Questions about VSC requirement

[Grace99]

Unfortunate for you, but things are actually quite different now. Since you are married, and have a green card now via the way of a spouse, all that you would need to do is take the NCLEX exam. CGFNS exam is no longer required by most states. Back when you started, it was.

Not sure when you are taking the exam, or for which state, and I won't be doing another mailing until after the holidays, as I am updating it, but I put together a training module for foreign nurses that has helped them pass the NCLEX exam.

You will need to get a copy of the Saunder's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN and send me your e-mail address to my pm box, do not post it here. And I will inlcude you on my list, when I do my next mailing.

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

[suzanne4, RN]

It will be up to CGFNS to make the final decision, each file is reviewed on its own merit. If you have been in Canada for this number of years, then if required, you should not have issues with passing the exam. Suspect that they will waive the requirement for you, but again, they are the only ones that can make the determination.

If you marry an American, they you do not need to get the Visa Screen Certificate as you will be getting a visa provided by your spouse.

But your spouse will have to petition you for the visa, and that takes months as well as get so that you would be able to work here. Nothing is going to be instantly done for you. They can start it now and then you will have 90 days in which to marry once it is approved. Much has been written on the K-1 visa. Just do a search for the information here.

For those from Canada and that did all of their training in the Canadian system, the wait is usually only about a month. For you, most of the wait will depend on how long that it is for your school to submit the verification to CGFNS/ICHP.

Best of luck to you.