Canadian New Grad...

suzanne4, RN · Jan 29, 2005

I am new grad from Canada and I just wrote my national Canadian exam (awaiting results). I am very interested in writing the NCLEX...and the whole procudure it totally overwhelming.
Many people are obviously well versed on the necessary documentation, and I am just wondering what I need to do. For example...is writing the exam the first step or do I have to do the visa screen first??
Thank you so much for your assistance.

First step for you is to apply to a state for licensure so that you may be permitted to sit for the exam. Many of the Canadians use Minnesota because they say that it is the quickest for them. You can also apply at the same time for the Visa Screen Certificate. Depending on which province that you trained in, if French-speaking, then you will also be reuqired to sit for the English exams, otherwise just CGFNS will suffice. You will not be issued the Visa Screen Certificate until after you pass NCLEX but they still need to check out your credentials, so save yourself some time and do it as quickly as possible.

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

fergus51 · Jan 29, 2005

If you wait until you write the NCLEX to apply you do not need to write the CGFNS exam to get your visascreen certificate. Minnesota is the fastest and easiest for Canadian nurses because you are not required to send in fingerprints or anything like that. Just fill out their "licensure by examination" application for Canadian nurses and send it in. Then you should receive your authorization to test (ATT) so you can make an appointment to write the NCLEX. You can write the NCLEX in any state (it doesn't have to be in Minnesota because you are going through Minnesota for your lisence). Then when you pass it, you get your Minnesota nursing lisence and can go through the visascreen process.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 29, 2005

I recommend going ahead and submitting for Visa Screen, even before you take the NCLEX exam. The time factor on their end can be long, especially if your school doesn't submit a document properly.

You can apply without having taken NCLEX, they just won't send the Certificate without a passing score. You need to allow several months for them to get the Certificate to you after you have completed NCLEX, but there is absolutely no reason to even consider the CGFNS exam.

Hope that this helps clear up things.

(I have a Canadian friend that I work with that is still waiting for her Certificate because her school took months to send the documents, then did not send a complete set. So just give yourself the most time and submit now. Only requirement is that you have a completed set of transcripts.)

luilui_604, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2005

hi, i just took and passed my NCLEX (jan 20, 2005), and i sent in my documents for visa screen a couple days ago....i'm just wondering if i need to be approved for my visa screen before i go ahead and get my licence endorsed in california? i guess if i wait for my visa screen to be approved, which can take up to 2-3 months, i can save myself a step if i somehow get denied for it? what do you think?

suzanne4, RN · Jan 30, 2005

I would go ahead with your plans.............unless you have reason to suspect that you would not qualify for a Visa Screen Certificate. California actually does their own evaluation, too.............

brendel · Feb 5, 2005

Hi, all. I just signed up today. I read somewhere that employing the services of an agency to find work in the US as a nurse usually takes more time as opposed to "direct hiring". I'd like to go for the direct hiring scheme. Problem is, i don't know how this works. I'm planning to pay for CGFNS, english tests, and NCLEX when the time comes if need be. Any information/tips on this matter will be greatly appreciated.TIA.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 5, 2005

You do not need the CGFNS exam, where you decide to work will be whether you need a credentials evaluation by CGFNS. Unless you are planning to work in either Michigan or Illinois right away.

Which country are you from? This also makes quite a difference as to what I tell you next to do.

brendel · Feb 11, 2005

You do not need the CGFNS exam, where you decide to work will be whether you need a credentials evaluation by CGFNS. Unless you are planning to work in either Michigan or Illinois right away.
Which country are you from? This also makes quite a difference as to what I tell you next to do.

hi, suzanne. i'm from the philippines. i'll be graduating this april. i'm planning to take my licensure this december 2005. honestly, illinois will be priority since my boyfriend's family lives there. then again, i can't be choosy since i believe there's this retrogression going on. any input from you guys will be very helpful. :)

suzanne4, RN · Feb 12, 2005

I would go ahead and get your exams done and apply for the Visa Screen Certificate. Under the PERM program, you may qualify, but you will need to have your Visa Screen Certificate in hand before being considered.

For Illinois, you do need to have CGFNS exam..............