Unlock Nursing Opportunities in the U.S. with IEE GlobalBridge™

The United States is facing an unprecedented demand for skilled nurses, with projections indicating a need for over 10 million nurses in the next decade. For Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs), this presents an exceptional opportunity to build rewarding careers while making a significant impact on U.S. healthcare. However, navigating the process, from securing a work visa to obtaining a Health Care Worker certificate, can be complex. IEE GlobalBridge™ for Nursing Visa is a tailored pathway designed to help IENs secure the credentials necessary to achieve their goals. Backed by over 40 years of expertise, International Education Evaluations (IEE) simplifies the credentialing journey, offering unparalleled guidance and support that empowers internationally educated nurses to unlock the incredible opportunities a nursing career in the U.S. has to offer.

Internationally educated nurses often choose to migrate to the United States to unlock career advancement opportunities, achieve higher earning potential, and gain access to professional growth through specialized nursing roles, advanced education, and leadership positions. Currently, about 10% of nurses practicing in the U.S. are internationally educated, highlighting their vital role in addressing the nation’s healthcare needs. Over the past few decades, nurse migration has steadily increased, and this trend is expected to continue. Experts predict that an additional 10.6 million nurses will be needed in the next decade to meet the demands of a persistent nursing shortage and to replace the 4.7 million nurses expected to retire during the same period. (Buchan & Shaffer, 2022, Pressley et al., 2022).

To achieve their career objectives, whether it’s furthering education, obtaining licensure, or securing a visa, IENs must complete necessary credential evaluations. Since 1981, International Education Evaluations (IEE) has been a trusted provider of credential evaluation and translation services, offering tailored support for all these pathways. Each service is designed to help IENs successfully transition into fulfilling opportunities in the U.S. healthcare system.

U.S. Health Care Worker Certificate 

For internationally educated nurses, obtaining a U.S. Health Care Worker (HCW) Certificate is a vital step in pursuing a nursing career in the United States. Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses who are not U.S. citizens cannot gain admission to the U.S. without this certification. It is an official requirement by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure each nurse meets the minimum standards for education, training, licensure, experience, and English proficiency in their field.

On October 25, 2024, IEE proudly gained USCIS approval to issue these certificates after a rigorous review process. This included an in-depth evaluation of the policies and procedures IEE would utilize to review:

• Comparable nursing education
• Valid and unrestricted licensure
• English language proficiency
• Successful completion of the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX®) for nurses

The HCW Certificate not only verifies your qualifications but also opens the doors to a rewarding career in the U.S. nursing industry. With IEE’s trusted expertise, you can confidently take the next step toward achieving your professional goals.

Why should I choose IEE GlobalBridge™?

Choosing the right partner for your Health Care Worker (HCW) Certificate is critical. While CGFNS and Silny are well-known providers, IEE GlobalBridge™ sets itself apart with faster turnaround times, flexible solutions, and personalized support—making it easier for you to achieve your goals.

• Fastest Turnaround Time
  IEE delivers your HCW Certificate in just 10 days after verifying your documents, no one in the industry works faster.
• Unmatched Expertise
  With over 42 years of credential review experience, IEE ensures accurate, efficient evaluations backed by industry knowledge.
• Led by Nursing Professionals
  Our nursing division is led by a Registered Nurse with expertise in international credentials, offering unparalleled insight and support.
• Commitment to Quality
  Every HCW certificate is carefully reviewed by a Registered Nurse educator, ensuring the highest standards of accuracy and compliance.

With IEE GlobalBridge™, you gain a trusted partner dedicated to your success, ensuring your credentials are handled with the expertise and efficiency you need to achieve your career goals.

U.S. State Board of Nursing Licensure

Nursing in the U.S. is regulated at the state level by governmental agencies called Boards of Nursing (BON). These boards were established to protect the public’s health and welfare by ensuring safe nursing practice. Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) use the IEE Board of Nursing report to facilitate licensure in their chosen state. Board of Nursing reports include an evaluation of both secondary and nursing education programs as well as a thorough review of professional licensure and English language proficiency. When submitting your IEE application, please select the U.S. state where you plan to practice since the requirements for each BON are unique. 

Nursing Education Report

Continuing one’s education in nursing has been shown to improve the quality of care to patients, strengthen knowledge and skills, provide higher earning potential and allow for additional professional opportunities. As of 2022, 71.7% of the registered nurses (RNs) entered the U.S. workforce with a bachelor’s degree. Only 17.4% of RNs hold a master’s degree and 2.7% have a doctoral degree (AACN, 2024). The demand for nurses with these graduate degrees far outweighs the current supply. This statistic may encourage IENs to consider graduate nursing education. 

IEE’s Nursing Education report provides a brief evaluation of secondary education and a detailed course-by-course analysis of postsecondary education completed by Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs). The comprehensive course analysis will include the equivalent credit hours and grades earned by the applicant. This report is utilized by U.S. colleges and universities to determine admission eligibility when applying to undergraduate ASN and BSN programs as transfer students, when applying to RN to BSN programs, and when applying to graduate-level nurse programs such as advanced practitioner certifications and master’s degrees.

With IEE GlobalBridge™, internationally educated nurses have a trusted partner to simplify the complexities of the credentialing process and unlock a fulfilling nursing career in the United States. With the U.S. healthcare system urgently seeking skilled nurses, the opportunities are immense and IEE’s expertise and tailored support make them accessible. Whether you’re pursuing a work visa, licensure, or advanced education, IEE GlobalBridge™ equips you with the guidance and tools needed to achieve your career goals. 

Have questions? Our dedicated customer service team is ready to assist you every step of the way. Step confidently into your future, contact IEE today and start your journey toward success.

References:

AACN Nursing Workforce Fact Sheet (April 2024). Retrieved: https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/fact-sheets/nursing-workforce-fact-sheet

Buchan, J., & Shaffer, F. (2022). Sustain and retain in 2022 and beyond. In ICNM – International Centre on Nurse Migration. ICNM – International Centre on Nurse Migration. https://www.icn.ch/sites/default/files/2023-04/Sustain%20and%20Retain%20in%20202 2%20and%20Beyond-%20The%20global%20nursing%20workforce%20and%20the%20C OVID-19%20pandemic.pdf 

Pressley, C., Newton, D., Garside, J., Simkhada, P., & Simkhada, B. (2022). Global migration and factors that support acculturation and retention of international nurses: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 4, 100083. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2022.100083