Hi there,

I am a senior almost completing my nursing program. I will be done with my BSN degree and sitting for NCLEX exam next year. Since nurses can not apply for H-1B, as our profession don't seem to come under "special category" I was wondering what other alternatives do we have?

A lawyer told me that we could apply for hospitals affiliated with research institutes, which then puts under non-quota category and that we could apply for a working visa any time of the year, but the lawyer also cautioned me that these available RN positions should be specifically RN with BSN requirement and not RN with associate degree. I hope I am making myself clear. OR Simply put, how would an international nursing student go about finding a job after finishing nursing degree?

IF there are nurses or their friends/relatives who knows about the process/system, please do respond, it will help me with my nightmares.

Thanks
PSherpa

hey buddy

I am going to get into the associate program of Nursing. I am already accepted. But at this point, i don't know if i am gonna study or go for something else. i am not excited as I was after they said they are not gonna give permanent residency to ADN. what do you suggest me should i go for it considering benefits.

But in your case, after you graduate get OPT. and it is almost 100 percent sure that you will get job and they will sponsor you for GC why you worried, just follow the standard procedure. haina ra.

PSherpa
You don't have to apply for H1B. For Nurses a similar category is H1A. Apply for H1A during your OPT. You can find jobs from craigslist.org of any state. or you can use careerbuilder.com, or moster

The H1C Visa allows a nurse to enter on a temporary work visa for employment by hospitals or employers that are pre-qualified by the U.S. as having a special need for nurses that is greater than the general need across the country. However, this category is limited to only 500 nurses each year for the pre-qualified hospitals or health care facilities and so is restrictive.
source: Murthy.com

Nurses used to have Schedule A visa which is close now

Thanks for everyone who responded to my query. I really your appreciate your responses. My problem is this is my second bachelors degree and I already used my OPT for the first year, so it seems I might have to get a job placement right after I am done with my BSN or right after I am done passing my NCLEX exam.

Any suggestion, how one could try getting a job when one is still preparing for NCLEX or completing final year in a nursing school?

Thanks once again,
psherpa

Sorry I don't have answer for your question but I hav a question though.
Can somebody with two years nursing assiciate degree take NCLEX exam for RN? I know one can take the test for LPN. What are the options for being a RN with associate degree without a BN?

Thank you for your answer in advance.

I am in the same chapter. so could anyone please clarify.

Thanx

Of course u can take NCLEX-RN with two yrs associate degree if u did it in US . NCLEX-RN is same for ADN and BSN.

Psherpa,
I am sure the senate will again bring the quota in schedule A. USA needs nurse a lot. Somebody told me that US health institutions and hospital are lobbying for this quota to come out pretty soon. Good luck for the nursing study.

Mr Shamrok, Keep yourself busy in nursing program. Better than mech. engineering.
Good luck.

I have similar question. After completing Associate Degree in Nursing in US, does one get 1 year OPT/CPT or not? If not, what will be the best choices for F1 students? Does one get nursing job with that degree? If so, what would be the visa type. I didn't believe that there is no Green card for ADN until I saw this thread. Suggestions please.

SABAIKO SATHI,

ADN AND BSN ARE THE SAME DEGREE THAT WILL ALLOW ONE TO TAKE THE R.N TEST WHICH ENABLES TO PRACTIC NURSING IN THE USA. BEFORE 2006 OCTOBER, F1 HOLDER WHO HAS THAT DEGREE CAN APPLY GREEN CARD DIRECTLY THRU SPONSOR. RIGHT NOW THE QUOTA FOR APPLYING GREEN CARD IS ZERO, THEREFORE TECHNICALLY, THERE IS NOTHING CAN BE DONE BUT TO WORK IN OPT FOR A YEAR. HOPE ONE YEAR WILL BE SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO GET NEW QUOTA. FOR CPT, YOU MUST BE TAKING CREDIT IN THE SCHOOL. FOR OPT, YOU DON'T. DECISION IS UPTO YOU.

Thanks a lot jayamatadi. But once you complete ADN and complete 1 yr OPT, is there any visa type to continue working with this degree? What would be the option after OPT, to go back to Nepal? I am thinking this for 2 yrs later time frame.

After the completion of your ADN degree, you are eligible to get an OPT that is good for a year employment in US. Many hospitals will hire you after your ADN degree, and you are required to take NCLEX exam within 6 months period. During that period, you can work as a Graduate Nurse. If the hospital that you worked for is willing to file for Green Card, you can do that. You may want to check with Human Resource office before starting your employment.

A recent update August Visa Bulletin published by Department of State shows that the cut-off date for all chargeability areas are once again current. This means, if you have either ADN or BSN degree and have passed NCLEX certification, and if the hospital you work for is willing to sponsor you, you can file your Green Card thru them. Please make sure that the deadline for cut-off date is August 17th, 2007.

Also, Nurses are required to take Visa Screen Certificate. Since the deadline to file the petition is not far enough, you can apply the petition on your behalf, which will lead you to get Employment Authorization Document, and Travel Documents. Unless you submit your VSC, USCIS will not adjudicate your case, and sends out Request for Evidence later. Once you get RFE, you can submit VSC which is perfectly fine. Also remember once you get EAD, it can be renewed each year until the decision has been made to your Adjustment of Status or Green Card application.

Now, if you fail to submit your application during this Current time, once your time is up on OPT, you have to return back to your school to continue study. As long as you can maintain your study in US, you don’t have to go back to Nepal.

NOTE: Since someone suggested in the forum that I trap people by asking them to email me with their request and try to generate money, I reiterate the fact that I CANNOT work for free. laborperm@gmail.com