Govt trained nurses to work in USA

One of the key decisions taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during a visit to California in 2007, was to introduce a program for Government trained nurses to qualify in the US Nursing Licensure Program to seek employment in USA as a Registered Nurse (RN).

This would also provide a solution to reduce unemployment, improve better living conditions, better employment prospects and to increase the inflow of foreign exchange into the country.

Such a program would not only be beneficial to Sri Lanka but also to USA in overcoming the shortage of health sector workers.

To support this initiative, the Health Ministry took a decision to grant three months paid leave for nurses interested in pursuing studies to obtain the USA Nursing Licensure.

International Scholar Professional Services (pvt) Ltd (ISPS) was appointed by the Health Ministry as the training organization and to facilitate the visa screening and job placements in USA.

At present, there are 101 nurses from the Government service, who have completed the training in Occupational English, IELTS, Nursing Licensure (NCLEX), and Information Technology at International Scholar Professional Services (pvt) Ltd, and out of this, 49 nurses have now obtained the Registration with the Nursing Board in USA.

They are now eligible to take the US Nursing Examination (NCLEX).

Out of this 14 nurses will sit for the NCLEX examination in Chennai and on successful completion of the examination they will be applying for the visa screen test.