Canadian RN wanting to work in California- Help!

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I just graduated in April with my BScN and am currently working as an RN in an acute, forensic psychiatric hospital here in Ontario, Canada. I have family in California and wish to find work and move there for some time. I need to write the NCLEX, so I have filled out the applications to the state board of nursing in Cali and have given the forms to my school to process and mail in to the board with my transcripts. I have my application, the fingerprint card, and everything else done and ready to mail- my only problem is that I recently read on their site they are not accepting applications for licensure without US social security numbers. Is a Canadian social insurance number sufficent/transferable? That is what I had put on my application. If I need a US social security number, I need a TN visa, which I would need employment for, which I don't know if I can get without a California RN license. I have been trying to contact the board of registered nursing in Cali with no response. Any help? Would I even be able to get hired down there without a license yet?

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

California has made it virtually impossible for a foreign nurse without a US-issued SSN to even apply for a nursing license. You can apply for jobs as a nurse with a pending nursing license in order to get a TN Visa but the likelihood of getting a job offer is grim given the large number of unemployed new grads in major metro areas in California.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Canadian SIN number will not be accepted, only a US SSN is accepted and you can't get one until in the US with a valid work/immigrant visa. you may have to consider another state and endorse once in the US with a work visa

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Yes I was wondering between my chances of finding an employer and whether I could get a TN visa with a license pending or just applying to the Michigan state board of nursing, which doesn't require a SSN or CGFNS certification from Canadian nurses. If I do become licensed in another state, I would still require a SSN to apply to California regardless. I would have to become employed in another state, get my SSN, then apply to California by endorsement. Ohh what a roundabout way to do things! Thank you both for your replies and advice.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You do not need a license for TN visa just a letter from employer plus Visa Screen Certificate from CGFNS which only requires a pass in NCLEX not a license

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
Yes I was wondering between my chances of finding an employer and whether I could get a TN visa with a license pending or just applying to the Michigan state board of nursing, which doesn't require a SSN or CGFNS certification from Canadian nurses. If I do become licensed in another state, I would still require a SSN to apply to California regardless. I would have to become employed in another state, get my SSN, then apply to California by endorsement. Ohh what a roundabout way to do things! Thank you both for your replies and advice.

That might not be a bad idea after all. Michigan (especially Detroit area) hospitals are very familiar with hiring Canadian nurses. And the job market there is probably less saturated than California's. My point is, it's probably best to work for a year in Michigan and then see if you can get travel assignments in California after a year. As it is right now, it's going to be hard to find a hospital that will offer you a job in California with little nursing experience. However, there are still travelers that work in our hospitals here and the travel agencies hire them, not the hospitals.

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I have a question about the Michigan application for registered nurse license. There is a place on the application form for U.S. Social Security Number. I am Canadian, and am wondering if I would fill out my Canadian SSN or how do I go about filling this out? Would I need to get a U.S SSN first before applying? Thank you

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

US SSN is required no use putting Canadian SIN. They may accept application without US SSN but should say something on website, alternatively contact them

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