With the lack of nurses in the United States and Canada, hiring has actually extended to the international scene. There are hospitals and companies that have started recruiting from the Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and others.

If you are from one of these countries and are interested in working in the US or Canada as a traveling nurse, there are certain credentials that you will have to meet. You have to be a graduate from a 3-year general nursing accredited university. You must have basic background in adult clinical medicine, adult clinical surgery, pediatrics, midwifery and psychiatric care. You should also possess a nursing license in your home country, and you must qualify for a US Visa without any criminal records. In addition, you need to pass three exams: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), with a 540 score or higher; Test of Spoken English (TSE), with a 50 score or higher and Test of Written English (TWE), with a 4.0 score or higher. If you originate from Australia, Canada (with the exception of Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, it is no longer necessary for you to take the English-related exams.

Traveling nurses are paid higher than the usual nursing staffs, especially if you come from a third world country. The benefits for you are exponentially higher than those you would get from your own country. Aside from the financial benefits, you usually receive a comprehensive health, life, dental and vision insurance, housing benefits and other amenities. All your official trips can be reimbursed. You can also take advantage of continued education allowances and retirement plans. Joining the pool of traveling nurses opens you up to a whole lot of job opportunities.