Need help? Canadian rn wishing to work in california? Process?

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Hi everyone! I need some help?

So currently I have moved to california with my BF (who is US CITIZEN). I wish to work and get licensed to work in California. I recently took a 1 year sabatocal off work to travel and currently hold a "inactive practice status" in BRITISH COLUMBIA (CRNBC) AND ORIGINAL LICENSE FROM ALBERTA (CARNA).

The process seems very complicated.

I am currently in the middle of getting my visa screen/credientials verifed by CGFNS.

In the meantime,

I would like to get a head start on getting approval to write the NCLEX EXAM while out here in California, however this is where I am very confused in that I believe I require a US SIN (SOCIAL SECURITY) in order to even apply with CALIFORNIA BOARD OF REGISTERED NURSES?

Can someone please give me some direction in terms of how to proceed?

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum

Welcome. CA do their own assessment and last few years it has been very hard for someone who trained outside the state or even country to get registered in CA.

Correct you need a US SSN to apply to CA and you can't get that until you have a valid work/immigrant visa.

Only thing you can do is apply to another state, once you have met requirements and passed NCLEX is find a employer who will supply a letter of employment and you have vsc which you can then go to the border and activate TN and then get US SSN and apply to the state and hope you meet requirements and they will issue you a license and you can start working.

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Thank you so much for the advice!!!!

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Sorry what is a vsc?

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Sorry what is a vsc?

Visa Screen Certificate. This is something you apply for once you have passed NCLEX or CGFNS exam and are the initial applicant for work or immigrant visa

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I work with a nurse in calgary..that paid 300in to write the Nclex here in calgary ..shes getting her visa process started in canada..as she would like to go to California as well..she was told you need to keep on top of them..im sure there are agencies you can talk to about getting a job..seen some pages pop up on Facebook ad well

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Opps 300 stupid auto correct

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I am a Canadian RN working in California. To get here was a long process of paperwork and applications. Long story short, I had to go to another state first to work a travel assignment and to get an SSN, then I was able to apply for a California license. There really is no way around not having a US SSN. You could try to find a hospital that would hire you without your license but that is very unlikely as they usually have needs they need to fill immediately and will not wait the MONTHS it can take to get your Cali license. I tried to find such a hospital. I interviewed with one based in San Fran and was found to be a successful candidate BUT once they spoke to HR, they stated that it would take too long to get the paperwork done and they needed someone sooner. It may take a long time but if Cali is where you want to be it is totally worth it.

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Hi! i am just starting my Cali application process. Did Cali SB of Nursing need you to send in specific clinical hours and signatures of instructors? Thats what they told me and I find it ridiculous. I already have an active license in Arizona

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi! i am just starting my Cali application process. Did Cali SB of Nursing need you to send in specific clinical hours and signatures of instructors? Thats what they told me and I find it ridiculous. I already have an active license in Arizona

Doesnt matter. California do their own assessment so need all documents sent. This would be the same if trained in the US

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This is to gface84.... Did you end up getting a cali license?

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