Canadian nurse looking to move to Chicago

dishes, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2017

Does the Illinois Board of Nursing require applicants to have a SSN? If so, do you have one?

Suggest you contact HR at a few Chicago area hospitals and ask whether they have a shortage of or surplus of nurses. If the employers have more applicants than jobs and there are plenty of qualified local applicants to chose from, they will not be recruiting Canadian nurses.

Tats89 · Jan 22, 2017

Hi there

Im a nurse from Montreal and also looking to work in Chicago.

Here's what's I plan to do

-Cgfns ask for a CES (waiting for my report)

-Send all the paperwork to receive my ATT

- ask visascreen

- Get a TN letter from an employer

Tats89 · Jan 22, 2017

From what I know you don't need a SSN to sit the NCLEX maybe to get your license (I though that it was only when you renew it but maybe I'm wrong on this part). And don't get discouraged by all the forms and the long process.

When I'll have a few minutes I'll send you all the links to the right information.There's also a detailed topic on allnurses called: Illinois foreign nurse something like that.

I'm not saying that the other nurses here are wrong but I think you can find a job but maybe it won't be your dream job or not downtown Chicago. You will have to compromise somewhere.

Good luck

InGodITrust · Feb 3, 2017

I hate to disappoint you but chicago has a surplus of nurses (new grads) and not looking to hire or sponsor any international nurses for TN1 visa. I wasted 10 months trying and went to every hospital and private health facility and NOPE no one was interested, and frankly not even feasible budget wise. They'll tell you they adore Canadian nurses though!

However if you can find a way to get SSN through legit means such as marriage and actually deciding to immigrate there, then ya they'll hire you as you have a legit SSN.

I will provide you with the steps of how I got my Illinois license:

1. register with Minnesota board of nursing as it's the easiest and fastest way to get to write your NCLEX

2. once you've passed your American NCLEX and licensed with Minnesota as a RN, go to Illinois IDFPR at State of Illinois | Department of Financial & Professional Regulation and fill out the form for license by endorsement, the steps is all outlined on the form. IDFPR functions as regulatory org for all the different professions in Illinois.

3. to give you a heads up it takes time and it's costly (3-6 months; $600-$700-this estimate is from 2013, might have inc now) because you have to get your high school + BSN course credits evaluated by a CGFNS or another credible private company to perform credential assessment. I'd say go with CGFNS as they're the most reputable.

Once this is all completed and sent by the accreditation company, you have to keep calling IDFPR for updates on your application status. They usually takes 4-6 wks to issue you an Illinois license

I'd suggest going to Texas, they have recruiters come to illinois every month to do recruitment and they also love canadian RNs.

Good LUCK

Tats89 · Feb 3, 2017

Hi

Thank you for your insight. I haven't started looking for jobs yet as I'm still waiting for my CES report. I'm sure you're right about the job hunting, but I prefer to stay positive for my own sanity lol :laugh:

vhfhflzzz · May 10, 2017

I decided to take the shorter (possibly) route and skip the CES.

I registered and wrote the nclex with Minnesota, now waiting for my visascreen to finish so I can endorse my license to IL!

vhfhflzzz · May 10, 2017

I believe IDFPR accepts a visascreen in replacement of a CES (as the vs contains education evaluation). I did go through Minnesota BON to get my nclex so now waiting for my visascreen... :S

vhfhflzzz · May 10, 2017

I know that I do not need an SSN to be registered in IL but not too sure when it comes to being hired ..

I have heard that there are surplus of nurses in CHicago too...which i find discouraging

vhfhflzzz · May 10, 2017

Hi
Thank you for your insight. I haven't started looking for jobs yet as I'm still waiting for my CES report. I'm sure you're right about the job hunting, but I prefer to stay positive for my own sanity lol

How is yours going so far? I'm just getting started but i have concerns

vhfhflzzz · May 11, 2017

Hi
Thank you for your insight. I haven't started looking for jobs yet as I'm still waiting for my CES report. I'm sure you're right about the job hunting, but I prefer to stay positive for my own sanity lol

Hey I dont have enough posts to respond to your messages! ahha sorry ! I just need a couple of posts in

vhfhflzzz · Oct 11, 2017

I hate to disappoint you but chicago has a surplus of nurses (new grads) and not looking to hire or sponsor any international nurses for TN1 visa. I wasted 10 months trying and went to every hospital and private health facility and NOPE no one was interested, and frankly not even feasible budget wise. They'll tell you they adore Canadian nurses though!
However if you can find a way to get SSN through legit means such as marriage and actually deciding to immigrate there, then ya they'll hire you as you have a legit SSN.
I will provide you with the steps of how I got my Illinois license:
1. register with Minnesota board of nursing as it's the easiest and fastest way to get to write your NCLEX
2. once you've passed your American NCLEX and licensed with Minnesota as a RN, go to Illinois IDFPR at State of Illinois | Department of Financial & Professional Regulation and fill out the form for license by endorsement, the steps is all outlined on the form. IDFPR functions as regulatory org for all the different professions in Illinois.
3. to give you a heads up it takes time and it's costly (3-6 months; $600-$700-this estimate is from 2013, might have inc now) because you have to get your high school + BSN course credits evaluated by a CGFNS or another credible private company to perform credential assessment. I'd say go with CGFNS as they're the most reputable.
Once this is all completed and sent by the accreditation company, you have to keep calling IDFPR for updates on your application status. They usually takes 4-6 wks to issue you an Illinois license
I'd suggest going to Texas, they have recruiters come to illinois every month to do recruitment and they also love canadian RNs.
Good LUCK

Hi I know it's been a while since you posted this comment, but would you mind telling me when and where you had looked for employment on the TN visa? I'll send a PM :)