To help you understand our Passport USA™ Programme and all that it entails, we have compiled a list of questions that we hear most frequently from healthcare professionals around the world.
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----- Licenses and Visas -----
----- Healthcare in America -----
----- Living in America -----
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What qualifications do I need?
- Be a registered nurse.
- A graduate of a three-year RN training programme.
- Currently working in an acute-care hospital environment.
- A minimum of two year’s post-graduate hospital experience.
- Fluency in English.
- Good references.
How do I apply to Passport USA?
- To get started, you need to complete and submit an inquiry form. This will help us determine whether you have the skills and experience to work in a healthcare setting in the United States.
Do I have to sign a contract?
- Yes, we require a signed contract to confirm that you will work for Passport USA for a predetermined amount of time in the United States.
How long is my commitment to Passport USA?
- Typically, your commitment to work with Passport USA will be 24 months.
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What type of visas or licenses do I need to work in America?
- You will need a Permanent Residency visa (green card) and a U.S. RN license.
How do I get a Permanent Residency visa or a RN license?
- Once you have been accepted into the USA Express Program, Passport USA will help you study for and obtain your U.S. RN license, and will also handle all the requirements for your Permanent Residency visa (also known as a green card.)
What type of training do I need for the RN license?
- In order to get your RN license, you will need to pass the NCLEX-RN examination. Passport USA has a great training program and study materials to help prepare you for this exam.
Where do I take the NCLEX-RN exam?
- Once you are ready to sit the exam, Passport USA will fly you to the United States or one of its territories, or to London, Hong Kong, or Seoul at our cost, to take the NCLEX-RN exam. We will pay for your hotel accommodations, too. Your visit will last approximately two to four days.
What kind of questions will the NCLEX-RN exam have?
- The exam is multiple-choice and taken on a computer. The exam covers:
- Medicine
- Surgery
- Pediatrics
- Psychiatry
- Obstetrics
- The examination is designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing. The exam itself takes about five hours. Your results will be known within three weeks of taking the exam.
Who pays for the NCLEX-RN exam?
- You will be responsible for the cost of the exam as well as travel costs to reach and stay at an exam center if necessary. Once you arrive in the U.S. to start your assignment you will receive a relocation and starting bonus package that will in most cases more than cover the costs associated with the exam preparation and travel.
Why do I need a Permanent Residency visa?
- A Permanent Residency visa allows you to legally live and work in America on a permanent basis. Your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 will also qualify for Permanent Residency visas.
How does the visa process work?
- When you take the NCLEX-RN exam, we will meet with you to discuss the process of applying for your Permanent Residency visa, including the VisaScreen certificate. Passport USA will pay for the initial filing fee for your visa and will help you each step of the way with the necessary visa requirements and paperwork.
Can I bring my family?
- If you are married, your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 can legally relocate to the United States with you.
How do I get Permanent Residency visas for my family?
- When you apply for a Permanent Residency visa through Passport USA, your spouse and any unmarried children under the age of 21 will be able to apply at the same time.
Are there costs for the Permanent Residency visa?
- Yes, there are. We will pay the filing fee for your Permanent Residency visa. However, once your application is approved, you (and any family members who will be relocating to the U.S. with you) will be responsible for any national Visa Center (NVC) fees. In addition, you will be responsible for any Embassy and medical charges
What is a VisaScreen?
- A VisaScreen is a process to ensure you have the necessary qualifications to work in America. During the screening, your skills will be compared to the minimal skills required in education, licensing and English language. Healthcare professionals who have graduated from a college or university in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, don’t have to meet the English language requirement. Once you have passed the VisaScreen, you will be given a certificate which we will submit to the American embassy or consular office as part of your Permanent Residency application.
Is there a cost to the VisaScreen?
- Passport USA will pay the cost for your VisaScreen application. If you require any additional training from your school of nursing or English language training to meet the minimum standards for the VisaScreen, the costs will be your responsibility.
----- Nursing in America -----
Can I choose where I work and live?
- Absolutely. There are many options for you to choose from, ranging from the biggest cities in the nation to quieter, rural areas. Think about where you would like to live and we will help to match your skills and expertise with a hospital in your desired region.
How do you match me to a hospital?
- We consider your skills, experience, needs, personality and goals and make the closest match possible with the hospital. Both your wishes and the requirements of the hospital will be taken into consideration.
When does my assignment in America begin?
- It takes about 8 to 18 months from the time you are accepted into the programme until you begin your assignment in America.
What do American hospitals expect from their Healthcare professionals?
- Healthcare professionals are treated as professionals in America and as an RN you will have more autonomy than perhaps you are used to in your home country. The role of the RN is one of educator and decision-maker. Passport USA will help you prepare for the differences you are likely to encounter when you begin working in an American hospital. You will be well prepared for what to expect and we will ensure that your decisions are grounded in excellent assessment skills and clinical knowledge.
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How much does it cost to live in America?
- The cost of living largely depends on the region where you are working, the housing options you choose and your own personal tastes. There is no set standard of living cost but once we know your personal situation, we can help you find out what your costs will be. Many things in America are cheaper than other countries, including cars, petrol, household goods, clothing and food.
Is the pay better in America?
- American Healthcare professionals’ salaries are among the most competitive in the world. Your compensation will depend on your experience, your clinical specialty and the location of your assignment. Based on the cost of living, some regions of the country pay more than other areas.
Does Tailored Healthcare Staffing offer benefits?
- Yes, Passport USA offers all its Healthcare professionals a comprehensive and highly competitive benefits package. Our benefits include the following:
- Bonus and relocation package
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Professional liability insurance
- Referral bonuses
How do I find accommodations in America?
- Once you have accepted a job at a hospital in the United States, your international relocation specialist will help you set up your housing, arrange for furniture delivery and ensure that everything is ready for you once you arrive at your new destination. We will work with you on finding the best housing for your needs and help set up your home so that it is ready when you arrive.
What happens after I complete my contract with Passport USA?
- You have many choices and we will help you with your decision. Here are some of the options you will have:
- Begin a new assignment with Passport USA.
- Join our exciting travel nurse program and accept 13-week or longer assignments anywhere in the United States.
- Become a permanent employee of your assigned hospital.
- Return home, where we will help you with a job placement in your country.
- Arrange for your own employment at a hospital of your choice anywhere in the United States.
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