International Nursing Recruiter
At CareerKnacks, we value our clients and want what is best for them. This is why we come to work each and every day. For the past 25 years we have been creating the CareerKnacks family and we are grateful for their kind words. Because if our clients are happy, that means we did our job.
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The latest 2016 RN Salary Report breaks down average salaries by region of the United States. And while it may seem more appealing to live in the areas with higher salaries, it is good to be aware of the cost of living in those regions. California offers the highest wages, but the cost of living is also considerably higher than the north central or southeastern states. CareerKnacks is well versed in this area, so don’t panic if you aren’t sure of the costs that will come with living in different areas of the U.S. We will walk you through the entire process.
If you are interested in moving abroad to further your nursing career in America, one of the most important factors is your proficiency of the English language. The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the way to fulfill the language requirement of working in the United States as a nurse. The test involves four different sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The IELTS website offers some great suggestions on how to prepare for the test.
All nurses wishing to work in America will need to take the Academic module and will need to score 6.5 overall, and 7 in the speaking section. This score is necessary in order to be issued your Visascreen certificate, which is necessary for immigration purposes. The IELTS exam is also required by some of the U.S. nursing boards before international nurses can be licensed in that state.
If you have any additional questions not covered here about the IELTS, Visascreen Certificate or anything having to do with furthering your nursing career in America, please let us know. We are always here to help guide you through this process.
At CareerKnacks, we value our clients and want what is best for them. This is why we come to work each and every day.
For the past 25 years we have been creating the CareerKnacks family and we are grateful for their kind words. Because if our
clients are happy, that means we did our job.
At CareerKnacks, we value our clients and want what is best for them. This is why we come to work each and every day. For the past 25 years we have been creating the CareerKnacks family and we are grateful for their kind words. Because if our clients are happy, that means we did our job.
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.Over the last decade, the number of minorities employed in the nursing industry has been on the rise. While not quite the representation matching minorities that make up the U.S. population, it is still promising to see these numbers on the rise.
From 2000 to 2015 the total number of minorities in the nursing industry has risen more than 16 percent. At the student level, minorities make up nearly 30 percent of students in all program levels. Read more
Leaving familiar surroundings and people to enter unknown territory can be scary, especially when it comes to your career. Leaving a job where you know the facilities, the norms and the other employees to go to a place where you have to learn these things all over again can make a job transition seem unappealing. However in many situations a job change has more benefits than it does downfalls. In most instances a job transition is the result of pursuing a promising career opportunity. Here at CareerKnacks we are offering the nurses we recruit a new and exciting path for their career, but if you’re nervous don’t worry — here is a list of tips that will help make the transition into your new job as smooth and easy as possible.
Take advantage of your orientation — Ask every question that pops into your head and write everything down in a notepad. Being actively engaged at your orientation will not only help you get to know your new job, but it will help you appear excited and ambitious.
Rely on your mentor — Go to your mentor or other nurses with any uncertainties you might have. It is their job to show you the ropes and help get you feeling comfortable.
Get to know your coworkers — As a nurse, your coworkers are your teammates. It’s important to get to know them so that even the most difficult situations run as smoothly as possible. They are the only other people who know exactly what you’re experiencing at work, so use that connection for support.
Be teachable — Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always be open to constructive criticism and advice.
Stay positive and be confident — Being in a new place can make you feel like you suddenly don’t know anything, but remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished so far and give yourself the credit you deserve. Your new coworkers might even learn a new thing or two from you.
Recharge your batteries — Always make time to relax. Being a nurse is a stressful job, there is no doubt about it. Taking some “you” time will make you a better nurse overall.
Give your new job a fair chance — Before you get too frustrated or scared that you made a poor decision, remind yourself that it will take some time to get accustomed to this new position. Think back to your old job that you were so comfortable in and remember that you were once the new kid there too.
Check out these tips at NurseTogether.com for more advice on transitioning into your new nursing job.
Nurses tend to have jam-packed, and often stressful, schedules consisting of late nights, early mornings and 12-hour shifts. Getting accustomed to a new country, a new job and a new time zone all while working around a crazy schedule are contributing factors to the stress you might be feeling. Balancing your home life, work life, and social life may seem impossible. At CareerKnacks we want you to enjoy this new adventure in a stress-free way. Below are some stress-reduction tips to help ease your hectic schedule.
Make a list — Creating a prioritized “to do” list will make you feel tremendously more organized. Write down a list of all the things you have to do, work-related and not, then put them in order of importance. Check off one item at a time. Don’t do the following item until the one before it is complete. Focusing on one task at a time instead of the mountain of tasks as a whole will make things feel less overwhelming.
Take a breather — Nursing jobs can be very intense work. It might seem like everything needs to be done quickly, but if you begin feeling too pressured it can result in sloppy work. The shifts are long and the work can require you to be very focused, because of this five minute breaks can be crucial. Take a lap around the building or step into the break room and take a moment to breathe.
Use your team for emotional support — Your coworkers are the only people who truly understand what it’s like to have the stress that you do. Use your teammates as an emotional support system. Whether you need to vent to someone or you just need to share a laugh remember that you have people who are in the same place you are.
Maintain a healthy personal life — As much focus as you put on your patient’s health, put the same amount on yours. It’s incredibly important to remember to exercise, eat well, sleep plenty, stay social and maintain a healthy lifestyle outside of work. Your work life will only be successful if your personal life remains in check also.
Cut yourself some slack — You’re going to make mistakes. In the nursing industry, where the work is so intense, it’s really easy to hold yourself to extremely high standards. Remind yourself of how far you’ve come and, most importantly, that you’re only human.
To read about some other stress-reduction techniques for nursing professionals check out the list courtesy of HealthLeadersMedia.com and NursingWorld.org.
You may have noticed some news the past few weeks with regard to the Texas Board of Nursing endorsement license process. The notable changes include the following:
Up until June 16th, 2016 the Texas Board of Nursing has permitted nurses without an active license in another US state to endorse into their state. This was a great licensing solution for nurses who possessed a California NCLEX pass letter, but who could not obtain a physical license without a social security number. The Texas Board of Nursing will honor the applications they received before June 6th, 2016, but if your application for endorsement expires you will not be permitted to continue.
CareerKnacks is always seeking solutions to these problems, so if you are stuck in the process or need some advice please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help you in any way that we can.
We understand that looking for a job overseas can be both exciting and intimidating, especially when it comes to the interviewing process, which often times is over the phone and/or Skype. Here at CareerKnacks we want help this exciting journey go as smoothly as possible, including helping you to feel confident and comfortable during an international interview. Below we have researched and compiled a list of tips that will help your interview be a success.
Tips for an overseas interview:
It is not uncommon that an international interview be conducted via a Skype video call or a phone call and there are a couple of really important things to remember when having a professional conversation that isn’t face-to-face.
Tips for a video call (Skye or WebEx) interview:
Tips for a phone interview:
For other resources on how to rock an international interview check out the following links:
Expats Moving and Relocation Guide
Live Career — International Job Interview
At CareerKnacks we are excited to place a number of the nurses that we bring to the United States in a Magnet Hospital. What is a Magnet Hospital? A hospital that has achieved Magnet Designation is a hospital that has been recognized and awarded for outstanding quality of care for its patients. The Magnet Designation is the highest ranking award that a hospital can receive. The Magnet Recognition Program was developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with only 6% of hospitals in the nation have been awarded Magnet Designation. The status of “Magnet Hospital” can be used as a benchmark for potential patients and employees alike. Patients checking into a Magnet hospital can rest assured that they will receive the best quality of care, and nurses taking jobs at a Magnet Hospital are entering into a work environment where they will be encouraged to flourish and sharpen their skills as professionals. Nurses working at Magnet Hospitals have reported higher rates of job satisfaction.
According to the UC Davis Medical Center, here are some of the benefits that come with being a nurse at a Magnet Hospital:
For more information on the Magnet Designation and what it means to be a Magnet Hospital check out this FAQ page on the UC Davis Medical Center’s website.
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With any international move, comes plenty of questions. So when it comes time to consider your move to the United States, we do our very best to ensure that you are prepared. What is the language like? Is it easy to transition to American customs? Will I be able to drive there? The ability to connect with others who have done the move before you is the best way to settle your nerves and arrive in your new home town as prepared as possible.
We decided to set up an exclusive CareerKnacks Nurses Facebook Group where all of our nurses can connect and share information, give advice, and just build a community. You may even find other nurses that are located in the same town, at the same hospital that you will be going to. Built-in friends!
We will also be adding frequently-asked-question guides, area information, resources, and more to support you with your big move to America. And, as always we are always here to answer any questions that you might have. So don’t hesitate to contact us directly!
Anytime you combine local visual and performance art with a heavy dose of heart and soul from the community you will create the perfect gathering place for the surrounding community. That is exactly what the Ashe Cultural Arts Center has done for the Uptown and Garden districts of New Orleans. The center’s mission is ‘to use art and culture to support human, community and economic development’ with a special emphasis on both new and more established artists of African descent.
The creative opportunities to be found here are great and include things like storytelling and poetry, music and dance, photography and performance art. There really is something for everyone here. You will be amazed at the creative talents of the artists showcased at the center and may soon find yourself a regular, joining in on all the community fun to be had here.
In addition to putting on a good show and showing their visitors a good time, the Ashe Cultural Arts Center also includes offerings in health and wellness, education, field trips and outreach, a variety of exhibitions, and a variety of concerts and events throughout the year. But perhaps the most moving show they do here, is Health Nutz Nation. This 45-minute show is used by the center as an engagement tool with the audience to emphasize the importance of our health and how preventative health habits can help make a difference. The hope is to combat the chronic and treatable illnesses that has plagued the African American community for decades through education. The audience can also ask questions of Mama Jamilah, who is an RN BSN and FCN, throughout the show. We love what they are doing to promote the health of the community, both physically and in spirit.
And the best part is, admission is absolutely FREE!
1712 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-569-9075
M-F: 10am – 6pm
Sat: 10am – 5pm
When it comes to neighborhoods in New Orleans, it just makes sense to start with one of the city’s oldest and most charming: Algiers. A short ferry ride will give you the kind of escape that can rarely be found in a city as vibrant as New Orleans. Community parks, Victorian cottages, the Jazz Walk of Fame, glass-blowing studios, a variety of bed and breakfasts, and more than three miles of riverfront for all of your outdoor adventures. This is just a sampling of what you will find in this one-of-a-kind neighborhood.
Being one of the oldest neighborhoods in all of New Orleans, you would have once found six ferries running back and forth to New Orleans, with some capable of carrying railroad cars and livestock. The transition from industrial to an area so well-known as the place to go for dancing and music may seem impossible but that is just what happened here. In the early 1900s there were more than 35 dance and music halls here, playing host to some of the city’s most legendary musicians.
So what draws residents to this charming neighborhood? Well, for starters we like to think the bohemian vibe and the stark contrast to the often busy streets that New Orleans is so well known for. While the bustle may be what draws you for a visit to New Orleans, living amongst it can prove to be a nuisance for some, and Algiers is the perfect getaway just across the river. The English pubs, historic bars, and riverside cafes certainly don’t hurt either.
Overall this great neighborhood is worth a few hours of your time spent exploring and stepping back in time to the beginning of the great city of New Orleans. We hope you will visit and can’t wait to hear what you think of the area.
We really enjoyed meeting everyone that came out to our hiring event in London last week! We had three jam-packed days meeting really great candidates, and we can’t wait to help so many of you realize your American dream with StatesideRN! If you weren’t able to make it to our event, but are still interested in pursuing your nursing career in the U.S., submit your resume HERE and we will be in touch very soon!
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Jazz music is such an important piece of Louisiana history, that the Louisiana State Museum is working on opening its very own New Orleans Jazz Festival inside the old U.S. Mint. This one-of-a-kind project will conserve a piece of cultural history that is so important to New Orleans, and we personally can’t wait to visit once it is up and running! Here is a brief statement from the Louisiana State Museum on the project:
“Working with the Louisiana Museum Foundation, the museum has embarked on a multimillion-dollar fundraising campaign, and needs your donations to make this historic project come to life.
Besides underwriting construction and exhibition development, the campaign will help fund the conservation of the Jazz Collection. The collection contains irreplaceable musical instruments and related artifacts, such as Louis Armstrong’s first cornet, Sidney Bechet’s soprano saxophone, Edward “Kid” Ory’s trombone, George Lewis’ clarinet, Warren “Baby” Dodds’ drum kit, performance costumes, photographs, original manuscripts, historic recordings and rare film footage.
Through partnerships with educational institutions, theNew Orleans Jazz Museum will also broaden the local, national and global understanding of jazz as the most innovative, historically pivotal musical art form in American history.”
With the rising demand for RNs in America, a topic of concern for those considering a move to the U.S. to take a job in the nursing industry. In an election year, there is always a spotlight on the candidates’ immigration platform. We decided to break it down for each Presidential candidate, and what their platform says about their stance on immigration.
The immigration plan for Hillary Clinton’s platform is the most accepting of immigrants who want to come and/or stay in the country. Her plan includes:
1 – Introduce comprehensive immigration reform
2 – End the three- and 10-year bars.
3 – Defend President Obama’s executive actions—known as DACA and DAPA—against partisan attacks.
4 – Do everything possible under the law to protect families.
5 – Enforce immigration laws humanely.
6 – End family detention and close private immigration detention centers.
7 – Expand access to affordable health care to all families.
8 – Promote naturalization.
The immigration plan for Donald Trump is based on three principals:
1. A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border.
2. A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced.
3. A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans.
Other key factors include: enhanced penalties for overstaying a visa, mandatory return of all criminal aliens, increase number of ICE officers, make Mexico pay for a wall along the US-Mexico border.
Day one of our London interviews was a huge success! As many of you may already know, we are actively hiring RNs in ALL specialties for direct-hire positions in the US and are holding interviews in London this week. Lisa and Sara are running the show, answering all of our candidates questions, providing invaluable information and making plenty of friends along the way. We have met so many great candidates today and can’t wait to help them realize their American dream. A big thank you to the Royal College of Nursing for hosting us in such a beautiful space. We have two more days of back-to-back interviews this week for one of our US clients.
Are you interested in becoming an RN in the US? We are currently hiring for all specialties! Send your resume to Lisa@StatesideRN.com or submit it directly through our website HERE to see if you have the experience needed to move to America and work for our direct-hire US client!
Moving to a new city, let alone a new country, can be overwhelming. There are so many different factors to consider when determining if a new place will be a good fit for you and your family. One big consideration is the cost of living. How does it compare to your current city? How does your salary compare to your current salary? Will you be able to afford a similar lifestyle to which you are accustomed? Expatistan offers a cost of living calculator which compares cities all over the world for just this reason. We decided to do a little roundup of some popular cities in compared to New Orleans. This shows the cost of living index on the righthand side. Basically the higher the number, the more expensive the city. The number on the left is the ranking among other cities. So London is considered the 7th most expensive city in the world, while New Orleans is all the way down at number 63. While these numbers are helpful in giving us a general idea of how expensive a city is, considering what your new salary will be compared to what your current salary is, is also very important.
