Canadian Nurses. Yeah, you! And you! Over here! I got a question for you.

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This is to the Canadians who are registered nurses and working there.

I got a question for you guys.

I have been told that I'm not eligible to work in the States unless I get a Visa Screen.

Is that true? And have you gotten it yourself?

Or is it all a farce?

Thank you

SilkyKRN

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Where are you living now? Are you in Canada? You will need to pass the NCLEX as well.

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You need your visa screen along with a letter from your potential employer in order to get a working visa.

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I have already done the NCLEX exam and passed. I was told I didn't need it because I was just across the border from Michigan.

Now I'm being told I need it to work in the States along a letter from the potential employer to the border office for a work permit.

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How long did it take you? And what sort of documents did you have to send in?

Thank you.

SilkyKRN

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You have to apply at cgfns.org. You will have to print out forms to send out to your previous schools to release your transcripts. Timing all depends on how long it takes for the school to send them. The whole process took about 8 weeks for me. I live across the border from michigan too & even went to school in mi for nursing and I was still required to get the visa screen.

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I never went to school in MI. I went to St. Clair for Practical Nursing, got my RPN license, and then applied for a RN license over in MI.

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They let you take your nclex-rn only having graduated from practical nursing?

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Apparently the program was equivalent to the RN-ADN program in the states. I also looked into the curriculum for RN-ADN at the U.S. colleges. They were basically the same.

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You need your visa screen along with a letter from your potential employer in order to get a working visa.

This. My mom is an rn (we are from Canada) and moved to California in 2002. She had to have a work visa sponsored by her job (the hospital in this case) and a letter from her employer prior to us crossing the border. I am still a legal immigrant here and can help you with any immigration advice since I have been through it all. (My mom just got her green card approved after all these years and mine will be soon). Pm me if you have any questions. :)

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Also, make sure everything you fill out form wise is accurate(as well as your employer). One mistake and they will not approve you and the process will start all over again. Immigration has become very difficult and they are sticklers for perfection.

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