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International Nursing - On Assignment

Coming To America

You've spent more than a year filling out paperwork, studying for the NCLEX, and getting approval for you and your family to live and work in the United States. Now you finally face the exciting adventure of moving to America and starting a new chapter of your life. What in the world do you do next?

Never fear; your agency won't leave you stranded. It will make your travel arrangements to the US, and find housing for you once you're here. And they'll help you get acclimated to your new country by offering an acculturation program that points out cultural differences, such as opening a bank account, learning about transportation options, securing insurance, and getting your social security number.

You'll probably sign a 12 to 24-month contract with your placement agency. During that time you can choose to settle in one area or move around and explore different regions. At each hospital placement, you'll receive orientation of the facility and its staff, and will work either five 8-hour shifts or three 12-hour shifts per week. On your time off you may have the opportunity to pick up extra shifts for additional pay or take advantage of professional development courses offered by your agency, employer, or local educational institutions.

But, advises international nurse Katharine Eves, don't spend every day at work. This is a big country and there are many sights to see. "Get out and learn about the culture."

Sylvia Mullarkey, director of the international placement agency Assignment America, suggests taking time to adjust to the new culture. "Don't expect to understand everything right away. Even if you are a native English speaker, there are nuances in the language that you'll need to learn. Keep an open mind and know that it may take at least a few months to adapt."

"You can't expect to move from one side of the world (to the other) and not expect things to be different," agrees Eves. "You've got to be open to change."

Once you've fulfilled your initial agency contract, you have several options for your next move. If your agency has sponsored you for a permanent work visa, you can stay in the United States and take a permanent position with a hospital here. After five years of continuous residence, you may choose to become a naturalized U.S. citizen.

If you want simply to spend more time exploring, you may choose to extend your contract with your agency, take on per diem shifts or become a travel nurse . If you already are working through an international placement agency that offers these services, you simply can transfer your employment from one division to the next.

It's a big decision to move with your family to a different country but once you arrive, you'll have a whole new world at your disposal.