Conexus MedStaff works closely with each of our registered nurses and medical technologists to help them build a life they’ll love in the U.S. Shavia, a nurse from Jamaica, is one example of how our personalized approach can make a difference. Today, Shavia lives in Tennessee with her husband and two children, who made the move to the United States with her. This is her Conexus story.
After seven years working as a nurse in Jamaica, Shavia chose to pursue her version of the American dream with Conexus. “I believed it was time to move somewhere new, where I would be able to gain more knowledge, more insight, and more experiences. The U.S. provided more opportunities for specialization in my field, and offered an increased salary.”
She was initially drawn to Conexus because she felt our company values aligned with her personal values, but also liked the fact that we would facilitate her family’s move to the U.S. at the same time as her own deployment. She states that her experience with Conexus has been an exceptional one, and that she was placed exactly where she needed to be to thrive.
“The transition was easy, and the beauty about Conexus is that they understood the need for family support,” said Shavia. “When I was ready to leave Jamaica, my family migrated at the same time as me. No other agency allows that! Usually, nurses have to wait months for their families to join them in the U.S., but with Conexus, we transitioned to our new lives together. That makes the company even more extraordinary.”
While Shavia admits that the experience of living and working in the U.S. has had its highs and lows – such as the days when she really misses her home in Jamaica, she states that life has been fantastic for her. “I have gained so much knowledge and skills that would’ve probably taken me a while to acquire if I was still back home. Now I feel like I’m equipped to work in any setting, in any country.”
One major thing that has changed for her and her family since moving to the United States is their financial situation. According to Shavia, she is now “a LOT more financially stable and more comfortable in meeting the needs of my family.”
Since she started working in the U.S., Shavia has expanded her professional skills by gaining experience in many different departments, including cardiac, critical units, orthopedics, oncology and more. She claims there are four major benefits to working as a registered nurse in the United States, versus back home.
“Access to resources. Every device, or medical supply, that is needed for you to provide adequate care is at your disposal.”
“Opportunities for future education. Hospitals throughout the U.S. will do whatever they can to help their staff move forward with their education, as it makes their hospitals more competitive and upgrades the overall patient experience.”
“Work-life balance. Most U.S. hospitals require you to work three 12-hour shifts per week, and it's a choice between days or nights. This provides more room for a social life in the US to be honest.”
“You are remunerated for work done. My salary in Jamaica was enough to take care of my needs there, but now I make twice as much. I still take care of basic bills in Jamaica and was able to purchase a new home and a second vehicle… and that's with me migrating less than two years ago. So I guess it's safe to say I am living the American dream!”
To healthcare professionals who are thinking about making the move to the U.S., Shavia’s advice is to “just do it, just make the move, you won’t regret it. You may be scared at first, I was fearful as most people would be. The opportunities here are endless. There are so many areas of nursing in the U.S. that do not exist in Jamaica. I guarantee you’ll find your niche here. You will thrive. The system is set up to help you grow, and with growth comes self-actualization – and this should be the aim.”
Are you an international registered nurse or medical technologist looking to start a new career in the U.S.? Find out how we can help. Apply today. You can alsojoin us in Jamaica on May 1 and May 3 2024 at a Conexus Live recruitment event!