RN looking to go to US temporarily for work

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Hey! So I'm looking to go to Pennsylvania to work at a summer camp from Canada. I am graduating this year and will obtain a temp licence or write my NCLEX before going. I would be going on a TN visa which would require me just showing up at the border with all my documents. I just wanted to see if anyone else has been in a similar situation that can verify that it is this easy! Thank you!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You do know you need a employer letter which outlines job and dates of employment as well as visa screen certificate when applying at the border for TN?

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Are you planning to become licensed in Ontario first?

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I think you should estimate the time it will take to become licensed in Ontario, as it is unlikely that CNO will issue a temporary license when the employer is outside of Ontario (you can phone and ask them). Then estimate the time it will take to obtain a temporary license in Pennsylvania. It's possible that by the time you are licensed you will have missed the camp start date. Have you received a pending job offer with the camp?

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Well. That's an interesting idea. Let me know how this goes if you don't mind. My camp has never considered a TN status candidate, the risk of being turned away at the last minute, as TN status is adjudicated at the boarder is just to great. We haven't been able to run any other visa plays on nurses, however there haven't been a ton of opportunities

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Well. That's an interesting idea. Let me know how this goes if you don't mind. My camp has never considered a TN status candidate, the risk of being turned away at the last minute, as TN status is adjudicated at the boarder. We haven't been able to run any other visa plays on nurses, however there haven't been a time of opportunities

The one camp has never been able to secure TN visa or any other temp visa for a nurse. They have been able to bring over college/university students on a summer student work program for the full camp program.

I think you are too optimistic about your application processing, licensing for Canada and then PA. A temp ON

license is useless for a TN visa. You need a PA license. Especially since you haven't even graduated yet.

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Even if in the unlikely event the licensing process was completed before the camp date, I cannot see border authorities issuing a TN visa, as it isn't justified in the current job market. There are areas in the US where there is a surplus of new grads and a temporary camp position would be a good opportunity for one of them to get their career started. The camp employer would have to show that they tried to recruit American nurses and grads first, before hiring a Canadian grad.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

It looks to me like a TN visa doesn't have neerly the harsh requirements that a H1B visa does, as far as the requirement to prove the lack of quality applicants in the states. However it does seem to rely on having equivalent qualifications lined up along with a job offer. It's also at the discretion of the customs officer at the time of crossing the boarder, rather than being cleared months ahead like other visas.

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It looks to me like a TN visa doesn't have neerly the harsh requirements that a H1B visa does, as far as the requirement to prove the lack of quality applicants in the states. However it does seem to rely on having equivalent qualifications lined up along with a job offer. It's also at the discretion of the customs officer at the time of crossing the boarder, rather than being cleared months ahead like other visas.

TN visas may not be available much longer as president Trump wants to do away with the NAFTA agreement.

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I highly doubt that. You should do some research. Trump would probably be looking to cut ties with Mexico not Canada. I don't think he's that dumb. If it were revised I doubt Trump would make it in a way that hurts any party other than Mexico. Anyways, it would have to be agreed upon also by Congress. There are levels to the government just so you know. Check out this article TN Visa Under Threat As Trump Vows to Renegotiate NAFTA - Nearshore Americas and others. Trump is concerned about the tech degrees such as computer analysts etc. not healthcare workers like RNs which are actually needed in some States

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