Nurse Imigration in the US - advice

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Hello, everyone!

Before I place my questions, I would like to let you know a little more about my situation.

I am a portuguese nurse, currently living in Portugal, and because of the situation here about unemployment, I struggled to find my first job, almost 4 years ago, and it was in Aesthetics. I kept it for 2 and a half years, of which 8 months I spent in London, training some colleagues before I quit. I realized it wasn't exactly what I wanted, but now I can't get any nursing job back in my own country. I am not a newly qualified nurse, but I also don't have the experience they value.

I am currently searching emigration options, but most of the experiences I know of are from nurses working in the UK, Germany and Belgium. I'm much more comfortable with the English language and wanted to know more about nursing in the US. Therefore, I wanted to ask you:

- Currently, are there enough job opportunities for nurses in the US?

- From your experience, are nurses from abroad welcome?

- And is their induction/preceptorship any different than US nurses?

If any of you have been through the same situation, could you give me any more information about your adaptation once you got there? The differences you felt between nursing at your own country and in the US or any other tips you find important.

Sorry in this isn't very specific, but I just need some advice!

Thank you

ARM

xxx

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

There is no shortage of inexperienced nurses in most of the US. There is a shortage of jobs. And a shortage of experienced specialized nurses. Preceptorship are often for senior student nurses and newly graduated nurses. Facility orientation is same for US or IEN.

Working in the US is a multi step process starting with determining which state you wish to live and work. Major metropolitan areas (NY, PA, CA, Chicago, etc) are highly coveted areas to work with much competition & hundreds of applicants for a single job opening.

Each state BoN has specific requirements for licensing by examination as an IEN. You then need to find an employer willing to burden the time, cost and expense of sponsoring you for a work visa. As an inexperienced nurse you do not qualify for a specialist (H1B) visa.

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JustBeachyNurse, thank you for your answer. If I was to apply for a job in the US, I would have to complete all the steps for my registration with all the exams and everything, so in the meantime, I am probably going to start my career in the UK and get valuable experience there. Their Hospitals are always short-staffed and they are recruiting nurses in Portugal all year long. But, for the future, it's good to know how the situation is in the US regarding vacancies for nurses. Thank you so much! xx

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