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International Nursing
BSI has an international team that consists of nurse recruiters, attorneys and clinical support personnel who are responsible for the entire recruitment, immigration and placement process. BSI currently has thousands of nursing positions open throughout the United States. BSI has contracts with client hospitals throughout the U.S. and places its employee nurses in nursing positions to fulfill current hospital needs. The nurse remains an employee of BSI for the duration of the contract. This is the most desirable situation for the nurse because of the many choices available.
Who is BSI?
Bridge Staffing, Inc. is an American corporation. BSI specializes in
providing experienced registered nurses as staff nurses to hospitals
throughout the United States. We provide nurses for all clinical settings
in regional, teaching and tertiary hospitals. In order to hire
experienced registered nurses, BSI recruits nurses in the United States,
Ireland, Canada, UK, Australia, South Africa and the Philippines. Due to
the strict language requirements, we recruit only experienced nurses
from English speaking countries who are fluent in speaking, reading and
writing English.
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What do we offer?
BSI offers the opportunity for immigration (green card) and
employment in the United States. In addition, BSI offers aggressive
pay rates, (the highest in the industry for international nurses), paid
medical insurance, paid vacation, subsidized housing, all fees paid or
reimbursed and more. BSI assists you with the entire NCLEX testing
and immigration process. Our overseas office will assist you in
processing your VisaScreen as required by the INS Reg-343. We will
also pay for your relocation flight to the United States.
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What are the benefits and salary offered?
BSI offers the opportunity for immigration (green card) and
employment in the United States. In addition, BSI offers aggressive
pay rates, (the highest in the industry for international nurses), paid
medical insurance, paid vacation, subsidized housing, all fees paid or
reimbursed and more. BSI assists you with the entire NCLEX testing
and immigration process. Our overseas office will assist you in
processing your VisaScreen as required by the INS Reg-343. We will
also pay for your relocation flight to the United States.
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What are the requirements to work in the United States as a Registered Nurse?
In order to work as a RN in the United States, you must hold a current
nursing license in the country you have citizenship (or residing), a
passport, a valid United States nursing license, a permanent or working
visa and a contract of employment.
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How do I obtain a valid United States Nursing License?
Each state in the US has a board of nursing. You will apply to a specific state
for permission to take NCLEX and receive a valid license to practice nursing in
that state. Your country's Board of Nursing will verify your current nursing
license to the state board of nursing in the state you will work. BSI, through
our office in Mobile, or our affiliate office in Manila, will provide you with the
appropriate application for you to complete to apply for a United States
nursing license. We will assist you in completing this application. Once your
application has been reviewed and your education is deemed equivalent to the
United States education requirements, you must take and pass the National
Council License Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This
examination can be taken in the US or in a US territory in the Pacific (Saipan
or Guam) before your departure for the US. Please note that the NCLEX-RN
exam supersedes the CGFNS, therefore, there is no need to take the CGFNS if
you have already passed the NCLEX. The CGFNS fulfills the requirements of
the VisaScreen but it is not a valid license to be a registered nurse in the U.S.
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What is the NCLEX examination?
The NCLEX exam is designed to test your knowledge of the clinical and
critical thinking skills essential to the safe and effective practice of
nursing at the entry level. This exam is given in the United States,
American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and
the Virgin Islands. All jurisdictions give the same exam, thus allowing
licensure endorsement from one state board to another.
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When should I take the NCLEX exam?
You should apply for the NCLEX exam as soon as possible and make the
arrangements to take the exam in Guam or Saipan. This can be
completed while your INS paperwork is being approved. Taking the
exam prior to coming to the United States will ensure that you have a
chance to go to a location of your choice.
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Why must I pass the NCLEX-RN exam?
You must pass this test to be able to work as a registered nurse in the
United States.
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How difficult is the NCLEX-RN exam?
The NCLEX-RN examination is a computerized test, which takes
approximately two to five hours and consists of a range of questions in
number from 75 to 265. In order to prepare for this examination, you
will have to study NCLEX review material. This is not a process that
should be taken lightly. You must set aside time to study at length
prior to taking the test. BSI will help you during your study process.
We offer pre-testing so that we can evaluate your knowledge and
readiness for the NCLEX that may save you time and money.
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Can a CGFNS certificate holder take the exam after arriving in the U.S?
For the applicants that are CGFNS certificate holders, this certificate
allows a petition to be filed for your visa to work in the United States;
however, you must still pass the NCLEX exam. BSI will administer a
series of pre-tests that will determine if you are properly prepared to
pass the exam. BSI must be assured that you are prepared and will
pass the exam prior to hospital placement. If you do not pass the
exam the benefits discussed will no longer be in force. It is in your best
interest to pass the NCLEX exam for financial reasons and job
satisfaction.
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What will this cost me?
BSI offers two programs. The first program includes reimbursement of
all fees for VisaScreen, English examinations, NCLEX and nursing
license in the US and any additional expenses incurred. Reimbursement
will be 90 days after arrival in the US . In return you will be required to
sign a two (2) year contract with BSI.
The second program stipulates that all fees will be paid by BSI,
including VisaScreen, English examinations, NCLEX and nursing license
in the US, and any additional expenses incurred. The term of the
contract for the second package will be three (3) years.
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What costs are involved?
There are many fees necessary to meet the requirements to immigrate
and work in the United States.
NCLEX --- $200.00 US
TSE --- $125.00 US
TOEFL --- $110.00 US
VisaScreen --- $325.00 US
INS Filling Fee --- $115.00 US
State License --- $50.00-200.00 US
When you join the BSI team, these expenses will either be paid for you
or you will be reimbursed when you have worked 90 days in the United
States (depending on which program you select).
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How do I apply for the required exams?
The applications needed to apply for the required exams can be
obtained from BSI. You must fill in the application forms and send the
appropriate fees (BSI will pay the fees under the 3 year contract) for
the exam to be taken. BSI can assist you in making arrangements for
the NCLEX exam and VisaScreen. The nurse is responsible for the
mailing of the TSE/TOEFL applications (BSI will help you with the
applications).
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Why has BSI become so successful in obtaining green cards for international nurses?
At BSI, we have done extensive research on the immigration process
and have a forceful support team that monitors the ever-changing laws
and policies. BSIs immigration attorney is a member of the American
Immigration Lawyers Association and has developed a working
relationship with our US Congressional Representative. These
relationships provide BSI with the most current information on
changing legislation that may affect your immigration. This enables BSI
to have the most up to date information to facilitate and accelerate
your placement when possible.
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How long does the immigration process take?
BSI begins processing your application the day we receive it. It is
carefully reviewed to establish your timetable for the immigration
process. The immigration process and a final INS decision regarding
the issuance of a permanent visa can take approximately 3 months to
one (1) year. The length of time for the immigration process will vary
depending upon what exams you have already completed. The success
of the immigration process depends entirely on your full cooperation in
completing all the required paperwork involved.
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What are the benefits of the immigrant visa versus the H1B visa
BSI petitions for a permanent visa for the nurse applicant and includes
spouse and children (under the age of 21) . The immigrant visa is valid
for 10 years and renewable with BSI. If you choose, after five years of
being in the U.S., you can apply for citizenship in the United States.
The H1B or H1C visa is a work permit that is valid for three years. Your
spouse is not able to work in the United States. The H1 visas are
available only in certain work areas. The RN must be in a supervisory
position or work in a hospital that meets certain restrictions to qualify
for a H1 visa temporary employment.
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Does paying a fee to an Agency speed up the process?
ABSOLUTELY NOT! The process of obtaining a permanent visa will not
be quicker if you pay an agency to file your paperwork. The processing
time is dictated by the INS and the workload they have at that time. At
BSI we charge no fees to the applicants and have had continued
success with bringing the international nurses to the United States. We
process all paperwork in our office with the guidance of our immigration
attorney; therefore, no fees to BSI are necessary.
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If I pay an agency will I still have to fulfill all requirements?
In order to immigrate to the United States, there are certain
requirements that every nurse must meet. Paying a fee will not
exclude you from any requirements. In order to immigrate to the United States,
all nurses must complete the NCLEX, TSE, TOEFL and Visascreen. The
requirements have been established to insure that all international
nurses working in the U.S. are able to effectively function in the United
States healthcare system.
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Why should I work for BSI instead of working directly for a US hospital?
BSI offers a wide range of placement hospitals. We currently have staff
hospitals in all 50 states; therefore, your placement location is largely
your choice. BSI screens the hospital for you. The hospitals that BSI
places the international nurses in are willing to provide an extensive
orientation that will assist the nurse with the transition to the US
healthcare system. We look for hospitals that are willing to make your
experience as comfortable and successful as possible. When hospitals
recruit, they are looking to fill their current staffing needs; the
downside to you going directly with the hospital recruitment is that
your placement is limited to that hospital. If you are unhappy with the
assignment, the area or hospital, relocation is not an option.
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Can I apply to more than one agency?
While it may be advisable to research programs from different
agencies, you should only sign a contract with one agency. The
qualification and immigration process is time consuming and costly. It is
important that you understand the process and expectations for you to
immigrate to the United States. You should know that you are working
with a reputable agency that will honor its commitment to you. That
way you can be assured you will achieve your goal. The requirements
are facts and cannot be altered or changed by any agency.
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What if I have previously applied with another agency, hospital, or attorney?
It is important for BSI to know if you are trying to obtain any type of
visa through another agency. Any prior petitions would need to be
referred in a new petition. If this information is omitted the processing
of the Immigrant Visa will most likely be delayed and could compromise
whether you are approved for a green card.
We look forward to answering any additional questions that you might
have and we also look forward to having you as a member of the Bridge
Staffing team.
Call now at:
(Tel)877-259-8406
(Fax) 941-473-0012
Email: mmeyers@bridgestaffing.com
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