EFAN

Hey Everyone! I haven't been on here for awhile and thought I'd go on and read up on some of the threads. I didn't last long in that job I got in Vegas, too crazy! I moved back to Canada. Now I am working in PICU. Hopefully I'll move back to Vegas in a few years but working in a different area of nursing compared to what I did when i was down there.

Hi Everyone! So after much headache I did manage to get the hospital to give me a TN letter (the recruiter still insisted i needed a lawyer and this shall never happen ever again...boo to her). I crossed the border on Monday September 22nd and went straight to the social security administration and applied for a SSN. And to my surprise, it will take up to 4 weeks for them to verify everything and issue me a social security number. I didn't think it would take that long . So I'm sitting here with no work because I wouldn't be able to get my license endorsed without a SSN. It's going to be a lonnnnnng process. Hopefully I won't starve to death. Thought I'd give an update for those who are wondering how it works.

Thanks Silverdragon!

Yay! Thanks for your reply Silverdragon! I am so excited now. But i do have another question, they are faxing me the letter tomorrow....is that ok that it is a fax? Thanks again!

Hello, Today I received a phonecall from the HR from the hospital in nevada that i would be working at. They will be faxing me my TN letter tomorrow. I tried searching on the website to find out information on when I would be able to cross the border but I couldn't find anything. My start date for work is Sept 29. Would it be too soon for me to leave this week? I would still need to get my SSN and license. Thanks in advance! :)

Well, it seems like I got the job, but not quite with all this going on. I started calling around different hospitals today, and apparently St. Rose is having a job fair on the 24th. you should look it up. maybe it'll be helpful.

Thanks Suzanne! I will look that up. I really was unimpressed and surprised she had no clue what she was doing, you think they'd hire ppl who are qualified to do their job. There a a bunch of listings for jobs, but i'm starting to think the problem is with the HR. After I spoke with the manager today, she wanted me to email her in detail what happened today and to express how upset I was. It makes me feel better that at least management doesn't treat you like they don't care. I really do like the hospital. And I couldn't believe I just sat there taking in all that. I knew this website would be a great source of information, luckily I didn't go spend thousands of dollars just to find out the same info you guys are telling me. Thanx everyone!

It seems to me she's only dealt with nurses that came through an agency. She only has a letter for an extension of a job on TN visa. I spoke with the manager today, she happened to come from the same province as I did and she says she'll look into it. I have already started looking at a different hospital today. I can't deal with that lady yelling at me.

Hello, Well today I went into the HR of the hospital I will hopefully be working at just to show one of the HR ladies my BCLS card like I said I would. We started a conversation and she asked me if I got my SSN already and I told her what the others above told me. She was very nice and trying to be helpful and told me that she's just gonna run in and ask the recruiter (the same one that told me to go to an immigration lawyer). Anyhow i told her that there was no need for an immigration lawyer and that all I needed was a TN letter showing the conditions that I would be applying for a SSn and getting my license. Anyhow, she freaked out at me and yelled at me, calling me irresponsible multiple times. She told me that she couldn't believe that I didn't have someone walk me through this because I should've had all my things together before I even applied to the job. And I told her that I asked ppl with this experience and this was what I was told, as well as from my friends that went down to Cali to work. She freaked out at me, cut me off at every sentence I started and threw her hand in the direction of my face. She says "oh so you aaaaaaaaaasssskkk people!! you didn't actually go to an immigration laywer!" And she even told me that "recruiting you has been very difficult!!" however, she has done nothing for me, she's even even answered any questions I had for her, so I don't know what was so difficult. I love the managers that I met at the hospital, it looks like a plac I can see myself in for a very long time. I'm just so unimpressed at the recruiter!! I couldn't even get a sentence in. I just sat there with tears welling up in my eyes and feeling so belittled. She was even telling me it's my responsibility to bring in the TN letter myself because she does not have an approved copy. The first time I met her...she asked me "do you have any questions for me?" and I asked "Well, since you've seen a lot of nurses come and go through this process, how long does the process usually take?" and she replies..."well honey, you should've done your homework" wth was that???? seriously and then she asked me again if i had any questions (that first meeting) and I asked her after she handed me the benefits sheet "what is the difference between PPO and HMO?" and she replied "well you can look that up yourself because i don't have time to tell you all about it" ugggghhh i'm just soo upset right now. Frustratedcanrn, hopefully you won't go through such a big headache like I am going through. I'll be glad to help you if you have any questions, since by next year hopefully i'll be here working already.

Thanx everyone for your replies! You've been really helpful in making me see this more clearly. I did call the social security office, actually I went in to visit them as well. I even called homeland security cuz they told me to. But at least I know hiring an immigration lawyer isn't the only choice as the recruiter had told me. The manager said she'd get back to me on Tuesday. So i'm excited to hear back from her.

Hi, I also had an interview in the women's center. I was pretty impressed with the hospital, very clean and staff looked happy.

Hi everyone, I have a few questions. I am a Canadian nurse that applied for a job in Vegas, went for the interview and it was good, I got the position. I've passed the NCLEX, got my visascreen done too, and I thought yeah I got most of the important things done with. I got my license through Minnesota. Now I need to endorse my license. Problem is....I can't get a Nevada license without a social security number, but I can't get a social security number without a TN status (what i was told by the person at the social security office), and I can't get a TN visa until I get a TN letter. Also, the hospital I am going to be working at won't give me a real job offer letter or a TN letter until I get a SSN. My head is spinning in circles. and today the recruiter told me to go get a lawyer and figure out how to get the SSN. I'm so lost and confused. My friends that went to go work in California didn't have this much trouble. They came down here and THEN got their SSN. Please help me... thanx!

Thanx Suzanne and Silverdragon! My VSC application expires at the end of July, so i'm hoping it will be completed by then. I've printed off a licensure verification form and sent it to the minnesota BON along with the 20USD fees. Yay i'm so excited!

CONGRATS JON!! third time was a charm for me too! it's an awesome feeling to finally have done it! Now you can relax!

Hi Newgraduate07, I failed my exam twice and i know exactly how you feel. I didn't know how to go about studying anymore cuz whatever I was doing wasn't helping. And then a friend of mine at work told me about Dr, Cochrane. And so I came all the way from Canada to attend her Seminar. It was worth every penny. She made me see the questions differently. here's the website, you should check it out. The seminar really helped me. She's the smartest and coolest lady i've ever met! http://www.nclex-pass.com/ Thanx to everyone who congratulated me. and Congratulations to everyone that passed! :)

Hi, Last year i submiited everything i needed for the visascreen and all i needed were my nclex results. i found out a few days ago that i passed. I was just wondering what my next step is....am i supposed to send a letter to my bon for verification of my license asap? or do i have to wait for my license to come into the mail first? I hope after that it won't take too long! i'm so excited.

Hi nsg_madz, Thanx! I registered with Minnesota. I found out my exam resluts two days after taking the exam. I heard California takes longer? i'm not sure. I know what you mean about the agony. After i left the exam center i was happy i was done but then i'd sometimes randomly think about what the results could be and it would just make my heart drop and it actually hurts haha. Mine shut off at 89 questions. I had so many of the select all that applies questions....i thought for sure i would've failed. But keep your fingers crossed!!!!!! I hope you pass :) and you will! and btw thanx silverdragon and congrats to others who have passed as well!

Yay!!!!! I took the exam on April 29th....AND I PASSED!!!!! i didn't have internet access so i had to get my friend to check for me. I felt like i was dreaming when she said i passed so all day long i had to keep asking "are you sure it says passed?" Oh i'm so excited to finally be able to leave the cold Canadian weather for some sunshine!

Good luck to all the December test-takers. I'll be taking mine on December 31st...it's going to be my second time =(. I don't feel prepared at all.

CONGRATS :)

Suzanne I too wonder about this....with the whole false declaration issue. That would totally stress me out. So while we are petitioning for a Greencard...does that mean we have to go back to Canada to work while it is processing?

Hi kookie31, are we allowed to endorse right after we pass the nclex? or do you have to wait for a job offer from the state in which you want to work? Thanx :)

Hi NYNURSE, I'm also in the same boat as you. You need to register for re-examination with your BON, then pearson will release your ATT showing you the date you are allowed to retest again. Good luck next time. And I really do suggest Saunders...it's very comprehensive!

Yay!! I can't wait to move! I just have to write the NCLEX and get all that visascreen stuff done and then I'll start applying for a job. Do ADNs get paid a lot less than BSNs? I'm just wondering how that works there. Also if you can tell me, what are shift differentials like?

btw, I am a diploma nurse...i'm guessing that is equivalent to an ADN? does that make a big difference?