Friday, February 25, 2011

Preparing for an International Nursing Job

Traveling abroad to pursue a career in nursing can be both an amazing adventure and a great opportunity to hone your skills. But it is not a discussion to make lightly. This article will look at the things that one should keep in mind when making the decision to apply for an international nursing job.

TOEFL and TSE Exams

1Employers and recruiters in the United States require potential recruits to pass the TOEFL and TSE exams. TOELF (Test of English as a Foreign Language) tests a person's ablity to undersatand on English in an academic setting. These scores good for two years since an individual's grasp of a language can change drastically in a short time. In some cases, agencies in the US will refund or cover the cost of English Qualification exams. For those interested in an international nursing job a mastery of English is just as important as a mastery of nursing.

VisaScreen


A VisaScreen certificate is required by the United States for all individuals seeking temporary or permanent residents while working internationally as a nurse. In order to receive a VisaScreen certificate one must achieve minimum scores as a series of standardized language exams as well as show proof that one has successfully graduated from a government accredited nursing program. VisaScreen also requires a minimum number of classroom hours and clinical hours.

Picking the Correct Program

With exams and tests out of the way, what does one looking for an international nursing job need to look for when seeking a placement agency or recruiter? Start by picking a location in which you would like to work. Many recruitment and placing agencies focus on placing nurses on a city or geographic region. Once you have settled on a location, look at the benefits that the agency offers. It is best to look for an agency that provides housing assistance, vacation days and health insurance. Housing assistance is very important. For someone new to a country, navigating an unfamiliar city while looking for a place to live can be very stressful. A recruitment agency can work with you to find a place to live and secure a lease. This can make the transition far less stressful.