Frequently Asked Questions

With the decision to initiate a foreign recruitment effort, come some significant questions. We've compiled a list of questions most frequently asked by hospitals and other medical facilities for you:

How is Professional Healthcare Resources International different from other foreign recruitment firms?

1. We enter into a contract with you.
2. We recruit the nurses for you, prescreen them and verify credentials, set-up face-to-face interviews between you and the candidates; if you prefer, we can also handle interviews on your behalf.
3. We file all INS immigration and legal paperwork and perform all follow up.
4. We make the travel arrangements for the nurses to come to the United States.
5. We deliver the nurses to your door ready to begin orientation.

Professional Healthcare also offers many "value-added" services that you won't find anywhere else. As we develop our working relationship with you, you'll become privy to these "trade secrets."

From what countries does Professional Healthcare Resources International choose to recruit nurses?

Professional Healthcare Resources International recruits English-speaking Registered Nurses with BSN degrees from countries that offer training similar to the training offered to US nurses and consistent with the CGFNS certification. We focus primarily on the Philippines or countries where Philippine nurses are completing short-term nursing contracts.

Why does your company focus its recruiting efforts in the Philippines?

1. We have first-hand experience and the right, critical contacts in the Philippines. Our founder and president worked as a nurse in the Philippines and was herself recruited from the Philippines to the United States.
2. Because nursing is one of the top career choices for both women and men in the Philippines, there is simply an oversupply of experienced BSN nurses in the Philippines.
3. The Philippine nurses have a proven track record of commitment to their profession, excellent achievement as caregivers and have demonstrated strong moral and ethical values.
4. We've found that Philippine nurses adapt extremely well to the United States through their determination to orient themselves into the new culture. This ability has earned them praise and respect from physicians and other nurses. Because of the difficult working conditions in the Philippines, the nurses have a high tolerance for pressure situations and are accustomed to providing excellent care while working various shifts in remote locations under high-stress situations.
5. Because the English language is used in Philippine education, business and government, Philippine nurses are fluent in the English language. In fact, the Philippines is the third largest English-speaking country in the world with a long-standing western/United States influence.

What about the NCLEX exam? When do the nurses take it?

The NCLEX-RN exam is not offered in the Philippines. In many states the nurses cannot take the NCLEX exam until they have obtained their Social Security number which they apply for upon arrival in the United States. Many hospitals offer the nurses a training course prior to their taking the NCLEX exam. Although it is the hospital's decision how long they will give the nurses to take the NCLEX exam, most hospitals we work with usually grant candidates about two to six months. In the meantime, the hospitals give the nurses a "Nurse Technician" or similar title until licensure. There is an approximate 90% congruence that those who pass the CGFNS will pass the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. (Source: Barbara Nichols, CEO, CGFNS & The International Commission on Healthcare Professions).

What type of Visa are the recruited nurses being issued? How long can they stay? Will they receive "Green Cards" or must they return to their country?

The E3 visa (Employment based-3rd preference) is a permanent immigration visa for skilled workers, professionals holding Baccalaureate degrees and other workers. All applicants require an I-140 Petition, which is filed by the prospective employer. (We prepare this for you). All such workers require a labor certification, or Schedule A, Group 1 designation, or evidence that they qualify for one of the shortage occupations in the Labor Market Information Pilot Program. Schedule A, Group 1 includes nurses and physical therapists. When they receive the permanent immigration visa (via sponsorship through the hospital), they will be given a "Green Card." We have processed and can process other types of Visas as well, but find this visa to be the most successful type for our clients.

I've heard that it initially takes longer to process the permanent visa, but that there is no re-filing down the road. That means the nurses can stay at the hospital as long as they want. How long does it take the nurses to start working under the permanent visa program?

It typically takes between 10-20 months from the time the contract is signed.

How long is the commitment on a nurse employment contract?

We are finding the standard employment term in the contracts/agreements to be 2 years. This provides you a return on your investment. Some hospitals have done as long as 3 years. As a rule, Filipino nurses are extremely loyal. Many of nurses stay on for 10 or 20 years at the facility that brought them to the United States. So it's likely they'll stay long after your contract with them has ended.

How can I better understand the requirements and educate myself about foreign recruitment?

We recommend that you visit the following websites when looking into foreign recruitment options.

Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS)
Web: http://www.cgfns.org

Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
Web: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov

Educational Testing Service (ETS): administers TOEFL, TWE and TSE.
Web: http://www.ets.org