Canadian needs AZ nursing advice

JMP · Jan 30, 2004

bumping this!

LYNNORA · Apr 5, 2004

Feel free to ask away..............I am from Canada and have been in Phoenix for about 3 years altogether.

littlefeet · Apr 6, 2004

I too am from Canada (Saskatchewan) and I will be done my BSN this December. My parents used to have property in Scottsdale and I fell in love with Arizona. I was hoping to move there when I am finished and have written the NCLEX. I have talked to a few recruiters but of course they have told me it is to soon to start applying. I was told that the NCLEX is a much more difficult exam than ours in Canada. Is this true. I am just wondering if I should spend money on the preparation guides that are sold in bookstores. I was also wondering about taxes. I have many credits from my tuition carried over and I was told that I won't be able to use these in the states. Also, what about RRSP's? I am assuming that I can't contribute to these either. That's probably a lot of questions but I have so many.

Thanks

Renee

suzanne4, RN · Apr 6, 2004

I am just finishing up my BSN- I am a RN with three years experience ( ICU mostly , some CVICU and dialysis and mature- over 40) and we (husband and I) are again seriously considering moving to Arizona.
I love the state- we have been there three times and love Flagstaff in particular.
Can anyone give me input about nursing in AZ- or Flagstaff in particular. Once my degree is finished- in a few months- my areas of interest are ICU and education. I would be interested in persuing an educator role.
Any input or tips or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks JMP
P.S. I am writing my NCLEX and completing the Visa Screen this summer, as soon I get this heavy course load finished.

Visa Screen has nothing for you to do other than complete the paperwork and I would definitely start it now if you wish is to go to the US. This one thing could hold you up for over 6 months. You will be covered under the NAFTA (TN) visa system so this is of utmost importance. There are no exams involved with it, just you completing the paperwork and letting CGFNS get started on theie verification process.

Good luck to you..

p.s. I also lived and worked as a nurse in Arizona for 14 years.................

littlefeet · Apr 10, 2004

I too am from Canada (Saskatchewan) and I will be done my BSN this December. My parents used to have property in Scottsdale and I fell in love with Arizona. I was hoping to move there when I am finished and have written the NCLEX. I have talked to a few recruiters but of course they have told me it is to soon to start applying. I was told that the NCLEX is a much more difficult exam than ours in Canada. Is this true. I am just wondering if I should spend money on the preparation guides that are sold in bookstores. I was also wondering about taxes. I have many credits from my tuition carried over and I was told that I won't be able to use these in the states. Also, what about RRSP's? I am assuming that I can't contribute to these either. That's probably a lot of questions but I have so many.
Thanks
Renee

Can anyone help me with these questions please!

suzanne4, RN · Apr 10, 2004

Your tax credits will not apply towards your US taxes, but if you still have Canadian taxes that you are responsible for, they can probably be applied to those. Definitely not the US taxes. Anything as far as taxes, pension, insurance, etc. only is for north of the border. Your Canadian insurance does not cover in the US, unless you pay for the additional policy--------------this would be if you weren't covered by your work in the US or before you started.

The NCLEX tests all of the areas of nursing and is 100% computerized. I am not sure how it relates to the Canadian exam but I would highly recommend that you get several of the review books and do the questions on the CDs.

Most of the students are doing somewhere between 3000 and 4000 of the questions for review. In my opinion, the best to get are Saunders, Lippincott, and Mosby.

You cannot attempt to apply for NCLEX, CGFNS exam, or Visa Screen until you have actually graduated from nursing school and have completed transcripts available.

Hope that this helps.....let me know if you have any more questions..... :balloons:

littlefeet · Apr 10, 2004

Your tax credits will not apply towards your US taxes, but if you still have Canadian taxes that you are responsible for, they can probably be applied to those. Definitely not the US taxes. Anything as far as taxes, pension, insurance, etc. only is for north of the border. Your Canadian insurance does not cover in the US, unless you pay for the additional policy--------------this would be if you weren't covered by your work in the US or before you started.
The NCLEX tests all of the areas of nursing and is 100% computerized. I am not sure how it relates to the Canadian exam but I would highly recommend that you get several of the review books and do the questions on the CDs.
Most of the students are doing somewhere between 3000 and 4000 of the questions for review. In my opinion, the best to get are Saunders, Lippincott, and Mosby.
You cannot attempt to apply for NCLEX, CGFNS exam, or Visa Screen until you have actually graduated from nursing school and have completed transcripts available.
Hope that this helps.....let me know if you have any more questions..... :balloons:

Thanks for your help!