[NRSKarenRN]

Nursing shortage averted in border states with deadline extension
A deadline for Canadian and Mexican nurses to obtain new federal credentials has been extended by one year, averting a possible nursing shortage for healthcare providers in border states.


AP/New York Times, July 20, 2004

[oneLoneNurse]

I am here on a TN( without a Visa Screen ) good till next May, but understood that I could not leave the country and expect reentry without the Visa Screen. I just came back into the country July 23rd( prior to July 26th which was the key date for entry without the Visa Screen ). Does this mean I can go home for Christmas without writing and passing the NCLEX ?

A question for Phili nurses. Anybody know of a NCLEX review class being held in the city ? My employer will pay for the class. I am interested in an intensive 3-5 day or 15 week evening or Saturday class.

Thanks in advance for input.

[Charly]

I'm surprised the immigration/customs staff did not forewarn you with a photocopied notice informing you that, despite you having a current TN Visa that it will no longer be valid without the Visa Screen document a year from now. I suggest you get that application complete and sent ASAP . Remember, you will need verification of ALL nursing licenses from all countries and states/provinces that you hold/have held, need official copy of high school and college/university transcript or diploma, official verification of name changes and write your NCLEX. This is a time-consuming process, and unless you have already written the CGFNS exam where ALL of the above verification was required anyway, be prepared to have a contingent plan to save your job and endless frustration.

I consider myself quite fortunate to have received my Visa Screen one month after sending all my paperwork in...I'm confident it had everything to do with passing both my NCLEX and CGFNS 2 years ago (which I had been dodging for years). The verification info required by Visascreen is identical to that of CGFNS (no wonder as ICHP is across the hall from the CGFNS office, I was told) and none of my 5 state, 1 province licences had any encumbrances and they already had my high school, college oficial transcripts and verification of name change due to marriage. This is most definitely a money grab. Good luck...

[valkyries28]

need more info about cgfns and that of a visa screen?