[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by evajo

Hi, Suzanne

Before I start shooting questions please let me introduce myself briefly: my name is Eva and I'm an RN from Canada, ON. I hope that you and everyone else here are doing OK....

Uh.... is that enough for the intro? I hope so ;-)

OK. Two questions - here goes the first one.

I'm not Canadian by birth. Before coming to Canada 13 yrs ago, I was educated and got a few yrs of experience as an RN in a non-English speaking country. After immigration here I finished a program for HCAs - Health Care Aides (now called PSW - Personal Support Worker here and CNA in the US)and worked as one for some time, then graduated from a RPN/LPN program, got registered and worked for several years, then graduated from RN refresher program at the local college, passed CRNE, got my registration and, guess what, I work as an RN.

I'm going to apply for VisaScreen soon and wonder if they would require passing English tests from me. Although my initial training as a nurse, years ago, was in language other than English, but I "rebuilt" my nursing career here, in English-speaking Canada (Ontario), taking everything from scratch and working exclusively in English.

What's your opinion Suzanne?

Regards,

Eva

You will need to write the English exams, it is based on where you did your training. The refresher course is post-degree and isn't a full program.
An example, a foreign nurse attends nursing school in the US for a BSN, the requirement is waived, however, if they obtain their initial training in their home country, and it was not English-speaking, and then come to the US for the MSN, they are required to write the series of exams.

Look on the bright side, it should be quite easy for you.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by maro

Hi Suzanne,

I am schooling in Tennessee and graduating in December. I am also a resident of Canada and hope to be a Canadian Citizen before mid next year.

DO you apply to Board of Nursing for Licensure before sitting for the NCLEX exam and how long does it take to get the licensure?


>>>> The shortest time for most Canadian residents is to go thru Minnesota. You are then able to endorse to almost any other state.


???? Why is it shorter with Minnesota. Can I then endorse with Tennessee after?

>>>>>>One other needed document is the Visa Screen Certificate. The application for this can be found on the website of CGFNS, www.cgfns.org.

?????? I am on F1 visa right now. Do I need to go thru the Visa Screen?

???? How long does the Green Card process take on the average in Tennessee

You have to apply first to a Board of Nursing for licensure, they have to approve your credentials before you will be permitted to sit for the NCLEX exam. You are unable to sit for the exam without approval of a BON.

You can actually apply in the state where you wish to work..............your issue is going to be waiting for a Canadian passport. Once you have that, you can immediately work in the US under the TN Visa, which is covered under the NAFTA Treaty. You will just need the Visa Screen Certificate for that.

Any foreign nurse who wishes to work in the US under their own visa requires the Visa Screen Certificate, even if you are Canadian... It doesn't matter whether or not that you trained in the US, the only thing that is helped is that you do not have English exams to do............

The green card can be applied for once you begin work. You are lucky in that you do not need it once you have your Canadian citizenship to begin work. It can be processed once you begin work.

I do suggest that you get an OPT before you graduate, this will permit you to begin work right away............otherwise, you will need to have the Visa Screen Certificate in hand for the TN Visa. And that will take at least a month or two after passing the NCLEX exam.

Hope that this helps..........

[skyblue75]

I an a canadian resident but not yet a canadian resident. I am planning to move to US. So, if TN visa is not avaialable to candian residents, wat is then my alternative in order to successfully move. i have VCS already and planning to take nclex next year.

[skyblue75]

i mean not yet a canadian citizen........

[Pab_Meister]

Originally Posted by suzanne4

I do suggest that you get an OPT before you graduate, this will permit you to begin work right away............otherwise, you will need to have the Visa Screen Certificate in hand for the TN Visa. And that will take at least a month or two after passing the NCLEX exam.

Hope that this helps..........

Hey Suzanne!
site and have called their help line, but I just can't seem to get a definitive answer from them.

Thanks for all of your help!

[elabhatia]

Hi Suzanne,

Can u pls help me out with some confusions in my mind ? Let me briefly introduce u first. I am a nurse from india and just passed my CGFNS. Also i passed my IELTS and has been accepted by CGFNS. CGFNS has also issued a credential verification for my complete academic in year 2002 when i started the process. Now here comes my questions.

1. I am applying for my Visa screen.Cgfns has all my transcript from school and from my registration authority. As i stated that CG has issued a Credential verification also. Do i have to do the entire process for my transcript and for my registration authorities or CGFNS uses the documents which are in there file for ICHP. ??

2. I have passed my CGFNS but have not received my Certificate )expecting within 15-20 days ) as it takes time to reach here in india. Can i start my Visa screen documentations before i get the CG certificate or do i have to wait for the certificate. ??

3. How much time it takes to get the visa certificate ? If CGFNS uses all my documents from there file what will be the time to get the visa screen certificate. ??

4. Many agencies are contacting me and some say that they can obtain the visa screen for me. Will it be advisable if i get or if i give authority to agency with whom i sign ??

5. I am intending to setlle in NY since my mother is also a nurse working in NY. Do i have to get the CVS for NY from CGFNS. Is it mandatory ??

I am eagerly waiting for your reply.

Thanks

Ela

[GLAD2BNURSE]

Suzanne,
What do you think is best to do first: applying for BON or to fing a job first?
I don't know how long the papers work will take?
I'm a canadian and I understood that I'm eligible for TN visa, than why do I need the visa screen for..... is it for the green card ? it's sooo confusing thanks for all input, it's very helpfull for people like me.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by elabhatia

Hi Suzanne,

Can u pls help me out with some confusions in my mind ? Let me briefly introduce u first. I am a nurse from india and just passed my CGFNS. Also i passed my IELTS and has been accepted by CGFNS. CGFNS has also issued a credential verification for my complete academic in year 2002 when i started the process. Now here comes my questions.

1. I am applying for my Visa screen.Cgfns has all my transcript from school and from my registration authority. As i stated that CG has issued a Credential verification also. Do i have to do the entire process for my transcript and for my registration authorities or CGFNS uses the documents which are in there file for ICHP. ??

2. I have passed my CGFNS but have not received my Certificate )expecting within 15-20 days ) as it takes time to reach here in india. Can i start my Visa screen documentations before i get the CG certificate or do i have to wait for the certificate. ??

3. How much time it takes to get the visa certificate ? If CGFNS uses all my documents from there file what will be the time to get the visa screen certificate. ??

4. Many agencies are contacting me and some say that they can obtain the visa screen for me. Will it be advisable if i get or if i give authority to agency with whom i sign ??

5. I am intending to setlle in NY since my mother is also a nurse working in NY. Do i have to get the CVS for NY from CGFNS. Is it mandatory ??

I am eagerly waiting for your reply.

Thanks

Ela

If you plan to work in NY, then you will need to go thru the CVS, there is no way around it, even if you endorse from another state. And they will obtain a new set of documents for you, they can use those for the Visa Screen Certificate.

Documents are only good for two years, so they will need to obtain fresh material. NY will not permit you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam without going thru the CVS process.

[suzanne4]

Originally Posted by GLAD2BNURSE

Suzanne,
What do you think is best to do first: applying for BON or to fing a job first?
I don't know how long the papers work will take?
I'm a canadian and I understood that I'm eligible for TN visa, than why do I need the visa screen for..... is it for the green card ? it's sooo confusing thanks for all input, it's very helpfull for people like me.

The NAFTA TN Visa also requires that you have a Visa Screen Certificate. You will not get the visa at the border without being able to present it.

Definitely go for licensure first, no one will offer without knowing that you have passed the NCLEX exam.

[Artis]

Originally Posted by GLAD2BNURSE

Suzanne,
What do you think is best to do first: applying for BON or to fing a job first?
I don't know how long the papers work will take?
I'm a canadian and I understood that I'm eligible for TN visa, than why do I need the visa screen for..... is it for the green card ? it's sooo confusing thanks for all input, it's very helpfull for people like me.

HI, GLAD2BNURSE,

I went through the whole process. I applied for the visascreen first, then I took my NClex, then I went to the border to get my TN Visa. If I had to do it again I would apply for a greencard. I think a TN Visa limits you although you can have more than one TN visa. With a TN visa, you must obtain a letter first from the prospective employer stating that they have hired you etc (make sure the letter states exactly what immigration requires, (call them)) and take that to the US/Canadian border with the other documentation, visascreen, US license etc. With a greencard you have more freedom. I would research both avenues if I were you.
Good Luck