The American Dream 

Why not live the American dream. If you have ever wished to live and work in the United States, it has never been easier for professional nurses to find the right job. The USA is facing a chronic nursing shortage with a projected RN shortage of 800,000 in year 2020.

Land of Superlatives 

Diversity is what makes the USA unique, whether it is culturally, scenically or profound differences in ways of thinking and lifestyles. Many different ethnic groups from all over the world, help to contribute to the complex patchwork of modern American society.

The USA has something for everyone, with 52 States you can be assured that you can find your ideal environment and way of life.

Whether you like to work in a great city like Chicago situated in the heart of the Midwest on the shores of lake Michigan and enjoy world class shopping, museums and art galleries. Or perhaps you prefer sun, sand and surf in the “Sunshine State” of Florida, which is not only known for Disneyland but also for the most beautiful beaches. Or you love the hustle and bustle of New York “the city that never sleeps”, or you may simply prefer living near breathtaking scenery like the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

Professional Placement will help you with every step it takes to become eligible to work in the USA and to find the most suitable nursing position for you.

Working in the USA

Working as a professional nurse in the United States offers you many different career choices. With a multitude of state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, you will have the opportunity to develop your nursing skills as well as grow professionally.
As a new arrival, you can be assured to receive a comprehensive new employee orientation by your employer, which allows a smooth transition into your new working environment. You will learn additional skills and nursing competencies.

You will also experience the fine differences of working in an American Medical System compared to the UK system or whichever medical background you come from. You will find that participation in decision making and professional development are cornerstones of the nursing model of care in the USA.
Many nurses tell us that working in the USA has allowed them to work more independently and to take more responsibilities on board. A registered nurse will be an integral part of the patient’s assessment and decision making.

Of course Professional Placement will help you to overcome any challenges and assist you to develop the right skills to work more autonomously.

Widening your horizon and learning about a new medical system are not the only reasons why working in the USA could be beneficial to you.
All our nurses will receive a well-rounded benefit package, including compensation packages, health care packages, insurance programs and retirement packages. In many cases you will also receive further benefits such as discounts on food and beverages in the cafeteria, use of on-site Child Care Center facilities, discounts on Health Club Memberships and many more.

Why many nurses choose Professional Placement?

Nurses like our friendly yet professional approach for many different reasons. Each candidate is appointed to one of our recruitment consultants, to offer a very individualized service. Your dedicated recruitment consultant will keep in contact via email, telephone and fax.

From the moment you apply through us for a career in the USA, Professional Placement will assist you in everything you need to accomplish to successfully live and work in the United States.
From assisting you with the NCLEX registration, preparation for your NCLEX exam and arranging a round trip to your nearest test centre, to the preparation of your visa documents, offering an individualized job search service, to the final steps of relocating to the USA.

Our Service does not end with simply finding a new nursing position. Once you have arrived in the USA, Professional Placement offers you assistance in finding a temporary or permanent place to live, meet and greet service at the airport and briefing about the behaviour and discipline procedures (Code of Conduct) according to the Sate you will be working in.
With the above mentioned measures we want to ensure a smooth transition into the USA and the new working environment. Once in the USA, we assist our nurses in opening up bank accounts and obtaining a social security number.
In return for the services provided by Professional Placement, you will be employed through us for an arranged period of time (normally between 18-24 months pending on the employer’s requirements) It is our objective to negotiate the highest possible salary and a generous benefits package.

Your step by step guide to successfully work as a Registered Nurse or Practical Nurse in the USA

Professional Placement would like to make your dream possible and guide you step by step through the process of coming to live and work in the United States.

Step 1

Complete the section Apply Online on our website or download the application form. 

Once we have the information on your application form, we can make a quick assessment based on your nursing experience and level of qualification to verify whether you are eligible to work in the USA.
Based on the state you are planning to work in, we can also advise you on the necessary registration procedures you have to follow for that particular state.

Some US states may request a CGFNS certificate.  
A high number of states however, do not require the CGFNS (The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) certificate. They will simply require a Credential Evaluation Service and request a CES report.

The State of New York requires a Credential Verification Service (CVS) for New York State.

To find out more about the the GCFNS certificate, CES Service and Credential Evaluation Service, please visit the CGFNS website: http://www.cgfns.org

English Test

One of the particular requirements by the state of board of nursing is to take an English test.

You are exempt from an English test if the following criteria applies to you:
Your country of nursing education was in United Kingdom (England, Wales, Northern Ireland  and Scotland), Australia, Canada (Quebec approved schools include: McGill University and Dawson College in Montreal, Vanier College in St.Laurent, John Abbott College in Sainte Anne de Bellevue, and Heritage College in Gatineau), South Africa, New Zealand, Ireland, Trinidad/Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados or the United States. Your language of instruction and language of texts was English.

If the above does not apply to you, you will need to take an English test to determine you proficiency in the English language. 

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 

Test of English as a Foreign Language - Internet-based (TOEFL iBT) 

Test of English for International Communicators (TOEIC) 

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

Step 2

If you have graduated from a recognized nursing program and you meet all the specific requirements of the State of Board of Nursing you wish to apply for, you are ready to go to step two.

Preparation and taking of the NCLEX Exam

Every nurse who wishes to work in the USA needs to take the NCLEX examination (National Council Licensure Examination).
This examination is designed to test your nursing knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level.

On registration for your NCLEX exam, you need to decide which state or territory you wish to be licensed in. If you wish to work in the state of Illinois for example, you need to meet all of the board of nursing’s eligibility requirements and you can either take your test in the state of Illinois directly or you can use an international test centre e.g. London, Seoul and Hong Kong.

For a complete list of international test centers,  Test Centers.

Professional Placement will help you to take the exam in your nearest test centre and organize the trip for you.
Pending on the geographical area you live in, you may be lucky to have a test center in your country, but if this is not the case, we will organize a little round-trip to your nearest test centre.
In some cases you may need to travel to the United States or one of its territories directly. The NCLEX exam is a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) system. The majority of questions are multiple-choice, but some other formats may be included, e.g. charts, tables or graphic images. The exam covers five main areas of nursing (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics).

For more detailed information on the following aspects of the NCLEX procedures, please visit the ncsbn website: 

The whole procedure may sound very daunting to you, but it is our task to guide you through the registration process and help you in completing the NCLEX registration forms and to give you every support you need to complete all necessary paperwork.

Furthermore, Professional Placement assists you in the preparation for the NCLEX exam. Our goal is not to fail you, so that you will not fail your important exam.
If there is a will, there is a way and you will have all study material accessible for you to achieve your goal of passing the NCLEX exam. We offer a variety of study materials, from books, audio tapes, CD’s & DVD’s to online multiple choice programs.

We can observe your online training progress and advise you, when you are ready to take that all important test.

Step 3

Obtain your visa

Passed your NCLEX exam with flying colors? Now Professional Placement will begin the Permanent Residency and VisaScreen process. We will also take care of your spouse and children under the age of 21, who are legally entitled to live and work in the USA. 

For further information on gaining an Employment Visa and other useful immigration info, download a Visascreen application handbook fact Sheet and the US State Department website 

Step 4

Finding the right nursing job. You are appointed to your own recruitment consultant who will

• Discusses your individual needs
• Advise you on your career options
• Offers you a selection of suitable nursing jobs at your desired location
• Helps you with the interview set up and preparation

Step 5

Arrived in the USA! You will not be stranded at a busy airport in the USA, without knowing where to go. On arrival, one of our Professional Placement Representatives will meet and greet you at the airport and deliver you to your new home.