My US Application Update - Canadian RN

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Hi Everyone. I just wanted to update you on my US application and maybe help some fellows along the way. Please ask questions.

March 2019 :

- CGFNS Visa Screen Application

- Received Maine hospital job offer

- Applied for Maine BON - RN Endorsement

June 2019:

- Received CGFNS - Visa Screen Certificate

July 2019:

- Applied for Michigan BON - RN Endorsement

August 2019:

- Received Michigan RN license - Expires in 1 year

September 2019:

- Due to not having SSN, Maine BON mailed a letter as per request in lieu of RN license to be presented at the US Border

- Waiting for Employment letter

Specializes in ER.

Fingers crossed! When is your new start date?
Have you talked to the Maine BON about how to submit the SSN once you get it?

1
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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

- Possibly Nov 12.

- I will forward a copy of my SSN. No choice.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

Hello. My SSN replacement card was mailed today at 2:00 p.m. and I didn't have any choice but to email it to my recruiter and to the BON. It will take 24 hours to 48 hours for the BON to release my license. Unfortunately next week is the beginning of the orientation so I might not be able to start if the BON will not release it by Tuesday and my start date will be pushed back again to November 25th. This sucks.

If your SSN card doesn't come within 2 weeks, you need to go back and make sure to request for replacement card at the SSA office.

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Specializes in ER.
On 11/8/2019 at 11:56 PM, hypnotizer90 said:

I hope you were able to start on time! I haven't got my SSN card yet but I have my number. The Maine BON was able to accept your SSN through email?

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

Yes. I just emailed to the Endorsement Specialist. My application is still pending but it does not show that I am still missing my SSN.

BON has not released my license yet though. I was reading on their website it can take up to 2 weeks (7 - 14 business days) but realizing that everything is slow here, nothing shocking.

Nov 25th is the next schedule for orientation. I decided to go back to ON while waiting.

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Specializes in ER.

Ugh these two week time frames are killing me! It’s so slow it’s unbelievable.

I hope things are sorted when you come back.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

Hey. Guess what? BON cannot release my license yet because:

Quote

Your application has been reviewed, and returned to for the following:

1. Your background check is out of the benchmark of 90 days of licensure. Unfortunately, you will need to repeat your background check before licensure. Please reach out to IDENTOGO and retake your fingerprinting.

I was thinking about this actually because usually CBC lasts for 6mos for CNO during the application process. I should have listened to my instinct. It could be my fault for not inquiring but also did not get time appropriate notification from the Board.

I have read this FAQs: https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/docs/Criminal_Background_Check_FAQs_(Revised_9-5-2019).pdf

Now, I have booked a live scan fingerprinting tomorrow in Springvale, ME since I am physically here in Maine. The ones closest to Bangor were either full or not providing service at certain days. It is 2.5 hours drive but I like driving.

Since I am redoing the CBC, I also sent an updated Declaration of Permanent Residency declaring Maine as my permanent residence again. This time, I used my Maine address. The current address on my file is my Canadian address so it's probably why my compact status is Single.

You can read this #7 page 11: https://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/docs/NLC Final Rules.pdf

You can always ask me question. I also downloaded bunch of info re. laws, scope of nursing practice from Maine Board's website. I kinda browsed them especially on the nursing practice act & scope fo practice decision tree. Not much of educational to support a nurse.

Unlike Ontario CNO, I have not seen code of ethics, controlled acts yet, or practice guidelines and standards. I have yet to do my full research though.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.
On 11/14/2019 at 12:58 PM, VicRN said:

Ugh these two week time frames are killing me! It’s so slow it’s unbelievable.

I hope things are sorted when you come back.

Have they mailed your SSN card yet?

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Specializes in ER.
2 hours ago, hypnotizer90 said:

Have they mailed your SSN card yet?

Apparently it has been mailed. I applied for it on November.1st but I haven’t received it yet. When I went to the SSA office last week they said it would get here by today at the latest. But without the card I can’t get my license. I’m going back today to get a replacement mailed because it wasn’t in the mail this morning.

I was supposed to start work yesterday but I am delayed until December 2nd now. If my license isn’t released by November 29th I will have to repeat my fingerprinting. So hopefully the next two weeks go in my favour.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.
2 hours ago, VicRN said:

Apparently it has been mailed. I applied for it on November.1st but I haven’t received it yet.

I was supposed to start work yesterday but I am delayed until December 2nd now.

That was what they said to me lol. The replacement card came on the 6th day after I went back to SSA.

New start date for me is next week Nov 25th but my recent background check may take few days. If not then Dec 9th or Dec 23rd. Worst case scenario, next year!

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Specializes in ER.
35 minutes ago, hypnotizer90 said:

That was what they said to me lol. The replacement card came on the 6th day after I went back to SSA.

New start date for me is next week Nov 25th but my recent background check may take few days. If not then Dec 9th or Dec 23rd. Worst case scenario, next year!

I’m hoping I get it early next week!
Hahaha, at this rate next year might be accurate

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

FURTHER TIMELINE BREAKDOWNS:

March 2019 :

- CGFNS Visa Screen Application.

- Received ME hospital job offer.

- Applied for ME BON - RN Endorsement paper application.

* Transcripts w BSN conferred noted, Identogo criminal background check done in the US (closest NY), Letters from each school confirming: theory & clinical hours on medical, surgical, psychiatrics, pediatrics, obstetrics.

June 2019:

- Received CGFNS - Visa Screen Certificate.

* Requested CGFNS VS certification be sent to BON but not sufficient (not needed). Paid CGFNS - eDAS.

July 2019:

- Applied for MI BON - RN Endorsement as another option.

August 2019:

- Received MI RN license - Expires in 1 year.

September 2019:

- Received letter from ME BON confirming complete application status except fror SSN.

*Due to not having SSN, ME BON mailed a letter as per request in lieu of RN license to be presented at the US Border.

- Received employment letter via mail.

October 2019:

- Crossed the border. Got TN Status for Canadians. Imported my CAD car.

- Applied for SSN.

- Secured 1 BR apartment lease; Registered car and applied for US driver's license (DL).

- Resigned from Canadian employer.

November 2019:

- Received SSN & forwarded to BON.

* If SSN not received after 2 weeks, go back to SSA office for replacement.

- Needed new criminal background check since previous was >90 days old.

- ME State has compact licensure status. Forwarded new Declaration of Permanent Residency with ME address & attached DL as proof.

- Multi Compact RN license is released and active for 2 years. ?‍♂️

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