New Transition Pathway for Mexican-licensed Nurses

KEENE, TEX. – Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU), in collaboration with AdventHealth Southwest Region, is launching a new pathway designed to help address the national nursing shortage by preparing Mexican-licensed nurses to transition into the U.S. healthcare workforce.

The two-phase program begins with a 13-week online course followed by a three-week in-person clinical and cultural immersion experience in Texas. Designed specifically for internationally educated nurses, the pathway prepares participants to enter the U.S. nursing profession.

The program equips qualified nurses to transition into the U.S. workforce by preparing them for the NCLEX-RN exam, building English communication skills, enhancing cultural competence and offering pre-employment training and licensing support.

“I am thrilled we can offer this program for a number of reasons,” said Kerrie Kimbrow, chair of the nursing department. “I believe there is added value in sharing cultural perspectives. I want to add international components to our programs whenever possible to enrich the learning experience for all our students.”

In addition to coursework and the immersion experience, the university will provide housing, meals and airport transportation. Successful candidates who complete the program and pass the NCLEX will be offered employment by AdventHealth, receive full visa sponsorship and be supported through the relocation process to the United States.

“This is a partnership with AdventHealth,” Kimbrow said. “They’ve helped us so much with our nursing program in the past; here is an opportunity in which we can help them respond to the current nursing shortage. Plus, this allows us to use our spaces to their full potential. The clinical simulation areas largely go unused during the summer, and now they will be used to support additional students and further enhance our program during the summer months.”

The program is currently open only to Mexican-licensed nurses. The university is exploring opportunities to expand the program to nurses from other countries, pending visa requirements.

The online portion of the program will begin Feb. 2, 2026, with the in-person experience scheduled to begin in July 2026.

By Darcy Force