Pakistan-US Organisations Prepare New Nursing Employment Framework
A new Pakistan-US initiative is set to create professional pathways for Pakistani nurses and other qualified healthcare workers seeking careers in the United States.
The American Pakistan Education Foundation and Pakistan Education Endowment Fund are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding in New York.
The agreement will focus on medical education, professional training, certification, licensing preparation and career development for Pakistani healthcare professionals.
However, the programme should not be understood as direct hiring by the US government.
Instead, the agreement is designed to help qualified Pakistani professionals meet US licensing requirements and connect them with American hospitals, healthcare systems and other potential employers.
Under the proposed arrangement, the US-based organisation will seek partnerships with hospitals, nursing facilities, educational institutions and professional organisations interested in recruiting qualified healthcare workers from Pakistan.
Pakistan Education Endowment Fund will identify and support nurses and other medical professionals interested in pursuing these opportunities.
Candidates are expected to receive assistance with professional examinations, licensing requirements, documentation and career preparation.
The initiative could become an important route for Pakistani nurses seeking international employment, particularly as the United States continues to face demand for trained healthcare professionals.
NCLEX Programme Prepares Pakistani Nurses for US Licensing
A major part of the initiative involves preparing Pakistani nurses for the National Council Licensure Examination, commonly known as NCLEX.
Passing the NCLEX is an important requirement for registered nurse licensing in the United States, although candidates must also meet the requirements of the state in which they intend to practise.
The programme has become easier for Pakistani candidates following the introduction of NCLEX examination facilities within Pakistan.
This allows nurses to complete a key stage of the international licensing process without travelling abroad solely to sit the examination.
According to the latest report on the proposed agreement, 2,759 candidates registered during a nationwide drive for the Pak-EEF NCLEX Nurse Placement Programme.
Following screening, 300 nurses were selected for training.
The report says more than 80 nurses have obtained NCLEX licences, while more than 220 others are moving through the examination process.
Pak-EEF’s own public NCLEX page separately says dozens of nursing professionals have already achieved certification and hundreds more are progressing towards international licensing, confirming the broader expansion of the programme.
The programme is intended to reduce financial and logistical barriers faced by Pakistani nurses seeking internationally recognised credentials.
It also aims to prepare candidates for the professional standards required by overseas healthcare employers.
Earlier Pakistan-US discussions also focused on streamlining recruitment and immigration arrangements for nurses who successfully complete the licensing process.
US Healthcare Demand Could Create Major Opportunity for Pakistan
The effort to connect Pakistani nurses with American employers has been developing for several years.
New York State Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos previously supported discussions on expanding healthcare workforce cooperation between Pakistan and the United States.
During talks involving Pakistani diplomats, New York officials and APPAC representatives in January 2025, Ramos highlighted growing US demand for qualified healthcare professionals and expressed interest in cooperation with Pakistan.
Pakistani officials said at the time that opening NCLEX examination centres in Pakistan represented an important step because it reduced costs for nursing candidates.
They also stressed the need to create a structured link between available Pakistani professionals and healthcare demand in the United States.
Under the latest proposed agreement, cooperation could eventually extend beyond nurse recruitment.
The two organisations are expected to explore scholarships, professional training, faculty development, institutional partnerships and exchanges involving healthcare professionals.
A joint working group is also expected to supervise implementation of the agreement and identify additional areas for cooperation.
For Pakistani nurses, the initiative could provide a clearer route from local training to international licensing and eventual employment.
However, obtaining an NCLEX result does not automatically guarantee a US job.
Candidates would still need to satisfy applicable licensing, credential verification, immigration and employer requirements before working professionally in the United States.
The latest agreement is therefore best viewed as a career and recruitment pathway rather than a guaranteed US government hiring programme.
If American hospitals and healthcare organisations formally join the initiative, internationally licensed Pakistani nurses could gain greater access to employment opportunities in one of the world’s largest healthcare markets.
