Canadian NNP wants to work in California

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Hello,

I am a Canadian Neonatal Nurse Practitioner who graduated at McGill in Montreal 3 years ago (master degree in Nursing and graduate studies in Neonatalogy). I currently have a RN and NNP license delivered by the Nursing Order in Quebec (OIIQ).

I will be relocating to California to work as a NNP and I am trying to go through the licensing process as quickly as possible. (I know that it will take a few months)

I will apply for RN license at the CA BRN and hopefully be able to sit on the NCLEX exam. Then, I will apply for NNP and NNPF license. I want to take the NCC exam to make it easier to apply for NNP license in California.

When I tried applying online for the NCC, it seems that they only accept US programs...but there are Canadian Universities in the pulldown menu that are not accredited by CCNE nor ACEN to the best of my knowledge.

Is there any Canadian NP who took the NCC exam?

Is there any Canadian Nurses who relocated to California?

Why do I have to take the NCLEX? Is there any way that my Canadian exam can be endorsed? ( OSCE and writing exam in Quebec)

The CA BRN will not consider my application until I have an American SSN. What is the fastest way to have one? Is it with the TN VISA?

Thank you so much for your help,

Emilie

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You have to sit NCLEX as the US requires it and very few states accept CRNE. Only way to get US SSN is working in the US with a valid work/immigrant visa

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I have a working visa, and will have a SSN in the next few weeks. I will then apply to the BRN for RN, NP and NPF license. I don't have the NCLEX. If I want to be realistic, how long will it take before I can work in CA?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As a International trained nurse you are looking at approx 4 months to go through the process and sit NCLEX. Then working will all depend on employer. Until you have a US SSN and for that you will need a work/immigrant visa you can not apply to CA so may have to consider another state to start with and risk applying to CA once you have passed requirements and NCLEX for another state. Be aware CA is strict and we have had on a small occasion Canadian trained nurses say they did not meet CA requirements

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