Canadian nurse in the states

hypnotizer90, BSN, RN · Mar 26, 2019

34 minutes ago, sambatth said:
Off-topic but I see that you went to Ryerson U. Did you do Centennial- Ryerson? or you went for part-time Ryerson program? If it was part-time Ryerson program how was it? Actually a friend of mine is thinking to go back to school to finish her RN. She is an RPN and wants to go back to school part-time. She is contemplating between part-time Ryerson or part-time online Nipissing program. Any suggestions?

Yes. I went to Centennial-Ryerson parttime. It was so long + I got delayed for a Ryerson course failure (2014-2018). I know someone doing Nippising parttime & she liked it. I believe it's just a preference and taking into consideration where you live, if you commute, if you wanted to take it longer since you're working RPN fulltime. I would suggest to do fulltime if your friend can so she can finish faster!

1. I lived in Toronto before moving to Hamilton. I work now in Hamilton & awaiting for my US TN visa.

2. I chose Centennial-Ryerson over GeorgerBrown-Trent after reviewing the courses. I thought Centennial was harder which it was, more paperworks & I really worked hard to pass. Ryerson will not accept anyone who has had previous course failures. But once in Ryerson is OK to fail lol (I hope not) but would be in probation liked me. Now they changed some of their 50%:50% grading system on their nursing courses, which failed me.

3. Centennial bridging fulltime was tough as well but my other friends made it. Just some extra time & energy. There are some posts regarding it.

TriciaJ, RN · Mar 27, 2019

On 3/24/2019 at 3:20 PM, pluckyduck said:
So a RPN in Canada would be an LPN (licensed practical nurse) in the US equivalent wise. The ADN is an associates diploma program but it is for RNs only —it’s an alternative to the BSN here because of the cost and time required to obtain a BSN, many RNs have their ADN. So the ADN is NOT for RPNs. Your friend can work as a LPN here though. She would have to write the NCLEX-PN though for practical nurses.

If that's not confusing enough, RPN in western Canada stands for Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Practical nurses are LPNs, just like in the rest of the world. The Province of Ontario is the only place to call practical nurses RPNs instead of LPNs.

And pluckyduck is correct: a practical nurse from Canada is not equivalent to an ADN in the US. In Canada, BSN is now required for RN; however, in the US an RN can be an ADN. Practical nurses are equivalent only to practical nurses.

caringkevin · Mar 27, 2019

Interesting!

Divi RN · Apr 17, 2019

Does anyone know how to get Electronic Fingerprinting done for Florida BON? I live in Ontario, Canada and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to go to a nearby state or to Florida in order to get this step done.

hypnotizer90, BSN, RN · Apr 17, 2019

3 minutes ago, dhvanisgr8 said:
Does anyone know how to get Electronic Fingerprinting done for Florida BON? I live in Ontario, Canada and I'm not sure if I'm supposed to go to a nearby state or to Florida in order to get this step done.

Hey. I am applying for Maine State BON & they work with IdentoGo for Criminal Background Check. I am not sure if such services is available in Canada. I emailed IdentoGo Canada but I did not receive any responses. But I have read the Maine BON FAQs that I needed to go to US physically. I could not go to Maine yet but I could have my fingerprints card done in out-of-state with IdentoGo location. Basically, I have the option of mailing a fingerprint card for processing. I drove to closest IdentoGo location in West Seneca, New York USA and have it done.

Let me know after reading Florida BON if they work with IdentoGo and how you can get your fingerprints done.

jane630 · Oct 6, 2019

On 3/23/2019 at 10:01 PM, pluckyduck said:
I can answer this because I am a Canadian working in the US. I’ve been working here for the last 4 years. The NCLEX-RN is the same test whether written in Canada or the US but you need to look at the individual licensing requirements for the state you’re interested in practicing.
I am assuming you already have a license to practice in a province in Canada. You should apply for the license for the state you intend to practice in first. You can find this information by googling “state nursing license application”. For example, this is the site for Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27542---,00.html
Read through everything with a fine tooth comb. It is a lengthy process and if you make mistakes it will cost money and time.
Once you have the license for the state, then you to start the VisaScreen process through CGFNS international. http://www.cgfns.org/services/certification/visascreen-visa-credentials-assessment/
They are a third party agency that verifies your credentials including education and licensure and once your visa screen is issued, then you can start applying for jobs in the states. The visa screen has to be renewed every 5 years for the duration of the time you work in the US. This process takes about 9-12 months.
Once you have a visa screen and a license, then you can apply for work. An employer will not even look at you if you don’t have the visa screen as it does the preliminary work for your employer and US customs and immigration. Once you have offer of employment, you will get a letter from your employer and an immigration firm that you take to a port of entry (border crossing between the US and Canada) and you present it with a passport, your licenses, your degree and a bunch of other paperwork. Then they will briefly interview you and issue you your I-94 which is your TN VISA under NAFTA. This has to be renewed every 3 years and it is directly tied to your employer. If you lose your job, your visa is no longer valid. If you change jobs you need to apply for a new visa sponsored through the new employer.
This entire process will take at least a year. I knew when my husband was finishing college I was going to be relocating to the the US so I started it about 16 months prior to moving. It will also cost about -$500 for the visa screen with associated fees required for paperwork verification and each states licensing fees vary. If you don’t have a passport, you need to do that as well and that’s $160.
Hope this helps!

Hi pluckyduck:

Your answer is very helpful. I still have some questions regarding to work in states. Do I need an agency to complete all this process for me? I plan to advance my education in states. Considering the tuition fee of being canadian nurse in states or having green card, which way is better, applying for the school in states directly or working several years in states as a canadian nurse? I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you so much.

Jane630

NONOO · Oct 19, 2019

My colleague was an American RN who was vexed with the process in CA. She tried to get her RN transfer from another state. She was given a temporary license with limitation and taking a few classes in order to get her RN transferred to CA then the BON of CA decided that she didn't need one of her courses. She finished that said course anyway in case the BON of CA changes its mind, lol, that it wasn't necessary to get RN transferred.

Try Nevada or other states. Some just have the least bureaucrats.

hypnotizer90, BSN, RN · Oct 20, 2019

On 10/6/2019 at 11:13 AM, jane630 said:
Hi pluckyduck:
Your answer is very helpful. I still have some questions regarding to work in states. Do I need an agency to complete all this process for me? I plan to advance my education in states. Considering the tuition fee of being canadian nurse in states or having green card, which way is better, applying for the school in states directly or working several years in states as a canadian nurse? I am looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you so much.
Jane630

My story: US hospital companies are now recruiting Canadian citizen RNs via career fair in Canada. I met my employer through that. These hospitals/agencies work with their lawyers and know how NAFTA works (TN status/Visa) and will guide you all the way. Some US hospitals do not do that.

I am a new graduate Canadian RN with Ontario Registered Practical Nurse experience. The US hospital gave me a conditional job offer for the position I applied to. Fulltime. Conditional to having TN status/ Work permit & US RN license.

Since I am a hospital direct hire, I did all the paperworks i.e. applying & getting my CGFNS Visa Screen (3months) and applying for RN licensure by meeting the Board of Nursing requirements (5months). I am not sure about agencies though. Some States allow Canadian RN NCLEX passer & is currently registered RN in Canada to apply for Licensure Endorsement/Reciprocity such as Michigan & Maine.

*Some States including Michigan, you can apply for licensure wihout SSN as their is an option on the application to fill up a "SSN Affidavit/waiver form" & just providing a reason why you cannot provide SSN yet.

*Some States like Maine requires SSN before BON will release license. Since I did not have SSN, I requested a letter from the BON (this will be used in lieu of RN license for TN application at the Customs) with the notion that your application is complete except to provide an SSN.

Once I got all the paperworks and had everything to satisfy the TN requirements, I chose driving to the border to get my TN sticker & stamp on my passport ($56USD).The employer's part only was basically to secure a job for me and mail me an employment letter. Another option for them is to file a petition ($460USD), much expensive! Driving is easier for me & have the option of importing my car. TN is temporary and good for 3 years.

I am reading also that TN holders while working can study incidental to the profession where they have granted TN status. Although, I will need to pay CGFNS - CES for my courses to be assessed again and be forwarded to the prospective college/university. Apparently, school should not be the primary purpose of staying in the US with TN.

ssrah · Feb 2, 2020

On 3/23/2019 at 7:01 PM, pluckyduck said:
I can answer this because I am a Canadian working in the US. I’ve been working here for the last 4 years. The NCLEX-RN is the same test whether written in Canada or the US but you need to look at the individual licensing requirements for the state you’re interested in practicing.
I am assuming you already have a license to practice in a province in Canada. You should apply for the license for the state you intend to practice in first. You can find this information by googling “state nursing license application”. For example, this is the site for Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27542---,00.html
Read through everything with a fine tooth comb. It is a lengthy process and if you make mistakes it will cost money and time.
Once you have the license for the state, then you to start the VisaScreen process through CGFNS international. http://www.cgfns.org/services/certification/visascreen-visa-credentials-assessment/
They are a third party agency that verifies your credentials including education and licensure and once your visa screen is issued, then you can start applying for jobs in the states. The visa screen has to be renewed every 5 years for the duration of the time you work in the US. This process takes about 9-12 months.
Once you have a visa screen and a license, then you can apply for work. An employer will not even look at you if you don’t have the visa screen as it does the preliminary work for your employer and US customs and immigration. Once you have offer of employment, you will get a letter from your employer and an immigration firm that you take to a port of entry (border crossing between the US and Canada) and you present it with a passport, your licenses, your degree and a bunch of other paperwork. Then they will briefly interview you and issue you your I-94 which is your TN VISA under NAFTA. This has to be renewed every 3 years and it is directly tied to your employer. If you lose your job, your visa is no longer valid. If you change jobs you need to apply for a new visa sponsored through the new employer.
This entire process will take at least a year. I knew when my husband was finishing college I was going to be relocating to the the US so I started it about 16 months prior to moving. It will also cost about -$500 for the visa screen with associated fees required for paperwork verification and each states licensing fees vary. If you don’t have a passport, you need to do that as well and that’s $160.
Hope this helps!

Hello is there any way you an pm me?

gescoco19 · Dec 14, 2020

Hi pluckyducky,

are you able to pm me? Or connect through social media? Please and thanks

On 10/19/2019 at 9:26 PM, hypnotizer90 said:

My story: US hospital companies are now recruiting Canadian citizen RNs via career fair in Canada. I met my employer through that. These hospitals/agencies work with their lawyers and know how NAFTA works (TN status/Visa) and will guide you all the way. Some US hospitals do not do that.

I am a new graduate Canadian RN with Ontario Registered Practical Nurse experience. The US hospital gave me a conditional job offer for the position I applied to. Fulltime. Conditional to having TN status/ Work permit & US RN license.

Since I am a hospital direct hire, I did all the paperworks I.e. applying & getting my CGFNS Visa Screen (3months) and applying for RN licensure by meeting the Board of Nursing requirements (5months). I am not sure about agencies though. Some States allow Canadian RN NCLEX passer & is currently registered RN in Canada to apply for Licensure Endorsement/Reciprocity such as Michigan & Maine.

*Some States including Michigan, you can apply for licensure wihout SSN as their is an option on the application to fill up a "SSN Affidavit/waiver form" & just providing a reason why you cannot provide SSN yet.

*Some States like Maine requires SSN before BON will release license. Since I did not have SSN, I requested a letter from the BON (this will be used in lieu of RN license for TN application at the Customs) with the notion that your application is complete except to provide an SSN.

Once I got all the paperworks and had everything to satisfy the TN requirements, I chose driving to the border to get my TN sticker & stamp on my passport ($56USD).The employer's part only was basically to secure a job for me and mail me an employment letter. Another option for them is to file a petition ($460USD), much expensive! Driving is easier for me & have the option of importing my car. TN is temporary and good for 3 years.

I am reading also that TN holders while working can study incidental to the profession where they have granted TN status. Although, I will need to pay CGFNS - CES for my courses to be assessed again and be forwarded to the prospective college/university. Apparently, school should not be the primary purpose of staying in the US with TN.

Hi, are you able to pm me or connect via social media. I have some questions to ask. Please and thanks