by Kaley Cook, of CGFNS International’s Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices
This is a blog series from the Alliance for Ethical International Recruitment Practices covering the top questions and concerns that can arise in the recruitment process. You can visit the Alliance website for more information or contact staff@cgfnsalliance.org with questions.
There are several options for those seeking to migrate to the United States as a health professional. Decisions made early in the process can have a large impact on the overall experience, so conducting thorough research on all available options is crucial.
If you have decided to migrate to the United States as a health professional, one of the first decisions you will face is how to manage the migration process. It is possible to manage your migration to the United States on your own. In that case, you would manage your visa, travel, testing, U.S. licensure, as well as be fully responsible for all the associated costs.
Since the U.S. immigration process can be complex, lengthy, and expensive, many health systems and health professionals utilize recruitment firms to aid in matching candidates to locations. There are three main models:
Direct recruitment – Some hospitals choose to manage their own recruitment. In this case, you would be in direct communication with the institution where you would be working and sign a contract with that hospital or health center. This option is the least common, as most hospitals do not manage their own recruitment.
Staffing firms – The most common option is the use of a staffing firm. A staffing firm will help you throughout the immigration process and find you a place to work. Because of their widespread use, staffing firms have a lot of experience placing nurses, as they have large networks of opportunities across the United States. If you use a staffing firm, you will sign a contract with the firm for an agreed amount of time, (typically three years or under), and the location where you work may change during that time, as your contract will be with the staffing firm, not with a specific hospital or health center.
Placement firms – A placement firm will help you throughout the immigration process and connect you to a specific location in the U.S. for employment. If you use a placement firm, you will sign a contract directly with your future employer, as this model shares many of the same procedures as the direct recruitment model. You will also receive assistance during your migration process from the placement firm. This model was not widespread in the past, but it is becoming more common.
As you move forward with your migration plans, please give careful consideration to your recruitment options and thoroughly research any recruitment firm that you may use. Visit the Alliance website for a list of Certified Ethical Recruiters that recruit from all around the world and reach out to staff@cgfnsalliance.org with any questions.