Hiring Nurses in the USA: Opportunities for Canadians
By Conexus MedStaff - Posted Mar 9, 2020
Over the last decade, the demand for nurses has been significantly higher in the U.S. compared to Canada. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 203,700 new registered nurses are required each year up to 2026. It’s this need for nursing talent that has U.S. healthcare organizations looking for foreign-educated nurses in a bid to bolster workforces. Canadian nurses are particularly in demand due to the shared language, similar cultures, and a level of education and training comparable to that required of U.S. nurses. In this blog post, we take a closer look at this requirement and the benefits of a U.S. nursing adventure for Canadian nurses.Employment It may sound extreme to recommend heading to the U.S. to secure nursing employment, especially when headlines suggest that Canada is experiencing its own shortage. However, Conexus has worked with nurses in Canada for several years, and many approached us after failing to find permanent roles that suited their skills and experience. We found that the lack of opportunities in Canada hit new nurses the hardest, with some failing to secure more than two or three shifts a week. Additionally, nurses from overseas who were initially looking to work in the U.S., settled in Canada due to the country’s shorter immigration process. But, because Canada doesn’t recognize every international qualification, these nurses had to repeat their education or settle for working at a lower level. In the U.S, there are limitless opportunities for nurses at all levels of their careers.ChoiceOne of the most significant advantages of working in the US is the number of options available to enhance your career. The need for nurses extends across the length and breadth of the country. It covers a broad spectrum of facilities, including hospitals, clinics, physicians’ offices, home health care settings, critical and long-term care facilities, governmental organizations, the military, schools, and rehabilitation facilities.And it’s not just experienced nurses who can take advantage of such opportunities; newly qualified nurses are in high demand, particularly in rural long-term care where they can quickly acquire the skills and experience required to turbocharge their career. Quality Of LifeThere’s little doubt that better career progression and increased job choice boosts job satisfaction. Additionally, with nursing demand so high in the US, nurses benefit from excellent salary and benefits packages. While salaries range on a state-by-state basis, average US salaries are higher at C$99,222 compared to C$75,680 in Canada. Plus, the cost of living can be significantly lower, with a one-bedroom city center apartment averaging C$2,125 in Toronto compared to C$960 in Jacksonville, NC, for example. Partnering with a specialist staffing agency like Conexus for your journey to the US has its advantages too. We ensure the journey goes as smoothly as possible by remaining hands-on and providing benefits that include a $1,000 USD tax-free deployment bonus, your first 30 days of accommodation covered, and continued learning support throughout your assignment. You can view our full range of benefits here. Immigration ProcessIf you’re living and working in Canada, whether a citizen or foreign-born, you’ll be relieved to know that transitioning your life and career to the US is straightforward. Once you’ve passed your NCLEX-RN examination and have acquired your visa screen, your TN visa will usually be ready in a couple of weeks. Do remember that if you completed your degree in a non-English speaking location, you’ll also be required to take the academic version of the IELTS exam if you haven’t already. Want To Find Out More About Nursing In The US? Register your interest below:Form ID:4846Alberta Meet and GreetOur Alberta Virtual Meet and Greet for Registered Nurses in Canada and nursing students looking to make a career change and work as a Canadian nurse in the U.S.