I just came to USA (I have a green card), and I’m looking the way to
license as a registered nurse. I’m a nurse with 12 ½ years of
experience back home (Macedonia) in emergency medical care. My
question is:
According to USA rules am I:
- Registered Nurse or
- Licensed Practical Nurse
From education, I have finished (long time ago) Primary school (in my country it’s 8 years) and High school (medical high school for nurses) which take 4 years or total 12years. Also I’m licensed in my country as a nurse since 1990. Do I “meet professional education and examination requirements” as it says in the web site of New York State Education Department or not?   Or should I just go to my beautiful bed and cry.

What is the exact procedure for licensing because obviously education in my country is not the same as here? PLEASE HELP ME!

ANSWER:

Scroll down to the bottom of the NYSED page and you will see the procedure for applicants who attended nursing school outside of the United States.
First you should understand there are no “USA” rules on becoming a RN or LPN; each state has its own laws and requirements on who becomes/holds a nursing license. Most states however grant nurses from other states “reciprocity” (right to practice within their state), upon application if they hold a valid license.
Basically you must contact  The Commission of Graduates of Foreign  Nursing Schools (CGFNS), and arrange for them to gather your educational  information and have it forwarded to the NYSED, who will evaluate this  information as part of your licensing application.