Foreign RN searching for a job in NYC

Hello everyone!!!
I am a registered nurse, with BA, currently employed in Israel. 28 years old, single, no children.
I have 6 year experience working in surgical department and running an outpatient occupational clinic.
I have passed the NCLEX exam and all english exams and now searching for a job! Interested in relocation to NY. I belive I need a sponsorship in order to get h-1b visa.

Can anyone help me with that? Advice? Job offers?

I'm a hardworker, low maitenance kind of person who needs a job.

Thank you in advance!!

Tali4ka in Maale Adumim, Israel said: Hello everyone!!!
I am a registered nurse, with BA, currently employed in Israel. 28 years old, single, no children.
I have 6 year experience working in surgical department and running an outpatient occupational clinic.
I have passed the NCLEX exam and all english exams and now searching for a job! Interested in relocation to NY. I belive I need a sponsorship in order to get h-1b visa.

Can anyone help me with that? Advice? Job offers?

I'm a hardworker, low maitenance kind of person who needs a job.

Thank you in advance!!

Retrogression is still in effect, preventing any immigration of RN's. Due to the poor economy in the USA, hundreds of RN's are getting laid off, and new RN graduates are not finding jobs. The USA no longer has a shortage of nurses. Go to allnurses.com for more info

"The national nursing shortage could reach 500,000 by 2025, as many nurses retire and the demand for nurses balloons with the aging of baby boomers, according to Peter Buerhaus of Vanderbilt University Medical Center."

This is from an article written on march 7 this year.
Link: allnurses.com/nursing-news/nurse-shortages-have-375673.html

"The USA no longer has a shortage of nurses"???
I don't think so... The shortage is international and getting worse every month.
Instead of rewarding the nurses and by that attrackting more to the profession - nothing changes.
I would have left this business a long time ago, like many of my friends did, but I love this profession too much.

Any ideas as to how long will the retrogression take? Because it has been more thn 2 years already I think... Isn't it enough?...

Check out this threads from the same site: allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/applying-out-state-375767.html allnurses.com/washington-nurses/where-new-grad-376353.html allnurses.com/california-nurses/no-new-grad-362047.html Here is one on layoffs: allnurses.com/nursing-news/80-percent-pa-377108.html allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/lay-offs-377183.html allnurses.com/arizona-nurses/banner-layoffs-362518.html
Here are new grads who can't find jobs: allnurses.com/california-nurses/new-grad-programs-350988.html allnurses.com/california-nurses/new-grad-programs-350988.html There have been many threads on allnurses.com from nurses who can't find jobs due to hiring freezes as well as new grads who can't find jobs.

Tali4ka I don't want to disappoint you but here is another thread just posted today from a nurse who can't find a job in New York: allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/new-grad-new-378262.html

Hospitals are claiming nursing shortages so they can increase the number of H1B visas.It is a political strategy as hospitals like H1B nurses. Foreign nurses have a contract and work under a type of bonded servitude, so are unlikely to complain about unsafe pt to nurse ratios and lack of pt. safety. If you look at the number of RN's in this country compared to the actual number of nurses working as RN's you will realize there is not a nursing shortage, just a lot of nurses fed up with the working conditions. Nurses are now fighting H1B visa's as it is the only way working conditions and safe nurse to pt ratios is going to improve. It's a supply and demand economic situation: by flooding the market with an unlimited number of foreign nurses keeps wages low, and promotes unsafe working conditions. President Obama is also against the lifting of retrogression as he feels we need to employee and retain our nurses first.

I understand that. However I personaly woudn't mind working in any conditions no matter how poor. As long as I would be working! Before the retrogression I was offered a minimum wage job in a hospital and I agreed. Who knew that it will take so long for the retrogression to end!! Now I am willing to work anywhere and in any conditions. Frustrations had reached it's new highs...
If Obama is going to wait until all US nurses have jobs they are happy with before allowing anyone else to come - it will take years.
Seems a little unfair. I can understand if they wouldn't allow anyone to start the immigartion process NOW, but people like me, who are one step away are just being abused by the sistem.
There are hundreds of nurses in my situation. We have been wating for over 2 years after paying all the fees and passing all the exams.

I can understand your dream of coming to America! But poor working conditions affect patients--there is a correlation between increased pt deaths and poor working conditions.
Nurses are trying to improve working conditions as it means less malpractice, less liability and most importantly, less pt deaths. But when RN's are hired that are desperate to come to America and will work under any conditions, it sabotages our efforts. And as I said before, there is not a nursing shortage, but a shortage or nurses who are willing to work under poor working conditions. We have TONS of licensed RN's here--many of our new grads as well as experienced RN's are unable to find work. But our nurses here are "being abused by the system" when hospitals hire foreign RN's instead of offering safe pt to nurse ratios. The schools overseas are running scams to make money cranking out students who many NEVER get a job! Their government needs to shut them down!
And I hope you didn't agree to work for minimum wage as an RN here!
Have you thought of trying Canada?

Joyce in Bakersfield, California said: I can understand your dream of coming to America! But poor working conditions affect patients--there is a correlation between increased pt deaths and poor working conditions.
Nurses are trying to improve working conditions as it means less malpractice, less liability and most importantly, less pt deaths. But when RN's are hired that are desperate to come to America and will work under any conditions, it sabotages our efforts. And as I said before, there is not a nursing shortage, but a shortage or nurses who are willing to work under poor working conditions. We have TONS of licensed RN's here--many of our new grads as well as experienced RN's are unable to find work. But our nurses here are "being abused by the system" when hospitals hire foreign RN's instead of offering safe pt to nurse ratios. The schools overseas are running scams to make money cranking out students who many NEVER get a job! Their government needs to shut them down!
And I hope you didn't agree to work for minimum wage as an RN here!
Have you thought of trying Canada?

Canada is not for me. I want to get tp America because I love it, not because I want to go just anywhere. I have lots of friends there and visited many times, so I fell inlove with the country.
So another coutry wasn't a consideration.

After coming such a long way, waisting so much time, money and nurves, you really just want to get somewhere with it and see results. That is why it's so frustrating.

However, I always hope for the best. Hopefully the crisis will pass and everything will turn out ok.

Thank you for the info. If you'll hear anything useful and important - please write!

Good luck and all the best!!

Maybe a working visa would suffice while waiting for the green card. I read that HR 5924 is again up for legislative consideration. This would provide 60,000 green card visas for foreign RNs and PTs over the next 3 years. And contrary to some claims, not all foreign RNs would work for a pittance. I think it's in the immigration law that the salaries of the foreign and local RNs would be the same if immigration will push through. My salary here in Australia is ok just that I do not have a relative here. On the other hand, I have 2 professional siblings in the US; hence, my desire. I also love the American sense of equality. And having been a new grad myself it will take years before a new grad's competence to equate that of an experienced NCLEX passer. Moreover, it is the shortage of nurses that can be detrimental let alone have fatal consequences as too many nurses take on too many patients and be forced to take compulsary overtime. It's your choice if an American nurse is keen to take on all the patients and all the shifts.

"It's your choice if an American nurse is keen to take on all the patients and all the shifts."

But it is not our choice to take these pts. when hospitals know that is all they have to do is scream nursing shortage and suddenly the floodgates open, allowing RN's to immigrate. Hospitals use this to their advantage and know that there are foreign RN's who are begging to come to this country (Hey! Not that I blame you!) If we allow retrogression to be lifted, then all our work will be undone--we will have too many nurses, which allows poor working conditions and a too high of RN to pt ratio. It's a supply and demand thing. We lose all leverage by having too many RN's. Ask for profit hospitals and they will tell you there is a nursing shortage. Ask nurses and they will say there is not a nursing shortage. If you compare how many RN's are licensed vs how many RN's are working as RN's, you will see a huge disparity. There is not a nursing shortage in America, there is a shortage or working nurses.

What really needs to be done is for all foreign RN schools to be shut down. They keep making $$$$$ cranking out RN's, promising jobs in America when there are none. Due to the current economy, most areas in America have an abundance of new grads and experienced RN's that can't find a job unless they move 2000 miles away from home. RN's are going to fight the lifting of retrogression to keep our RN's that are citizens employed, as well as to help improve working conditions and safe RN to pt ratios. And Obama will listen this time and not pass policy to benefit for profit healthcare companies.

The H1B visa issue is even affecting foreign students that come here to study then get a job after graduation. Here is an article from Yahoo: World to US Business Schools: Thanks but No Thanks "Nishant Banore got one step closer to his dream of attending a business school in the U.S. when he received an offer of admission this fall from UCLA's Anderson School of Management. Banore, founder of I-Alive, a nonprofit that educates Indian youth about healthy living, was even more excited when the school told him he'd landed a lucrative $30,000 fellowship, a coup in an especially competitive year for B-school admissions. The Indian applicant's enthusiasm quickly waned though as he considered his job prospects in the U.S. after graduation. With limited H-1B job visas available, a shaky economic climate, and new restrictions on hiring foreign workers in the financial services sector, attending an American B-school all seemed all of a sudden too big a risk to take."

I don't blame you for wanting to move to America. We are, after all, a melting pot comprised of people from all nations. But when the economy hits tough times,it's time to cut back on immigration. And when the supply and demand has hit its peak, it's time to stop the H1B visa for that particular occupation.

I think that we should allow US-educated foreign nurses to work in the US. After all they graduated in the States, and it is only fair to allow them to work in hospitals that badly need them. I have friends who are nurses and were laid off, but promptly after they found another job. I have another friend who couldn't find a job as new grad in NYC, but she found a job upstate NY. My point is that there are jobs for nurses in America, but we won't always get what we want at first. Also, nurses pay a lot for taxes!!!

hi ,i would love to tell you something and i would love you take of me so i am a soccer player and i am really good but i would love someone help me to find an H1B sponsorship job offer so that i found an H1B visa.just tell me how could you help please .i have to let you know who i was a student but for the time being i don't have any posibility to get it over that is the reson i am looking over to find a better life .so i would and any way you help me

Sorry, but we have too many American nurses who are unable to find jobs right now. There is no longer a nursing shortage. Our economy is in poor shape and the job market reflects that.

I always believe that nursing transcends the bounderies of race, religion and beliefs. That nursing shortage shouldn't be kept at a certain level for some small groups to maintain their bargaining power for pay and benefits. This will be selfish and unsafe. We have forgotten that it is not about us, it has always been about our patients or clients and Their rights to be cared for in a safe and rightly manner. Without prejudice and politics. A nurse should be hired not because they are a nurse, but because they are qualified and has the right attitude, skills and knowledge. Competition exist so as a certain level of standards are met. A hospital should not just pick somebody because he/she is a nurse but because they are qualified. There is no american nurses or foreign nurses in nursing, there are only NURSES... for those who understand this message I am proud to be your colleague.

STAY OUT OF THE US!!!!!

American nurses are struggling for work, signing up for unemployment! New grads cant get hired. Experienced nurses cant find work...I know I am one of them. I have sent out tons of emails, resumes, applications, phone calls, etc and I barely have anyone even respond. I have heard this over and over from other very experienced nurses. THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE US!!!!! With the economy as terrible it is, RN's are grabbing any job they can find and its a freeding frenzy. I was told today that I couldnt apply for a job b/c they already had 150 applications!!!!! The hospital pulled the job posting! Agencies have told me that they havent had any work available from the hospitals in months b/c the hospitals have "hiring freezes". I even had a job posted today for 1/2 of what RN's make...it was in the teens/hr!!! That's insulting! But even at that...nurses are trying to get the jobs. This is the worst thing I have seen in over 8 yrs of nursing. I have been so frustrated, degraded, and depressed over this. Everyone thinks RN's can just go run out and get a job, but there arent any!

We do NOT need any more foreign nurses to come here and steal our jobs. American jobs for American nurses!!!!!!!

rn_extradorinare in California said: STAY OUT OF THE US!!!!!

American nurses are struggling for work, signing up for unemployment! New grads cant get hired. Experienced nurses cant find work...I know I am one of them. I have sent out tons of emails, resumes, applications, phone calls, etc and I barely have anyone even respond. I have heard this over and over from other very experienced nurses. THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE US!!!!! With the economy as terrible it is, RN's are grabbing any job they can find and its a freeding frenzy. I was told today that I couldnt apply for a job b/c they already had 150 applications!!!!! The hospital pulled the job posting! Agencies have told me that they havent had any work available from the hospitals in months b/c the hospitals have "hiring freezes". I even had a job posted today for 1/2 of what RN's make...it was in the teens/hr!!! That's insulting! But even at that...nurses are trying to get the jobs. This is the worst thing I have seen in over 8 yrs of nursing. I have been so frustrated, degraded, and depressed over this. Everyone thinks RN's can just go run out and get a job, but there arent any!

We do NOT need any more foreign nurses to come here and steal our jobs. American jobs for American nurses!!!!!!!

If there aren't any jobs available - there isn't anything to "steal" (!)...
People are trying to get help here and consult each other in a friendly way, so there's really no need for screaming and shouting. It won't help you eather.

The problem is that the hospitals LIKE foreign nurses because they will take an overload of pts to the point it is not safe and won't complain, putting pts. at jeopardy. There has never been a shortage of nurses in the USA, but there is a shortage of NURSES working that are willing to put up with the crap of the hospitals. Look at how many licensed RN's there are here in the USA vs how many are actually working in nursing and you will see a big discrepancy.

Foreign nurses keep wages low, and working conditions poor. Hospitals love foreign nurses and will scream nursing shortage when there is none so the can open the gate to foreign nurses. We now have an abundance of RN's, and need to employ our citizens first. Nursing is about US, as we care for pts. but can't do it properly if we are sabotaged by foreign nurses that will not complain about RN to pt ratios, acuity and are afraid to call in sick and come to work sick.

We have a right to employ our citizens first over foreign nurses. How would you like it if we came to your country and took jobs away from your citizens when there were unemployed, qualified workers to fill the jobs?

rn_extradorinare in California said: We dont care about "helping" and "consulting" foreigners...STOP trying to scheme to come here and take our jobs...and yes it is stealing. We dont want or need you here! WHY the hell would we want foreigners to come here and take the few jobs open when SO many US RN's CANT find work????? Get over yourself! We dont want you here!

From your way you are expressing yourself I emagine that YOU are not the one anyone would come to ask for help... of any kind. So you really should get over YOURSELF first.

If you are here not for helping or consulting, what really are you doing in a forum page called "Foreign RN searching for a job in NYC"? Trying to teach everyone how to live their lives? Or are you trying t intimidate somebody by using phrases like "We dont want or need you here!" - Woooo, scary! That's it - you have convinced me, I'll drop the whole thing now. Seriously?:))

You should learn from Joyce (the one that wrote after you) how to say what you mean to say without being insulting and appaling.
Joyce thank you for explaining kindly the situation. To answer your quastion: Naturally if the situation was reverse I wouldn't be thrilled that foreigners are coming to steal our jobs, so I do totally understand that this is how you feel.
However it isn't fair to put the blame of this whole recent crisis on the shoulders of foreign nurses. We aren't clueles. The conditions in whitch many are hired (from the people I know personally) are not any poorer then US RN's. The salary however is lower in the beginning, that is true.
I don't know where this whole situation is leading but hopefully some good will come out of it... for everyone.

I agree with Joyce, not are we vested as nurses but we are also patients.

I don't believe we would be allowed to come and work in other countries while their natives nurses were collecting unemployment.

Our laws require foreign nurses to get paid the prevailing wage.

To qualify for a H1B visa you have to be an advanced practice nurse or have special qualifications. Tali4ka you do not meet the requirements for this visa, coming under this visa is FRAUD.

While our laws do dictate that foreign nurses get paid the prevailing rate, the prevailing rate is kept low in some hospitals and communities so that American nurses won't apply. Then the hospitals claim nursing shortage, allowing foreign nurses to enter the country.

Interesting that I paid my newly licensed plumber $65 an hour (he had 2 years experience) and I used him because his buddies charged $90 an hour.

Joyce in Running Springs, California said: While our laws do dictate that foreign nurses get paid the prevailing rate, the prevailing rate is kept low in some hospitals and communities so that American nurses won't apply. Then the hospitals claim nursing shortage, allowing foreign nurses to enter the country.

Interesting that I paid my newly licensed plumber $65 an hour (he had 2 years experience) and I used him because his buddies charged $90 an hour.

I agree with your assessment and my I add conditions in these places are so horrible that US nurses won't work in them. Also the foreign nurses have to stay in these places since they signed a contract.

Read this fact sheet about some Filipino nurses that were harrassed, underpaid and horrible working conditions--when they quit they were charged with patient abandonment.

www.pnanewyork.org/articles/sentosa.html

No American nurse would work at these nursing homes because of the working conditions. So they hired Filipino RN's to use as slaves.

Nurse in Stoughton, Massachusetts said: I agree with Joyce, not are we vested as nurses but we are also patients.

I don't believe we would be allowed to come and work in other countries while their natives nurses were collecting unemployment.

Our laws require foreign nurses to get paid the prevailing wage.

To qualify for a H1B visa you have to be an advanced practice nurse or have special qualifications. Tali4ka you do not meet the requirements for this visa, coming under this visa is FRAUD.

You cannot know if I do or don't meet the requirenments. But that isn't the point even. There are no H1B visas available right now.

The situation with foreign nurses is as with all foreign workers... (except from hightec maybe..) they are being exploited in many ways. The secret is to know the whole picture and not be naive. This is why it is important to hear what is really going on (from real people) and not what hospitals want us to belive.

rn_extradorinare in California said: STAY OUT OF THE US!!!!!

American nurses are struggling for work, signing up for unemployment! New grads cant get hired. Experienced nurses cant find work...I know I am one of them. I have sent out tons of emails, resumes, applications, phone calls, etc and I barely have anyone even respond. I have heard this over and over from other very experienced nurses. THERE IS NO NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE US!!!!! With the economy as terrible it is, RN's are grabbing any job they can find and its a freeding frenzy. I was told today that I couldnt apply for a job b/c they already had 150 applications!!!!! The hospital pulled the job posting! Agencies have told me that they havent had any work available from the hospitals in months b/c the hospitals have "hiring freezes". I even had a job posted today for 1/2 of what RN's make...it was in the teens/hr!!! That's insulting! But even at that...nurses are trying to get the jobs. This is the worst thing I have seen in over 8 yrs of nursing. I have been so frustrated, degraded, and depressed over this. Everyone thinks RN's can just go run out and get a job, but there arent any!

We do NOT need any more foreign nurses to come here and steal our jobs. American jobs for American nurses!!!!!!!

RN_extradorinare your name is a misnomer - I think RN_ordinaire or RN_mediocre are more apt for you (btw, have you noticed your name is misspelled?). Do you know how I've come up with that assertion. First, you say you're an experienced RN yet you've been laid off. Worse, you've submitted over I guess by now 200 applications and you have not been able to be interviewed. What is that BS about teen rates - are you an RN or what? You're working in critical care and you would only be getting a pittance - are you kidding! I think you are a LPN or CNA! I'm not surprised - you're comm skills needs refining and your writing exudes hysterical and bullying behavior - not good in a code sitn. ok

I need RN advice from someone in Australia? Really? I don't need to defend myself to you but you are an idiot and know NOTHING about the US economy and it's affect on RN's right now. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! Your post is full of ignorance towards the RN's in the US right now and our problems with finding work and foreigners who come here and steal our jobs. YES, I am a RN BSN and I was offered $16/hr!!! YES!!! YES there are new grads all over the country who can't find any work. YES!!!! There are experienced RN's all over the country who can't find work and are signed up for unemployment. You have NO idea what you are talking about. So how about shutting up about US RN working conditions and stay out of our country so we can have a decent shot at finding work.

I am a RN out of work also. I also have been putting in resumes, applications, etc with no luck. I have been doin this for months now. No jobs or not hiring!!

Tali4ka....I agree with what you said. I know she as well as others are frustrated with not being able to find jobs...but she could have written things in a more friendly form.
I'm not a nurse. I'm pretty much done with all my prerequisites for the nursing program. I'm worried that by the time i graduate i won't be able to find a job. I actually work at a hospital in the lab. Some Nursing assistants that just finished school and are recent RN licence....Can not find jobs. In fact the current employed nurses are barely getting hours in.
I remember a year ago one girl said to me that nursing is a secure job. And I had to stop her... because job loss was starting to get noticeable. I knew that when people were loosing their jobs they also lost health insurance...keeping them from seeing a health proffesional. And that when all that adds up it will eventually hit the health careers...which is what is happening...job freezes for nurses.
But when the economy gets better...just want to let you know....you are welcome to this country :)

Ez in Northbrook, thank you for being this kind and understanding;) I wish to you the best as well!

Yesterday pres.Obama spoke about the new health plan. Some sirious changes are to come. I wonder how this will effect the nursing "industry" in the US directly?... One would expect an increase in available jobs since the health services about to become more affordable to the public...

Any ideas?

Yes, hopefully more nursing jobs will open up, but we still have thousands of American nurses that are unemployed, as well as thousands more in US nursing schools. We need to hire these people first, so don't anticipate that immigration will be once again opened up.

rn_extradorinare in California said: I need RN advice from someone in Australia? Really? I don't need to defend myself to you but you are an idiot and know NOTHING about the US economy and it's affect on RN's right now. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!! Your post is full of ignorance towards the RN's in the US right now and our problems with finding work and foreigners who come here and steal our jobs. YES, I am a RN BSN and I was offered $16/hr!!! YES!!! YES there are new grads all over the country who can't find any work. YES!!!! There are experienced RN's all over the country who can't find work and are signed up for unemployment. You have NO idea what you are talking about. So how about shutting up about US RN working conditions and stay out of our country so we can have a decent shot at finding work.

Hello! That is what I was saying - can you not say your piece civilly befitting a health professional (if you are one, that is?) like Ez who is barely out of nursing school. And mind you, Im not just an RN but a CNS so a $16/hr job will certainly not interest me especially given the favorable exchange rate at the moment. All Im exploring is the reasons why you rnmediocre fail to be hired - might be inherent in you so instead of making American foreign born nurses and foreign born nurse permanent residents as scapegoats look in the mirror first. I know, I interview people for our ICU ward. Never hurt to brush your teeth and apply some Rexona. Funny but I find offense in your shrewish and hysterical remarks. You remind me of a WWF wrestler with overalls and an axe. Its about time for a mental consult. Ive recently had an American pt whose wife is an American nurse - I cannot help but dwell - but she seems friendly and open. So rnmediocre behave and spruce up as well as improve your comm and clinical skills. Your $16/hr and new grad and RN jobs dont interest me. Good luck! Your welcome!

Yesterday pres.Obama spoke about the new health plan. Some sirious changes are to come. I wonder how this will effect the nursing "industry" in the US directly?...

I know someone who is thinking about going into medical school...He believes should Obama's plan pass it will revolutionize the nurses "job responsibilities" that will eventually affect the nursing assistants. Most people are perplexed (including myself) when it gets to socialized health insurance. Right...one would think that if this plan is to help more people...then there should be an increase of patients therefore an increase demand of nurses or other health professionals.

Lady nurse in Israel,

You can try in Florida. There are many old people. Nurses can still get jobs here, there are many New Yorkers in South Florida. I understand though, that it's not New York. Good Luck to you, I hope you can come to the States, welcome.

From what I understand, nurses in Florida are having problems finding jobs too:
allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/jobs-florida-panhandle-418529.html

If you go to Allnurses.com and search their website for "job Florida" you will find mnay other posts where Florida nurses are unable to find jobs.

I can't find anything, and I am a US citizen. Been a nurse for 4 years and nothing.