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How Can a Jamaican Nurse Get a Job or Work Permit to Work in the U.S.?

Nurse comforting patient sitting on couch

Dear Donna,

I'm a Jamaican nurse who is licensed to work in the U.S. How do I get a job or work permit to work in the U.S.?

Dear Jamaican Nurse,

Dear Donna replies:

Dear Jamaican Nurse,

Because you already have your U.S. RN license, I suggest you contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department for more information about getting a work permit or Employment Authorization Document (http://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/employment-authorization-document.) There is a toll free phone number at the bottom of the page. You also can contact CGFNS International for help with a VISA screen (http://www.cgfns.org/services/visascreen/).

Depending on what type of VISA you are in the country with now, reading the article, ?Many H4 visa holders will get work permits this year? may be helpful to you: (http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2014/05/07/many-h4-visa-holders-will-get-work-permits-year/).

If you have not worked as an RN in a hospital within the last six months, it is unlikely you will be able to get a hospital bedside position. This problem could be compounded because it can take some time to get a work permit. Once you get your EAD, you may be able to work in many other inpatient and outpatient settings.

It would also be helpful for you to connect with other Jamaican nurses in the U.S. who have already gone through the process of getting a work permit and finding jobs. Where can you find them? Some states have an association of Jamaican Nurses or Caribbean Nurses. You?d have to do an Internet search for Jamaican (and/or Caribbean) Nurses Association in [your home state]. You also can contact a local chapter of the American Nurses Association and/or the National Black Nurses Association (www.nbna.org) for additional resources and support. Many Jamaican nurses belong
to NBNA.

Best wishes,
Donna