A Canadian nurse trying to get to California

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Hi everyone,

I'm a Canadian trained nurse but have passed by NCLEX and have licenses in both Arizona and Minnesota. I have also completed by CGFNS Visa Screen but am having some difficulty with my travel nursing company, American Mobile, with finding me a first time job since I have never traveled in the US before.

I was wondering if anyone had experience getting a job on their own with a hospital in California and having them sponsor them for a TN Visa? I was hoping to do this and then apply for my social security number and then obtain my license?

I know this is a really roundabout way of doing things, but the whole process of getting to California is near impossible without having a SSN.

If I can't get hired independently by a hospital in California, I plan on working in another state first and then going but I was hoping there was another route.

If anyone has any past experiences that were successful or any tips, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

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I too am a Canadian trained RN and have travelled in many states including AZ and CA. I'm interested in hearing how you obtained your AZ and Minnesota licenses. My situation is a little different in that I'm now a dual citizen and have residence in the US so I've had a SSN for many years. Going way back to when I first arrived and worked in the US I believe if my memory serves me correctly that all that was required was a letter from your employer stating they have hired you. RN's are considered part of the "free trade agreement" with the US. I would suggest just as you are thinking - applying to a hospital first and work with them for a year or so. Get the SSN then hook up with a travel company. American Mobile is a good company to be with btw. You need to get acclimated to the way things are done in health care in the US, it's quite a different culture. As a traveler CA actually was one of the easiest and quickest licenses I've ever gotten. Word of advice don't ever apply to NY state, that's what I'm up against at the moment. Oh yeah become familiar with the CGFNS if you plan on any future moves to stay or change your status and after you do that beef up your savings account it's crazy.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Be wary of California. Not only is the SSN issue a biggie but lately, there has been cases of denials when trying to endorse an RN license from another state if the original RN training is from a country outside the US (including Canada). Look at this thread from a Canadian trained nurse who actually has a license in Nevada and Alaska as well as actual US nursing experience:

https://allnurses.com/advice-on-immigration/nursing-license-denied-684896.html

It does not necessarily mean that you'll have the same issue as the OP in that thread but California has just become too unfriendly to sources of nursing manpower outside of the state. It is assumed that the oversupply of RN's in the state is to blame and the Board of Registered Nursing does confirm in a recent publication that, California has now produced a larger supply of nurses that the existing job opportunities are less than able to accommodate.

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Juan, thanks for the link. I had no idea so many people were being denied licensure. I'm a bit paranoid now since I had some trouble earlier with my CGFNS Visa Screen where they were saying the same thing, but it worked out in the end. I hope things have changed since March (when people were posting about licensure denials) and they're a bit more accepting.

I really don't want to do another clinical placement since I've been nursing for 3 years and been out of university since then.

Thanks for the comments!

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Hi, I am also a Canadian trained RN. Have had a license in Minnesota and am currently licensed in AZ. Been working in the US for 9 years and have my greencard. Today, I was denied my CA license, saying I didn't have enough clinical hours. I am so done with them. They have been nothing but rude to me and not helpful. Im only upset because my husband cannot go back and work in Ca where he was born and raised. I am not going to do any make up hours (like they suggested) because I'm sure they would find something else deficient. I have several classmates that were licensed there years ago. I am so angry because it's so final. Knowing I can never work there

:(I'm a Canadian trained nurse but have passed by NCLEX and have licenses in both Arizona and Minnesota. I have also completed by CGFNS Visa Screen but am having some difficulty with my travel nursing company, American Mobile, with finding me a first time job since I have never traveled in the US before. I was wondering if anyone had experience getting a job on their own with a hospital in California and having them sponsor them for a TN Visa? I was hoping to do this and then apply for my social security number and then obtain my license? I know this is a really roundabout way of doing things, but the whole process of getting to California is near impossible without having a SSN.If I can't get hired independently by a hospital in California, I plan on working in another state first and then going but I was hoping there was another route.If anyone has any past experiences that were successful or any tips, I would greatly appreciate it.Thanks![/size]

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Hi, I am also a Canadian trained RN. Have had a license in Minnesota and am currently licensed in AZ. Been working in the US for 9 years and have my greencard. Today, I was denied my CA license, saying I didn't have enough clinical hours. I am so done with them. They have been nothing but rude to me and not helpful. Im only upset because my husband cannot go back and work in Ca where he was born and raised. I am not going to do any make up hours (like they suggested) because I'm sure they would find something else deficient. I have several classmates that were licensed there years ago. I am so angry because it's so final. Knowing I can never work there.

Nothing else to add but just to say I'm sorry you went through all that.

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I am also in the same boat and was just wondering if you have any updates on this. I don't want to go back but if I have no choice, do you have any recommendations on how to tough it is to get into to schools nowadays? I live in the San Diego area and been here in the states for 13 years. I used to work in WA for 9 years and now trying to endorse to CA but got denied. pls advise thanks

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****UPDATE***

I made it to California! It was a long route, but I finally made it and absolutely love it here!

I first worked in Connecticut for a few months as a travel nurse with American Mobile. Then, I applied to one of the 4 schools (Unitek College, Pierce College, East LA, and I forgot the 4th) in California that enables foreign nurses to make up remedial nursing hours so that they can apply for their CA license. I went to Unitek college and had to enroll as an international student and though it was expensive ($13, 000 for tuition), I'm more than making it back now that I'm a staff RN!

Thank you everyone for the help and support! I'm loving San Francisco!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
****UPDATE***

I made it to California! It was a long route, but I finally made it and absolutely love it here!

I first worked in Connecticut for a few months as a travel nurse with American Mobile. Then, I applied to one of the 4 schools (Unitek College, Pierce College, East LA, and I forgot the 4th) in California that enables foreign nurses to make up remedial nursing hours so that they can apply for their CA license. I went to Unitek college and had to enroll as an international student and though it was expensive ($13, 000 for tuition), I'm more than making it back now that I'm a staff RN!

Thank you everyone for the help and support! I'm loving San Francisco!

That's cool, and we're literally neighbors now.

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Specializes in Oncology, Respiralogy, Emergency.

hey im in that boat right now, im freaking out because i couldnt find anyone who had actually made it! im so glad you posted this, would love to know more details pls message me, im also with american mobile!

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