Congratulations on earning your NCLEX license! You may now be asking yourself, what next after passing your NCLEX exam? In this article, we’ll outline steps to start working as an international nurse in the USA, including how to find the best nursing agency to help make your American dream a reality.
Step 1: Find an international nurse recruitment agency to assist you
While it is possible to move to the United States without the support and guidance of an expert agency, working with a partner who specializes in securing Green Cards for nurses has many benefits. We recommend taking the time to research and find the best nursing agency in the USA for you.
Read our 10 top tips for finding the best nursing agency.
A nurse recruitment agency, like Conexus MedStaff, will help at each step along your immigration journey. At Conexus, we have teams of experts with years of experience in U.S. immigration and securing Green Cards for nurses, as well as in finding the ideal assignment for each of our international nurses. We offer end-to-end support, Green Card sponsorship for nurses, access to international nurse jobs across the country, free continued education, and much more.
Discover the benefits of working with Conexus MedStaff.
Step 2: Secure your Priority Date
A Priority Date is a key element in securing a Green Card as a nurse. You are issued a Priority Date when your I-140 petition is officially filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – something an international nurse staffing agency such as Conexus MedStaff can do on your behalf.
Your Priority Date is important because it determines when you are eligible to be issued a Green Card. It is, essentially, your place in the Green Card queue.
Read more about Priority Dates and their importance.
Learn more about the U.S. immigration process.
Step 3: Prepare for your future U.S. move
Depending on the state of retrogression, your U.S. immigration timeline could span 12 months or more. That gives you a good amount of time to prepare for your future move. We recommend you start by saving money; you will want to have a security fund to help when you arrive in the United States, as it can be costly to set up a new life here.
Beyond that, consider polishing up your professional skills. Working in healthcare in the USA is different from anywhere else. Learn more about the expectations and realities of American nurse jobs and ensure that your skills align with what your future hospital employer requires. This can include anything from technical abilities to language capabilities, bearing in mind that you will have to pass a recognized English proficiency examination before being granted your Green Card.
Conexus can help in this respect by providing you with a tailored education pathway through Conexus Academy, designed to help you grow and thrive in your future U.S. career. We also offer an English proficiency program.
Step 4: Receive your Green Card and deploy to the USA
The immigration journey can be complex, and everyone has a unique experience based on their individual circumstances. We recommend you take each day as it comes and rely on the expert advice and guidance of your international nurse recruiter.
When your Green Card is issued, it won’t be long until you can deploy to the United States and start living your new life there. International nurses working with Conexus enjoy free relocation from their home country to the USA. We also provide ongoing support once you arrive here, to help you settle into your new workplace and community.
To learn how we can help you make your version of the American dream a reality, apply now.
