Ghanaian nurses opportunity to obtain a Green card

Are you a Ghanaian nurse who dreams of working in the United States? If so, you’re in luck because US is facing a severe nursing shortage, and Ghanaian nurses are in high demand. In fact, the US government has designated nurses as a “Schedule A” profession, which means that they are eligible for fast-track green card processing.

But what does it take to get a green card as a Ghanaian nurse? Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements

To be eligible for a green card as a nurse, you must meet the following basic requirements:

You must be a registered nurse (RN) in Ghana.
You must have a nursing degree or diploma from a Ghana Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) accredited program.
You must have passed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
You must have a valid English language proficiency test score, such as the TOEFL or IELTS.

Once you meet the basic requirements, you need to find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card. This can be a challenging task, but there are a number of resources available to help you, such as nursing recruitment agencies and online job boards.

When you’re looking for a US employer, it’s important to keep the following in mind:

Make sure the employer is willing to sponsor you for a green card.
Make sure the employer is a reputable organization.
Make sure the job offer is fair and competitive.

Step 3: Apply for a PERM Labor Certification

Once you have a job offer from a US employer, they will need to apply for a PERM labor certification on your behalf. The PERM labor certification process is designed to ensure that there are no qualified US workers available for the position before an employer can sponsor a foreign worker.

The PERM labor certification process can be complex and time-consuming, but it’s an important step in the green card process.

Step 4: File Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

Form I-140, “Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker,” is an immigration form filed by employers in the United States to petition for the employment-based immigration of foreign workers.

Once the PERM labor certification has been approved, your US employer can file Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, on your behalf. This form is used to petition the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to classify you as a preference worker.

Step 5: Apply for an Immigrant Visa

Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Once the Form I-140 petition has been approved, you can apply for an immigrant visa. You can do this either by attending a visa interview at a US consulate or embassy abroad or by filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status if you are already in the US on a nonimmigrant visa.

Step 6: Receive Your Green Card

If your immigrant visa application is approved, you will receive a green card, which will allow you to live and work in the US permanently.

Benefits of Getting a Green Card as a Ghanaian Nurse

There are many benefits to getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse. Some of these benefits include:

Higher salaries: Nurses in the United States earn some of the highest salaries in the world. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for registered nurses in the United States was $75,330 in May 2021. This is significantly higher than the median annual salary for nurses in Ghana, which is approximately $10,000.
Better job opportunities: There is a high demand for nurses in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of registered nurses will grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. This means that Ghanaian nurses with green cards will have many job opportunities to choose from.
Access to quality education: The United States has some of the best nursing schools in the world. Ghanaian nurses with green cards will have access to these schools and can pursue advanced degrees in nursing.
A better quality of life: The United States offers a high quality of life, with access to good healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Ghanaian nurses with green cards will be able to provide for their families and enjoy a better standard of living.

In addition to these general benefits, there are also some specific benefits that Ghanaian nurses with green cards may be eligible for. For example, some US states offer tuition reimbursement programs for nurses who work in underserved areas. Ghanaian nurses with green cards may also be eligible for federal financial aid programs, such as the Stafford Loan Program and the Perkins Loan Program.

Challenges of Getting a Green Card as a Ghanaian Nurse

Getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse can be a challenging process. Some of the challenges you may face include:

Meeting the basic requirements: The basic requirements for getting a green card as a nurse are quite strict. You must have a nursing degree or diploma from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and have a valid English language proficiency test score.

Finding a US employer who will sponsor you: It can be difficult to find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card. The green card process is expensive and time-consuming for employers, so they are often reluctant to sponsor foreign workers.

The PERM labor certification process: The PERM labor certification process is designed to ensure that there are no qualified US workers available for the position before an employer can sponsor a foreign worker. This process can be complex and time-consuming, and it is not always successful.

The immigrant visa application process: The immigrant visa application process can also be complex and time-consuming. You will need to gather a lot of documentation, and you may need to go through a visa interview.

In addition to these general challenges, there are also some specific challenges that Ghanaian nurses may face. For example, the US government has an annual quota on the number of green cards that can be issued to immigrants from each country. This means that there may be a long wait for Ghanaian nurses to receive their green cards.

Another challenge is that Ghanaian nurses may face discrimination from US employers. Some employers may be hesitant to hire foreign workers, even if they are qualified.

Despite the challenges, getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse is possible. There are a number of resources available to help you, such as nursing recruitment agencies and the American Nurses Association. If you are determined to get a green card, you should start planning early and be prepared for a long and challenging process.

Here are some tips for overcoming the challenges of getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse:

Meet the basic requirements early: Make sure you have a nursing degree or diploma from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and have a valid English language proficiency test score as soon as possible. This will make it easier to find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you.
Network with other Ghanaian nurses: Networking with other Ghanaian nurses can help you find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card. You can also learn from other Ghanaian nurses who have already been through the green card process.
Consider working with a nursing recruitment agency: Nursing recruitment agencies can help you find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card. They can also help you with the green card application process.
Be patient and persistent: The green card process can be long and frustrating, but it’s important to be patient and persistent. Don’t give up on your dream of working as a nurse in the United States.

Tips for Getting a Green Card as a Ghanaian Nurse

Here are some tips for getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse:

Start planning early: The green card process can take several years, so it’s important to start planning early.
Make sure you meet the basic requirements: Make sure you have a nursing degree or diploma from an accredited program, pass the NCLEX-RN, and have a valid English language proficiency test score.
Network with other Ghanaian nurses: Networking with other Ghanaian nurses can help you find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card.
Consider working with a nursing recruitment agency: Nursing recruitment agencies can help you find a US employer who is willing to sponsor you for a green card.
Be patient: The green card process can be long and frustrating, so it’s important to be patient.

Additional Resources

Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS): https://www.cgfns.org/
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/
American Nurses Association (ANA): https://www.nursingworld.org/

Conclusion

Getting a green card as a Ghanaian nurse can be a challenging process, but it’s definitely possible. With careful planning, hard work, and a little bit of luck, you can achieve your dream of working as a nurse in the United States.

I hope this article has been helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.