ISLAMABAD: Pakistani nurses and other healthcare professionals could gain greater access to employment, education and professional training opportunities in the United States under a proposed cooperation agreement between organizations in the two countries.
The American Pakistan Education Foundation and the Pakistan Education Foundation are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration in nursing education, healthcare workforce development and professional training.
Under the proposed partnership, the two organizations will support qualified Pakistani nurses and healthcare workers in meeting US professional requirements, including education, training, licensing and other eligibility criteria.
The initiative also envisages building links with US hospitals, healthcare systems, nursing schools, universities and professional organizations, potentially creating pathways for Pakistani-trained healthcare workers to pursue careers in the United States.
As part of these efforts, the Pakistan Education Foundation has already launched a nationwide programme to prepare registered nurses for the NCLEX, the licensing examination required for nurses seeking to practice in the US.
According to the organisation, 2,759 candidates registered for the programme, while 300 were selected for training after a screening process. More than 80 Pakistani nurses have so far obtained NCLEX licenses, while over 220 others are currently at different stages of the examination process.
The proposed partnership may also cover scholarships, educational assistance, professional exchanges and joint training programmes. The organizations are expected to collaborate with universities, nursing institutions, hospitals and training centres to strengthen existing programmes and develop new opportunities.
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