Trying to pursue a career in the USA offers entry into a dynamic and highly remunerated healthcare ecosystem. Unlike the centralized systems, regulation and licensure are decentralized, meaning that the candidates must meet both the national standards and specific rules that are laid out by the State Boards of Nursing (SBON). Whether you are trying to enroll into a degree program in the US or as an internationally educated nurse trying to practice in the USA, well both of which would require earning the Registered Nurse designation.
Academic and Language Requirements
US has three primary degree tracks for nursing that leads to Registered Nurse eligibility:
- Associate Degree in Nursing: It is a 2-year technical program which is offered through community colleges and provides the fastest route to sit for the licensing exam.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing: It is a 4-year university degree which combines liberal arts, advanced sciences and leadership modules all under one degree. BSN has become increasingly required by the hospital systems.
- Masters in Nursing: It is a 2-year intensive program that is designed for the applicants holding a non-nursing bachelor’s degree.
- Admission Benchmarks: Focus on Human Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Chemistry and Statistics is required for nursing and competitive scores on pre-admission tests such as TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills).
English Language Requirement
English is widely spoken in USA and is required for registering as a nurse in USA, and other courses.
- IELTS: Minimum of 6.5 overall with 7.0 in speaking.
- TOEFL: 84+ overall and minimum 26 in speaking.
State Licensure and Protocols
In order to obtain an active Registered Nurse license, the candidates need to pass the national licensing exam and satisfy all the state board criteria.
Step 1: Evaluation (International Nurses)
The nurses who are educated outside the US must have all their credentials verified through an approved agency, primarily CGFNS International (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools):
- Credentials Evaluation Service: It evaluates the foreign education transcripts and licenses and confirms equivalence to US nursing standards.
- CGFNS: It is required by certain State Boards before applying for exam eligibility.
Step 2: The NCLEX- Registered Nurse Examination
The candidates are required to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) which is administered by Pearson VUE:
- Computer Based: The test is Computerized Adaptive Testing which features Next Generation NCLEX format which emphasizes clinical judgment decision-making and case studies.
- Jurisdiction: The candidates who apply for testing approval through a specific State Board of Nursing, upon passing the exam it grants them with a valid license in that particular state and across the participating states under the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC).
Step 3: Visa Screen Certification
For all the international students seeking immigration as a nurse a CGFNS VisaScreen Certificate will be mandatory under the Federal Law of the USA as it verifies education equivalence, license validation and English Proficiency before an occupational visa can be processed.
Pay Scales, Visa’s and Settlement
The nurses who are entering the US employment market can utilize immigration pathways that can transition them into practice.
- Visas and Settlement: The registered nurses will qualify for the EB-3 Green Card under the Schedule A allowing them to be directly sponsored by the US hospitals, meaning they can apply for permanent residency much quicker upon sponsorship. In the case of US graduates, they receive a 12-month Optional Practical Training in order to work legally while taking the NCLEX-RN which transitions them to permanent visa sponsorship.
- Pay Scales: The registered nurses pay scales vary depending upon the geographical region in the USA. The median annual salaries range between $80,000 to $115,000+ per year with averages in the states like California, New York and Washington on the higher end.
