Canadian RN Offered Job in California - Confusing Proxess

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I am Canadian RN who recently got a job offer in San Francisco. I'm trying to figure out the process and honestly, I just don't understand it.

My background:
- Bachelor of Nursing (2017)
- Passed NCLEX (2017)
- 1 Year in a Canadian hospital
- Received my CGFNS Certificate

From my understanding, I have to do two steps: Immigration and License Transfer however..

1. I cannot receive my Cali Nursing license without an SSN
2. I cannot receive an SSN without work authorization (does my offer letter count as work authorization? Can I apply for a TN Visa and does it equate to work authorization?)
3. I cannot receive work authorization without being licensed.

Is the only real solution to work in another state and transfer? That honestly doesn't make sense. Is there support I can call to help with this issue? Would anyone have any resources?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You don’t have to work in the state. You apply to another state, meet state requirements, get visa screen certificate and along with employment letter apply at border for nafta. Once you have nafta you can apply for US SSN, once you have your number then apply to California to register as a nurse and as long as they except your transcripts and issue license only then will you be able to start working in California. Be aware California is a hard state to register as a nurse

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So I just have to apply to receive a license from another state? Not necessarily work there? Would you have any resources that explain how to do this?

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5 hours ago, Silverdragon102 said:

You don’t have to work in the state. You apply to another state, meet state requirements, get visa screen certificate and along with employment letter apply at border for nafta. Once you have nafta you can apply for US SSN, once you have your number then apply to California to register as a nurse and as long as they except your transcripts and issue license only then will you be able to start working in California. Be aware California is a hard state to register as a nurse

So I just have to apply to receive a license from another state? Not necessarily work there? Would you have any resources that explain how to do this?

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Wherr did you passed your nclex?

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1 minute ago, tosca rose said:

Wherr did you passed your nclex?

Canada. The NCLEX for Canada is the same as the NCLEX for California according to the state website.

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7 minutes ago, Momo6370 said:

Canada. The NCLEX for Canada is the same as the NCLEX for California according to the state website.

I mean which board of nursing?

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4 minutes ago, tosca rose said:

I mean which board of nursing?

Ontario Board of Nursing

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On 5/31/2019 at 7:00 AM, Momo6370 said:

So I just have to apply to receive a license from another state? Not necessarily work there? Would you have any resources that explain how to do this?

You will have to work in another state to get your Social Security Number. Take a travel contract for 3 months, and then switch states afterwards.

California is a very difficult state to get licensed in Just because you are licensed in another state and apply by endorsement doesn't mean they will issue you a license. I wish it was like 10 years ago when they weren't so difficult a license here.

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Specializes in Medical - Surgical/ General Surgery/ICU.

Hello. I thought the process was difficult at first but everything seemed clearer once you kept reading on the previous post that nurses had posted here.

I'm from Ontario. Just finished my BScN in Dec 2018, passed NCLEX this Feb. But I'm still waiting for my graduation this June 18th to get copy of my degree. (This is needed to prove I completed an RN program).

My CGFNS - Visa Screen is still in process; it is delayed.

Likewise, the State (Maine) that I'm going needed SSN and required to have CGFNS - Visa Screen certificate in order for them to give my license.

However, the hospital lawyer stated that there is a loophole on this which the hospital can send a letter to the BON for them to release my RN license without an SSN... (I'm still not sure about this, will see). The Maine license is needed in getting TN Visa at the border (I will be driving & importing my car at at the same time at the border). I am reading that once in the US, I can apply for SSN.

I just learned also of Nursing COMPACT State (Please Google). Luckily, Maine is part of this & working to another compact state which has a warmer weather is probably an option in the future.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
1 hour ago, hypnotizer90 said:

.

I just learned also of Nursing COMPACT State (Please Google). Luckily, Maine is part of this & working to another compact state which has a warmer weather is probably an option in the future.

Remember the compact licence only works if you maintain a permanent residence in the state. Once you move to another state and permanent residence changes to new address you have to apply to the new state for a license. When I see compact state posted I see many members respond on treating it like a driving license

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