debbbsRN

You have to apply for each and every individual state license. Its not a "transfer" You do have to verify your minnesota license which shows California that you have a current in good standing US state license. But just about every state will require that you again submit your educational transcripts , verify all your licenses, etc. Your visascreen cgfns etc. is simply for immigration. It won't help you get your state licenses any faster. California used to be quick but now can take quite awhile especially if you have done your fingerprints out of state. They say that just those alone are taking 8-12 weeks to process. If you do them IN state they take about 72 hours!!! I know its not fair but its true. Trust me I just went through it. If you are working with a travel company ask your recuiter to attempt to find out who at the board of nursing is taking care of your case. Get a name and number for them specifically and then you will have a contact. Often recuiters will have some "inside" numbers that will allow you to get through and at the very least get a file number and a contact name. you will have better luck if you get down here and do the fingerprints here in state. I think if all goes well you can have your temp license in about a week. less if you go right to sacramento.

I'm on my second contract in LA and I love it here!! The assignments?? not exceptional but not all that bad either. I did my first at Kaiser Sunset and now I'm at Kaiser West LA. So much to do here in LA and the surrounding area. And the weather is amazing!!! the only downfall is the traffic...but I've lived in many cities (ie. boston and houston) with traffic just as bad if not worse at times. Reconsider LA..you might just love it too

I'm a Canadian Nurse that has been traveling about 3 and half years now. I have 18 years of experience but I think that most good travel companies want you to have at least 2 years. Some will say that 1 year is sufficient but you may find that the hospitals will be hesitant to hire you without 2 years. Having said that, I travel with American Mobile (I know everyone writes bad stuff about them on here) and I've had for the most part no troubles with them. The were very helpful with the visa issue and immigration paperwork and questions. They also reimbursed me for all the costs involved in processing of it. Including the yearly fees. One of the downfalls of being Canadian and working on a TN visa is that your visa is company specific. You do not have the luxury of either switching travel companies or being listed with more than one like the American nurses can. It requires paperwork and a border crossing to switch companies. Just for your info. Good luck to you. I know I've enjoyed my travels, have worked in some great hospitals and seen so much of the country.

I know the larger companies do...the one i'm currently with does but has no thing available at the moment. I was hoping to increase my chances....is there an easy way of finding out who staffs particular areas?? as for my tn visa...im already here and working in new orleans, la.

Looking for a company that does florida placements, was told there were some smaller companies that do florida....any suggestions?

In the same boat here, I am travelling on my own....havent started work yet so really havent had the opportunity to meet travellers at the same facility. Met a couple people at the apartment building...otherwise just touring around the city some. Any one else in the New Orleans area?

:) thanks for your quick replies. Think i'm just getting more nervous as things are winding down to D day so to speak. Dairygirl I know that you are working with the same company that I will be travelling with. Was wondering if you minded if I email you with ....yes, more questions...:)

I have sold my home.....but now i'm wondering how often there are large gaps between assignments when I'll essentially have no where to go? is this usually a problem? I do have someone I can pay to redirect my mail and to use as an address. I'm more concerned as to what I do for somewhere to live if there are too many days between assignments.

So everyone is maintaining a home base ...permanent residence? I am in a bit of a predictament, in that I'm from Northern Ontario Canada. I can't possibly have my home base here, I'm 8 hours from the US border. Getting "home" between assignments would be a huge ordeal. I was sort of thinking that i'd do a few assignments back to back and if I found somewhere I liked i would set up a home base there? Now i'm wondering ........any advice?

I would be happy to get to South Carolina......it is not just the city they don't have positions in....its the entire state!! Can you call them and speak to them without having to go to all the bother of filling out the entire application? Thank you for your response...i will try a few of them :)

I have also in the last year or so been feeling the need for a change....but I love the NICU, can't see me not nursing babies. So I opted to start traveling, I'll be heading for the states in early September :) The other thing I have done is float to pediatrics, which was my original nursing love....changes things up and gives you a variety :) Good luck

Here is my dilemma..... I'm a Canadian RN....specializing in level 2/ 3 NICU. I'm preparing for my first travel assignment....paper work is almost ready. However......now that I'm this close.... The company that I've been working with through the process does not have any positions in the area I'm looking to go.... Do I apply with several companies so that I can obtain a position where I want? Or am I being optimistic to think I can get where I want right away? I would appreciate your comments, either here or you can email me at [email protected] Thanks....have a great day everyone