Alessandro relocated permanently to the United States in 2017 after obtaining his Green Card. He currently lives in Miami, Florida, and works as a medical assistant in a prestigious local hospital. He talks to us about his American dream and his career amid the pandemic.
Can you please introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
My name is Alessandro; I am 45 years old, and I am originally from Trieste. I've lived in Miami Beach, Florida, for five years.
Except for a few years abroad, I spent most of my life in Italy, where I used to be an airplane pilot. I first had an interesting teaching career at the Aeronautical Technical Institute. Then, when I got my second degree (Nursing), I started my new career as a healthcare professional and moved to the United States.
What made you leave Italy, and for how long have you been in the USA?
I left Italy in 2016, even though I definitively moved to the USA in January 2017. Out of a pure spirit of adventure and without any ambitions, in November 2014, I participated in the "Diversity Lottery" organized by the government of the United States of America, also known as the "Green Card Lottery". I was shortlisted in May 2015, and after about a year of preparing documents, I had the opportunity to move permanently to the USA.
What are you doing currently in the USA?
After the initial period of adjustment as a neo-immigrant, during which I worked in the catering sector, I moved on to obtaining the Registered Nurse License to join the American healthcare system thanks to my Degree in Nursing and the accumulated experience. I currently work as a medical assistant in one of the best hospitals in Miami.
What documents did you need to practice as a nurse in the United States?
To practice, it is essential to have a license. The Registered Nurse (RN) license is state-based, so it is issued by the Board of Nursing of the state where you reside. It seems superfluous to say that it is essential to have a residence and work permit in the USA (Green Card) or to be a US citizen; otherwise, no license.
You have to speak English perfectly. By perfectly, I mean that English is tested at an "Academic" level before issuing the license through an exam (such as IELTS or TOEFL), with a precise minimum score to be achieved.
Simply put, you need to be able to discuss a university thesis in English. It is also good to know Spanish as it is very widespread in the USA. Here in Miami, Spanish is spoken by almost the entire population.
What were the procedures to follow to obtain the license to practice?
To obtain the license, there is a specific procedure to follow:
- Consult the website of the Board of Nursing of the state of residence and apply for the RN license (it costs approximately $ 150)
- Contact a foreign qualification certification agency approved by the Board of Nursing of the home state
- Ask your university in Italy to translate into English and send all the required documentation directly to the agency itself (this process can take a long time, depending on the university). The certification agency asks for a few hundred dollars ($ 350 in my case) to evaluate and send it to the Board of Nursing where the license was applied for.
- Take the English exam as mentioned above (about $ 250) and send the result to the Board of Nursing.
At this point, if all qualifications are recognized (usually yes), the Board of Nursing invites you to take the state exam provided by the NCSBN (the US National Council of Nurses), which is at the federal level, i.e. it is the same everywhere. This exam is called NCLEX; you can find detailed information and study material simply on Google.
It costs approximately $ 250 to take NCLEX at one of the many specialized testing centres that offer it. It is a multiple-choice test, performed on a computer, lasting a maximum of six hours. Once the NCLEX is passed (I suggest a few months of preparation), the Board of Nursing receives the result and sends the license back in a short time.
At this point, all the desired job applications are completed, and you can expect to be called to an interview! There is an extreme shortage of registered nurses in almost all states, so it's quite easy to find a job here. The nurse / patient ratio in the hospital is usually one to four or one to six and on average. The typical contracts in private hospitals include 3 shifts of 12 hours each week, around $ 30 per hour, plus various benefits. During the peak of the pandemic, I learned that some nurses in Boston were earning $ 8,000 a week.
What was the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on your job?
The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a total upheaval of everyone's life, especially those involved in healthcare. Job opportunities have multiplied, so anyone who has the relevant skills can contribute. Last year was marked by many working hours, many more patients, and the ability to learn and do more for the community. So despite the economic and social crisis, I must say that 2020 and 2021 have been and are, for me, years of professional growth, bringing both personal and professional satisfaction. There are infinite development prospects in the years to come, especially in the medical field.
Living in Miami is the dream of many. What, according to you, are the pros and cons of living in this city?
Miami is a magnificent city: a concentration of the United States, Central America, South America and Europe mitigated by a sunny tropical climate. I live in Miami Beach, one block from Ocean Drive, so right in the middle of South Beach. Thanks to the wonderful tropical climate, I can do many activities outdoor activities in my free time. Everything works pretty well, even the public administration, and there is good collaboration between public bodies and citizens. The job opportunities are constantly evolving, and you can plan your future safely.
However, that a large metropolis like Miami also has its downsides. Recently, there was a spike in street crimes, and the cost of living is high, especially in certain areas. It can be hard to adapt, too, compared to Europe. There are many groups of different origins here, and the differences are quite clear. In Miami (and in the USA in general), we're always on the run, and unfortunately, there is not much quality time left for interpersonal relationships.
What are the key things to keep in mind before relocating to the US?
There are countless things to consider before taking such a decisive step in your life. Unfortunately, misinformation is common, especially on the web.
In my opinion, in addition to a minimum of savings and clear ideas about where to go, there are many other critical things to take into account. If you have found a job with a good salary, a lot of it is sorted out. I will never get tired of repeating that moving to the USA implies a much broader spectrum of information to learn.
It is important to have a clear knowledge of immigration laws and the real possibilities of obtaining residency here (I still hear people who, perhaps in a slightly "naïve" way, ask where you can 'buy' a green card and how much it costs!).
Learning English is a must, and Spanish too! Although once here, you will most likely get in touch with your fellow expats and find work easily thanks to friends and acquaintances. You cannot think of moving and continuing to speak only the language of origin candidly.
But above all, in my opinion, coming to live in the US means having the will to become American and lose some contact with your roots, without certainly wanting to tear them away completely. You have to accept the change and start thinking, communicating, socializing, working, driving, shopping, paying taxes, travelling, shopping, etc., like Americans. Otherwise, you will remain forever strangers in a foreign land.
