Help! Canadian RN needing to move to North Dakota!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 27, 2011

If a SSN is required you may have to consider going to another state like Vermont, meet requirements, take and pass NCLEX and then look at requirements for endorsing once you are in ND and have a SSN.

Not sure how you are planning on moving but it may take time before you can work in ND whilst you go through the process as you can not apply for a US SSN until in the US with a valid work/immigrant visa

MissNikkie · Aug 27, 2011

So I just may have picked a difficult state to get into then? ... But can I get licensed in a state that I don't intend on working in?

MissNikkie · Aug 27, 2011

The problem is.. ND is not a random choice.. and I can't move anywhere else. I'm specifically moving there for my fiance. Would it make anything easier if we moved up the wedding date maybe? Would I be able to get a SSN then?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 27, 2011

If you are married to a US citizen and have your GC then you can apply for a SSN and then use that for your application

You can apply to most states, only a small handful at the moment require a SSN for initial application. You just have to meet their requirements and then when endorsing meet new state requirements.

My initial application was with NY and I got a job later in AZ and was able to endorse with no issues just had to meet AZ requirements which was different to NY

jasonnyc · Sep 3, 2011

I understand what you're going through MissNikkie! I am a Registered Nurse from Vancouver. I have just relocated to NYC with my spouse. A year ago I began the whole NCLEX process...I received licensure in Minnesota in October, got my Visa Screen in February, and JUST received licensure by endorsement to NY State three days before I moved here in August! A few months ago I began speaking with several travel nurse agencies, and they all sounded so promising. I totally felt like once I got to NYC, the jobs would be there....maybe not my dream jobs, but at least there would be something. I have been here two weeks, and since there is no word about any travel nursing jobs yet, I have been doings tons of looking on my own, both applying directly to hospitals and nursing homes, and speaking with NYC job agencies. I was lucky to receive a couple of interviews. It all goes well until it gets to the part about my eligibility for employment. Most people aren't familiar with Trade Nafta status, and when they find out they need to provide me with a letter to activate the TN Visa, they get scared like they have to sponsor my Green Card or something. Also, I have been asked several times for my SSN card. Well, I can't get my SSN until I have my TN Visa, and I can't get my TN Visa until I have a job offer. "Sorry, you need an SSN to apply here". Or, they ask for my NY State Driver's Licence, and well, you can't get that until you have an SSN. It really is a Catch-22 and I am really starting to believe it was a bad idea to come here. Maybe we'll have to have a bi-coastal relationship. I just hope that these travel nursing agencies pull through for me. Good luck to you, and I think the easiest way is to endorse your ND licence from another state, such as Minnesota, which is extremely easy to get licenced through. :)

MissNikkie · Sep 6, 2011

Thank you sooo much for this message! I was beginning to think that I was the only one who was finding this process difficult! It's so nice to know that there are others out there having difficulties as I am! And I was thinking of endorsing into ND since they require an SSN. Do I need to have an address in Minnesota to get licensed there? Thank you again SOO much! And good luck to you! I wish you all the best.

jasonnyc · Sep 6, 2011

Nope, you don't need a Minnesota address! The whole application was extremely easy! They didn't even require fingerprints or anything like most states. Just some forms, and getting stuff notarized. Does ND still require you to have an SSN even if you're endorsing? Right now I'm trying to get my New Jersey licence, since that is a good option for me in case NY doesn't work out. But even if I try to endorse through my NY licence, NJ still requires an SSN. If ND requires an SSN too, maybe you could try to do a short travel nursing assignment in Minnesota, and then once that is done you will have your SSN and you can proceed with your ND paperwork. Right now I am chatting with a recruiter who wants to help me get my Wisconsin licence, which they will pay for, and send me on a two-week assignment to Millwaukee. I am seriously considering it just to get an SSN! Good luck!