October 2026 Broadcast Recap: Preparing for U.S. Nursing Interviews, Asking for Feedback, and Understanding the Visa Bulletin

This month’s broadcast focused on three important areas:

• Preparing for facility interviews with U.S. healthcare employers
• Building confidence when asking your charge nurse for feedback
• Understanding the October Visa Bulletin and making productive use of your waiting period

The broadcast also highlighted Nursing Careers Week, a free global virtual event designed to support nurses at different stages of their careers.

If you missed the live broadcast, here are some of the key highlights.

Preparing for Your U.S. Nursing Facility Interview

A facility interview is an important step on the path toward working as a nurse in the United States. Knowing what to expect and preparing ahead of time can help you approach the conversation with greater confidence.

Ryan from Health Carousel’s clinical support team sat down with Sharon, a Health Carousel nurse currently working in the United States, to discuss her firsthand experience interviewing with a U.S. healthcare facility.

Sharon shared that she prepared by using the interview resources available through PassportUSA and looking for additional interview guidance online. Although she initially expected complicated questions, she found that many questions focused on something she already knew well: her own nursing experience.

The interview included questions about her clinical abilities and how she would handle situations she might encounter at work. For example, Sharon was asked about prioritization, giving her an opportunity to explain her approach to medication administration, time management, and patient care.

Ryan also emphasized the importance of preparing for behavioral questions that ask candidates to describe specific situations from their experience. Rather than trying to memorize answers, nurses can practice telling clear stories that explain the situation, what they did, and what the experience demonstrates about them as a professional.

Key Takeaways:

• Practice answering interview questions before meeting with a U.S. healthcare facility so you become more comfortable discussing your experience.
• Be prepared to discuss both your clinical skills and how you communicate and work with patients and colleagues.
• Use real examples from your nursing experience when answering clinical, behavioral, and situational questions.
• If you feel nervous or need time to organize your thoughts, pause before answering. Taking a moment can help you communicate your response more clearly.
• Prepare for different interview formats. You may speak with one interviewer or participate in a panel interview with multiple people.
• Research the facility’s website, values, and vision before your interview so you can better understand the organization and connect your responses to what matters to them.
• Prepare thoughtful questions of your own about topics such as orientation, team atmosphere, available resources, and support for international nurses.

Remember that the facility is learning about you, but you are also learning about the facility. Asking thoughtful questions can help you better understand whether the position, team, and available support align with what you need to succeed professionally.

Most importantly, preparation starts before the interview is scheduled. The more opportunities you give yourself to practice discussing your experience, the more natural those conversations can become.

English Tip: How to Ask Your Charge Nurse for Feedback

Asking for feedback is a normal part of professional communication in U.S. healthcare settings. For international nurses adapting to a new workplace and communication style, however, initiating those conversations may feel uncomfortable at first.

For this month’s English Tip, Lauren shared practical ways nurses can ask a charge nurse for feedback using simple, direct language.

You do not need complicated or highly formal English to start the conversation. Questions such as “Do you have any feedback for me from today?” or “Is there anything that I can improve on?” can communicate that you are open to learning and improving.

Timing also matters. Because charge nurses can be very busy, consider choosing a quieter moment, such as after a shift or during a break when appropriate. Asking for feedback about one specific part of your work can also make the conversation more focused and useful.

Key Takeaways:

• Asking for feedback can demonstrate that you are engaged, responsible, and committed to providing safe patient care.
• Keep your language simple and direct when starting the conversation.
• Choose an appropriate time to ask, recognizing that your charge nurse may be managing multiple responsibilities.
• Consider asking about something specific, such as whether your report was clear or how you handled a particular situation.
• Do not be discouraged if asking for feedback feels uncomfortable at first. Practice can make these conversations feel more natural over time.
• Regular feedback can help you strengthen communication, build trust, and develop professional relationships with your team.

Learning how to ask for and receive feedback is about more than improving your English. It can also help you understand workplace expectations and continue developing as a healthcare professional in the United States.

October Visa Bulletin Update: Understanding the Latest Movement

Wes Hamilton, Director of Pipeline Strategy, joined this month’s session to review the October updates.

For EB-3, the Philippines final action date advanced by 15 days, from August 1, 2023, to August 15, 2023. China also saw forward movement of one week, from January 1, 2022, to January 8, 2022, while India remained at January 1, 2014.

The Rest of World category moved backward from September 1, 2024, to May 15, 2024, a change of approximately three and a half months. Mexico also moved to May 15, 2024. During the broadcast, Wes explained that the Rest of World movement reflected a reset at the beginning of the government fiscal year and increased demand following the lifting of a visa freeze affecting 75 countries.

The broadcast also covered EB-2. Rest of World, the Philippines, and Mexico moved from current to a final action date of January 1, 2025. China advanced from September 1, 2021, to October 1, 2021, while India moved from unavailable in September to a final action date of November 1, 2013.

Key Takeaways:

• EB-3 Philippines advanced 15 days to August 15, 2023.
• EB-3 Rest of World and Mexico moved to May 15, 2024.
• EB-3 China advanced one week to January 8, 2022.
• EB-3 India remained at January 1, 2014.
• For EB-2, Rest of World, the Philippines, and Mexico changed from current to a final action date of January 1, 2025.
• EB-2 China advanced to October 1, 2021, while India moved from unavailable to November 1, 2013.
• Visa Bulletin movement can require patience, but your waiting period can still be used to prepare for future steps.

Visa Bulletin information is time-sensitive, so healthcare professionals should always refer to the most current information when evaluating where their case stands. Click here to read more.

Nursing Careers Week Is Coming November 9–13

The broadcast also highlighted Nursing Careers Week, taking place November 9–13.

This free global virtual event from Health Carousel is designed for nurses who are exploring their career possibilities, including internationally educated nurses interested in opportunities in the United States.

This year’s programming includes three tracks:

• Global Nurse Track: Designed specifically around international career paths, including sessions on licensing, transition, and experiences from nurses who have already made the move.
• Empowered Nurse Track: Focused on leadership and career growth.
• Resilient Nurse Track: Focused on well-being and long-term sustainability in the nursing profession.

Last year, more than 15,000 nurses from over 45 countries registered for Nursing Careers Week. Scholarships and giveaways will also be available during this year’s event, with restrictions applying.

Unable to attend the sessions live? Registered participants will receive access to session recordings after the event concludes. Register now clicking here.

Register for Nursing Careers Week at nursingcareersweek.com.

Preparing for the Next Step in Your U.S. Nursing Journey

Whether you are preparing for a facility interview, strengthening your workplace English, or waiting for movement in the immigration process, there are steps you can take now to prepare for what comes next.

Practice talking about your nursing experience. Build confidence asking for feedback. Continue strengthening your clinical and English communication skills. Keep important documents organized and learn more about where you could live and work in the United States.

Health Carousel’s Full Circle of Support is here to help guide international healthcare professionals throughout their journey, from preparing for U.S. opportunities to adapting to their new professional environment.

Watch the Full October 2026 Broadcast

Want to hear directly from our experts and healthcare professionals?

Watch this month’s broadcast for firsthand facility interview advice, practical English communication tips, the October Visa Bulletin update, and additional guidance for international healthcare professionals preparing for their careers in the United States.

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