Non-US experience acceptable in TX hospitals

U.S.A. Texas

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Hi everyone! Just passed NCLEX this april and I really need your help especially those who have already landed a job as RNs in hospitals there in texas. I am a foreign graduate and I am currently working as a private duty nurse here in Qatar and I am pushing through my application to different hospitals here. My question is, would employers of hospitals in TX accept my non US hospital experience (if ever I get accepted in a hospital here) inorder to get a job as an RN there? I really need your help. Your advices are much appreciated. Thank you!

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I'm an ICU nurse in Corpus Christi Texas and the hospital I work for hires A LOT of foreign trained and experienced nurses. You shouldn't have a problem, at least in this area.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

It is highly likely that you would be categorized as a new grad, since your previous experience was not in a US setting - and US scope of nursing & performance expectations are unique, as is our health care system.

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I'm an ICU nurse in Corpus Christi Texas and the hospital I work for hires A LOT of foreign trained and experienced nurses. You shouldn't have a problem, at least in this area.

Hahaha. Yeah, I agree.

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When applying for any job, it's always good to be aware of any mismatch between their "ideal candidate" and what you'll bring to the job. Don't simply paper over that mismatch. Anticipate and deal with any questions that may arise in their minds, even if they don't bring them up. I once was involved in a situation where an otherwise marvelous candidate didn't get the job because it was felt that his English skills weren't adequate. That language problem was never discussed in the interview. He should have dealt with it, but didn't.

In this case, deal with any questions that might arise about your work experience by stressing that nursing practices in Qatar are comparable to those in the U.S., that you use the same procedures, drugs, and instruments. Practical illustrations would help, including noting that you worked with experienced, U.S. trained RNs who were quite comfortable with the level of care they were giving in Qatar.

Try to slip those reassurances in casually. Stress them too much and you'll sound like you're making excuses.

Best wishes in your job hunt. I used to live in Texas and still miss the sheer immensity of the state. It takes all day to drive across it. Of course, I also lived in Alaska, which is even larger. There, they use airplanes to get about.

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I'm an ICU nurse in Corpus Christi Texas and the hospital I work for hires A LOT of foreign trained and experienced nurses. You shouldn't have a problem, at least in this area.

Oh really? That's so nice to hear, may I ask what hospital you are working in? Do they sponsor foreign nurses' visa?

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Oh really? That's so nice to hear, may I ask what hospital you are working in? Do they sponsor foreign nurses' visa?

Either Corpus Christi Med Center or Spohn.

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Either Corpus Christi Med Center or Spohn.

Thank you! I will have a look on those hospitals. I have been browsing hospitals in Houston because I have an aunt there in US who owns a house in Houston but she doesn't want people to rent in and I do not know why so I as soon as she knew that I passed the NCLEX, she encouraged me to apply on Houston hospitals and live for free in her own home in Houston but I think it's hard to get in the hospitals in Houston according to the threads I have been looking here in allnurses.com

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When applying for any jobarrow-10x10.png, it's always good to be aware of any mismatch between their "ideal candidate" and what you'll bring to the job. Don't simply paper over that mismatch. Anticipate and deal with any questions that may arise in their minds, even if they don't bring them up. I once was involved in a situation where an otherwise marvelous candidate didn't get the job because it was felt that his English skills weren't adequate. That language problem was never discussed in the interview. He should have dealt with it, but didn't.

In this case, deal with any questions that might arise about your workarrow-10x10.png experience by stressing that nursing practices in Qatar are comparable to those in the U.S., that you use the same procedures, drugs, and instruments. Practical illustrations would help, including noting that you worked with experienced, U.S. trained RNs who were quite comfortable with the level of care they were giving in Qatar.

Try to slip those reassurances in casually. Stress them too much and you'll sound like you're making excuses.

Best wishes in your job huntarrow-10x10.png. I used to live in Texas and still miss the sheer immensity of the state. It takes all day to drive across it. Of course, I also lived in Alaska, which is even larger. There, they use airplanes to get about.

Thank you very much for your advice! I absolutely agree on that. That would really increase my chances of getting hired in Texas. For now, I am really focusing to get into the hospitals here in Qatar. I guess after 2 to 3 years, that's the time I am going to apply in Texas. It's not really my dream state but being able to work in US is really a big opportunity for me to grow as a nurse.

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It is highly likely that you would be categorized as a new grad, since your previous experience was not in a US setting - and US scope of nursing & performance expectations are unique, as is our health care system.

Oh I see. So you mean If I am going to have 2 to 3 years of hospital experience in a non- US setting, I am still considered a new grad? and do Texas hospitals sponsor visa for foreign new grads?

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