The United States has a significant demand for healthcare professionals, whether in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, as caregivers, or in other healthcare fields in the United States.
The demand in the country is high, with excellent opportunities and attractive salaries for both nurses and doctors. In the coming years, this demand is expected to increase even further as the population ages and requires more eldercare.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you can work as a nurse in the USA with the help of D4U Immigration and achieve the American dream.
What is Required to be a Nurse in the United States?
To become a nurse in the United States, you need to have your diploma validated, demonstrate English proficiency, register with the State Board of Nursing, pass the NCLEX exam, obtain the Visa Screen certification, and find a sponsor.
We’ll detail each of these steps below, but first, let’s look at some other frequently asked questions on the topic.
What is the Salary of a Nurse in the United States?
The salary of a nurse in the USA varies depending on location, specialization, and experience.
However, during the pandemic, there were reports of nurses earning up to $8,000 per week. Currently, the compensation for someone working in nursing can range from $86,000 to $157,000 annually. See below a list of available positions in August 2024 on Glassdoor:
In the list above, companies provide job openings with annual pay (a common practice in the United States) and hourly rates.
Which is the Best State to Work as a Nurse in the USA?
Choosing the best state to work as a nurse in the United States depends on various factors, such as job opportunities, demand for nursing professionals, salaries, cost of living, quality of life, among others.
Therefore, there is no definitive answer about which state is the best, as each presents its own advantages and challenges.
Still, here are some of the states known for offering excellent opportunities for nurses and having a more favorable job market for the field:
- California;
- New York;
- Texas;
- Florida;
- Massachusetts.
Remember: choosing the best state depends on various individual factors, such as job opportunities, salaries, cost of living, and personal preferences.
It’s very important that you conduct additional research on each state before making a decision, including consulting about renting property in the United States.
Another crucial action to help with this and other aspects is to create an immigration plan. Additionally, if the professional wants to bring their pet, it’s necessary to be informed about how to transfer a pet to the USA, as there are some rules and conditions.
How to Work as a Nurse in the USA?
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to work as a nurse in the USA:
1. Diploma Validation
The first crucial step is to validate your nursing diploma.
This process may vary depending on the institution that issued the diploma, but generally involves submitting official documents from your school or university to an approved entity in the United States.
The validation serves to ensure that your diploma is recognized and accepted in the country, allowing you to practice the profession legally.
2. English Proficiency Test
English proficiency is a fundamental requirement for nurses who wish to work in the United States, as you will need to communicate daily with other team members and patients.
Therefore, it will be necessary to take a proficiency test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, to prove your level of language skills.
Check out the content on: English, Spanish, and Portuguese Courses
3. State Board of Nursing Registration
After validating your diploma in the United States and proving English proficiency, the next step is to register with the State Board of Nursing of the state where you intend to work.
Each state has its own board, responsible for regulating nursing practice in that jurisdiction, so make sure to read all regulations in detail before starting the process.
This board registration is necessary to obtain the nursing license, a document that allows you to practice the profession legally in that state.
4. NCLEX
The NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) is a mandatory licensing exam for all nursing professionals in the United States.
It serves to assess the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe and efficient practice of nursing in the country.
Passing this exam is fundamental to becoming a licensed nurse in the USA and being able to practice the profession independently.
In Brazil, the NCLEX can be taken at the Pearson Vue unit at Rua Helena, 260 – Room 33, 3rd Floor – Vila Olímpia, São Paulo – SP.
5. VisaScreen Application
The VisaScreen is a certification issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) that validates the education and qualifications of foreign nurses who wish to work in the United States.
This certification is necessary to obtain a work visa, as it attests that you have the necessary competencies to practice nursing in the country.
6. Consider Applying for the EB2-NIW Visa
To work as a nurse in the United States, having a validated diploma is not enough.
It’s also necessary to obtain a work visa that allows you to practice the profession. One of the available options is the EB2-NIW visa.
The EB2-NIW visa is the visa for highly qualified professionals who wish to obtain a Green Card without depending on an employer sponsor.
In this visa category, you need to make a self-petition, demonstrating that your work is of national interest and that you have exceptional skills and experiences that benefit the United States. Check out more details about the requirements to obtain the EB2-NIW visa on D4U Immigration’s blog!
Here are some key points about the EB2-NIW visa:
- Qualifications: you must demonstrate that you have significant achievements in the field of nursing that are considered of national interest;
- Self-Petition: unlike other employment visas, with EB2-NIW you are responsible for preparing and submitting your own petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must provide detailed evidence to prove your eligibility.
- Additional requirements: in addition to professional qualifications, you also need to meet general immigration requirements, such as proving good health and having no relevant criminal record;
- Petition process: it’s the preparation of a detailed petition, which includes documents and evidence that prove your eligibility.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to seek help from an immigration advisory to assist in this complex process. As well as to have full support in hiring international insurance for the USA.
Check out the content on: Visa Advisory | D4U Immigration
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Years Does a Nursing Course Last in the USA?
How many Hours Does a Nurse Work in the USA?
Unlike Brazil, where the average weekly work schedule is 44 hours, in the USA the average is 36 hours per week according to a survey conducted by Gallup. However, it’s possible to have routines with 8 or 12 hours per day, totaling 40 to 60 hours per week.
Work as a Nurse in the USA
D4U Immigration is an immigration advisory that has already benefited over 6,000 clients and has an approval rate of 99%.
Voted the best immigration advisory in the United States and Latin America, D4U has all the support you need to live in the USA.
The company has offices in Brazil, USA, and Europe, and has a specialist to assist you at every stage of the process. Moreover, to help you maximize your chances of success in the immigration process to the USA, we also offer a personalized service for creating an immigration resume. Learn more!
Start your journey to work as a nurse in the USA right now with the help of D4U Immigration!
Conclusion
Working as a nurse in the United States is an excellent opportunity, even if the process may seem complicated. After all, with the right support and proper preparation, it’s entirely possible to move to America as a nursing professional.
In this context, companies like D4U Immigration are ready to assist at every step, helping you make the dream of working in the USA a reality.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in Brazil, USA, Europe, or anywhere else in the world, D4U is here to help.
Get in touch now by phone or email and remember: success in the nursing career in the USA is totally achievable.
With the right support, the “American Dream” can become a reality for you too.
