With the current nursing shortage, the rise of foreign-educated nurses is a boon for the medical industry in the US. With this in mind, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) maintains a comprehensive application process to enable nurses to have a direct-hire nursing career in the country. This process includes passing the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX. 

Passing this test would serve as a license to work as a nurse in the country and proves that they have the necessary skills to work alongside local nurses. The NCLEX can also serve as a stepping stone in gaining permanent US residency and access to the benefits that come along with it. Additionally, this also provides benefits that would help build your direct-hire nursing career in the country. 

 

Passing the NCLEX Means Being One Step Closer to Helping Address the Nursing Shortage 

With the current state of the healthcare industry in the country, the nursing shortage is expected to last until 2030. This shortage of nurses in the US is an issue that requires immediate solutions, but it also opens up better opportunities for foreign-educated nurses seeking better employment.  

The need for international nurses to alleviate the current shortage has never been higher, and this means that more job opportunities are up for grabs as long as you meet the requirements. Securing your license as early as possible allows you to find employment quicker and build your direct-hire nursing career. In addition, taking and passing the NCLEX during this time will enable you to help address the nursing shortage that the country is facing. 

 

Improving Competence with NCLEX 

Once you have completed the NCLEX, it will open many opportunities to develop your nursing career in the US. However, your training from previous nursing jobs you had may not be enough to secure permanent employment in the country. This is where NCLEX comes in to help you by verifying your knowledge about patient care and many nursing-related duties. 

Passing the NCLEX means possessing the necessary skills and knowledge to work with some of the best healthcare workers. The exam prepares you for that by testing you in various nursing procedures. 

• Physiological Integrity. This will cover most questions during the exam and test your knowledge about adult surgical and medical care, pediatrics, gerontology, and infectious diseases. 
• Safe and Effective Care Environment. Brushing up on the fundamentals of patient care will improve your chances of completing this part of the test. Aside from patient care, this part of the NCLEX will also test your knowledge about a nurse’s administrative duties. 
• Health Promotion and Maintenance. This part will cover the aging process, self-care, pregnancy-related care, physical assessment, and health screening. This is to test your knowledge about the prevention and early detection of health issues which is an essential skill that any nurse should possess. 
• Psychosocial Integrity. Your knowledge about mental and psychological care will be put to the test in this part of the NCLEX. This will encourage you to learn the most current ways of handling issues, such as stress management, mental health concerns, addiction, end-of-life care, behavioral and crisis interventions, grief, and coping mechanisms. 

Taking the NCLEX will not only provide you with the necessary license to work as a registered nurse in the country but will make sure that you are fully equipped to handle any task you will come across on the job. Plus, NCLEX will give you the confidence to provide the best patient care available on par with locally trained nurses. 

 

NCLEX and Direct-Hire Nursing

A direct-hire nurse in the US means that you will become a permanent staff of a healthcare facility when you get hired. Your direct employer will cover all the payments you will have to make to relocate to the country. 

By successfully completing the NCLEX, you also open the possibility of becoming a permanent citizen in the country. Hence, as a licensed nurse working in the US, you will be reaping many of its perks:

• High Salary and Competitive Benefits. America is still considered one of the highest-paying countries globally for nurses. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a nurse’s average annual salary was $77,460 in 2019. Also, the benefits of a nurse in the US are very comprehensive, including medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacation days. 
• Workforce Diversity. According to the NCSBN, 19.2 percent of registered nurses in the US are from minority backgrounds. The nursing industry in America is ethnically diverse and provides a good working environment for minority groups. This will broaden your horizons of the nuances of healthcare from the lens of professionals with diverse backgrounds. 
• Permanent Residency Including Family Members. Direct-hire nurses in the US get the opportunity of becoming permanent citizens. This does not only affect their direct-hire nursing career prospects, but the benefits extend to their immediate family. Once they receive a permanent residency status, nurses can start the process of bringing their spouse and children (below 21 years old) to the US. 
• Access to a Higher Standard of Living. America offers some of the highest standards of living in the world. US-based employers can provide housing assistance and offer financial incentives to jumpstart your career as a direct-hire nurse in the country. Even after finding employment, cultural diversity, high educational standards, and access to better healthcare are just some of the many ways you can improve your quality of life in the US. 

  

Career Growth and NCLEX 

NCLEX paves the way for many career-enhancing opportunities to come to fruition. While it is a necessary step to work as a nurse in the country, it also opens the door for further studies that will ultimately benefit your career as a direct-hire nurse in the US. 

Pursuing a master’s degree in nursing in the US will require you to pass the NCLEX. This ensures that the applicant is well-versed in current nursing trends and procedures. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) opens up the possibilities of taking specializations that would not only move your career forward but can provide a huge bump in your compensation. Some of the most common MSN specializations include: 

• Nursing Educator. This will train you to have a more academic approach to nursing. Educators are needed in healthcare institutions or educational settings. Your primary task is to teach specific courses and address other educational needs in the institution you are working in. 
• Nurse Midwife.  This specialization focuses on pregnancy care and various women’s health concerns. Your responsibility will include childbirth, gynecological services, annual women’s health checks, and postpartum care. 
• Clinical Nurse Specialist. Specialization with a wide scope, from pediatric, critical care, oncology, psychiatric, or even general patient care. As a clinical nurse, you will provide direct patient care and serve as an expert consultant in providing ways to improve the health care system. 
• Nurse Anesthetist. Considered one of the highest paying nursing specializations, nurse anesthetists mainly assist in complicated surgeries. In less complex procedures, you may even be tasked to administer the anesthesia alone. Caring for the patients during and after the surgery will also be part of your duties.
   

WORK WITH US TO JUMPSTART YOUR DIRECT-HIRE NURSING CAREER! 

We at PRS Global aim to provide you with all the help you need to build a direct-hire nursing career in the US! Our team of experts and immigration lawyers will work with you to ensure you will have a smooth transition during your application process. So contact us today and take your first step to better opportunities!