The United States is a country with a significant demand for healthcare professionals, whether in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, as a caregiver or in other areas of healthcare in the United States.
Demand in the country is high, with great opportunities and attractive salaries for both nurses and doctors. In the coming years, this demand is expected to increase even more as the population ages and needs care for the elderly.
In this article, we’ll talk about how you can work as a nurse in the USA with the help of D4U Immigration and fulfill your American dream.
What does it take to be a nurse in the United States?
To become a nurse in the United States, you need to have your diploma validated, demonstrate proficiency in English, register with the State Board of Nursing, pass the NCLEX exam, obtain Visa Screen certification and find a sponsor.
We’ll go through each of these steps in detail below, but first let’s look at some other frequently asked questions on the subject.
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 a week. Currently, the pay for a person working in nursing can range from $86,000 to $157,000 a year. See below for a list of jobs available in August/2024 on Glassdoor:
In the list above, the companies offer the vacancy with payment based on year (common practice in the United States) and hourly rate.
What 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 several factors, such as job opportunities, demand for nursing professionals, salaries, cost of living, quality of life, among others.
Therefore, there is no definitive answer as to which state is best, as each has its own advantages and challenges.
Nevertheless, here are some of the states that are known for offering excellent opportunities for nurses and have a more favorable job market for the area:
- 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 is very important that you carry out additional research into each state before making a decision, including checking the availability of rental properties in the United States.
Another fundamental action, to help with this and other issues, is to make a planning to immigrate. In addition, if you want to bring your pet with you, you need to be aware of how to transfer their pet to the USAas there are certain rules and conditions.
How to work as a nurse in the USA?
Here’s a step-by-step guide to working as a nurse in the USA:
1. Diploma validation
The first crucial step is to validate your nursing diploma.
This process can 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.
Validation serves to ensure that your diploma is recognized and accepted in the country, allowing you to practice your profession legally.
2. English proficiency test
Proficiency in English is a fundamental requirement for nurses wishing to work in the United States, after all, you will need to communicate on a daily basis with other members of staff and with patients.
You will therefore need to take a proficiency test, such as TOEFL or IELTS, to prove your level of ability in the language.
Check out the content on: English, Spanish and Portuguese courses
3. Registration with the State Board of Nursing
After validating your diploma in the United States and proving your English proficiency, the next step is to apply to the State Board of Nursing in the state where you want to work.
Each state has its own board responsible for regulating the practice of nursing in that jurisdiction, so make sure you read all the regulations in detail before starting the process.
Registration with the council is required to obtain a nursing licensea document that allows you to practice your 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 required for the safe and efficient practice of nursing in the country.
Passing this exam is essential to becoming a licensed nurse in the USA and being able to practice independently.
In Brazil, the NCLEX can be taken at the Pearson Vue unit at Rua Helena, 260 – Sala 33, 3º Andar – Vila Olímpia, São Paulo – SP.
5. Applying for VisaScreen
VisaScreen is a certification issued by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) that validates the training and qualifications of foreign nurses who wish to work in the United States.
This certification is necessary to obtain a work visa, as it certifies that you have the necessary skills to practice nursing in the country.
6. Consider applying for the EB2-NIW visa
To work as a nurse in the United States, just having a validated diploma is not enough.
It is also necessary to obtain a work visa that allows you to practice your profession. One of the options available 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 a sponsoring employer.
In this visa category, you need to make a self-application, demonstrating that your work is in the national interest and that you have exceptional skills and experience that benefit the United States. Check out more details about the EB2-NIW visa requirements on the D4U Immigration 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 to be of national interest;
- Request file: Unlike other employment-based visas, under 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 your good health and having no relevant criminal record;
- Petition process: Is the preparation of a detailed petition, which includes documents and evidence to prove your eligibility.
That’s why it’s highly recommended that you enlist the help of an immigration consultancy to help you through this complex process. As well as having full support in contracting an international insurance for the USA.
Check out the content on: Visa Advice | D4U Immigration
Frequently asked questions
How many years does a nursing degree last in the USA?
How many hours does a nurse work in the USA?
Unlike in Brazil, the average working week is 44 hours, while in the USA the average is 36 hours a week, according to a survey by Gallup. However, it is possible to have routines with 8 or 12 hours a day, for a total of 40 to 60 hours per week.
Work in nursing in the USA
D4U Immigration is an immigration consultancy that has already benefited more than 6,000 clients and has an approval rate of approval rating of 99%..
Voted the best immigration consultancy 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, the USA and Europe, and has a specialist to help you at every stage of the process. In addition, to help you maximize your chances of success in the immigration process to the USA, we also offer a personalized service of immigration resume. Find out 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 preparation, it is entirely possible to move to America as a nursing professional.
In this context, companies like D4U Immigration are ready to assist you every step of the way, helping you make your dream of working in the USA a reality.
Whether you’re in Brazil, the USA, Europe or anywhere else in the world, D4U is here to help.
Get in touch now by phone or e-mail and remember: a successful nursing career in the USA is totally achievable.
With the right support, the “American Dream” can become a reality for you too.