Albertan seeking info on transfering to California

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Hello - I am looking for help/suggestions on the steps to find work as a R.N. in California.

I'm currently working in Alberta as a R.N. I graduated many years ago in Alberta with a diploma in nursing. I am marrying another Canadian who already resides in San Diego. The plan has me working as a nurse in the San Diego area.

I have contacted the California Board of Nursing, filled out paperwork, sent fingerprints, and transcripts to the Board and they responded to say they are still processing my application.

Questions:

Will a prospective employer sponsor me for work in California if I only have a diploma in nursing?

Considering my education, do I need to write the NCLEX exam?

Where in Southern Alberta can I write the exam?

Can I obtain work in California with a NAFTA TN-1 visa?

Any help would be appreciated.

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Will a prospective employer sponsor me for work in California if I only have a diploma in nursing?

Yes. As long as you hold a CA license. There are 2 ways to prove your credential meet that of the american standards, 1- Pass the NCLEX. 2-Pass the CGFNS exam.. I recomend the NCLEX.

Considering my education, do I need to write the NCLEX exam?

Yes, NCLEX or CGFNS exam is required.

Where in Southern Alberta can I write the exam?

Sorry I am not sure.

Can I obtain work in California with a NAFTA TN-1 visa?

Easily once you have all your paper work in order. First and formost you need to get a visa screen... a TN will not be issued by the US goverment unless you have your visa screen, licence for the state in which you plan to practice, and a letter of employment from your new employer. Visa screen info can be found at the following site: http://www.cgfns.org/ ,

I really hope this helps a bit... its a start. Best of luck to you. I am Canadian and have loved working in CA for the past 6 years on a TN.

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Specializes in ER, Rural Nursing, Public Health.

Hey! Former Medicine Hatter myself here! I drove down to Helena Montanna to write the NCLEX (no biggy from Medicine Hat)... Plus you can make it a weekend excursion - beautiful mountains. You have to write the NCLEX in the USA (although I heard a rumour that tests were being given in Edmonton - probably untrue). You have to register with Pearson Vue and obtain your ATT (Authorisation To Test) before you can take the NCLEX though.

Good Luck

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All you need to do is write the NCLEX exam, the CGFNS exam will not do you any good, as the Canadian license is not longer honored for reciprocity in any states in the US. Since the requirement for the Visa Screen Certificate came about, that is all that you need, and a job offer. Take the two to the border and you will be issued a TN-Visa. Nothing any easier than that.

You will need to write the exam in the US, it is not offered in Canada at this time. You can write it in any of the border states, it doesn't need to be done in CA.

California usually takes four to six months for processing documents of foreign-trained RNs, and being from Canada, it is still considered such.

Hope that this helps and good luck with the upcoming marriage.:wink2:

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