mahalo

WindwardOahuRN is right. It is a very though market at the moment for Nurses, and for almost everybody else, too, as there were lots of layoffs recently. The economy is bad, and might get worse. Lots of local Nurses are looking for jobs too. For you to move over here at this time, might be a bit risky. The hositals are cancelling agency nurses first, before they cut their own staff. So, if they cancel your assignment, you'll have a hard time getting another one. By the way, do you have a TN Visa, or are you a US Citizen? If you are a TN Visa holder, you are only allowed to work for the employer listed on your visa! Just another issue to keep in mind... Good luck.

Hi all! I am wondering, if any Nurses on this forum work at Castle Medical Center, Kapiolani/ Straub (HPH), Kaiser or Queens... I've been sending out resumes to every hospital, and there seems to be nobody hiring? Does any of you have any advice, as to how the hiring status is within their hospital. I have 3 years of experience, and am close to being laid off from my current employer, due to financial trouble! Any advice would really be appreciated.:loveya: Mahalo.

Suzanne! How are you. I don't know if you remember me, but about a year ago became a member of this forum, and you provided me with very useful and timely information. Thank you! I have another question for you: I passed the NCLEX in April, and I have a full valid, unrestricted RN license for Michigan. Now I am ready to apply for the VisaScreen. I checked on the CGFNS website, and there is something new, called a Certified Statement 212®. This seems to be a quick version of the VisaScreen, only for RNs who were educated in English and who have a license in certain states, including MI. I have checked the US Immigration websites, but do not find any info on this new procedure. According to CGFNS this statement together with an employment letter should be enough to get a TN. Do you have any info on that? And also regarding TN transition to Green Card. You mention there is a fast track for RNs (employment based). What is the approximate time frame, plus is it true that spouses do get a work visa as soon as we all file for a green card? Thanks again very much for your insight. Sincerely, Mahalo

Thanks Suzanne, for your advice! My high school did not issue diplomas, and it will not be easy to get transcripts, plus this education was in french... My nursing school was taught in English, and is excempted from a language test. To avoid all the hassles with the CGFNS Evaluation, I was thinking of going maybe a different route. Please let me know what you think, and if it is feasible: I would ask to be licensed in a state, such as Michigan, which, for Canadian trained nurses, does not require CES. That way I can do the NCLEX, get a US license, and then have it endorsed later by the state where I choose to work. The VISA Screen does not require high school diplomas as it is more than 15 years old, and I would not only save 230US for no CES, but also 2-3 month of time... Is this way of doing this ok, or even possible? What is your take? Mahalo

Hello Suzanne! I am posting the question again, as I believe the original one "got lost" or overlooked... Thanks. I just read in one of the forums, that when more than 10 years have passed since the High school diploma was issued, that it does not need to be submitted for the Visa Screen. Does this also apply for the Credentials Evaluation (CES)? Secondly, in the CGFNS CES forms it says: "List all professional healthcare educational institutions". I do have another University degree, other than RN, in the health care field. Do I need to submit that too, and have it certified? The CGFNS is for Nurses only, or? I am currently not licensed in the other field, just as a RN. Thanks once again for your input. Mahalo

Hello again! I just read in one of the forums, that when more than 10 years have passed since the High school diploma was issued, that it does not need to be submitted for the Visa Screen. Does this also apply for the Credentials Evaluation (CES)? Secondly, in the CGFNS CES forms it says: "List all professional healthcare educational institutions". I do have another University degree, other than RN, in the health care field. Do I need to submit that too, and have it certified? The CGFNS is for Nurses only, or? I am currently not licensed in the other field, just as a RN. Thanks once again for your input. Mahalo

Thank you, Suzanne4, for this quick response! I have a few more questions: 1) Do you suggest to send in the forms to CGFNS or use the internet to submit? 2) I read in another forum, where you suggested to send in the VISA Screen application right away, without NCLEX, etc. In my case, should I send in the Credentials Evaluation and VISA Screen forms all in one, or separate? And if I start with the CES, and the CGFNS recieves my Academic Records and Validation of Registration, would I have to resend these requests for the Visa Screen, or would they automatically apply this info to the Visa Screen application? 3) With all the costs nearing 1000 USD can I, when I apply for a job, negotiate this to be reimbursed, or can I write it off on my first US tax return? Thanks again for your assistance. You give incredibly good advice and Info. Mahalo

Dear Suzanne4! You have a great forum going on here...Congrats! I am a Canadian Nurse, and, as you probably can guess with my screen name, would be interested in working in Hawaii. After reading a lot of info here, at CGFNS and NCSBN websites, I am still confused as to what to do first. I know, that I need an ATT from the Board of Nursing before I can take the NCLEX (is this true also for Canadians?). To get the ATT form the BON in Hawaii, they need either a Credentials Evaluation by CGFNS or a CGFNS Certification. This would mean, that I have to more or less send in the same forms to CGFNS as for the Visa Screen forms, which is double the paperwork. Once the BON gives me the ATT then I take the NCLEX and then I can apply for the VISA Screen, which,as mentioned before, uses the same forms and asks the same information???? Am I missing something? This seems a lot of paperwork (and money spent) for getting a TN Visa. I hope you can bring some light into this matter, and I am looking forward to reading your reply. Thanks a lot. Mahalo