one they were interested in and neither are they eligible for the E3 visa to get them here in the first place.

notshipman

The issue for overseas nursing grads appears to be visa sponsorship unlike for physicians where being a citizen/GC doesnt help that much. The British qualification is not 'useless' and to label it as that is grossly demeaning. Other factors create obstacles but certainly not the country of qualification.

Bob

No, but for visa purposes they essentially are.

Once you're here, by whatever other means, then fine and dandy.

julie4071

Thank you all for your advice and useful links, constructive and otherwise.

Seems it is indeed a minefield and some aspects of the laws and requirements for visas are open to misinterpretation and misunderstanding. Again, this just shows the huge difference between the States and other countries in recognising different professions, what appear to be a worthless Masters degree in one country is deemed priceless in another! But hey, thats life!

It seems I may stand a 'better' chance of a visa going down the Higher Education lecturing route, something else to look into. The hubby is a power line surveyor, not sure where that may fit with any visa requirements.

For those of you who were successful in obtaining visas, did any of you use any Attorney services specialising in USA immigration? Due to the aforementioned misinterpretations this could possibly be way forward (albeit an expensive one)!

Thank you once again.

scrubbedexpat099

The Lawyer for Job Sponsorship is appointed by the prospective Employer.

notshipman

Do you have any research or publications or something out there that could make you eligible for a GC via EB2-NIW? For that you would need an academic wing to your resume

julie4071

Notshipman....Thank you for that...I'll research the EB2-NIW. I am about to have a piece of academic work published however I have not undertaken any research (I assume you mean towards a Phd)? Many thanks again