.Are you a Jamaican nurse thinking about taking flight and making the move to work in the U.S.? If so, you’re not the only one. Statistics show that more than 170, mostly specialized, nurses swapped Jamaica for jobs overseas just between December 2015 and September 2016.
We wanted to share our top reasons why now is the perfect time for nurses to make the move from Jamaica to the U.S.
1. Pay
If you are a Jamaican nurse, it’s probably not news to you that the average earnings in Jamaica for a specialized nurse are considerably low considering the years of training and hard work it takes to become an RN. Meanwhile, the average starting salary for a registered nurse in the U.S. is between $20 and $35/ hour. Couple this with the increasing demand for nurses in America – experts are forecasting a major nurse shortage and estimates an extra 1.2 million nurses will be needed in the U.S. - the USA is bursting with opportunities for Jamaican nurses!
2. Working Conditions
Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in the U.S. and to attract more nurses to fill the expanding number of roles, not only are hospitals using financial initiatives, but they are concentrating onimproving the working conditionsof registered nurses by “introducing technology which helps dramatically reduce paperwork, offering more flexible hours, reducing caseloads…and giving [nurses] more authority."
While U.S. RN's are experiencing some of the best working conditions in the world, the working conditions and patient to nurse ratio for nurses in Jamaica are not showing any signs of improvement due to the continuous reductions in Government healthcare expenditure. With the poor conditions and the back-breaking workload facing nurses in Jamaica, it is no surprise that more and more Jamaican nurses are choosing to pursue a career in the USA.
3. Realizing The American Dream
What better way to achieve your American dream than working in the USA's most trusted profession? According to a Gallup poll in 2016, Nursing was voted the most trusted profession in the U.S. for the 15th year in a row. A statistic that would make anyone feel appreciated and proud to be a nurse in the USA!
Not only are nurses in the US experiencing better working conditions and benefits than their counterparts in Jamaica, but let’s not forget to mention the United States' better public services and higher living standards. Making the move from Jamaica to the U.S. will give you the chance to experience nursing in a new country, make lasting friendships, and provide you and your family with life-changing opportunities.
With the help of Conexus MedStaff, your American dream could be a lot closer than you think! For Jamaican citizens, our in-house Immigration team can help process your U.S. visa in 9-12 months.
Begin building your nursing career and your future. Apply today. You may even be eligible for the
Conexus MedStaff NCLEX Sponsorship Program! Conexus MedStaff now sponsors the NCLEX for qualified international nurses. Our sponsorship program supports nurses in their study, preparation, travel and testing costs to pass the NCLEX. To determine if you qualify for the NCLEX Sponsorship program,apply today.