You are probably sitting somewhere right now, scrolling through the internet, trying to figure out how you will become a United States Registered Nurse (USRN) and immigrate to the United States. Worry not; you have come to the right place. This blog will discuss the step-by-step process of getting your USRN licensure. But first, let’s discuss why the U.S. healthcare system is seeking nurses from foreign countries.
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the United States will face an increased severity in the shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) in the coming years. This issue is exacerbated by the aging Baby Boomer (older generation) population, driving up the demand for healthcare services.
The Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is projected to experience a 6% growth over the next ten years. This growth entails an increase in the RN workforce from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, adding 195,400 more nurses to the field. When considering retirements and workforce departures, there are estimated to be 203,200 annual job openings for RNs through 2031 to meet the demand for nurses in the United States (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
With this shortage, hospitals and healthcare systems are looking to hire nurses worldwide to solve the nursing shortage. Although there’s a significant nursing shortage, becoming a nurse in the United States can be extremely long and tedious without proper guidance.
In the United States, nursing practice is regulated by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), whose membership consists of all the 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the four territories (Guam, American Samoa, Northern Marinara Islands, and the Virgin Islands). Each state has its board of nursing and nursing regulations. For information on state nursing regulations, please visit the state Board of Nursing website where you wish to practice.
Let’s dive into the steps of becoming a USRN:
Credentials Evaluation
Is your minimum level of education a 3-year diploma in nursing? Was your institution accredited? Do you have at least two years of experience working as a general nurse or a nurse in a particular unit? Congratulations! You could apply for USRN licensure if you answered yes to all these questions.
Have your license and college transcripts evaluated by a credentialing agency. Here’s a list of a few credentialing agencies that provide credentialing services to foreign-educated nurses. Note that there are more agencies out there. The agency you will use will depend on your state’s requirements. Below is a list of credentialing agencies you can choose from:
- Commission for Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
- Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
- Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES)
- World Education Services (WES)
- International Educational Research Foundation (IERF)
English Language Proficiency
You must demonstrate your proficiency in English as it’s the primary spoken language in the United States. Most nursing boards will require you to pass an English test. IELTS and TOEFL are the most common English proficiency tests, but please be sure to confirm with your board of nursing which test they need. Some countries are exempt from taking the English test. Click Here for the list of countries exempt from the English language proficiency test. Note that your English exam results are only valid for two years. If your test results are over two years old, the credentialing agency or board of nursing will reject them, and you will have to retake the test.
U. S. Licensure
You must register for the National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) with your state’s board of nursing. This exam is provided by the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). Each state has additional requirements that the nurse must meet before taking the exam. Please follow the instructions to avoid any delays with your licensing.
You are required to pass the NCLEX, so preparation is vital. Many review courses can help you prepare for this exam. Taking time during this step is essential as the NCLEX exam has evolved. The new NCLEX now includes next-generation features that use real-world case studies to measure a nurse’s ability to think more critically and make the right decisions (National Council State Boards of Nursing). Read more about the NCLEX Next Gen here.
Getting a study course that provides relevant content on topics covered in the exam is crucial. Question banks are also significant, as they will help test your understanding of the various subjects tested in the NCLEX. The questions banks should explain why an answer is correct, and the other answer options are wrong. If you can find a study course with both relevant content and question banks, that will be a plus. Practice tests will familiarize you with the exam format and increase your chances of passing the NCLEX. If you receive a passing score on the exam, congratulations! you have become a U.S. Registered Nurse and are going to your dream country.
Visa Sponsorship
Once your credentials and passing test scores have been verified and the Board of Nursing has issued your license, you are ready to start working as a Registered Nurse in the United States. It is advisable to work with a trusted agency that will sponsor your immigration journey and place you with employers in the United States. There are two types of agencies: Foreign nurse staffing agencies and direct hire agencies.
Staffing agencies usually have you sign a contract with them and attach you to an institution for about 2 to 3 years. The length of your contract will depend on the staffing agency. The staffing agency will be your sponsor and employer for the duration of the contract. Direct hire agencies, on the other hand, interview you on behalf of an institution and then place you there permanently. In this case, the institution is your sponsor and employer. Working with an agency is advised as it will make the immigration process seamless and avoid further delays. For a list of agencies you can use, you can visit Certified Ethical Recruiters.
If you wish to use something other than an agency, you can use job search platforms to find healthcare institutions that sponsor visas. This is a more difficult path to choose as most hospitals fulfill their staffing needs before your immigration process is complete, forcing them to cancel their agreement with you. However, if you decide to take this path, tailor your resume and cover letter to the U. S job market. You can utilize professional resume writing services to increase your chances of getting a job.
Visa Screen
A visa screen certificate is a mandatory requirement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) when your employer petitions for your immigration. Without this certificate, your petition will not be approved, and there will be further delays in your visa processing. CGFNS offers visa screening services.
Resources
https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
ncsbn.org/news/ncsbn-launches-next-generation-exam
https://www.pearsonsvue.org/ncsbn/next-generation-nclex.html
