₦airaland Forum

I dey o. Who you be , abeg? Send me message for whatsapp, if you get my number or via facebook. NL can be 'faceless'

BlueBeard:
@auschris morning sir. Its bn a while, how's work and family? I'm sure you can't recognize me due to the moniker .
Baba I loyal ooo

For the benefit of those following this thread, what agencies do you recommend and why?
Westways may not be a perfect agency, I personally know Nigerian RNs that they have sponsored. Some are my classmates, ex-students and others I have not met in person but have had the privilege of guiding through their process and helping them get settled in the US.

omonaija123:
Just be careful of these newer agencies . Westways is a newer company , have you seen anyone actually sponsored by them?

In what capacity do you work with international nurses and who in Avant did you speak with?
I moved here to the US through Avant in 2016. I completed my contract in 19 months. I coordinate and mentor a large group of international RNs from Nigeria from across many agencies. I also mentor another group of RNs in Nigeria that have passed their NCLEX and currently on their immigration process.
I have first hand knowledge of the issue in question but I reserve my public judgment on that. However, I am very concerned that prospective international RNs are bearing the brunt of the actions of some our compatriots.

omonaija123:
I work with international nurses so I know what I’m talking about and have talked to these agencies myself.

And you know this how? You sound very sure of what you are saying but you are very far from the truth.

omonaija123:
From what I heard , money is a big issue, the agency would pay the nurse a quarter of what the agency is being paid by the hospital. Also working conditions , as a international nurse they going to put you in where they need nurses the most which may not be the best places. I also heard that sometimes Avant does not treat their international nurses right so that could also be another issue.

Madam, how you dey? I'm so happy for you. Thank God you did not let that issue deter you. God bless you.

barbiee:
I'm so grateful for this thread, it was long overdue but before I say anything if you are not abroad yet and want to know how you can immigrate as a nurse then follow the link above to the other thread where you can be guided in this process.
With that being said, I will go ahead and share my little experience in diaspora.
As some of you may already know I was on route to USA through the cgfns process but had to stop halfway due to situations beyond my control. During my time off I decided to look into the UK which turned out to be a good idea because few months after I started the process I landed here. I highly recommend this route if you are tired of waiting in Nigeria, you can go to the uk and work while you pursue your American, Canadian or Australian dream. The last time I checked there is a big difference between 10 pounds and 10 naira.

1. I had no issues with immigration, Nursing is on the shortage occupation list so it was easy. my visa was granted within 15 working days without having a visa interview. my employer paid for my visa and flights.

2. I landed in Manchester UK in April and what hit me first was not the fancy airport or buildings, nah it was the cold. My teeth were clattering and I was trying so hard not to appear shaky. it was supposed to be spring but it didnt feel like spring to me though. The cold was real but what was more real was the wind. Everyone kept saying I'm lucky i arrived this period because it was warm and I was like well maybe its warm to you but definitely not to me.

3,4. Working here is different from how we do it back home in Nigeria, we have to explain everything to the patient and get consent before carrying out any procedure. Handwashing nkor? I now carry hand lotion in my pocket because of it, another culture shock is addressing my boss with his or her name. No more sir or ma, they dont even like it when you say mr or mrs in front of their name, secondly I only noticed this when I got here, Nigerians say the word sorry a lot even when it's not necessary and up till today I'm still guilty of this. When someone gets hurt the first thing that comes out of my mouth is sorry and he/she will be like oh it's not your fault thirdly, there is no doctor yelling at you here because that is verbal abuse, everyone does what they are expected to do and not pass their job to someone else. Lastly, you are accountable for all your decisions and actions.

5. Work, make money, further education, travel etc

6. To all Aspiring Nurses, make hay while the sun shines, NMC uk has made the process of immigrating to uk easier and faster, do not waste your opportunities, stop wishing and start acting on those dreams. There is no better time to start this process than now.
Ps. I'm still going to pursue my usa registration but until that time comes, let me jejely enjoy my pounds.
More stories and pictures coming soon.

What kind of visa should someone that intends to write an international certification exam in SA apply for?

What are the steps involved in applying for the visa (including cost, documents and duration)?
Thank you

I don respond

mamajaz:
I just dey jare, Torry sour small oh, I still deynon top am though. Make I pm you please.

De mama I dey o. No be small sontin. I dey peep in from time to time. So many good things happening. How far with your own process?

mamajaz:
Auschris baba, I twale you oh. Long time no see sir. Much respect.

My recruiter, Avant, sponsored me under the EB-3 category (which is an Immigrant visa and confers on one a Legal Permanent Resident status). When you arrive in the US, your permanent residency card will be mailed to you (provided you have paid the green fee of $220.)

Babyvet:
Can you explain how you got it in 2 months?

The process of sponsoring foreign educated nurses to practice in the US is still on. I benefited from this process 2 years ago. I got my green within 2 months of my arrival. There are thousands of others like me, who have completed the process or very close to completing the process.

Babyvet:
I'm just curious, is the still US still sponsoring nurses to come here to work and are they actually getting green cards? The reason, I ask because a few years back, there was a nursing shortage and the US government were giving work visa to filipino nurses. I heard they stopped due to many of them coming and immigration issues.

Oga, congratulations and thank you for sharing your experience.
I dey wait for una.

Tunjinodaysoff:
hi all...this post is premature cos i have not yet collected my passport from the USA embassy. But i just want to put it out there.

Long story short...VISA APPROVED AND ISSUED BY USA EMBASSY
Interview was set on August 7 2018. After so much waiting the day came
see security...omo.
Well our case number ended with 004 so i presumed 3 people would be interviewed before us
My wife was ready. All documents printed and all checks and balances made via document checklist. Medical was fine. Made new police clearance and NBI fingerprint in case they said previous was expired (they did not)
After security checks we were sent to an area to sit. children were fast asleep. See tension in the air. we were only Nigerians in Abu Dhabi embassy (Other nationalities with good economies still struggling to enter Yankee)
Naso 7:30 them call us (big lady, lovely smile and attitude). Just dy go through our papers. She was courteous and assuring. Asked some questions to wife.
CGFNS, Marriage certificate, offer letter (originals and copy). Told us we will be called by another consular and that we should go for fingerprint.
Fingerprint done. next we were called by the other consular. BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS

Everything you need to know about you, your job, employer, hubby or spouse, terms of contract, where you would be working or living, where you have lived...so many questions. But if you go online and also use @auscris (my main oga for life) visa journey questions. you will be fine.

***THEN THE WHITE PAPER FINALLY CAME***

"Congratulations on being approved for USA immigrant visa, within 2-3 days you will receive email notification on where and when to collect your passport and packet 4"

Relief, we all went back to sleep. well email never enter but i just felt like boosting you guys. Employer has booked ticket for my family. Me i go dy Dubai small then join them. Employer paid for a months rent in Calico North Dakota. we have a contract for 6 months 2 bedroom apartment. when i saw the pictures i was gladdened. Hopefully next time i update will discuss SSN and other things....keep the faith all. its all hard-work, prayers and hope!!! GRACE AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW US ALL. AMEN.

Congratulations and thank you for the detailed account of your experience. I wish you the best in the stages ahead. See you on the other side.

vickyehi:
I havent been here for a while mostly because this thread isnt as fast as others. Anyways I just wanna drop this here to encourage someone.

My Timeline
*Registered for CGFNS....Oct 1 2016
*Paid for CGFNS.........Oct 21 2016
*SON transcript sent .....nov 1st 2016 (I didnt send my midwifery transcript
*Applied for NMCN validation.......nov 24 2016
*NmCN sent validation......april 13 2017(council moved from previous location to new location and plenty other stories of people moving offices and reshuffled jobs etc....it was annoying)
* additional info required by cgfns.....June 10 2017(they wanted the obs experience separated from the gynea)

Moved to canada for studies in june
* sent back to cgfns ........August 3rd 2017
*CES report received .......nov 17th 2017
*applied to Texas BON ......nov 21 2017
*applied to identgo(finger print company).......20 nov 2017
*nursing jurisprudence exam passed......dec 12 2017
( I applied for the exam on the same day and bought their 25$ lecture and listened to it. At the end of the lecture I logged into the exam and took it. I passed in that sitting with 92%. So fear not the exam is very straightforward)
*Texas bon requested for another verification from nmcn .......23rd dec 2017
* VOL sent to BON ......Jan 21 2018
*finger print card received....Feb 5th 2018( there was a delay here because the ist ond they sent didnt get to me for some reasons I cant explain)
*finger print done and sent .....Feb 22nd 2018
* criminal check completed .....12th March 2018

* registered with Pearson vue ......5th may 2018 (I decided I wasnt gonna run anymore and I would take the nclex , let what wants to happen, happen. I was just tired of stressing about it )

* ATT sent ........8th may 2018( lolzzz....didnt know it would be so fast....I almost prayed God should take it back ist.....because suddenly my liver fail me....hahhahaha)

Att was going to expire by July so I fixed my exam for June 25th at 12noon. Exam centre was 2hrs away from my city so I followed a friend to the city a day before. I cant say I slept at night sha...but I told myself that it isnt know that I will read what will come out tomorrow. But I couldnt stop glancing at my note till I slept off.

Test day experience
I woke up at 8am ans my friend had left because she tests at 8am. I took the taxi to the venue and got there 1.5hrs early (my nerves were all over the place). Receptionist asked me to wait downstairs and come back upstairs 30mis before my test time (because I was too early and there is no waiting in the exam centre lobby). I came back upstairs as directed. Used the washroom, said a short prayer and went in.

Security check and palm vein all done and I was in front of the desktop. Took a deep breath, prayed again and started.

Finished in 1hr 50mins at 75questions. I took my break at the point and went to the washroom to wash my face, pray and I came back to my sit.I got the surgery questions (15 or so)and some other pilot study questions (30quest). I was already mentally exhausted and didnt want to sit anymore but I just answered them so the system can switch off.syetem finally shut off and I left.

I got the email notification of exam taken and immediately did my PVC trick. I got the good pop up( that's you try to re register and it says you already have an existing registeration). I waited for the 48hrs and did the quick result check. it was there .....I PASSED !!!!.
Saw my name later in the day on Texas site(verification of licence RN ). I got my certificate with my license number on the 8th of August 2018(single license because I dont have a US SSN)

It was an amazing experience!

Study material:
Saunders 7th ed;
really wonderful for content. If you can finish it that would be wonderful. I stopped at chap 52 sha.....
Mark klimek audios;
Helps put things in perspective for you. It is a wonderful resource. Make sure u actually know ur cushman
Kaplan Qbank;
I finished it ....dont worry of you fail the SATA here it happens...I got 18% on the SATA. Average percentage at the end of the qbank was 54%.
CAT1 in feb ....finished at 80quest
CaT2 ......finished at 82quest (3wks to exam)
CAT 3......finished at 87quest(2wks to exam)
Uword;
This is by far the best qbank but I advice u use it only after u have arranged ur content. Uworld would also give u a lot of information on content also and the visual aids are wonderful.Average percentage at the end of qbank was 64% on the 82nd percentile( I think)
Ist and 2nd assessment......very high chance of passing.

If it helps anyone also note that;
Reading was done while attending school full time and with a full time job till april. Then just a full time job from april till exam day . Just do what you have to do to make it work for u.....above all believe in yourselves!
You are a Nigerian RN, you survived that.....you can survive anything

Sorry for the long post.....

Yes

Kimkardashain:
can you migrate with your family?

Zinny18:
I don't really know, but I'm suspecting it's because I verified both nursing and midwifery license While I filled only nursing on the Cgfns CES application.

If this is actually the problem, does it have a solution?

Contact cgfns and find out why they rejected the license validation. Everything(except death) has a solution when you have a good understanding of why it occurred in the first place.

Zinny18:
Please what do I do? Cgfns did not accept my license validation form from nursing council Nigeria.

Why?

I suggest you hold off on paying for the expedite service until you are sure that all your documents have been received by CGFNS.
If any of your documents is found to be inadequate (as is common with CGFNS lately), the fee you paid for the expedite process may turn out to be a waste since the process of rectifying any errors will definitely cause delays that defeats the purpose of the expedite process.
If you don't mind my asking, why do you want to expedite your review process?

nonitilda:
Hi everyone, please how do I apply for cgfns express service? Is it after the initial payment of CES $350? Cos I was thinking I can pay them together but I didn't see any provision made for that.

He's not an RN. He's a physiotherapist. However, the immigration process follows the same pattern. Some people were fortunate to go through uscis without delays. Having a BSN or Diploma had no impact on approvals. For instance, I have a friend with an MSc who passed nclex in Dec 2016 and they filed for her at the end of January 2017. She got denied and they are refiling for her. Another person with diploma passed nclex at the end of March 2017 and they filed in May 2017. She's going for her visa interview next week. I have seen someone with a diploma that passed nclex in May 2017 who got his visa last month.
These persons started with Avant from the scratch. Avant started massive filing in February and there have been very good feedbacks. This morning, a friend informed me that she has been approved after 3 weeks of filing. Let's hope the momentum continues.
Avant does not typically use NC. The commonly use CT, TX, CO, NM

success2k7:
@kfash, pls I have these few questions 4 u in order to clear some grey areas in my mind:

1.) When was your I140 filed? I noticed it was approved at once.

2.) Did u apply with a BNSc or Nursing Diploma?

3.) At what stage did u sign up with avant? Was it before u wrote n passed ur nclex or after? Perhaps u did all the nclex/bon/ielts palaver yourself b4 signing up with avant.

4.) What BON did u use? NC?

Thank you as u provide answers to the above.

Guy, how far? How's NC?

deoludabest:
Wow! This forum is informative and kudos to the initiator and contributors of this forum. I came across this topic yesterday and I read it from the beginning to the present page. I'm a nurse in the UK and I'm processing my application with Texas BON.

You are welcome

Zinny18:
Hi friends please I need your candid advice on which agency to sign up with between Shearwater and Westway. I've already passed their interview.
Please advise wisely and ASAP.
Thanks

Go with Shearwater

Vaughan27:
please if you want to register for CGFNS to send your certificate to BON. Do you think it's better to register in Nigeria here before traveling or register after traveling to the US?

Do it before travelling. That way, you can follow up yourself.

Credential Evaluation Service is a service by CGFNS for the purpose of evaluating your transcripts and license to ensure that it meets the requirements of the board of nursing to which you are applying. If you intend to register with the Colorado Board of Nursing, I suggest you go through their website to know what their requirements are.

yemkenny:
I have immigrant visa and am in colorado presently.And please what is CES.

I am an Avant RN. I can relate to your concerns and know many people that are facing the same challenges that you are going through now.
This is not specific to Nigerians or Avant. There are still a few persons whose petitions were approved. I guess USCIS do what they like.
Like others have told you, do not give up. Keep your dreams alive. I also want to add that you have to be very patient (I know how hard it is). Trust the process and trust Avant. They have your interest at heart and would not want to lose their investments. From what I have heard, they will resume filing from January.
The process may take a little longer but it will surely come through. It took 9 years from when I passed CGFNS to get here.
My favorite quote to all facing this situation is "in this process, patience is a virtue". Relax, my friend ��. Your time will come.

nervorum:
Colleagues,

I'm an NCLEX holder with a Colorado board license sponsored by AVANTS..Just received news my I-140 was denied and i really feel frustrated and unsure of my next steps. I'm thinking of putting in for CBT and forgetting the US thingy altogether (put in 18months to get here with avants). You guys think its a good idea.

Honestly im an emotional reck these days after hearing the news of my denial. I can't say im in the best mind frame to make a sound decision. PLEASE SOMEONE TALK TO ME!

It's a good thing that you have left the USCIS stage. DS260 becomes available after your agency pays the fee. DS260 is to be filled by you but they may want to cross check it before it is submitted.
Avant usually sends you a demo that serves as a guide while filling yours.

Tunjinodaysoff:
House good morning. My wife has been issued license by Michigan board of nursing. But the company assisting us said because of our new born. It would take another 3-4 months before we hear anything from NVC. the last time we talked to them they said we were at the DS260 form stage. I would like to ask if the DS260 form is filled by us or if it's by attorney. And also how soon do you think we will be invited for interview please @auscris @iyman please help out

Congratulations. I rejoice with you and wish you success in the stages ahead

ogwashiukwu:
Yes, I've come with good news. It has been officially confirmed that my beloved wife passed her NCLEX exam. I'm overwhelmed with joy. It can only be God. A lot of sacrifices were made, but it all paid off at last.

Tunjinodaysoff:
good pop-up

Congratulations

omalyn:
New member alert!!!. please i need guidance on how to go about becoming an RN in US. Couldnt read all the threads. please what should i do first?

I recommend that you take the time to go through this thread. You will find it helpful. Then, you can ask specific questions.

kessel:
Mr man we are not here for jokes, be careful

Is there something you know that we don't know? Please share

Ckfgee:
Do you know anyone that has written in the Philippines? Or just assumptions. What's the guarantee the Philippine embassy in Abuja will give tourist visa for nclex purpose?

There are many people that have gone to Philippines to sit for the exam. As I dey type now, people dey air to Manilla.
Opportunity favors the brave. Just believe

barbiee:
Great Nurses, As earlier suggested by @princelynx. The whatsapp group for Nigerian nurses with the dream of working abroad will be created tomorrow. Please quote this message and reply with your number to be added to the group.

@Barbiee, I don't think creating a whatsapp group is good at this point. There are hundreds of people that visit this thread for information. A whatsapp group will deprive them of that info.
Secondly, I don't think that the original intent of the creator of Nairaland is to have people create micro - groups from existing threads.
If there was a whatsapp group before I joined this thread, I probably would not know useful it is because all the relevant information would be shared only on the whatsapp group.
While a whatsapp group may serve the purpose of it's members like getting instant responses to questions, it will deprive others from getting the information they need.
Believe me, I get many requests daily from persons who are keen followers of this thread.
Let's not abandon where I met barbiee, IYIMAN, P406, AjaoSandra and other wonderful people.
Thanks to everyone for keeping this thread alive and keeping it sane (unlike many threads on this forum).



On a lighter note :
What will be my band score if this write up was a test in IELTS

Gozi2017:
@Auschris,thank you for your responses so far.am also with avant,passed the Nclex exam in may,they filled the I 140 application same month,since then I have not got any response from them,although I was told they did premium processing,I have also sent mails to avant to know my current status but no reply from them.
Please how long does the I 140 application usually take?
What do you advice I do at this time.

Congratulations. Premium processing usually takes about 15 working days and if you have not heard anything so far it could be that you got an RFE (request for further evidence) letter from USCIS. The immigration attorney will take care of it.
Does the name of your immigration specialist begin with 'M'? She's very slow in responding to mails. It may be due to the workload.