At this point, nurses should keep practicing and taking the same precautions as they would with an outbreak of any other kind of influenza, as well as keeping themselves up-to-date about the new virus and national and state guidelines for dealing with it.

These include asking patients who are coughing or sneezing to wear a mask, wiping down surfaces and chairs, frequent hand-washing, and offering anti-bacterial creams or gels to patients.

The CDC is asking clinicians to take nasal swabs or washes of patients with symptoms of upper respiratory illness to be tested for the swine flu virus. Nurses should also ask detailed questions, such as whether the patient has traveled outside the country, if they’ve been in a crowded place, or if they’ve come into contact with anyone who might have swine flu.

State health officials are currently working with hospitals, clinics, and private practitioners to identify patients who may have more severe cases of swine flu. The CDC is also distributing tests that will allow states to identify the virus at their own laboratories rather than waiting for a CDC confirmation of swine flu.

As the outbreak progresses, nurses have a responsibility to inform themselves as much as possible about swine flu, even if they live in areas where no cases have been reported.  Nurses need to constantly check not only national sources such as the CDC: www.cdc.gov/swineflu and WHO: www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html Web sites, but also state and local sources, including state health department Web sites, to find out whether or how the virus has presented itself in their area. As health experts and first responders, nurses will be expected to answer questions from relatives, neighbors, and friends as well as patients, and they should be prepared.

Nurses also need to be aware of the plans their own institutions have for dealing with public health emergencies, such as how antivirals are stockpiled and who will they be given to, and of how their institutions will communicate those plans to them.

Nurses really are our calm ‘in’ the storm.

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There are numerous great paying nursing jobs available across the United States. Search and find a job yourself or send us your resume and we’ll find you a job.

We believe a nurse is a professional who is ardently there when the ill require compassionate, safe, and competent care. What do you believe?  What is the message your resume conveys? Is your resume modern with visual appeal? Is it concise or repetitive and boring? Have you promoted achievements or just job descriptions? Does your resume reflect how well you manage, juggle, and prioritize patient case loads based on acuity? Can your new employer decipher how well you have collaborated with other nurses and physicians? How your critical skills and interventions save lives? Do you have preceptor experience? Are you competent at coordinating the administration of advanced medications? Knowledgeable in the provisions of direct patient care?

Don’t submit a resume like all others. Repeating your job descriptions under every title is not the answer, even in nursing! Make sure your resume is a marketing tool that advertises how you will improve the convalescence of patients under your care.At this point in the travel nursing process you will be asked to submit a travel nursing resume. Some travel nursing companies will write your resume for you; either based on the information you supply on a resume you have already written or you list on your application. A good resume is very important for a travel nurse. The competition for travel nursing jobs can be intense for the really good locations and hospitals so you want to make sure you stand out. The style is important (and may even be changed to match the company’s look anyway), but nowhere near as much as the information on it and making sure it is presented in a clear and easy to follow format. Some of the key information every good travel nursing resume should have includes:

* All certifications,
* All licensures,
* Locations of previous work history
* Complete start and stop dates
* Job type (travel assignment, perm, PRN, contract)
* Any degrees you may hold
* Locations of any school/college you attended
* Dates you attended those schools

Overall the biggest ingredient to a good resume is attention to detail and thoroughness. If you have those two aspects handled you will have a winning resume.  Check back this week for the second part of this series on Where are the Jobs – Creating A Winning Resume!

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Job Search

Search and find a job yourself or send us your resume and we’ll find you a job.

Stay tuned for the next article in the series.

The WHO uses a 6-phased approach to describe pandemics. Phases 1-3 have to do with preparedness, while phases 4-6 focus on the need for response. Let’s break this down even further:
Phase 1: no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans
Phase 2: a circulating animal influenza virus is known to have caused infection in humans
Phase 3: an animal or human-animal influenza virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people; limited human-to-human transmission may occur
Phase 4:  rified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” This marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic.
Phase 5*: Our current Phase, is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region; strong signal that a pandemic is imminent
Phase 6: community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5; a global pandemic is under way.

Remember your best defense is proper “hand washing” which is the #1 preventative measure according to the CDC. Teaching individuals to sing “happy birthday ” twice in their heads while washing hands to afford the recommended amount of time needed for proper washing with soap and warm water.

Developing any of the following symptoms requires individuals to seek medical attention to assure they do not have the influenza virus. The symptoms are as follows:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches
• Headache
• Chills
• Fatigue

**Note that some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu.

Remember that the Swine flu is thought to be spread the same as all other flu viruses which are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching their mouth or nose. (Hence, why hand washing is the #1 preventative measure).

If you would like additional information please visit the CDC’s Swine Flu website by clicking on the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.

First things first – your resume essentials.  Before you write, take time to do a self-assessment on paper.  Outline your skills and abilities as well as your work experience and extracurricular activities.  This will make it easier to prepare a thorough resume.
1.  The Content of Your Resume

Name, address, telephone, e-mail address, web site address

All your contact information should go at the top of your resume.

• Avoid nicknames.
• Use a permanent address. Use your parents’ address, a friend’s address, or the address you plan to use after graduation.
• Use a permanent telephone number and include the area code. If you have an answering machine, record a neutral greeting.
• Add your e-mail address. Many employers will find it useful. (Note: Choose an e-mail address that sounds professional.)
• Include your web site address only if the web page reflects your professional ambitions.

Objective or Summary

An objective tells potential employers the sort of work you’re hoping to do.

• Be specific about the job you want. For example: To obtain an entry-level position within a financial institution requiring strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Tailor your objective to each employer you target/every job you seek.

Education

New graduates without a lot of work experience should list their educational information first. Alumni can list it after the work experience section.

• Your most recent educational information is listed first.
• Include your degree (A.S., B.S., B.A., etc.), major, institution attended, minor/concentration.
• Add your grade point average (GPA) if it is higher than 3.0.
• Mention academic honors.

Work Experience

Briefly give the employer an overview of work that has taught you skills. Use action words to describe your job duties. Include your work experience in reverse chronological order—that is, put your last job first and work backward to your first, relevant job.   Include:

• Title of position,
• Name of organization
• Location of work (town, state)
• Dates of employment
• Describe your work responsibilities with emphasis on specific skills and achievements.

Other information

A staff member at your career services office can advise you on other information to add to your resume. You may want to add:

• Key or special skills or competencies,
• Leadership experience in volunteer organizations,
• Participation in sports.
• References

Ask people if they are willing to serve as references before you give their names to a potential employer.

Do not include your reference information on your resume. You may note at the bottom of your resume: “References furnished on request.”

2. Resume Checkup

You’ve written your resume. It’s time to have it reviewed and critiqued by a career counselor. You can also take the following steps to ensure quality:

Content:
•Run a spell check on your computer before anyone sees your resume.
•Get a friend (an English major would do nicely) to do a grammar review.
•Ask another friend to proofread. The more people who see your resume, the more likely that misspelled words and awkward phrases will be seen (and corrected).

Remember, your resume is your own personal marketing brochure designed to lead to a conversation or meeting.  So it’s worth the effort because your resume is an important part of your career development toolkit.  A well-written resume can be the golden key that opens the door to the next level in your career!

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Job Search

Search and find a job yourself or send us your resume and we’ll find you a job.

Stay tuned for the next article in the series.

Today’s demand for skilled nurses significantly outweighs the supply of such professionals.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment for Registered Nurses is expected to experience a growth of 27% or more by the year 2014, placing nurses among the most demanded professionals in the country.

In reviewing the ramifications of a statement made by President Obama in his health summit. The president expressed concern over the apparent need to bring additional foreign trained RNs into the country to help with our nation’s nursing shortage. Following are some highlighted training requirements for registered nurses overseas. It should be noted that all nurses recruited to work in the U.S. must pass the standard NCLEX board exam.

United Kingdom: Registered nursing is regulated by the ‘Nursing and Midwifery Council’ with 3-4 years of training divided 50/50 between classroom and clinicals. Unlike in the U.S. the nursing student chooses a specialty area while still in school (adult, child, mental health or learning disabilities nursing). As the council name indicates, the nursing student who specializes in adult nursing can make the transition to midwifery by completing an 18 month program. Students also receive a financial stipend from the government to support them during the training period.

India: India offers a four year program, similar to the U.S. BSN program as well as a three year program for basic staff nurse employment.  Over 500 nursing schools accept nearly 10,000 new students per year. In addition to standard classroom and clinical work, students attend lectures by specialists in various medical fields.

Philippines: Studies show that the U.S. recruits a greater number of nurses from this country than any other primarily because of the curriculum similarities, use of the same textbooks and that Filipino nurses speak English (versus language barrier issues experienced by some nurses from Japan and Korea for example) . The main difference that makes for a period of adjustment for these nurses, is becoming familiar with equipment used in U.S. hospitals

Get your career off on the right track and look into Travel Nursing! If you are feeling stuck and need a change or if you just want more out of your life, consider a career as a Travel Nurse!

Initial and endorsement licensure requirements differ from state to state and do change over time. Therefore, we suggest that you contact the Board of Nursing in the state where you wish to practice to verify its licensure requirements.  It is also necessary to obtain a visa (temporary or permanent) in order to legally work in the United States. In most cases, visas are obtained for nurses by the hiring organization. The issuance of visas can take days to months depending on the country, so plan to wait in some cases.

Nurses also must provide proof of licensure to practice their profession.

Where you are planning to work will determine whether you will need to register your nursing qualifications before being able to look for a job.

In countries with a licensing body that registers nurses you will need to contact the country’s registration authority to learn what is required to work as a nurse in that country. To practice nursing in the U.K., for example, an overseas nurse must apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for a British nursing license. From the initial request to the final outcome, the process may take from weeks to several months depending on the licensing board.

In countries where a system of nurse registration has not yet been established you will need to provide proof of your nursing licensure from the U.S. The healthcare facilities in these countries will honor your nursing license from the state issuing your license, thus it is imperative to maintain your American nursing registration. The code of professional conduct which you follow in the state where you are licensed must continue to be followed while you are working overseas.

If you want to work abroad as a nurse, there is no better time than the present. With thorough research, an open mind, and a sense of adventure, you can easily have your own international career!

Many countries are experiencing an acute shortage of qualified experienced nurses. This has resulted in a golden opportunity for internationally educated nurses to move overseas either temporarily for a year or two, or to immigrate permanently.  Even if you are not keen on moving your nursing career abroad permanently, taking your nursing job overseas for a year or two to gain experience in a management role can launch you into management once you return home with a newly enhanced resume.

Overseas nursing consultants need to be mindful of cultural sensitivity. Educational barriers can be dispelled through effective communication skills which develop bridges of affection, empathy and professional respect. International nursing provides an opportunity to interface with different cultures exposing staff in both countries to new ways of viewing the world and is an exciting and personally challenging situation.

The glamour of international nursing must be tempered by research which needs to include an understanding of the tendering process, clinical setting, cultural diversity and the resources available for the projects.

Gain a Variety of Clinical Experience
Nursing overseas can open up opportunities to encounter different clinical experiences because although you will probably initially be hired to nurse in the specialty in which you currently have experience, you will come across country and region specific experiences.  Nursing overseas will also allow you to gain experience in alternative techniques and approaches to nursing and healthcare.

Earn a Higher Salary
Countries experiencing acute nursing shortages are desperate for nurses to fill the vacancies in their healthcare system. As a result they are often paying higher wages in an attempt to attract more nurses, both domestically and internationally. Many healthcare recruiters are also offering benefits and bonuses that can add to your bottom line.

A World of Opportunity
When it comes to vacation, some nurses yearn to see sights and savor tastes in faraway locations. Some wonder what nursing and health care are like in distant lands. Culture is a major focus of nursing, and whether they travel abroad or remain on there own shores, nurses are increasingly affected by and involved with multicultural issues. International nursing study tours can foster understanding by taking nurses to destinations such as Mexico, Russia, and Israel to experience the culture firsthand.  Many nurses return with different perspectives of the world, a greater understanding of nursing, new friends, and new insights about themselves. Some participants even point to the trips as the inspiration for redirecting their nursing careers!

To find nursing jobs in the U.S., send us your nursing resume and nursing placement specialist will contact your shortly.

The Definite TN Visa Classification and Employment Status

Under the TN, you must be employed by an U.S. employment agency. Working as a 1099 is a grey area and may or may not be considered to meet the TN requirements. Tell your employer, you need to work as a W2. If they decline to do this, have the recruiting firm hire you as a W2 and then contract you out to the employer. The cleanest option is to work as a W2 employee.

The Grey Area with TN Visa Classification
Grey area with the 1099 and TN: If this is your only employer when you do a 1099, the IRS will treat you an employee, but it is not clear how the Immigration authorities will treat you.

There are rumors that Immigration Field Officers have been advised that the E-2 treaty investor visa may be required when working as a 1099. Most lawyers will recommend working only as a W2 since this is the safest option. People have been obtaining the TN when working on a 1099, so there is ambiguity here.

Conclusion

If you wish to work as a 1099, you can attempt to obtain your TN Visa — many people have done so successfully. Nevertheless, you may want to also determine if the E2 visa will work for you first. Contact us for further clarification.

The choice is yours, please choose wisely – your future depends on it.

Sincerely,

Roger.

1. Mismatched application – This can be the result of a lack of exact match between your degree, the TN occupational category and job offer. If there is no exact match, you must provide a clear theory of the case as to how there is a connection and support the theory with your documents.

2. Suspect categories – If you are applying under an occupational category that does not require a bachelor’s degree, such as Management Consultant and Scientific Technician/Technologist, then expect your application to be subject to extra scrutiny. U.S. Immigration officials consider the Management Consultant and Scientific Technician/Technologist categories to be widely abused. So if you are applying under any these categories, you must make sure that your application can withstand the extra scrutiny.

3. TN support letter language – Your TN support letter must describe in a simple language what you will be doing in your prospective job. If it uses complex language and if the U.S. immigration officer cannot understand the language, he may just deny your application, then it is a good chance the inspecting CBP officer will not be able to understand. Your TN support letter must clearly state in simple language how the particular job duties fall under a TN occupational category.

To check your TN visa application for possible red flags you can contact an experienced Immigration Attorney or obtain the TN Visa Expert Application Kit.

The TN Visa Application Kit will provide you with sample letters, step by step instructions on how to create your letter and prepare you for the border interview.

Good Luck!

The TN visa is treated as one of the regular non-immigrant visa. You will be subject to the same immigrant intent presumption as other non-immigrant visas. So when you apply for a TN visa, you must provide bona fide non-immigrant intention. However, the TN visa falls under the lesser standard of immigrant intent. You need not possess a residence in Canada or maintain the significant ties in Canada such as “ties of property, employment, family obligation, and continuity of life”.

When you apply for a TN visa, U.S. immigration laws presume that you are an intending immigrant and you are entering the U.S. for the purpose of remaining in the country permanently. The burden on proof is on you to prove at the time of application that you are a bona fide non-immigrant. If you are unable to prove that you are a bona fide non-immigrant, then your TN visa application may be denied.

To prove that you are a bona fide non-immigrant, you must establish that you are seeking only temporary entry into the U.S. without the intent to establish permanent residence. You must show that your work assignment in the U.S. will end at a predictable time and that you will depart upon completion of the assignment. A TN Employer Letter indicating that the assignment is for 1 year or less (or 3 yrs with recent ruling), is generally sufficient to prove bona fide non-immigrant intent. Remember if you had several TN visas in the past or committed immigration violations, you may have to provide additional evidence including evidence that you will leave the U.S. after completing a specific assignment and proof of strong ties to Canada.

Contact TN Visa Expert to know if your TN visa application will pass the immigrant intent presumption.