Having a Nursing Job in the United States can be one of the best things that can happen to you as a foreigner in the United States. This article will contain everything you need to know about becoming a qualified Nurse, Getting a Job in the United States.
And processing a permanent stay in the United States. Are you interested? Of course, you are. Let’s get right into the topic.
CHECK OUT: Nursing Jobs in Canada with Visa Sponsorship – Apply Now
Nursing Jobs in the United States with Visa Sponsorship
Before getting a job permit in the United States, you must have gotten a job in the United States with any of the hospitals and health agencies. This employer will be the one to sponsor your trip to the United States, get you a work permit, and handle other related expenses.
Let’s take a look at what it will take to take on the role of a nurse in the United States of America;
Who is a Nurse?
Types of Nursing Jobs in USA
There are different types of Nursing you can take depending on your qualification. The major types are;
Mental Health Nurse
These nurses deliver care and support to patients who are struggling with their mental health, and help them to manage their condition with medication or relevant therapies. The average annual salary of these nurses range from $73,000 to $76,000. The hourly wage ranges from $39 to $44.
Learning Disability Nurse
Here, you will help people with learning disabilities to live independent and fulfilling lives. You will often work alongside a multidisciplinary team as you will support patients of all ages. The average annual salary of these nurses range from $74,000 to $78,000. This should be about $40 to $45 per hour
Adult Nurse
As an Adult nurse, you will look after adult patients of all ages who suffer from long or short term physical conditions. You will help to assess their need and plan their care as you nurse them back to health. The average annual salary of an adult nurse in USA ranges from $74,000 to $78,000. On an hourly basis, this should be from $40 to $45 per hour.
Children Nurse
Children Nurses work with children of all ages, from newborn to adolescents and they provide treatment and care to them. They also support their parents or carers. A pediatric Nurse earns between $74,000 to $77,000 on a yearly basis and $35 to $38 per hour.
Nursing Associate
As a nursing associate, you will be able to work across all four fields of nursing. It will also be a stepping stone to becoming a registered nurse. Nursing associates earn between $55,000 to $60,000 per year on an average and $28 to $33 per hour.
Duties and Responsibilities of a Nurse
The duties and responsibilities of a nurse include;
- evaluating, observing, and conversing with patients
- Details and symptoms of the patient’s medical history and current health are recorded.
- Getting patients ready for exams and treatment
- Development, execution, and evaluating patient care plans in collaboration with the medical team
- Taking care of wounds by cleaning and bandaging them
- Assisting with medical procedures when necessary.
- They Supervise licensed practical and vocational nurses, nursing assistants and nursing students.
- Nurses draw blood and take urine samples and other body fluids for lab work.
- They assist in medical procedures as required.
Benefits of Having a Nursing Job in USA
Working as a nurse in the United States of America poses lots of benefits to immigrants. Some of these benefits are;
- Paid sick time.
- Paid vacation and holidays.
- Health and life insurance.
- Tuition reimbursement.
- Wellness programs.
- Visa sponsorship.
- Paid family leave.
- Retirement benefits.
- Reimbursement for certification fees.
How to Get a Visa Sponsorship in the United States
By the US immigration law, there are different classifications of work visas that will allow foreign citizens to undertake work on a time-limited basis in the U.S. Intra Company Transfer Visa, H1B Specialty Occupation visa, O-1 Extraordinary Ability visa, E Treaty Trader & Treaty Investor visas.
the first step here is to get an offer from an employer in the United States. We are going to show you how to do that in the latter part of this article. You must sign a contract with this employer first before you start processing your VISA. Besides the contract, there are a lot of documents that you will need, like a labor certificate.
The employer then sends a petition to the USCIS. This petition should contain the following supporting documents all the supporting documents, contracts, itineraries, and qualifications of the employee.
The Petition must first be approved by the USCIS. Once your petition is approved by the USCIS, you will then have to file a VISA at the U.S. embassy in your country of residence. You may be required to pay a non-refundable application.
Once the application of your VISA is successful after your interview, you will be allowed to travel to the United States to undertake work in the capacity for which permission was sought.
How to work as a Nurse in the United States with Visa Sponsorship
Here are the steps to take to have a good nursing job in the united states with VISA Sponsorship
Fulfil the Basic Requirements
Firstly, to work as a nurse in the United States, you will have to fulfil the Basic requirements
There are various requirements to Fulfil here. They include;
Immigration Requirements
Firstly, you will need a Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”) or H-1B visa. Besides that, you will need to meet the following requirements
- First of all, you will need to complete a screening program before you can obtain an occupational VISA.
- Your credentials will have to be Validated by the CGFNS as approved by the U.S government.
- You will need a U.S based employer that will serve as the Petitioner for your VISA. Your Visa screen certificate must be included on every green card or visa petition that is filled on your behalf.
Now, let us go into the educational or professional requirements for working as a Nurse in the United States;
Educational / Professional Requirements
In order to get access to the United States as a Nurse, you must have the following requirements
- You must have graduated from an accredited nursing education program in your country of education.
- You must be a registered or licensed nurse in another country.
- You must have practiced as a nurse for at least two years.
Some foreign-educated nurses must demonstrate their proficiency with the English language by taking exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic). There are exemptions depending on your country of origin.
Pass a Licensure Exam
to practice a nursing profession in the United States, you will have to get a professional License from the particular state that you want to work in. The registered Nurse licenses are regulated by State Boards of Nursing with varying requirements.
Most likely, you will need to pass a licensure examination to be registered as a nurse by your state board. Before taking the exam, educated nurses outside the United States may choose to take the CGFNS certification program, this program consists of;
- a credentials evaluation
- the CGFNS Qualifying Exam®, and
- an English language proficiency component
The CGFNS Qualifying Exam is more like a compulsory requirement by some state boards before you can sit for the NCLEX-RN, but it serves as an excellent predictor of how any nurse will do on the NCLEX-RN exam. When you take the Qualifying Exam, it may help gauge your readiness before committing to the licensure exam.
The qualifying exams fulfill the U.S Federal Government‘s screening requirement for an occupational visa.
Find a Registered Nursing Position
After you have met all the requirements, you have all the credentials required, you meet the state Board of Nursing requirements, and you have passed your exams, you are ready to start working as a Registered Nurse in the United States.
You may choose to work with a nurse recruiter to help you find a job as a Registered Nurse.
How to Apply for a Nursing Job in USA with VISA Sponsorship
The job application process for nursing roles varies from institution to institution. Generally, these are the steps you should follow;
- Make sure you have all the requirements given above.
- Now, prepare a very good USA standard resume and Curriculum vitae.
- After that, Visit Linkedin @ www.linkedin.com/jobs/nurse-jobs or Indeed @ www.indeed.com.
- When you get to the websites given above, search for “Nursing Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship”
- From the list of options, sort out the best options for you according to requirements and benefits.
- Now, click on the individual jobs and follow the instructions given on the website to complete your application process.
Nurses NOT Eligible To Work In The United States
Unfortunately, not all foreign-educated nurses are eligible to work in the U.S. These are;
- Nurses with less than two years of experience
- Nurses lacking a four-year nursing degree
- Individuals who have committed a crime
- Nurses who lack sponsorship from a reputable nursing agency
Next Steps for Nurses Who Want to Work in the U.S.
Due to immigration laws, it is important for potential nurse immigrants to speak directly to staffing agencies or immigration lawyers to ensure all laws are followed accurately. Most foreign-educated nurses work closely for several years before working in the United States as registered nurses.
VISA For Immigrant Nurses in USA with Visa Sponsorship
If you want to take on a nursing role in the United States of America with Visa sponsorship, the H1B visa is the best option for you.
The H1B visa is a non immigrant work visa that allows U.S employers to hire foreign workers to take on specified roles that require a bachelors degree or its equivalent. This includes occupations in fields such as health, Finance, IT, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Bring My Family?
Yes, you can. If you are married, your wife and unmarried children under the age of 21 can legally relocate to the United States with you.
What is the NCLEX Exam?
immediately after you have been accepted into the USA Nursing Program, the first step is to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Nurses must pass this computerized, multiple-choice NCLEX exam in order to be eligible for nursing employment in America.
The NCLEX exam is designed to test your knowledge and ability to provide high-quality patient care. This exam takes between 2-6 hours, and you’ll know your results within 49 hours of your test time.
What Qualifications do I Need for a USA Nurse Job?
Here are the qualifications you need for a nursing job in the United States
- You must first be a registered nurse and a graduate of a 3-yr. RN training program
- You must be currently working in an acute care hospital environment
- You need a minimum of 12 months of hospital experience
- You must be fluent in English
- Have good references that can be verified.
What Visa is Required to Work as a Nurse in the United States
The type of Visa required here is the H-1B visa. You will need to obtain a either Registered Nurse Immigrant Visa (“Green Card”) or an H-1B visa. U.S. law requires nurses to complete a screening program before they can receive an occupational visa.
How do you Get a Nursing Sponsorship?
A very good way to get sponsorship is to Contact a staffing agency, such as Velocity Healthcare or Onward Healthcare, which specializes in placing foreign-trained nurses in American hospitals and clinics. Verify that your training meets American professional standards for registered nurses.
