Grace99

I have the same problem too! What happens is that I have my English name on my passport and on some of my certificates and documents, I have my second name added to my legal name. So I ended up getting 4 name versions on my documents. I did pass in my VSC, but I'm wondering whether it matters when I get my TN visa. I worried about that! Can I go to an attorney to get help verifying those names all imply to me? May I share your experience too? Thanks in advance

I see your frustrations Mounty! I agree what Silverdragon wrote about the situations in US. It is true that they are in retrogression, in some States, even if they need nurses, they hire the experienced. I knew that some new grads (trained in US) were not able to find jobs there. My theory is, nothing is impossible if you try hard to reach the requirements, you'll get it somehow. As Silverdragon said, " It takes time though!". What I suggest is (as I did that before), to google the available job fairs in the States you like to go and see what their availabilities are. They will also tell you what requirements you need to achieve before being hired. There are websites you can register and they will update you from time to time (or everyday) the job opportunities. It is free of charge. I'm not sure whether I'm allowed to post their link in this forum but you can easily google it. Just be wise when you google or get on various websites, make sure you pick the reliable, helpful, and non-profitable sites. Sometimes people may trick you when they know you're desperate.

It does matter! It depends of what kind of visa you're applying. If you're applying for a work visa like TN visa, they all require an employment letter at the port of entry making sure that you cross the border for work purpose. If the State is in retrogression, the job opportunities will be minimized and competitive. That means they are looking for work experiences in all areas -not just psychiatry. My humble opinion, if you have specialty nursing skills like ICU/PACU/CSICU, Telemetry, Cath Lab, ER, OR, Labor room, or Dialysis training, the chances will be high. I just got a job in Dialysis 2 months ago and I'm in the process of getting the TN visa. I got to make sure that all my certificates and documents and licenses (original papers) are well prepared before I come to the border though. Just a little sharing, Cheers, Grace99

Congrats

Excuse me Stopnik, it wasn't a joke. In fact I'm just sharing the thoughts of the previous correspondants. It's for those who are willing to help out others re: nursing issues. I've posted many times on this website, I got all kinds of helpful input from members and moderators. They gave me lots of hints in getting my NCLEX, VSC... I trust this website and I always log on to see what's happening and what's new in US. Layoffs is definitely a most concerned issue and I don't see any reason why anybody would consider it as a joke. Overall, the Allnurses.com will assess whether it's appropriate or not. I have no intention to treat this as a joke. The bottom line is, I'm still enjoying the freedom of appropriate speech eventhough it seems likely to diminish nowaday!

Hello, I'm a Canadian RN who got a AZBN unauthorized license, NCLEX, CGFNS VSC and is planning to relocate to Phoenix in June, 2009. I need a job offer with an employmnet letter before I can get a TN visa. In fact, I had interviewed Banner Health Good Samaritan recruiter and unit managers in Nov, 2008 while I was waiting for my VSC. Unfortunately, the position that I applied for has already been filled (I just got my VSC on Mar 3, 2009). Does anyone have any suggestions in job finding and also in job availability in Phoenix area? The work areas I'm looking for can be in the kidney center as dialysis RN, ICU, NeuroICU either working straight days or varied shifts. Of course, I can also work in other areas as an RN. I got 20 years of Canadian RN experiences (15 years ICU and 3 years dialysis working experience), I'm currently working on the NP master program as well. I'm planning of relocation for good, anyone has some creative ideas?? I'm coming to the Job Fair in April 2009 in Phoenix, hope I can get an exciting job offer !!! Thanks everyone in advance

This is a note to all those who have responded to my questions and emails before: 5cats, Suzanne, Siverdragon,.....and many others who have directly or indirectly answered my questions. Sorry that I can't remember all of your usernames. After 2 months and 8 days of long-time application for VSC, I'm excited to say that 'I GOT IT! I GOT IT! I GOT IT!'. Excused me to type in upper case, but I really jumped up from disappointment and hopelessness of not knowing when CGFNS would review and assess my applications. I started to take other people's advice of not calling CGFNS by phone and waited patiently letting them to do their work at their own speed. Thank God for lifting me up from dismay, I've been rescued!!! Just a note to those still waiting for VSC, wish you patience to wait but don't need to wait as long as I and other people do. If I can do anything to help anybody, I'll be happy to do that. Just feel free to email allnurses.com and I'm sure other successful applications will be happy to help out too. Once again, thanks to those who have offered me help! Without you, I would never know what and how to get the NCLEX, VSC and a TN visa. Thank you sooooooo much :bow: Grace99 PS I'm an RN from 'Foreign country'

Hello Starbin, Thanks for your sharing, I think as an applicant for VSC, I'm experiencing similar problems with CGFNS. I have sent all my documents, transcript, school records, including my NCLEX, IELTS results to them since Dec, 2008. On the website, it kept saying my application is 'ready for review'. However, I haven't seen any action at all from them showing that they have started to review my application. I have called CGFNS several times, waited >30 minutes listening to that classical music on the answering machine. The answer I got from them was I need to wait patiently for they have a long wait list of applicants. Not that I don't have patience or I don't want to wait, I have waited for two months and I just don't know what other requirements they want from me. I understand the persons I talked with on the phone could be just the operators only. My question is, that how I can talk to a supervisor so as I can ask him/her thoroughly. Would it be better if I arrange a personal interview with CGFNS in Philadelphia so as I can ask him/her face to face?? Hope you'll help me out soon!! Thank you in advance :bowingpur Grace99

Hi there, I know your posting was in 2005 but I'm experiencing similar problems with CGFNS. I emailed Suzanne and others but I haven't heard from them yet. I would appreciate if you could give me some advice. I have been applying for visascreen certification, not too long ago -about 2 months now. I got everything mailed to them and they have already received my documents including my nursing school transcript, nursing board license, AZ nursing board unauthorized license (no SNN yet), NCLEX result, high school transcripts....all those they asked for. I even wrote the IELTS eventhough I'm exempted (I'm Canadian Chinese and trained in English for my BSN). What they have been waiting for is my general nursing mental health record that I did with a separate private institute (Psychiatric nursing wasn't included in my general nursing program at that time). The problem is, that the educator of my mental health course has already passed away for years and that private institute is no longer existing. There is no way for me to get a course record directly from the institute. Fortunately, I recalled that my Canadian nursing board is still keeping my mental health course record in my file, so I asked my nursing board to send a copy to CGFNS and they did it. Guess it's not good enough for the website is still saying 'awaiting for my mental health document'. This is frustrating and there is no way in getting my mental health record from an institute that is no longer servicing. However, the course record from my nursing board is valid since I've been working in Canada for 18 years and is recognized by AZBN on and NCLEX as well. Sorry for the lengthy email, could you give me some suggestions please? I called CGFNS asking for the credential evaluator but I was bypassed by the operator -he said my application will be evaluated soon and obviously it's just a norm of rejecting my call. Is there any other ways I can do? some members said contacting an attorney, do you think it's workable?? What about contacting a recruiter, since they basically got everything they asked for? By the way, I got a job offered already, they are just waiting for the visascreen!!! Very frustrated...... I appreciate your help and others' as well :bowingpur Looking forward to hearing from you all soon..........

Hi Suzanne, Guess I'm just one of the many who have registered 1st online and then tried another attempt by mail!!! Thanks for telling me that I need to cancel my first attempt....I really didn't know I have to cancel it. I'll send them a letter for cancellation tomorrow :bowingpurThanks for saving my money! As for my second attempt, they have received everything and now I'm waiting for their review and evaluations........Just one more question, is there any way of contacting their supervisor on the phone. I have one question and I don't think the receptionist can answer it! Thanks again Suzanne, you've been good help !

Thanks for clarifying! If they go 100% of where I took my basic nursing school (from HK) then I know really well that I need to write the IELTS soon. I was born in HK as well but all my schools are taught in English. Guess they won't consider my post-RN degree program in Canada too........ Well, I'll go for the IELTS on March 7 then....no other choices! Thanks again Suzanne and other thread readers!

Hi there, Will IELTS be approved by the Arizona nursing board then?? Thanks so much Grace99

Hi there, If I'm a Canadian citizen originally came from a non-speaking country, do I need to write the IELTS exam?? -what is the academic form with the speaking section? Could you please suggest what kind of of study material is the best in preparing for this exam? Thanks so much

Dear Suzanne, After reading everybody's sharing, I think I'm in the same boat as everybody does. I have passed the NCLEX-RN in Oct 2008 and I have already got an RN license from AZBN. I can't work in US right now for I don't have a SSN -I'm a Canadian RN, so I filed the paper for visacheck through CGFNS. I've been waiting for about three weeks but I do understand I might need to wait for at least 3-4 months or even longer. Like some of us, my concern is: my nursing diploma is from foreign country which is not English speaking but I did fulfill all the requirements for writing the Canadian board exam and the NCLEX-RN exam (I did pass the TOEFL & SAT 18 years ago when I wrote the Canadian nursing board exam at that time). I have also completed my BSN through a University in Canada and is currently doing my MN-NP degree through University of Phoenix. Will I be exempted from writing the English exam?? -when I wrote the NCLEX exam and applied for registration with AZBN, they said my requirement is sufficient and I'm exempted from writing the English exam. With the CGFNS, I really don't know how they assess my application. Should I go ahead, study, and write the TOEFL just in case?? I just don't want to wait too long. My other question is, if I get married in US, do I still need to go through the visacheck since I got my NCLEX and license already?? I'm actually engaged and am planning to get marry when things are settled. About how long will it take if I go on this route?? Thank you very much for your help! I have corresponded with you several times before if you remember me Grace99

Thank you so much! I got a pass after all I have to thank this forum helping me to understand the skills in writing this exam. It helps me in every ways !! Thank you all