How to apply for licensure in the US from a Canadian RN?

Ca will make their own assessment on your training so only have to complete requirements they have for Foreign trained nurses and arrange with the province nursing board to send proof of your license (I presume you have passed CRNE?). You do not have to sit CGFNS exam although you do have to get a visa screen certificate from CGFNS once you have passed and meet Ca requirements. They will not give you a license until you are in the US with a work visa like the TN. A good thread to read is the sticky called Primer to working in the US

I am amending your title of thread as you are not applying for NCLEX but licensure to be a RN in the US of which NCLEX is a part of that process.

Number 2 comes after 3 and you pass NCLEX. I wouldn't apply for VSC until you have a result with NCLEX. You will need an official letter from employer for the TN whihc you apply for at the border. Once in Ca and you have a SSN then you will get your license from Ca. VSC takes approx 4-6 weeks to get.

My thoughts
1. Apply to Ca BRN and await eligibility (takes a couple of months or so)
2. Sit and pass NCLEX
3. Apply for VSC with CGFNS
4. Find employer and get official letter stating employment
5. Once VSC in hand start moving to USA ans apply for TN at border
6. Register for SSN and then inform Ca of SSN and they will issue license
7. Start work

CA is taking four to six months to get approval to sit for the exam, would recommend going thru another state and then just endorsing to CA.

You also need to be aware of the fact that CA is rated high on the list for having the highest unemployment in the country right now, and any job has to be proven that they offered it first to an American. CA may not be the best in terms of finding a job right now.