Michigan doesn't require VisaScreen for Canadian Nurses?

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does this mean that canadian nurses do not have to get their nursing school credentials assessed (visascreen) to be able to work in michigan as an rn? i want to move to the states but i know that i will be unable to get my credential evaluation and pass since i've never had clinical in peds/obgyn during my 4 years of bscn nursing school in ontario (i graduate this june 2009)

according to this statement, all i have to do is apply and write the nclex exam. im confused though because i thought that the visascreen certificate was required for all foreign applicants!!!

from the michigan board of nursing website

"until january 2012, if you were educated in canada and hold a current, active canadian license, you are not required to obtain cgfns certification or a cgfns credentials evaluation report. you must take and pass the nclex exam to receive a full michigan license".

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Michigan dropped the CGFNS awhile ago. You still have to get a visa screen. I believe they are different, no? I am not Canadien so I will have to ask a fellow co worker.

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the CGFNS exam is different than the credential evaluation ...but according to the michigan BON, we DON'T need to get our credentials assessed right? At least that's what that quote from their website says, but I heard that every foreign graduate needs to get their Visascreen CES to be able to nurse in the states...if anyone has any information id appreciate it

This is so confusing!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

CGFNS and CGFNS CES is different to visa screen certificate. For any visa except fiancée/ spouse you need VSC. Visa screen certificate ensures you meet immigration requirements and a RN and although information is on CGFNS website it is actually obtained from ICHP another part of CGFNS. What is is saying for a temp license you do not need to have your credentials assessed however if Michigan is not going to be the state you are going to work in you may still have to meet BON requirements and get CES done. All depends on state. You still need a license from Canada therefore take and pass CRNE

You will need VSC for a TN visa

Moved to the International forum

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So does this mean I would be able to work in Michigan as an RN after I pass my CRNE exam if I have never have clinical in peds/obgyn? I looked on the CGFNS website and I realized that I wouldn't be able to pass my CES since I am deficient in those two areas..

so what your saying is that if I move to Michigan and stay in Michigan I would be fine to work there (I would be abl e to immigrate and take the Nclex and have no problems?)

CGFNS and CGFNS CES is different to visa screen certificate. For any visa except fiancée/ spouse you need VSC. Visa screen certificate ensures you meet immigration requirements and a RN and although information is on CGFNS website it is actually obtained from ICHP another part of CGFNS. What is is saying for a temp license you do not need to have your credentials assessed however if Michigan is not going to be the state you are going to work in you may still have to meet BON requirements and get CES done. All depends on state. You still need a license from Canada therefore take and pass CRNE

You will need VSC for a TN visa

Moved to the International forum

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Each decision is made by the BON but you still need to send your transcripts to the BON and make a decision based on what they see. I can not say they will allow you to sit NCLEX only they can as you will be applying for a full license at some stage and your quotes come under the temp license

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Specializes in CTICU.

Site says specifically for Canadian applicants:

Applicants for a Michigan RN license who have graduated from an approved Canadian educational program that was taught in English and who have an active Canadian RN license with no disciplinary sanctions will be made eligible to take the NCLEX examination. CGFNS certification is not required for these individuals before taking the NCLEX examination. Before you will be made eligible for the NCLEX, the Michigan Board must receive:

a. transcripts of your nursing education sent to our office directly from the school.

b. current verification

So I would imagine you just do that, and also apply for the VSC.

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But I would still need to get a VSC which includes assessing my educational credentials right? So then I wouldn't be able to even apply since I know that I am missing clinical in peds/obgyn which is needed for the CES report...

Am I on the right track or am I totally confused with this?

Site says specifically for Canadian applicants:

Applicants for a Michigan RN license who have graduated from an approved Canadian educational program that was taught in English and who have an active Canadian RN license with no disciplinary sanctions will be made eligible to take the NCLEX examination. CGFNS certification is not required for these individuals before taking the NCLEX examination. Before you will be made eligible for the NCLEX, the Michigan Board must receive:

a. transcripts of your nursing education sent to our office directly from the school.

b. current verification

So I would imagine you just do that, and also apply for the VSC.

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Specializes in CTICU.

I don't know how I can be any clearer than saying "apply for VSC". There is no point getting a michigan RN license, if you cannot get a visa to work there because you have no vsc.

You do not know what they will say. The VSC is NOT the same as the CES which evaluates all your courses etc.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

VSC is for immigration and work visas. You will not be able to get a visa without it. This is what we have explained. VSC is done by ICHP which is part of CGFNS. CGFNS CES is a evaluation of your transcripts and Michigan are saying if you trained in Canada then you do not need it but they still need a copy f your transcripts. You still need to pass CRNE so would concentrate graduating and then think about applying to BON

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Specializes in intensive care, recovery, anesthetics.

Michigan will assess your transcripts so I would expect that they will find you short in those 2 areas. Canadian Nurse or not.

But this is just a guess, for other States you will be short.

5cats

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Canada actually requires that one have both clinical as well as theory hours in both of the subjects that you state that you are missing, so not sure how you would be able to get licensed in Ontario without them.

CGFNS actually has several programs that one can apply for or that a specific state may require. The majority of states require the CES which is a credentials evaluation. MI waives this for those that have graduated from a Canadian program and have passed the CRNE exam.

The CVS is a special credentials review that is required for all foreign trained nurses that wish to work in NY and is only used by NY.

CGFNS Certificate program is the CGFNS exam as well as the basic English exam if one is not exempt from taking it.

VSC is required by all that are going thru immigration; you will be applying for the NAFTA TN Visa, and this requires that you possess a Visa Screen Certificate. This is used only for immigration and has nothing to do with you getting licensed in MI. You actually need to pass the NCLEX exam before it can be issued to you.

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