I had my Embassy interview yesterday. It wasn't at all what I expected, very informal and I was just asked how long had I been nursing, how did I get my job in the US, and when was I planning to leave. And that was it....paid my fee for my passport to be returned by courier (which they said would be today or tomorrow)....and I'm good to go :w00t:
Feel kinda strange today, I've been sort of thriving under all this immigration pressure for the past 18 months, and now it's all done.
So......here's to the end of an era, and a new beginning :cheers:
Thank you to all who have helped and supported me (you know who you are :icon_hug: )
Good luck to everybody who's still waiting......keep the faith, it's all worth it in the end.
Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.
I think it is important to bear in mind that all routes to the US will involve some financial commitment either to the agency or the hospital which is sponsering you. You may well be tied into a 2-3 year contract with a hospital and it may involve lots of dollars if you break that contract. So when you are considering hospital v agency, it may be worth bearing in mind no way is free.
This is very true...I started off with a recruiter as such, and when we got the job she decided to give up the business. But we still had a job. The hospital paid her a finders fee which we didnt realise until AFTER we started and when we decided to leave after 5 months we had to pay $5000 back.
(when I say "WE" - I mean me & other UK nurse)
Things to bear in mind:
If you go it alone as already been said it gives you more freedom and there are certainly more cost implications...the hospital will no doubt offer some sort of bonus to help you or recruitment fee..this comes with a contract of sorts for a commitment for a certain length of time - maybe 18 months to 2 years probrably.
Bear in mind these bonuses are subject to tax state and federal.
We had an $8000 bonus in new hospital - and we were thrilled because it would pay off the $5000 owed to other hospital and give us some change.........we knew we would be taxed but Federal tax took $2000 off immediately - apparently it is federal law if you get a bonus 25% gets taken off in tax....so be careful...
Thanks for the info Sue. What confuses me is how to apply for job's the direct route? Tina mentioned that it was okay to go there and speak to people face to face, but elsewhere Suzanne has said this is illegal? I'm wondering how any hospital would be in a position to offer me a job if I've not been for an interview? Do you think that hospital's will take you on on the strength of a resume? Like I've said before, I'm a few year's off going yet anyway, but I'd just like to know in advance so I have an idea of the way to go about things.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks for the info Sue. What confuses me is how to apply for job's the direct route? Tina mentioned that it was okay to go there and speak to people face to face, but elsewhere Suzanne has said this is illegal? I'm wondering how any hospital would be in a position to offer me a job if I've not been for an interview? Do you think that hospital's will take you on on the strength of a resume? Like I've said before, I'm a few year's off going yet anyway, but I'd just like to know in advance so I have an idea of the way to go about things.
Not illegal to go and speak face to face just not acceptable to go and expect to stay and file AOS as it can take anything over 4 months to which you have to be able to support yourself and that is if there are no problems.
Thanks for the info Sue. What confuses me is how to apply for job's the direct route? Tina mentioned that it was okay to go there and speak to people face to face, but elsewhere Suzanne has said this is illegal? I'm wondering how any hospital would be in a position to offer me a job if I've not been for an interview? Do you think that hospital's will take you on on the strength of a resume? Like I've said before, I'm a few year's off going yet anyway, but I'd just like to know in advance so I have an idea of the way to go about things.
Not wishing to contradict Suzanne in any way, because she is an expert in these matters, but the illegality would be if you went to the US specifically to look for work and stay there whilst on a tourist visa or a visa waiver. I have been visiting the US on a regular basis for several years as I have a home there, so I did my 'networking' on the job front whilst I was there on holiday. I had my interview during one of my holiday trips, but it was never my intention not to return to the UK at the end of the holiday. There have been instances where foreign nurses have travelled to the US on a tourist visa with the sole purpose of seeking work, then remaining in the US......this is where the question of legality is raised. I have not found anything to say it is illegal to travel to the US for a job interview then return to your home country. If the Immigration Officer at the POE is satisfied that you are not intending to remain in the US illegally, I can't see a problem in being interviewed for a job in person. Unless anyone knows anything to the contrary?.....
Specializes in Stroke Rehab, Elderly, Rehab. Ortho.
Thanks for the info Sue. What confuses me is how to apply for job's the direct route? Tina mentioned that it was okay to go there and speak to people face to face, but elsewhere Suzanne has said this is illegal? I'm wondering how any hospital would be in a position to offer me a job if I've not been for an interview? Do you think that hospital's will take you on on the strength of a resume? Like I've said before, I'm a few year's off going yet anyway, but I'd just like to know in advance so I have an idea of the way to go about things.
I have done the same as Tina - been for interviews whilst on holiday but at no time was the intention not to return to the UK.I went to see a couple of hospitals and had a few interviews and had to decide where I wanted to go.
Any hospital will not accept you unless they interview you - this can be done in person (ie when you are on holiday) or by telephone.
Hospitals are so depserate for nurses that it is unlikely they wont employ you. I have been out of hospital nursing for 12 years but they still said they wanted me as a nurse of 16 years I could offer my experience. This wont usually bother them and if it is a good hospital they will offer good orientation and train you to use their equipment. ALso everything is sooo different even down to the pill shapes and colors you would need to insisit on good orientation.
suehp
633 Posts
This is very true...I started off with a recruiter as such, and when we got the job she decided to give up the business. But we still had a job. The hospital paid her a finders fee which we didnt realise until AFTER we started and when we decided to leave after 5 months we had to pay $5000 back.
(when I say "WE" - I mean me & other UK nurse)
Things to bear in mind:
If you go it alone as already been said it gives you more freedom and there are certainly more cost implications...the hospital will no doubt offer some sort of bonus to help you or recruitment fee..this comes with a contract of sorts for a commitment for a certain length of time - maybe 18 months to 2 years probrably.
Bear in mind these bonuses are subject to tax state and federal.
We had an $8000 bonus in new hospital - and we were thrilled because it would pay off the $5000 owed to other hospital and give us some change.........we knew we would be taxed but Federal tax took $2000 off immediately - apparently it is federal law if you get a bonus 25% gets taken off in tax....so be careful...