How to become a US Travel nurse for Canadian Nurses

[LourdesRodrigo]

I have worked in Toronto for 15 years in a medical surgical unit and decided in January 2015 to do some travel nursing. The information out there is scattered allover and confusing. I put together easy to read, step by step process on how to get to your goal of becoming a travel nurse. I hope that you find it helpful. You can email me with questions if you like.)

Become a Travel nurse in the USA (For Canadian Nurses)

Lourdes Rodrigo RN

I started thinking about travel nursing in January 2015. All the steps took me about 11 months. First I did a little research and looked up some companies that provided opportunities for Travel nursing. There are many companies out there, so do your research.

I found that there is not a lot of information out there for Canadian nurses wanting to become US Travel nurses. I went though a lot of trial and errors before getting it right. So I hope this will help anyone who wants to try and experience what being a gypsy nurse is all about.

Here are the steps I took during this process.

Getting the License

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[TD]Steps[/TD]

[TD]Tips/Notes[/TD]

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[TD]1. Decide which state you want to obtain your licence from[/TD]

[TD]For me, I desperately wanted to go to California. But there is a lot of red tape for that state. Most BONs (Board of Nursing) require you to have a US SSN (Social Security Number) for the application.

So if you are not from the US or never worked there you probably don't have a SSN.

So go with a State that doesn't require a SSN.

Washington, New York or in my case I picked Minnesota because the application was short and sweet and no SSN needed. Most of the travel agencies recommended obtaining the licence through Minnesota because of this reason.[/TD]

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[TD]2. Compete the application through that state's BON (board of Nursing) to obtain the license[/TD]

[TD]Which means you are asking that BON to look at your credentials and give you the okay to write the NCLEX exam (this is, if you aren't a brand new graduate who already have NCLEX).

There are two options: To obtain the licensure by examination or by endorsement.

For Minnesota the fee for the application for examination was $115.00 USD.

Application: Apply for a License / Minnesota Board of Nursing[/TD]

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[TD]3. Send in the required documents[/TD]

[TD]Each state may differ on what the application requirements maybe.

With Minnesota I had to send in:

My nursing program completion with the official transcripts.

College of Nurses of Ontario License verification (Fee was $16.00 CAD).[/TD]

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[TD]4. Register with Pearson Vue[/TD]

[TD]At the same time you send in the application to the BON, you have to register with Pearson Vue to take the NCLEX and pay the required fee.

Fee was $200.00 USD.

Website: Computer-Based Test (CBT) development and delivery :: Pearson VUE[/TD]

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[TD]5. Visa Credentials Assessment (VS) And CES Report[/TD]

[TD]If you really want everything to happen as fast as possible, then I recommend you start your VISA Credentials Assessment (VS) Visa Screen with CGFNS.

The fee for this is: $540.00 USD.

Website: CGFNS International | Global Credibility | Credentials evaluation and professional development services that provide strategic value and direction to health care professionals worldwide.

This is a Credential evaluation company and for anyone that did not complete school in USA, this is a mandatory step before you can work in US as a healthcare provider.

IT is lengthy and requires you to send in your:

· BON license verification again (Canadian license AND the US license)à you can send the US license once you pass your exam.

This is why I did this step once I passed my test.

· University/College transcripts with the application;

· Passport size photo;

· English proficiency test if you did not complete your high school or elementary school in Canada

· Passing of your NCLEX test results (which you will get the US BON to send once you obtain your license through that state).

With Minnesota to have the license verified to CGFNS it cost about $20.00 USD. And again from Ontario's license verification another $16.00 CAD.

CES report

This is also done by CGFNS. Once you know which state you are going to work in, get the CES report done by CGFNS. They should have all the documents they need already; all they need is to generate the report.

I found out the hard way I need this for my temporary license into Hawaii. Find this information before you go get your temporary license to anywhere.

It also costs another $345.00 USD. For each report.

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[TD]6. Schedule your examination[/TD]

[TD]Once the state BON looks through your application they will send you an email/letter with an ATT number.

You take this number and go back to Pearson Vue website and schedule your examination.

I found Minnesota sent me the ATT number within about 4 weeks after I applied. And it stated the timeline in which I must take the test. I was only given 2 months to write the test.

You will also have to pay $150.00 USD for the scheduling fee.

You are allowed to write the examination in test centers in Canada. The information will be on the Pearson Vue website.[/TD]

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[TD]7. Helpful Practice books I found while studying for NCLEX[/TD]

[TD]These were the three books I studied from. And I started doing the practice questions about a month before the exam. Give your self at least a month. And do at least 100 questions a day.

1. Saunders: Q&A Review Cards for the NCLEX-RN Examination (ed 2)

2. Kaplan: NCLEX-RN Premier 2015-2016

3. Prioritization, Delegation and Assignment. Practice Exercises for NCLEX by LaCharity, Kumagai and Bartz.[/TD]

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[TD]8. Day of EXAM!!![/TD]

[TD]Relax. You'll be fine.

Once you write your test, the results are in within 48 hours. Check your BON's website for the results.[/TD]

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[TD]9. License[/TD]

[TD]The license should arrive by mail within 4 weeks.

Yay![/TD]

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Travel Nursing

Just because you received your license through a state doesn't mean that you HAVE to work in that state only.

License can be endorsed to other states.

The option I took with my travel agency for my first assignment was to go to a Walk-through state.

Which means that with my license I can walk into a state (there's a few) and ask for a temporary license and work in that state. Make sure you research to see if that state requires a CES report (Step 5)!!. I had a melt down because I didn't have it with me when I went to Hawaii. So do your research.

After you work your first assignment it will be easy to endorse your license into another state because you will have a SSN.

I found the longest I had to wait was for CGFNS's to evaluate my credentials. Once they send you the certification you can get your travel agencies to set up interviews for you.

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[TD]Steps[/TD]

[TD]Tips/Notes[/TD]

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[TD]1. Find a company[/TD]

[TD]Do your research. There's many travel companies out there. Each of them offering different perks. I went with Aureus Medical for this assignment, because they were the ones that made it possible to go anywhere BUT Minnesota J. Haha.

Plus they were friendly, my housing is paid for and they got me a car to get around in.

Look at the perks.[/TD]

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[TD]2. Get hired[/TD]

[TD]One other thing you have to do is get your TN visa.

Once the travel agency hires you, they get you an interview with a hospital from the state you want to work in. Most times, it's a phone interview.

Pass that.

Get the job.[/TD]

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[TD]3. TN VISA[/TD]

[TD]Once you are hired by a hospital you will get a letter from your travel agency with all the details of your employment.

You then take it to a Port of Entry USA border and ask for a TN visa.

Make sure you take all your documents with you including the job offer letter.

In the job offer it should state that your job comes under NAFTA profession. The length of the contract, job description, wages, VISA credential certificate number you got from CGFNS.

Take your passport and any other documents you may have about your travel job. Housing information, airplane ticket, etc.

Website: Traveling on a TN or L1 Visa from Canada? | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

They border is a serious thing. But don't be scared. Be charming.

Be ready to be fingerprinted [/TD]

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[TD]4. SSN[/TD]

[TD]Once you get your TN VISA, Apply for the SSN (Social Security Number). I would do it the same day you cross the border to get your TN VISA.[/TD]

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Now it's time to travel!

[nellygurl]

Thank you so much. I found this post after applying for Visa screen(process takes forever) Thanks to you i am going to start the CES i did not know i needed that as well.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Thank you so much. I found this post after applying for Visa screen(process takes forever) Thanks to you i am going to start the CES i did not know i needed that as well.

Depends on the state and their requirements when registering to be a nurse as to whether CES is required

[Aandarra,BSN]

Thank you for this breakdown, it is very helpful! My program was in BC and I am a practising RN under CRNBC. I just want to clarify a few things about the CES report and Visa Credentials. Were you able to apply the the Minnesota BON without the CES report? This question is the application:

"I have completed the credentials evaluation with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools(CGFNS) and requested CGFNS send the CES Professional report to the Minnesota Board of Nursing"

Is it ok to check "NO" ?

I understand I will likely have to get a CES report down the road, but right now I just want to be approved to write the NCLEX asap and would like to avoid this step if possible.

I also have an American SSN, does this mean I wouldn't need the Visa Screen?

Thanks :)

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

visa screen is still required if you are the main applicant for a work or immigrant visa for the USA

[masamf]

Hi I know this is a bit late but I need some help. I am a RN, been practicing in Ontario but want to travel nurse in USA. I have already done the NCLEX and the CES and now processing the Visa screen. My question is, can I go across the border and get my visa and apply of SSN and come back home to Mississauga and travel when I get my SSN card? My concern is going to a state where I don't know anyone, and get stuck processing the SSN and ran out of money before I even start working, someone anyone with any information will be very appreciated.

Thanks.

[erikasarah]

What if you are a new grad who has written and passed the NCLEX? Does the process then change?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

What if you are a new grad who has written and passed the NCLEX? Does the process then change?

Only part that changes is not having to sit NCLEX again