Nursing jobs in the USA in 2021 are in demand. This profession is one of the highest-paid in the country. The medical staff in America has the most nurses. Every year, new vacancies of a nurse appear. It is because not only hospitals but also schools, various enterprises, and institutions need such specialists. According to analysts’ forecasts, the nursing profession will become more and more relevant. It is due to the increase in life expectancy in the country. Nurses who look after patients at home are especially in demand: nurses in the United States also need medical education.

What is the work of an American nurse?

The American nurse doesn’t just fill out cards, deliver medications to the hospital and administer injections. Their tasks include: 

• keeping a medical history; 
• monitoring the nutrition of patients; 
• providing psychological support to both patients and relatives;
• primary diagnosis of the disease;
• the appointment of laboratory tests;
• rehabilitation of the patient etc.

Nurses are divided into several different categories. It depends on what functions they perform. So, doctors are specializing in resuscitation or surgical profile. Some nurses take care of patients with a specific diagnosis, such as diabetics or those who suffer from heart disease.

The responsibilities of specialists of this medical qualification can be divided into 5 areas:

1. clinical practice;
2. training of trainees;
3. work with analyzes;
4. counseling and medical education of the population;
5. management (this in medical practice refers to the supervision of a specific client).

Average salaries for nurses in the united states in 2021

The USA Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are over 2.9 million registered nurses nationwide, with an average annual salary of $ 73,550. But the level of wages for nurses varies greatly from state to state.

Top 10 states with the highest annual income

According to the USA Bureau of Government Statistics, the top states with the highest annual income include:

1. California – $ 106,950
2. Hawaii – $ 98,080
3. Massachusetts – $ 92,140.
4. Oregon – $ 91,080.
5. Alaska – $ 89,310
6. Nevada – $ 85,620
7. New York – $ 85,610
8. New Jersey – $ 82,750
9. Washington DC – $ 82,670.
10. Connecticut – $ 81,220.

The Bureau of Statistics believes that the best state for nurses is Nevada because they do not collect income tax on their salaries.

Nurse licensing process

Each state in the United States has its registration authority that is responsible for licensing nurses and, accordingly, each of them has its requirements. Licensing information is available directly from their official websites.

To provide public protection, all authorized nursing authorities require a licensor applicant to pass an examination that identifies the competencies required to safely and effectively perform their duties during medical practice. All USA nursing commissions require the NCLEX-RN exam to be registered and licensed to practice within the United States.

General registration and licensing process in the USA:

1. Submission of the application form to the body that regulates and is responsible for the medical activities of health workers in their territory;
2. Submission of documents for verification to CGFNS International;
3. Confirmation of the required level of language proficiency (if necessary);
4. Passing a qualifying exam, NCLEX Exam;
5. After successfully passing the exam, obtaining the status of a Registered Nurse in the USA.

Obtaining a US visa for a nurse in 2021

If you are a foreign nurse and want to work in the USA temporarily (without obtaining a US green card), you can get an H-1B visa.

The H-1B is a popular temporary work visa for foreign nationals who have a specialty job offer from a US employer.

To obtain an H-1B Foreign Nurse visa, US employers file an I-129 petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This agency decides whether to approve the employer’s request for H-1B status for the worker or reject it.

Your potential employer must demonstrate that your nursing position qualifies as a specialty. USCIS uses a four-pronged test to determine if a job qualifies as a specialty. The position must correspond to one of four points:

1. A bachelor’s degree or higher or its equivalent is usually the minimum requirement for admission to a position;
2. The job is so complex or unique that only a person with a degree can do it;
3. An employer usually requires a degree or its equivalent for the position;
4. The nature of specific duties is so specialized and complex that the knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with obtaining a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Typically, USCIS focuses on the first tier and finds out if a bachelor’s degree is required to work in nursing. It can make it difficult to obtain an H-1B visa as a nurse as many states do NOT require a bachelor’s degree for a regular registered nurse position. Instead, most states require a shorter certification process for the position. So, it is recommended to check with your employer in advance about the requirements for a registered nurse in the state where you are going to work.

While it can be difficult to get an H-1B as a Registered Nurse if your position is a Clinical Nurse or Nurse Practitioner, almost every state requires at least a bachelor’s degree for these positions. This way, you will have a better chance of getting an H-1B visa.