Your Path to Nursing in the USA
Honest, step-by-step help for Kenyan nurses moving to the USA, from the NCLEX and US nursing agencies to the visa and your first month. Written by a Kenyan RN already working in the USA. Pick where you are right now.
Free guides · Never any placement fees · No spam
Where are you right now?
Pick your stage
Each stage has its own short guide. Read the top of any guide free; one sign-up unlocks all five.
Free tools
Calculators, a checklist and a practice exam
Calculators use today's live KSh exchange rate. You can type your own bank or M-Pesa rate.
Nurse Hangout: freebies, giveaways & the journey wall
Visit the HangoutKenyan Nurses Living It
Real stories, real timelines
Kenyan nurses share what the journey was really like. Videos load only when you tap play, to save your data.
One-on-one
Speak with a nurse in the USA
A private video call for your own situation: CV review, interview prep, or choosing between agencies or hospitals.
KSh 1,000 per session
See how it worksInformation and guidance only, not legal or immigration advice.
Ready to apply? A free one-on-one call can help you apply to any US nurse staffing agency or employer, and avoid major pitfalls in your application. That help is free, and separate from the paid consult.
See the free application callDaily tips on WhatsApp
Short updates for every stage: exam tips, fee changes, visa news and new hospital programs.
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Run by a Kenyan RN in the USA
We built ScrubsToStates because the path to US nursing is confusing and full of people selling shortcuts. Here you get plain, honest information about each step, without anyone pushing you into a contract.
Common questions
Do I need a recruiter to move to the US as a nurse?
No. Some US hospitals hire and sponsor international nurses directly; others hire through staffing agencies. Either way, legitimate agencies and employers should not charge you placement fees. Read every contract carefully, especially the length of commitment and any early-exit fees. See Stage 2.
How long does the whole process take?
Longer than most adverts say. Nurses and agencies often report around 2 to 4 years from passing the NCLEX to arriving in the USA, mostly because of visa waiting times. Be careful with anyone promising a fixed short timeline. See Stage 4.
Can I take the NCLEX in Kenya?
Yes. The NCLEX is offered at a Pearson VUE test centre in Nairobi (see NCLEX testing locations). First you apply to a US state board of nursing, then you register with Pearson VUE and wait for your Authorization to Test. See Stage 3.
How much does the NCLEX cost for a Kenyan nurse?
The NCLEX registration fee is US$200 (US$350 from 1 February 2027), plus a US$150 international scheduling fee when you test outside the US, with VAT where applicable. Your state board charges its own application fee. Fees were last checked on 14 November 2026; always confirm on nclex.com before paying.
What is the VisaScreen, and do I need it?
The VisaScreen is a certificate from TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) that checks your nursing education, licence and English for US immigration. Nurses need it for the immigrant visa. It costs US$740 (checked 14 November 2026). See Stage 3.
Which visa do Kenyan nurses use to work in the USA?
Most Kenyan nurses move on an employment-based immigrant visa, usually EB-3, sponsored by a US employer or staffing agency. Your case goes through the National Visa Center and ends with an interview at the US Embassy in Nairobi. See Stage 4.
How much do nurses earn in the USA?
It depends on the state, the hospital, your unit and your shift. Some international nurse agencies advertise starting pay from about $35 an hour, and staff nurse pay varies widely from state to state. See what nurses get paid in the US for figures with sources.
Is the application call really free?
Yes. If you are qualified and have the requirements, you can schedule a free call with our team or a nurse in the USA for help applying to any US nurse staffing agency or employer. It is separate from the paid private consult. See Stage 2.