I dont think that the RN degrees exist when hospitals only want BSN graduates, and there is still the chance to do a BSN afterwards... You can even do it online. I have a HS diploma, a Toefl Test, chemistry, English 101, psychology 101 already done, I only need the math and chem course plus the TEAS test, I think it is doable. At my college I am not the only international nursing student.

Take a look at all the Green Card sponsorship jobs on Indeed, there are over 1000 jobs listed all over the USA and even 10.000 dollar rewards if you sign up with one of the agencies, they even pay you for it since so many nurses are needed: https://www.indeed.com/q-Nurse-Sponsorship-jobs.html?vjk=910ef4afa1ae8003

There are many nurses from the Phillipines working in the USA and they oftentimes do not even have to retake the state nursing test. I think it is one of the only jobs in the USA where you have good chances, why portraying it all so black and white? Nurses are needed even when there is war so I think it is worth it going through the tests and prerequisites.

as if, do you speak swiss german?

Mhm I was wondering why people on this thread are so discouraging... Most of them also seem to be European who moved to the USA and who have no idea how the immigration process of nurses work that is why I wrote that I am asking people who have SPECIFIC knowledge. It is better to not comment at all when you have no clue instead of just saying something because you are unhappy with your own life.

The medical system does not only have problems in the USA, in Switzerland and Germany there are problems too, not enough nurses, too much economy in the medical system, not enough drugs available, children have to wait hours before getting treatment, two nurses for 20 plus patients, so the USA is still heaven for nurses and some Americans do not realize how good you have it. I never experienced a bad doctor or nurse in the US during my vacation and short stay as an exchange student. I had a health insurance back then and it was a wonderful experience, doctors were available 24 hours, you were able to choose the doctor you want to go to etc. It is not a bad system at all although I agree it should be affordable and available to everyone in the States yet I do know Americans who are happy not having a health insurance ...

Have you ever lived in Switzerland to be able to make such a statement? Seriously, there are several reasons for leaving Switzerland. Just because you heard Switzerland is such an amazing and beautiful place does not mean everyone needs to live there, there are plenty of Swiss not living there, for a good reason. Making holidays somewhere and living somewhere are 2 different things and trust me, living in the US is overall NOT bad AT ALL.

Oh really? :D How did most of them decide?

What is so appalling about the US system? I know that you guys have less holidays etc. but the payment is so good. Also, it is easier to buy a house in the US, service is better, people are friendlier, the gras isnt always greener on the other side.

Did you went through the process yourself or how do you know that it is hard to obtain a sponsorship? Do you know someone who went trough it or work as a recruiter/in the hospital? I need facts and not only what you might think the process is like. Thanks for understanding.

Ah yeah, -10 degrees since a few days here, I think Boston will be a paradise weather wise.

Nursing is actually one of the few 2 years degree where you can get a Green Card sponsored, otherwise I would not go. Green Card sponsorship and H1B visa are two different things. With a Green Card I wouldnt need the H1B visa. There are nursing recruiting companies who even pay for the Green Card process since so many hospitals are looking for nurses... I just wanted to ask someone who maybe already went through the process or knows someone. It is important to really have the facts. Otherwise I would stay in Switzerland which of course is also not bad at all, I dont really need to do it, it just would be a nice dream which would come true but of course I am fine with my life here too if it does not work out.

I am from Switzerland and I already have my student visa, it was very easy to get, I had it in 5 days without even going to the embassy... I hope nurses will be in high demand when I finish, but I think it would be also no problem to go back to work in Switzerland even if I should not get a Green Card. I just think Nursing school in the USA is really good, very practical and it will be awesome to improve my English.

From where do you know that it is difficult to get a work visa as a foreign RN nurse?

I dont know what exactly you want but it is easy I know people who did it, if you want to tell me that Americans dont have it easy well I am not going to steal anyone a job , everyone is responsible for their own luck, so please dont tell me what I am supposed to do just because you might think if Americans dont have it easy foreigners shouldnt have it easy . In the rural areas most Americans dont want to be nurses so they sponsor nurses, guess why there are traveling nurses , they cannot find local nurses to fill the positions, but thank you, I know what I am doing ;) And if you still dont believe me lets take a look on Indeed :

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https://www.indeed.com/q-Nurse-Visa-Sponsorship-jobs.html?vjk=46937b412ed984b2

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You can see there are 169 sponsoring jobs for green cards available. Please move on if you dont believe the facts.

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Tampa Florida"

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Shawnee Mission Kansas"

"Registered Nurse RN International Visa Sponsorship Manchester Kentucky"

Just 3 out of 169 jobs. Nurses are in high demands. Please get your facts straight.

First of all, international nurses most of the time do not rely on H1B visa, they get Green Cards sponsored. Second of all, I used to live in the USA but not as a student so I have a good idea on what is possible and what is not. You can do internships and work off campus when you ask for special permission. You can also have many amazing on campus jobs. Also, dont forget I have a home country to go back to if things should not work out. I have a goal and you dont reach goals by thinking they dont work out.

Furthermore, being a student in germany does not mean you are not limited, I am limited there as well, the maximum I can earn without paying high taxes is 800 Euros, I wouldnt get a loan for anything nor a nice flat or apartment, so I can directly go where I actually want to be.

Also, not everyone is supposed to live in their home country just because it seems "better" there on paper. I could go to Mexico and be happy af without a lot of money instead of being miserable on 800 Euros pension per month with cold weather in Germany. People are different. What means security to you means limitation to the other person.

Hi, there is not only the H1B visa, there is also Green Card sponsorship for nurses and teachers, bear that in mind. Also, dont forget that many international students can work off campus when you ask your college, you can do internships etc. in your major related field. I used to live in California so I have a good idea on how life is like in the USA and I know what I am looking for. I am probably not the first person going through this process so whatever will happen will happen, I still have a home country to go back to.

Ah ok I didnt know that since we study British English in Elementary and High school ;)

Ok will do and haha mature students is what we call it in Europe including the UK, what is the expression in the USA?

It is not certain, but nurses do get sponsored a lot and there are many German schools which look for German elementary teachers in and around Boston. Indeed is full with job offers for F1 students in both fields. Yes, It is a risky thing to do, but there are always opportunities and if not, I could still work somewhere else on this planet.

Well, nursing is not a lucrative field, that is true, but my goal is not to become rich. I am a big believer in needing the basic stuff in life and anything additional, the small things in life, I appreciate way more when I can treat myself once in a while instead of every day. I know teaching is also not lucrative, but I think I am just an idealist living according to my own values and I want to stay true to myself. I could never do a job I dont like just because the job is more lucrative.

People make rarely use of the social safety net in Germany, when you have an education you most of the time dont need it, and just because you have pension, does not mean you can live from it. Some Germans have to live with 800-1000 Euros pension per month. I rather would want to put money aside from my job in the USA and rely on myself instead of giving the government 45 percent of my hard earned money only to become poor when I retire. In the US there are many ways to take care of yourself, you just gotta take the risks.

Wonderful! What makes you recommend it in comparison to other colleges?

Hi, actually many international students go to community colleges :) I have many friends who did, including Germans. Most of the time they work hard in community college and then transfer to a 4 year university. It makes absolutely no difference and I do not really care what others think about CCs since it is my money and it is the same level of education most of the time. I did a semester at SBCC in Santa Barbara after high school and had a wonderful experience.

It is true that I would only pay around 200 Euros for one semester in Germany but of course the teaching method is very different. In the US you have a very hands-on mentality whereas in Germany everything is very theoretical. Also, in the USA professors are open to engage with their students whereas in Germany you sometimes sit with 400 people in one room and the professor looks at you as just a number.

Furthermore, becoming a teacher takes 7 years in Germany including two state exams, so calculate how long it would take me to finish and earn money, in the meantime I could already work in the USA and the tuition I pay in the meantime is the money I would loose by studying 3 more years in Germany. Nursing is a shitty job in Germany, pays around 2000 Euros per months, sometimes even less, many nurses quit, social jobs in Germany do not get paid well. We pay nearly 40-45 percent in taxes, bear that in mind, you are sometimes a slave to the government and will end up poor when you get older. Who is going to pay for my pension? U.S nurses have way more responsibility and it is a job which is regarded as pretty good in the U.S.

Overall, the USA has way more opportunity for me. I am a free-spirited person and feel in German society there is a lot of restriction and regulation. And dont forget how beautiful the USA is, isnt it worth it to spend a bit of tuition and have so many things to do? I love the nature in the USA, the freedom, the food and of course the language. It is simply a country I see myself living in long-term so I will take the risk.

Ok, wonderful, thanks for sharing this insider information. Helped a lot to make a decision.

Thank you for confirming that there are more mature students, then I think I will go for this college. Did you go there too?