Arrival in America

From the moment you arrive in the United States, an O’Grady Peyton International representative will be there to meet and greet you at the airport and take you to your new home. Your representative will prove to be an invaluable source of assistance and information about nursing in America. Your representative will help you become familiar with your new environment, assist you with essential tasks and take you to required classes prior to your assignment start date. You can count on your representative to be there for you throughout your assignment to ensure that you have all the support you need for your exciting new nursing career in America.

Outlined below are some of the tasks that your representative will help you with during your first week in America:

Social Security Number

All residents of the United States are identified by a social security number. This is required for almost all paperwork and applications, and it is practically impossible to accomplish certain tasks without one. Your O’Grady Peyton International representative will take you to your local social security office so you can apply for your social security number as soon as possible.

In some states you will receive a social security number the same day that you apply, but in other states, such as California, it may take up to six weeks to receive the actual card. In the meantime, you will receive a receipt stating that you have applied for your social security number, which you can use until you receive your card.

Each member of your family who applies for a social security number will need to show a copy of his or her birth certificate and passport. There is no charge involved with applying for a social security number.

Bank Account

Your representative, who will be very familiar with various bank facilities and their practices, will take you to a bank that offers the best service to their customers. In most cases you will need a minimum of $100 to open a checking account and a minimum of $25 to open a savings account.

Utilities

Once you are in your new home, you will need to set up your electrical, water, phone and cable services. The process involves transferring all accounts into your name and paying initial deposits. Your representative will help you with this within the first few days of your arrival.

Department of Motor Vehicles

An international driver’s license, obtained in your home country before you leave, will allow you to legally drive in the U.S. for at least 30 days. However, to continue driving in your resident state, you will need a state-issued driver’s license.

Your representative will take you to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office where you will apply for a license. Testing requirements differ from state to state, but you may be required to take a written exam and driving test. For the written exam, you can obtain a free booklet from the DMV that covers road signs, rules and driving information—all the material you will need for your written test. License fees vary by state—anywhere from $25 to $60.

Grocery and Household Shopping

Your representative will take you to a convenient grocery store in your neighborhood. All stores accept travelers checks with a form of photo identification, such as a passport. You will find most foods relatively inexpensive, with a wide range of products to choose from.

You will also want to buy some household items for your new home. Your representative will take you to a “one-stop-shopping” chain store. These stores are ideal for purchasing electrical equipment, crockery, pots, pans and other everyday items for your apartment at very reasonable prices.

Purchasing a Car

While major cities in the United States have reliable public transportation systems, you will likely need a car to get to and from work. Your O’Grady Peyton International representative will offer guidance and advice to help you find the right car for your needs.

Used cars in America are relatively inexpensive compared to many other countries. Since you probably will not be able to obtain credit in the United States right away (even if your credit is well established at home, it doesn’t count in America), you should plan on buying a used vehicle and have the full-cash amount for the purchase. Your local representative will take you to a reputable dealer to find the right car.

Another option is to buy a car through O’Grady Peyton International’s car purchase partner, International Auto Source. This reputable company is experienced at working with international clients and can help you find the right car for your needs, within your budget. Your O’Grady Peyton International representative can answer any questions you have about your car purchase.

If you prefer, you can rent a car for a few weeks using your overseas credit card. This will allow you time to become familiar with the car-buying process and to find the best deal.