Frequently Asked Questions - International Nurses

For ease of browsing through the questions, please note they are organized in 4 steps or sections.

Step 1 - The Basics
Step 2 - Licensure and Visa Process
Step 3 - Clinical Support and the Transitioning Program
Step 4 - Assignment Selection and Working in the US

Step 1 - The Basics
What are the basic requirements?
Do I need a CGFNS Certificate?
My CGFNS certificate has not been received. Can Avant help expedite the process?
How recent should my clinical experience as a nurse be?
How long is the recruitment process?
Do I have to take an English proficiency exam if I was educated in English?
How long is my employment contract with Avant?
How much will it cost me?

Step 2 - Licensure and Visa Process
How do I obtain licensure as a nurse in the US?
Who pays for state licensure?
Do I need a CGFNS Certificate?
What will I need from CGFNS if I do not have a CGFNS certificate?
Who pays for the NCLEX test trip?
Where will I take the NCLEX?
What if I do not pass the NCLEX?
What type of employment based visa will I receive?
Can my spouse and children get an immigrant visa?
Who pays the visa fees?
How long is the visa approval process?
What is an RFE?

Step 3 - Clinical Support and the Transitioning Program
Will there be many clinical differences from my country to the US?
What type of clinical support will I get through Avant?
Can you help my spouse and children with the adjustment to the US?
How will I get the cultural and social transition information?

Step 4 - Assignment Selection and Working in the US
How will I chose my assignment location?
What will my salary be?
Where will I live? How much will it cost?
Will my spouse be able to work in the US?

 

Step 1 - The Basics

What are the basic requirements?
You must be a licensed Registered Nurse with a nursing degree or diploma that provided clinical and classroom instruction in medical, surgical, pediatric, maternity/midwifery and psychiatric/mental health nursing. Your transcripts need to show that you have at least 40 hours of theory and 80 hours of clinical in pediatrics, maternity and psychiatric nursing areas. Some countries do not provide this in the nursing programs and so Avant can provide you with information on make up courses that are available if you need to complete additional hours to meet US requirements.

Avant requires all applicants to have a minimum of 12 months of current experience, gained in a tertiary level hospital of at least 100-150 beds. Applicants must be working in acute care in patient settings.
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Do I need a CGFNS Certificate?
CGFNS is not a requirement for the Avant program. Unless you already hold a CGFNS certificate, Avant advises you not to undergo the CGFNS program, we would rather you focus your time and effort into the NCLEX. However if you hold a CGFNS certificate and meet the experience requirement it will expedite the licensure and visa process as Avant is able to file a Green card for you while you using your CGFNS while you prepare for the NCLEX exam. Not nurses from some countries will take their NCLEX on arrival into the US due to visa restrictions which makes testing for NCLEX difficult.
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My CGFNS certificate has not been received. Can Avant help expedite the process?
Yes, Avant can contact CGFNS on your behalf to get the certificate processed. In addition, you can use our US address for mailing purposes. Often times international mail is slow and misplaced; as a result your certificate may take up 6 to 8 weeks to arrive to you. With a US address it will be received in 3 to 5 days.
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How recent should my clinical experience as a nurse be?
We do require 12 months of current clinical experience at the time you apply to the Avant program: We also require that you continue working in an acute care setting throughout the program and until your arrival in the US.
This experience makes a tremendous difference when you begin your clinical transition in the US. In addition, we will assign you to a clinical area similar to your current work site so it is familiar to you. Please do not make changes to your clinical setting once you are on the program without checking in with your Avant Consultant as these changes can affect your placement opportunities in the US.
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How long is the recruitment process?
When things are moving normally with visa processing, it will take approximately 12-18 months for the process to be completed from signing with Avant, through NCLEX preparation and Green card processing. If you are already in possession of NCLEX or CGFNS then the processing time is closer to 12 months. It is important to mention two points. First, many agencies will be involved in the process of licensure and visa approval so delays are inherent in the process. Second, you have control in the process by ensuring your forms and paperwork are submitted as soon as possible, checking updates online with Avant, maintaining an e-mail account and completing all tests and preparation programs.
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Do I have to take an English proficiency exam if I was educated in English?
The English proficiency requirements are in accordance with Section 343 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 and specify the following:
You must take and pass the TOEFL/TWE and TSE or the IELTS if you were not educated in one of the following countries:
Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Australia, Canada (except Quebec) , Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom.
Avant has an English pre-screening exam that you will take if necessary as part of your application process and depending on the score you achieve in this, in most cases we will advise you to take the English exam once you have passed the NCLEX. In some cases you may be asked to pass the English exam before joining the program.
Check the CGFNS website listed above for passing scores and updates.
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How long is my employment contract with Avant?
Your employment contract with Avant will be for 3300 hours. The benefit of this contract with Avant is that every hour you work is deducted from your contract term with Avant, so if you work an extra shift or overtime, this will reduce the time you are on contract with Avant.
At the completion of your contract with Avant you will have the option to remain in the hospital we placed you in but become a direct employee of the hospital, many Avant nurses take this option, or you are free to move to other locations in the US as you contract with Avant is completed.
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How much will it cost me?
Your Avant Consultant can provide you with a comprehensive cost outline. Avant pays for most of the costs associated with the program to include: Initial State licensure for the NCLEX exam, NCLEX registration, NCLEX trip expenses to include flight and accommodations, visa filing fees and processing. Once you pass NCLEX, Avant also pays for the visa fee for the RN on contract, flight to the U.S for the RN to commence contract with Avant, clinical transition program costs, shared accommodation during the transitions program, meal allowance, flight onto placement location and numerous other fees and expenses related to postage and couriers.
The nurse is responsible for such costs as transcripts, licensure verifications, English exam , VisaScreen, Visa Fees for family members ($400 per person), flights for family to arrive in the U.S. In addition prior to your visa exit interview you will need to pay for a medical exam (approx. $200.00US per person) and possibly for a police clearance depending upon the country you reside in.
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Step 2 - Licensure and Visa Processing

How do I obtain licensure as a nurse in the US?
Avant will apply on your behalf to a State Board of Nursing in a U.S. State or Territory. Your initial licensure is gained by passing the U.S Licensure Exam - the NCLEX-RN. Avant will select the licensure states that are easiest and fastest to process with and coordinate all licensure documentation with you. You will be required to have your School of Nursing complete some documentation and provide an original copy of your Transcripts of Training. Once you pass the NCLEX and have one U.S. nursing license, Avant will then assist you with an endorsement application to your state of placement. You never take the NCLEX again!
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Who pays for state licensure?
Avant will cover the cost of your licensure application and NCLEX registration fees as well as exam fees to include flight and accommodation when applicable.
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Do I need a CGFNS Certificate?
CGFNS is not a requirement for the Avant program. Unless you already hold a CGFNS certificate, Avant advises you not to undergo the CGFNS program, we would rather you focus your time and effort into the NCLEX. However if you hold a CGFNS certificate and meet the experience requirement it will expedite the licensure and visa process as Avant is able to file a Green card for you while you using your CGFNS while you prepare for the NCLEX exam. Not nurses from some countries will take their NCLEX on arrival into the US due to visa restrictions which makes testing for NCLEX difficult.
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What will I need from CGFNS if I do not have a CGFNS certificate?
All foreign nurses will need to apply to a VisaScreen certificate as part of the Immigration visa process. ICHP a division of CGFNS process the VisaScreen application. Your VisaScreen certificate is required on the day of your visa interview at the U.S Consulate. Avant will advise you when to commence your VisaScreen application and the guide you through the application process. The cost of VisaScreen is the responsibility of the nurse to pay for.
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Who pays for the NCLEX test trip?
Avant pays the cost of flights and accommodations when applicable.
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Where will I take the NCLEX?
NCLEX is now available in many international locations as well as in the U.S. Some of these international locations include: Australia, India, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, South Korea, Germany, Taiwan, Mexico, Philippines and Canada. Check out www.vue.com/nclex for a full list of locations.
Avant will arrange for your NCLEX test trip to a location closest to your current location.
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What if I do not pass the NCLEX?
We are very confident in the proven results of our NCLEX review program. The final screening tests and other resources assess your readiness to take and pass the NCLEX. However, if you do not pass the exam the first time you take it, you will only be responsible for costs to retake the NCLEX in the future. Avant will work closely with you to review your test profile and plan for the next step.
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What type of employment based visa will I receive?
Currently, the immigrant visa or "green card" is the only employment based visa used by Avant to sponsor nurses. Although there has been talk of the use of the H1B visa, it is available on a very limited basis. Other non-immigrant visas have been proposed for nurses but none have been approved by the US Congress. For Australian passport holders there is also the opportunity to enter the U.S.S under the E3 visa program. Contact your Avant consultant for more information.
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Can my spouse and children get an immigrant visa?
Yes, spouses and dependent children under 21 years old are eligible to be included on your immigrant visa petition. Your children must be under 21 years of age on the day you enter the U.S. with your visa.
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Who pays the visa fees?
Avant will pay all visa filing and processing fees for the RN on contract. The nurse is responsible to pay for the Visa fee per person for family members. There are currently no additional filing fees for dependents for the immigrant visa. Contact your Avant consultant for current fees.
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How long is the visa approval process?
The actual visa approval can be received in 30 to 180 days from the USCIS Service Centers from date of filing. These timeframes can change based on the Service Center's current work load. Once the visa approval is issued by the USCIS, the file is transferred to consular processing with the US Department of State. The processing occurs at the National Visa Center (NVC) and once completed by the NVC, your file is moved to the US Consulate in your country for final processing. Consular processing takes an average of six months based on the workload at the NVC and the US Consulate.
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What is an RFE?
A Request for Evidence or RFE is a request for additional information from the USCIS. After filing the visa petition with the service center, the USCIS or, more specifically, the individual officer reviewing the file can ask for additional documentation. Avant, in collaboration with our immigration attorneys, tries to anticipate each and every document the USCIS may need and want in evaluating your petition so each visa filing is as comprehensive as possible. The biggest drawback to the RFE is the time to respond and delay in the approval process.
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Step 3 - Clinical Support and the Transitioning Program

Will there be many clinical differences from my country to the US?
There will be many clinical differences in the US! Most notably is the level of autonomy and decision making which nurses in the US have with regard to their practice. These differences and new opportunities provide you with a great opportunity for professional growth. Avant has built our clinical support programs around the differences you will experience to ensure you have the tools to be successful!
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What type of clinical support will I get through Avant?
We have a proven NCLEX review program. Our pass rate is above the US trained NCLEX pass rate for first-time test takers. We also have a full clinical transition program that prepares you for many of the differences in documentation, medications, equipment, procedures, medico-legal requirements to mention a few!. When you commence work at the hospital you will also be provided with a comprehensive orientation, preceptor and continued support from the Avant nurse manager and the client hospital.
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Can you help my spouse and children with the adjustment to the US?
Yes, this is a big part of the support we offer. Our Transitioning Program is very comprehensive. We cover all aspects of the transition including information you will need to enroll your children in public schools and give you an insight into some of the adjustments they will experience in transitioning to the US.
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How will I get the cultural and social transition information?
You will be given a unique log-in name to access our Transitioning Program online. Each chapter will contain checklists and have an interactive feature to ensure you have all the information you need.
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Step 4 - Assignment Selection and Working in the US

How will I chose my assignment location?
The Avant Healthcare Placement team works hard to ensure that your new assignment is the right fit for you and your family! There are many factors that work together to finalize your placement but the first consideration is your preference. Your clinical skills, specialty and experience will also play a role as will the vacancies that are available in our client facilities at the time you are due to travel. The needs of your family also play a part on the decision.
Avant represents the US geographically with our client hospitals. We carefully select health systems that are a good fit with our international program. To provide the highest level of support to the hospitals and nurses and offer the most rewarding experience we limit our client base and keep our focus on a diverse geographic and demographic base of client hospitals that provide a rewarding and enriching nursing and personal experience.
However, despite taking all of these factors into consideration, it is important that you are prepared to be flexible in regard to your placement location. But please be assured that our commitment to you is to make every effort to place you in one of your locations of choice whenever possible.
Once we have reviewed all of the information about your placement, we will provide you with several placement suggestions. You will review your options and make a final decision; then, we will provide you with facility and location information to familiarize yourself with where you will be living and working prior to your arrival in the U.S.A.
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What will my salary be?
Your salary will be very competitive not only in the US but also throughout the world. Nurses in the US are paid higher wages than most other countries. Your hourly rate will vary based on the cost of living for the region of the country and city in which your assignment hospital is located as well as the clinical specialty you are placed in. Contact your Avant consultant for more specific information on salary and bonus options.
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Where will I live? How much will it cost?
Our Transitioning Specialist will provide you with information on apartments and other rental properties that meet your personal specifications. You choose the housing that best suits you. We will also assist you in arranging for furniture and all the necessities for you to get settled. Your actual costs vary based your specific needs for bedrooms/bathrooms, as well as based on the area of the country and cost of living of the region/city. Avant provides free shared accommodation for you during the clinical transition program and upon your arrival in the city of the client hospital. Once you move into your new apartment it will be your responsibility to pay for the housing selected as well as an required down payments and utility connections.
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Will my spouse be able to work in the US?
Yes, the immigrant visa gives your spouse and other dependents immediate work authorization. They will be able to commence work once they have secured a social security number. Spouses are also able to work under the E3 visa for Australia citizens. Spouses of H1 applicants receive an H4 which is a non-working visa.
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Email: recruitment@avanthealthcare.com for answers to other questions

 

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