Why work in the USA?
There has over the past few years been a shortfall
in the number of nursed in the US which resulted in
recruiting from overseas, thus providing opportunities
for English-speaking Nurses to work and further
develop their skills. At the moment (February 2011)
the shortage of RN's has been reduced due to the
weakness of overall economy.
However, we see this a temporary situation and believe
in the long term English-speaking nurses from overseas
will be needed once again in the US.
We strongly recommend that skilled professionals study
for and take the NCLEX test now in order to for them
to prepare themselves for emigration when the market
changes
We shall continue to remain in contact with hospital
recruiters and search for opportunities that may
occur in the interim.By keeping us informed of your
progress, we will ensure that you are offered a position as soon as we can find you one.
What qualifications are required?
In order to work as a nurse in the US, a nurse qualified in his/her home country, must have a current and valid license to practise in the US, as well as a US visa with a work permit.
In the US there is only one category of first-level nurse, the Registered Nurse (RN). For British-trained nurses this is equivalent to the UKRGN (Adult branch) qualification.
There is no national nurse registration authority in the US: job and State requirements vary. Each State has its own Board of Nursing, and its own regulations and procedure for foreign-trained nurses.
NIS guides suitable applicants through these requirements and deals with all the initial documentation for nursing professionals, such as the US licensing exams.
What are the salary scales and benefits?
Salaries and benefit packages vary with each healthcare facility. As a general rule starting salaries are $60-69,000 per annum and can range up to $90,000, plus overtime, based on experience and area of specialization. Most hospitals offer further education benefits to augment the nurse’s education and work experience. They can also assist in arranging subsidized housing benefits for the RN and family.
-Vacations average 4-6 weeks.
-RN’s are required to sign 3-year employment contracts.
First Steps in the process of getting work in the USA
Begin by filling out and submitting our on-line Enquiry Form - this is for our information only. As requirements vary from State to State it is helpful if NIS is provided with information on each candidate’s skills and preferences from the start. We can then communicate with you direct.
First steps in qualifying to work in the USA
Candidates must first decide which three States they would like to work in. Florida, Texas, California and New Jersey are the best entry points. Each state Board of Nursing (which issues the final license to practice) has different standards of academic credential evaluations that must be met before granting permission to take the test.
FLORIDA:
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa
TEXAS:
http://www.bon.state.tx.us
CALIFORNIA:
http://www.rn.ca.gov
NEW JERSEY:
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/nursing.htm
Each nurse has to pass the NCLEX exam, which can be taken in London, the Philippines and other countries Details on the nature of the test and application procedures can be found on the NCLEX website: www.pearsonvue.com/nclex.
NIS recommends that the application to the COMMISSION ON GRADUATES OF FOREIGN NURSING SCHOOLS (CGFNS) for VisaScreen Certificate is made at the same time as applying for NCLEX, as this process currently takes approximately two months. See www.cgfns.com. The VisaScreen Assessment is comprised of an educational analysis, licensure validation, and a NCLEX-RN test to provide proof of nursing knowledge. They will send a letter verifying your status as a VisaScreen certificate holder See www.cgfns.com.
Green Card and work permit
An offer of employment from a US based employer e.g. a hospital, is required to qualify for employment based immigration.
As part of the service provided by NIS, after being accepted for employment RN candidates and their families have their Green Card (resident alien) paperwork processed by a leading immigration attorney/law company in the USA (the employer is the sponsor and pays the legal and immigration fees) at no cost to the nurse recruit
Double click here to add text.
NURSES INTERNATIONAL STAFFING
The company that cares
 | ||||||
HOW TO GET WORK IN THE USA
We strongly recommend that skilled professionals study
for and take the NCLEX test now in order to prepare
themselves for emigration as soon as we them that
we have identified suitable vacancies
This examination can be taken in London, England as well as in other countries.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To take the NCLEX exam, candidates must meet all of the eligibility requirements of the relevant Board of Nursing i.e. have qualified from an RN training program which covered Medical, Surgical, Obstetrics, Pediatrics and Psychiatry both clinical and theory.
Most of the Nursing Boards now require you to hold a CGFNS certificate or have undergone Credential Evaluation Service (CES) before they will make your eligible to sit the NCLEX exam. See www.cgfns.com.
Each State takes a different amount of time to process an application. Most Boards of Nursing take approximately 4-6 months.
Bear these points in mind when applying to sit the NCLEX exam.
Once you have passed NCLEX, it is possible to obtain a license from another state if you desire by going through an endorsing procedure since State Boards recognize other States’ licenses.
WHERE TO TAKE THE TEST
In the UK, the exam is organised and run by PearsonVUE and held on weekdays between 8am and 6pm at 190 High Holborn, London WC1 7BH. For Registration, further details, etc call 00 44 (0)800 783 2210 or see www.pearsonvue.com/nclex.)
PearsonVUE also have testing facilities in the Philippines.
NIS recommends that you begin studying as soon as you decide to relocate to the USA.
Also that you look at the test review site - which is a comprehensive online NCLEX review course sponsored by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) - http://learningext.com.
HOW TO TAKE THE TEST
Register at PearsonVUE (see above) and you will receive a letter of Authorization to Test (ATT). They will arrange the exam date and when to sit the exam. Take the ATT letter and a valid passport with you.
The computerized NCLEX exam lasts a maximum of 6 hours.
GREEN CARD SPONSORSHIP
The only way for a foreign-trained nurse to be able to work in the USA is by gaining sponsorship as a Resident Alien (Green Card).
NIS works only with hospitals and other healthcare facilities that pay for the immigration procedures and attorney fees.
It will depend on the State where you are licensed as to which of the four immigration-filing centers you will be allocated to. US is divided into 4 immigration process centers. This in turn will dictate the length of time it takes for the Green Card to be approved. This time delay is dependent on the US Immigration Service and so there is no possibility to shortcut or speed up this process.
A Green Card issued to a nurse will allow their spouse and dependent children (under 21 years of age) to live and work in the USA. After five years on a Green Card the nurse (and family, if applicable) can apply to become US Citizens.
VisaScreen Certificate
The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is a not for profit immigration neutral organization to screen health professionals who have been educated overseas to meet the licensure and practice requirements in the United States. See www.cgfns.org. They will evaluate your academic credentials. Please follow their instructions carefully.
.
Healthcare Opportunities
Unlike many of our competitors, NIS aims to only place nurses directly on the payroll of the Hospital or other healthcare facility. In this way there are no unexpected Agency deductions from your salary once you commence work.
The positions we have offer salaries equal to your US nurse counterpart and tend to range from approximately $60,000 - 90,000 depending on the hospital, area and speciality. (Nursing Homes tend to be slightly lower paid than regular hospitals).
The healthcare facilities with whom NIS works offer generous salaries, relocation allowances, sign on bonuses, good benefits package and free Green Card sponsorship.
For example NIS Client Hospitals may offer varying combinations of the following benefits:
* Direct employment by Hospital, etc., so there are no Agency salary deductions.
* Green Card Sponsorship with fully paid attorney fees
* Excellent benefits available within 30 days of starting work
Buddy System:
NIS operates a Buddy system where we put new nurses in touch with other nurses that are going to the same hospital or who have already started work. This is a good way for you to get to know your colleagues before you even start work.
Settling in:
NIS has a dedicated Mentor at HQ in New York: Lauraine Barnett, who was born in the UK, can assist nurses new to the US through cultural and other settling in issues..
