As business immigration attorneys for healthcare institutions, we help human resource leaders and in-house counsel hire foreign physicians, nurses, and critical professional staff. While we do not provide job placement services, we have compiled a list of online resources that can help foreign medical graduates, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in their search for employment. We have also released a 20 page guide geared specifically to answering the questions of foreign medical graduates – you can download our Guide for Foreign Medical Graduates here.
Resources for Foreign Medical Graduates and Physicians
Conrad waivers for J-1 Visa holders are available for physicians in medically underserved areas. The waivers are employer sponsored, so the first step to securing a Conrad waiver is finding a job with a qualifying organization.
To find hospitals and healthcare facilities in medically underserved areas, use the HPSA Find tool, available through the U.S. Health Services and Resources Administration. In the HPSA Find tool, you can filter by the state, county or discipline, and get a list of qualifying healthcare providers.
Resources for Foreign Nurses and Other Healthcare Professionals
Visas for nurses and other healthcare professionals in the United States are only available through employer sponsorship. In order to work in the U.S. the healthcare professional will need to apply for a position with a United States medical provider.
Additionally, nurses must:
- Have a full, unrestricted and permanent license to practice nursing in the state you will be employed;
- A Visa Screen, which includes credential verification from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). Here is a link to information on the CGFNS Certification. http://www.cgfns.org/services/certification/cgfns-certification-program/
- Evidence of passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Here is a link to information on the NCLEX – https://www.ncsbn.org/before-the-exam.htm.
Completing certification requirements for a nursing position in the U.S. in advance will greatly benefit your job search in the U.S.
Additionally, you might consider a placement agency for foreign nurses. Placement agencies often work with foreign nurses to get necessary credentialing, and contract with healthcare facilities in need of nursing staff.
If you have found employment, but your employer needs help with the visa process, we are happy to provide a complimentary consultation.
