Foreign Educated Canadian RN wants to work in USA

World Registration

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Hi everyone! I'm wondering if there's anyone that has the same case as mine. I am an foreign educated nurse (Philippines) who is now Canadian citizen and licensed and working as an RN here in Ontario, Canada or 3.5 years. I would like to work or get licensed in USA.

Here are my questions:

1. Do I still need to renew my Philippine nursing license for CGFNS reference? My dilemma is i haven't renewed my license since 2012 so it would be a lengthy process if I do need to.

2. Is there any way I can bypass the English proficiency? Maybe get a certificate that method of teaching and materials were delivered in English? -- Can't CNO just submit my language proficiency result to the licensing state?

3. Any Canadians there who moved to USA? What were your experiences with regards to finding employer/recruiter or migrating?

Any response would really be appreciated. Thank you so much!

GM2RN

1,850 Posts

Definitely not my area of expertise, but you can't get licensed in the "USA," you get licensed in the state in which you practice. I would think you should call the BON of the state where you want to practice and get your answers from "the horses mouth" so to speak.

PinayUSA

505 Posts

Definitely not my area of expertise, but you can't get licensed in the "USA," you get licensed in the state in which you practice. I would think you should call the BON of the state where you want to practice and get your answers from "the horses mouth" so to speak.

They all want to come to the USA, Canada is second place.

You are correct, OP needs to decide what state or states they want to work in and go to their BON and find the requirements

kheemooy

119 Posts

Definitely not my area of expertise, but you can't get licensed in the "USA," you get licensed in the state in which you practice. I would think you should call the BON of the state where you want to practice and get your answers from "the horses mouth" so to speak.

Well obviously I know that I can't be licensed in USA, same as you can't be licensed in "Canada". What I'm asking is general since every BON 's basic requirements are almost the same.

PinayUSA

505 Posts

Well obviously I know that I can't be licensed in USA, same as you can't be licensed in "Canada". What I'm asking is general since every BON 's basic requirements are almost the same.

Actually you can easily be licensed in the USA. Again you need to find the state or states you want to work in and look at their requirements. States seem to change requirements all the time.

GM2RN

1,850 Posts

Actually you can easily be licensed in the USA. Again you need to find the state or states you want to work in and look at their requirements. States seem to change requirements all the time.

The point was that you don't get a license for the entire USA, you get one for the state/s in which you practice.

ETA: A "USA" license would need to be issued by the federal government, which they are not, but by individual states. Which I know that you know, but was intended to be clarification for the OP in my first post.

GM2RN

1,850 Posts

Well obviously I know that I can't be licensed in USA, same as you can't be licensed in "Canada". What I'm asking is general since every BON 's basic requirements are almost the same.

It it isn't obvious what someone from another country knows...you'd be surprised.

"Almost" the same isn't "exactly" the same, and one small difference can determine whether or not you get your license. I would think that you'd want to know EXACTLY what you need to do to avoid unnecessary delays or possible rejection, especially given your unique circumstances. A states BON is the only way that I know of to get definitive answers.

Extra Pickles

1,403 Posts

It it isn't obvious what someone from another country knows...you'd be surprised.

"Almost" the same isn't "exactly" the same, and one small difference can determine whether or not you get your license. I would think that you'd want to know EXACTLY what you need to do to avoid unnecessary delays or possible rejection, especially given your unique circumstances. A states BON is the only way that I know of to get definitive answers.

I'll second this! Sometimes people ask questions about how to get a license, education requirements and such and it's amazing how little they understand about the process. Then they want to know why they are having such trouble getting a license or why they can't get one at all.

OP if you want to practice nursing in the USA, figure out what state or states you might want to move to and check out the board of nursing website for those states. without knowing exactly what each state requires from you, you are guaranteed to not get a license in any of them.

Your questions aren't general, they are specific. Go to the source for the info like the first person who responded told you and good luck.

Silverdragon102, BSN

1 Article; 39,477 Posts

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum

You need to check on requirements. English exam may be required as a lot of decisions are made on where you did your initial training. We have had people already with green cards post they had to do English exams to comply with the state requirements

kheemooy

119 Posts

Ok got it! Thanks! Finally somebody who actually made a helpful comment. I've read some threat about IEN in Texas got exempted because they were able to provide certification that English was the language used in teaching and textbooks used in the nursing program.

Not that I want to bypass the English exam, but it would be nice to save time and money. But I think I'll just do it either way since majority of the states require it.

bluenoser

7 Posts

I am a Canadian educated, Canadian RN. I now work in the USA. I had to write my NCLEX-RN exam and do a CGFNS visa screen. I applied for a license in Minnesota, even though I did not wish to work there because I heard it was the easiest state to receive a license. I then transferred my license to Oregon, where I now work. I am currently struggling to transfer my license to California because they state my education is deficient in obstetric and psychiatric nursing. I would love any advice or tips with this issue.

kheemooy

119 Posts

Ok got it! Thanks! Finally somebody who actually made a helpful comment. I've read some threat about IEN in Texas got exempted because they were able to provide certification that English was the language used in teaching and textbooks used in the nursing program.

Not that I want to bypass the English exam, but it would be nice to save time and money. But I think I'll just do it either way since majority of the states require it.

*i meant thread* sorry

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