Julie and Gary Smith moved to America from Brighton, England, prompted by a professional experience of Gary’s.

In 1998, Gary, who works in neuro ICU, participated in an exchange program. His assignment was at a hospital in Ohio. He was impressed with how nurses were treated and the advancement opportunities that were provided them. He returned to the U.K. and shared his findings with Julie. What appealed to both of them was the breadth of career opportunities available, the economic advantages of living in the States and the thought of a warmer, drier climate.

Then one day they saw an ad in the local newspaper announcing that O’Grady Peyton International would be presenting information on relocation opportunities for nurses. The Smiths decided to attend.

They liked what they heard.

“We found out that the salaries are higher,” said Julie Smith, who works in neuro med-surg. “In the U.K., nurses are not particularly well paid. And, the responsibilities, hours and paths a nurse is offered to climb the career ladder back home are very different. The opportunities in America are much greater, which was particularly appealing to Gary.”

Smith said that when she and her husband considered all the facts they felt they would be able to offer their three children more in America. So they signed on with O’Grady Peyton International.

Smith said the programme is a detail-oriented process that requires a great deal of form filing, with the immigration process being the most time-consuming part of the process. Their O’Grady Peyton recruiter advocated for them and kept things moving forward. It took about two years before they were told it was time to choose a new hometown.

“Your recruiter tells you where in the States there are openings and advises you on the best places to go. We liked the sound of Phoenix because, being from the U.K. and a wet, cold climate, we wanted someplace hot, sunny and dry. It’s lovely here. We highly recommend it.”

The Smiths have been in Phoenix for almost two years now. They were concerned about relocating their three children, ages thirteen, ten and seven, but it has turned out very well. Smith said all three kids now prefer the States and would never want to leave.

She feels that relocating as a family eases homesickness. It has also helped to have frequent visitors from the U.K. and to keep in touch constantly through the Internet.

Smith and her husband are also very happy with their standard of living. Their home is more than 2,000 square feet in size and they have a swimming pool, which is ideal for the warm climate. Smith said their home cost less than it would have back home.

Both Smiths enjoy their jobs, too. They requested assignments that allowed one of them to be home with the children at all times. Their recruiter helped them find assignments that fit their professional interests and schedules.

“People have been very friendly,” said Smith. “It’s our accents. Americans just love the English.”