I am a Canadian citizen currently contemplating going to nursing school in the U.S. for my BSN. If there are any Canadians that are/have done their school in the U.S., your advice about the following would be greatly appreciated:
1) As an international student, it seems like I'd go under the F-1 visa. Once I graduate and would like to begin working, I could use the F-1 OPT visa for one year or just go directly to the TN visa. If I chose to use the OPT first, I could then just use the TN visa after the one year period is expired. Is this correct?
2) Are employers/hospitals hesitant to hire Canadians straight out of US nursing schools since they're usually under a temporary visa such as the OPT or TN? I'm currently planning on working in NYC or Chicago. Or are employers fairly willing to hire Canadians like this?
3) If I return to Canada, is working in Canada a nurse after being licensed in the U.S. fairly simple since I'm a Canadian citizen?
Any other tips you have about licensing, the NCLEX, job stuff, etc. would also be awesome!
Hi I am a canadian RN. Is it true that, as of January 2008, any non-American must provide evidence of US citizenship or permanent residence before obtaining authorization to write NCLEX-RN? Thank you.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi I am a canadian RN. Is it true that, as of January 2008, any non-American must provide evidence of US citizenship or permanent residence before obtaining authorization to write NCLEX-RN? Thank you.
There as been no requirements and in fact many many foreign nurses have sat the exam. Issues are issuing a license some states require proof that you are in the US legally before they will issue you with a license. If Canadian and using the TN visa then once in the US with your TN visa you can apply for a SSN and a license will be issued and you can work.
Is there anyway to expedite the visa screen process? I am a canadian citizen about to graduate with an ADN in Texas. Does anyone know why a visa screen is even required if you are educated in the states? It seems redundant. I have not applied for OPT and was not aware of the visa screen process as I have not seen it anywhere on the Dept of Homeland Security website re: acquiring TN visa status. I should be cleared to sit for the Texas state boards in late May. Is there anyway that I will be able to accept a GN position in TX before I am issued a TN? Also, since a visa screen is necessary to obtain a TN & you cant obtain a visa screen without passing the NCLEX then am I right to assume that my temporary license to practice as a GN will not be enough to get me a TN?
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Is there anyway to expedite the visa screen process? I am a canadian citizen about to graduate with an ADN in Texas. Does anyone know why a visa screen is even required if you are educated in the states? It seems redundant. I have not applied for OPT and was not aware of the visa screen process as I have not seen it anywhere on the Dept of Homeland Security website re: acquiring TN visa status. I should be cleared to sit for the Texas state boards in late May. Is there anyway that I will be able to accept a GN position in TX before I am issued a TN? Also, since a visa screen is necessary to obtain a TN & you cant obtain a visa screen without passing the NCLEX then am I right to assume that my temporary license to practice as a GN will not be enough to get me a TN?
VSC is a requirements for a visa and nothing to do with where you trained. If trained in the US then usually takes approx 1 month to be issued and no way to make it any faster. I do not think you will get TN visa if a GN as you need a license and VSC. If you haven't got OPT then you may find it a problem staying and working without TN visa.
For TN you need RN license, VSC, letter of employment and a visit to the border (as far as I am aware)
I believe I understand everything. I am Canadian and just graduated in Georgia with my BSN (July 31, 2010) and will sit for my NCLEX Sept 3, 2010. Once I pass the NCLEX I need to obtain my VSC. Since I already have a SSN from when I did OPT several years ago I don't need to worry about anything there. The next step is to get a job offer, a letter and then bring everything to the border. My question is: since I graduated July 31, do I need to be out of the US Sept 31? Since I'm not taking my NCLEX until Sept 3 and then need to get started on the VSC which should take about a month since i'm educated in the states; if I do not find a job offer by Sept 31 do I need to leave??? What would happen if I stayed longer, got my job offer and brought everything to the border then (say in Novemeber?) Thanks for your help!
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
I believe I understand everything. I am Canadian and just graduated in Georgia with my BSN (July 31, 2010) and will sit for my NCLEX Sept 3, 2010. Once I pass the NCLEX I need to obtain my VSC. Since I already have a SSN from when I did OPT several years ago I don't need to worry about anything there. The next step is to get a job offer, a letter and then bring everything to the border. My question is: since I graduated July 31, do I need to be out of the US Sept 31? Since I'm not taking my NCLEX until Sept 3 and then need to get started on the VSC which should take about a month since i'm educated in the states; if I do not find a job offer by Sept 31 do I need to leave??? What would happen if I stayed longer, got my job offer and brought everything to the border then (say in Novemeber?) Thanks for your help!
Do not overstay as it may have an impact on any visa you apply for.
I am also Canadian and graduated from U.S. nursing program in May 2010. I think it is really important to not stay past your 60 days grace period. I read on an immigration website that it is the # 1 reason for people getting deported from the U.S. I've also been told that you can be banned from the U.S. for the rest of your life (not too sure if that is the case), but it was enough for me to make sure I got out of there before the 60 days!!
I just got my visa screen certificate and it only took about a month, however I did not get all the documents in right after I purchased it. You could even start the process now even if you haven't taken the boards yet.
blueberryfarms
2 Posts
Hi I am a canadian RN. Is it true that, as of January 2008, any non-American must provide evidence of US citizenship or permanent residence before obtaining authorization to write NCLEX-RN? Thank you.