Finding the right U.S. nursing role shouldn't feel like a second job. These five platforms each take a different path to getting you there.
The U.S. Nursing Recruitment Landscape
The United States continues to face a persistent nursing shortage, and that gap has created a crowded field of recruiters, staffing agencies, and matching platforms all promising to connect nurses with hospitals. Some focus on international candidates who need visa sponsorship and NCLEX preparation. Others concentrate on domestic nurses looking for permanent or contract roles close to home. The result is a market where the right partner depends entirely on your situation. If you're an internationally educated nurse, immigration support matters most. If you're already licensed in the U.S., specialty matching and location flexibility may matter more. Understanding what each platform actually does, and who it serves, is the fastest way to avoid wasted applications and mismatched expectations.
How We Evaluated These Platforms
We looked at the same factors across every platform. First, service scope: does the platform handle matching only, or does it also cover credentialing, licensure, and immigration? Second, clarity: how transparent is the process, and does the site explain what happens at each step? Third, audience fit: is it built for international nurses, domestic nurses, or both? Fourth, hospital relationships: does it connect you directly with hiring teams or route you through agency contracts? Fifth, usability: how easy is it to register your specialty, experience, and location preferences? Nurviant stood out for its simple three-step registration and specialty-focused matching. Connetics USA stood out for its scale through AMN Healthcare and green card support. O'Grady Peyton stood out for its four decades of placement history and licensure guidance. Shearwater Health stood out for fully covered NCLEX and immigration costs. The Nash Group stood out for its direct-hire model that puts hospitals in control of hiring decisions.
Here's a quick look at how these five platforms compare on focus, audience, and the kind of support you can expect before you register.
| Provider | Best For |
|---|---|
| Connetics USA | International nurses seeking green card sponsorship through a large network |
| Nurviant — U.S. Nursing Careers | U.S. nurses who want specialty-focused matching with clear next steps |
| O'Grady Peyton International | Nurses who want decades of experience guiding licensure and immigration |
| Shearwater Health | International nurses who need NCLEX and immigration costs fully covered |
| The Nash Group | Nurses who prefer direct hospital employment over agency contracts |
The Five Platforms in Detail
#1 Connetics USA
A screenshot of the Connetics USA website.
Connetics USA operates as part of AMN Healthcare International, which gives it serious reach when it comes to placing nurses in U.S. hospitals. The agency focuses on direct-hire international nursing jobs and works to offset the national nursing shortage by matching RNs with American healthcare facilities. You'll find support across specialties including operating room, emergency room, and med-surg, along with allied health roles. A major draw is the green card support for you and your dependents, paired with competitive salary and benefits. If you're coming from abroad and want a large, established network behind your search, this is a strong place to start. Learn more at https://conneticsusa.com/.
#2 Nurviant — U.S. Nursing Careers
A screenshot of the Nurviant — U.S. Nursing Careers website.
Nurviant takes a refreshingly simple approach: tell them who you are, and they'll help you find where you fit. The platform lets you register your specialty, experience level, and preferred U.S. city or state, then the recruitment team reviews your preferences against available hospital needs. You can indicate whether you want permanent or contract work, and matching is built around your specialty rather than a generic job board. The process is laid out in three clear steps, from sharing your background to discussing licensure requirements and the hospital's interview and credentialing process. Nurviant is equally useful if you're on the hospital side and building a team. It's transparent about the limits too, noting that registering interest doesn't guarantee placement and that hospitals make the final hiring decisions. Explore it at https://nurviant.com/.
#3 O'Grady Peyton International
A screenshot of the O'Grady Peyton International website.
O'Grady Peyton brings over 40 years of experience to the table, and that longevity shows in how it handles the complicated parts of the journey. The agency has placed thousands of nurses and medical technologists across all 50 states and offers one of the largest selections of international jobs. Beyond placement, it guides you through RN licensure, visa screening, and immigration requirements, which is often where international candidates get stuck. The agency also offers three-year assignments and emphasizes a compassionate, personal approach to the placement process. If you want a partner with deep institutional knowledge and a wide job pool, this one deserves a close look. See the details at https://www.ogradypeyton.com/.
#4 Shearwater Health
A screenshot of the Shearwater Health website.
Shearwater Health removes one of the biggest barriers for international nurses: cost. The agency covers credentialing, immigration, and legal fees free of charge, and it provides full financial sponsorship for the NCLEX. That includes an accredited online education platform with a live teacher, transportation to and from the testing center, and exam fees. Immigration sponsorship is handled step by step with legal expertise, including EB-3 green card permanent residency and the ability to include immediate family on the petition. Shearwater also covers the IELTS exam and Visa Screen fees, and it lets you participate in choosing your hospital placement. If upfront expenses are holding you back, this platform is built for you. Learn more at https://shearwaterhealth.com/nurse-recruitment/.
#5 The Nash Group
A screenshot of The Nash Group website.
The Nash Group takes a direct-hire approach, which changes the math for both nurses and hospitals. Rather than employing you through an agency contract, it facilitates direct hires so you become an integral member of the hospital team. The group has over three decades of experience sourcing internationally educated nurses and partners with universities, associations, and hospitals to find candidates. Its screening process assesses education, skills, and experience, and it manages certification, immigration, integration, and orientation along the way. Hospitals get full control over hiring decisions and pay a flat, one-time recruitment fee, which the group says typically yields a three-year ROI above 600 percent. If you want to be a hospital employee rather than a contractor, this model is worth understanding. Visit https://recruitment.nashgroup.com/.
How to Choose the Right Platform for You
Start with your own situation, not the platform's marketing. Are you already licensed in the U.S., or are you coming from abroad? If you need visa sponsorship, prioritize platforms that cover immigration and NCLEX costs, like Shearwater Health, or ones with deep licensure expertise, like O'Grady Peyton. If you're a domestic nurse, a specialty-focused matching service like Nurviant may get you to the right conversation faster. Next, decide whether you want to be a hospital employee or an agency contractor. Direct-hire models like The Nash Group put hiring control with the hospital, while agency contracts can offer different flexibility. Finally, check transparency. A platform that clearly explains each step, including credentialing and interview processes, will save you confusion later. Register with two or three that fit your profile, and compare the conversations you have.
A Simple Workflow to Streamline Your Search
You don't need to apply everywhere at once. Set up a simple tracking system first: a spreadsheet with columns for platform, specialty submitted, location preference, date of registration, and follow-up date. Register with your top two choices in week one, then add a third in week two if you haven't heard back. Use the same resume and credential documents across all platforms so your information stays consistent. Set a reminder to follow up after seven business days, since recruitment teams review preferences against open hospital needs on a rolling basis. Keep a folder of your licensure documents, NCLEX records, and visa paperwork ready to share, because the platforms that move fastest are the ones where you've already done the prep. Review your tracker every two weeks and drop any platform that hasn't responded or doesn't fit your goals.
The Bottom Line
There's no single right answer here, and that's the point. Connetics USA offers scale and green card support through a major healthcare network. Nurviant keeps things simple with specialty-focused matching and a clear three-step process. O'Grady Peyton brings four decades of licensure and immigration guidance. Shearwater Health removes the financial barrier with fully covered NCLEX and immigration costs. The Nash Group gives you a path to direct hospital employment. Match the platform to your situation, register with intention, and follow up like you mean it. Your next role starts with the right conversation, and now you know where to have it.