With this knowledge, you probably want to know more about living in the USA. We have aimed to cover some basic points, that we hope you will find useful.

Standard of Living

We have already helped many nurses to find work in various areas of the USA; Florida, California, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Georgia and Ohio. According to the feedback we have received from them, the standard of living is much better than in the UK. Prices are lower, and public services are of a much higher quality. Children and families are looked upon favourably with many more facilities in the USA. Restaurants etc have much more family friendly prices at around 50% less than in the UK.

Schooling and Education

North American schools are more proactive and involved than UK schools. My nephews lived in Florida and they received more one on one attention, and there is very good support for those with learning needs e.g. speech therapy etc. Educational resources are of much higher quality, and readily available to all pupils. Most books in UK schools do not allow you to write in text books as they need to be used by other pupils. In the USA, this is not the case. Most schools also have an extensive sports programme, that encourages children to work in a team, and keep physically fit from an early age. Such methods of education mean that USA schools have a strict level of discipline, and even things such as lateness and absence are highly disapproved of.

These are the average schooling ages in the US, though this will vary from state to state.

Elementary School: 5 - 11

Middle School: 11 - 14

High School: 14 - 18

Schooling is now free of charge in most states, being funded by either federal, state or local government. All of the states which we currently work with have free education for all those of schooling age. School leaving age varies between 16 and 18, with the majority of states requiring compulsory education until the age of 18.

Expenses and Sales Tax

In the majority of North American states you must pay a sales tax on most purchases. This amount can vary from around 6%, up to about 15%. As an example, UK sales tax or better known as VAT is 17.5%. There is often also an additional local sales tax, imposed by the local governments similar to council tax in the UK. A few states have no sales tax e.g. Texas or Florida, but might have a higher local tax, or an excise tax. Some states will have a tax exemption on clothing and food enabling groceries to be purchased at around 50% less than in the UK.

The current exchange rate from GBP -> USD is very much in the pounds favour.
£1.00 is currently approximately equal in value to $2.01 (1 December 2007)

Fuel prices in the US are less than half the price of UK fuels.
Currently a US Gallon of Unleaded costs around £1.43. In relative terms, a US Gallon bought in the UK would cost around £3.60. The main reason for this difference is the way tax is calculated for fuel in the two countries. In the US, around 8% of the fuel cost is made up of tax, while in the UK around 65% of fuel cost is tax. This means an average sized car will cost only £18 to fill, compared to approximately £45 in the UK.

Life for Your Family

Nursing is looked upon as a very honourable and respected profession within the USA. This will make finding employment for your spouse much easier. Your immediate family will be covered by your Green Card, and may also claim citizenship under it after five years. See our immigration section for more information on Green Cards.

You and your family will also receive extremely low priced medical and dental insurance from your employer hospital, particularly with a direct hospital contract. With our hospital contracts you and your family are insured from the first day of work.

Spouses and partners of nurses often easily find themselves employment in all types of work from swimming pool cleaners and greens keepers, to football coaches and highly skilled office workers. This is because you are covered by the Green Card from your spouse, and therefore entitled to work and live in the USA.

The USA is considerably more child oriented than the UK. Schools run a variety of after-school clubs, and encourage their pupils to socialise out of school hours and there are also many locally run activity clubs for children throughout the USA. The majority of restaurants are more than happy to allow children in, and many with specific facilities for them. Even malls will often have somewhere you can leave the children to play safely under supervision while you shop.

Shopping

Shopping in the USA is similar to the UK, but noticeably cheaper. A North American shopping mall will contain a large selection of shops and facilities for both your entertainment and essential needs.

Beauticians are relatively commonplace in the USA, offering a wide range of beauty treatments such as manicures, pedicures and facials. In some parts of Florida, beauticians will have a different charge rate for it's local regular customers, and those who are just visiting as a tourist. If you enjoy some pampering it is a good idea to find a nice beautician you can stay with. In many cosmetic companies, they often offer a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

One of the most important things to remember when shopping in the US is; Walmart sells everything!.
From nurse uniforms, shoes, makeup, perfume, and swim wear to pots, pans, mops, medicines, books, and a whole lot more. Walmart is a great shopping experience because everything is so cheap!

Important!: When purchasing items, the price will usually state the price without including sales tax. For example, with a 6% sales tax, an item priced at $10, will end up costing $10.60 when you are asked for the money at the till.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Catto International Limited is committed to Equal Opportunities in employment. This policy states that the treatment of employees and job applicants will be fair and that there will be no discrimination on the grounds of disability, sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, or ethnicity.

Living in the USA