Canadian Travel Nurse

Hi! My name is Janet and I am a Canadian Travel Nurse. To work in the U.S. you will need a nurse visa, better known as a TN visa. If you are a Canadian nurse and are considering travel nursing in the U.S. we are here to help you.

Please feel free to E-Mail us on the “contact us” page. The following information, including the NCLEX, is a combination of personal experience and information from government agencies, and may require a one on one explanation.

The overviews are a quick summary of what is expected of you. Before going to any of the government websites, read the overviews on this page. It is easy to get into “information overload”. Keep a positive attitude and never assume anything. Remember, when things get a little foggy just think ahead to the end result. “You will be able to travel and work anywhere in the U.S as a Canadian Travel Nurse."

Photo taken on Hawaii Travel Nursing Assignment

The NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) between the U.S. and Canada allows a Canadian Travel Nurse to work in the U.S.Your nursing skills are in high demand.

Overview

Our friend Catherine is a Canadian Traveling Nurse in good standing and she has one year of experience in nursing. She may apply for a travel nurse position in the U.S. Before she is tied down with a travel company it is a good idea for her to have an understanding of the steps she will need to take before she starts her first assignment.

It is important to note that it could take four to six months and maybe longer before she is eligible to work in the US as a Canadian Travel Nurse.

The very first thing Catherine will need to do is apply for a state license. She is then required to apply to write the NCLEX. This is a written exam. (If you do not pass you can re-write.) It is important to keep your license current.

The NCLEX RN examination is a Computerized Adaptive Test (CAT) designed to test knowledge, skills and abilities essential to the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. The NCLEX RN website is at the bottom of this page. Pearson VUE issues the computerized exam and their website is also listed at the bottom of the page. The site includes locations where a Canadian Travel Nurse can take the exam. Coming soon, we will have a link that will give you tips on writing this exam.

When you pass the NCLEX the next step for a Canadian Travel Nurse is to complete the application for your state license. Check out our state license page where we will give you contact information for each state’s licensing board. This is good to check because each state has different requirements to obtain a license. You may be required to apply for a social security number before receiving a state license.

Catherine, like me, will require a Visa Screen Certificate.

The Visa Screen Certificate (somtimes called Nurse Visa)is issued and regulated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nurses knows as CGFNS. We have listed their website at the bottom of this page. First, read our overview as the information on the mega-sites can be overwhelming.

Overview of CGFNS

A Canadian Traveling Nurse must supply legal documents that show proof of her education, before and including her nursing degree. There is usually a small fee when accessing these documents.

Legal documents of all nurse licenses are required. Here is where you will need proof that you passed the NCLEX. A Canadian Travel Nurse does not have to write the CGFNS exam if they have written the NCLEX and are proficient in the English language.

Now with all the above documents in hand you are ready for an eligibility review. On the CGFNS, website you will need to do the following:

1. Complete and sign Visa Credentials Assessment Application Form.

2. Supply funds in US dollars for the Screen. DO NOT SEND CASH. On the site it will tell you the amount and the method of payment.

3. Documentation of secondary school education.

4. The completed “Request for Academic Records” form and full academic records/transcripts from each of your professional schools.

5. Documentation proving completion of the NCLEX or evidence of passing CGFNS EXAM.

6. Two passport-sized photographs, signed on the front and the back.

7. If you are sending a document that is not in English ,you must have a certified English translation.

Important: always keep records and mail hard copies with appropriate seals. When mailing to CGFNS by courier or registered mail keep your shipping receipts and always follow up by phone a few days later. We always request that someone signs for the documents we send when receiving them.

Remember, never assume anything. When I received my visa screen certificate my last name was spelled incorrectly. Check all your documents thoroughly.

You will also need an Employment Letter. This letter will be required at the border to qualify for a Nurse Visa, better known as a TN Visa.


To get your social security number, you may have to apply while in the U.S., and supply a U.S.address. Each state is different. For more information on obtaining your social security number (SSN) go to CA SSN .

Click here for Canadian Travel Nurse Questions.





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Employment Letter

The employer in the U.S. must provide to the applicant, a Letter of Employment in the United States. The letter must indicate that the position in question in the U.S. requires the employment of a person in a professional capacity, consistent with the NAFTA Chapter 16, Annex 1603, Appendix 1603.d.1. The applicant must present evidence of professional employment to satisfy the Consular Officer of your plans to be employed in prearranged business activities for a U.S. employer(s) or entity(ies) at a professional level. Part-time employment is permitted. Self-employment is not permitted. An employment letter or contract providing a detailed description of the business activities may be provided from the U.S. or foreign employer, and should state the following:
Catherine’s letter and documents must explain and verify the following travel nurse information.

• Activity in which the applicant shall be engaged

• Purpose of entry

• Anticipated length of stay

• Educational qualifications or appropriate credentials demonstrating professional status

• Evidence of compliance with DHS regulations, and/or state laws

• Arrangements for pay

• Although not required, proof of licensure to practice a given profession in the United States may be offered along with a job offer letter, or other documentation in support of a TN visa application.

Catherine is married with one child.

Spouses and Children

Spouses and children (unmarried children under the age of 21) who are accompanying or following to join NAFTA Professionals (TN visa holders) may receive a derivative TN visa. Applicants must demonstrate a bona fide spousal or parent-child relationship to the principal TN visa holder. Dependents do not have to be citizens of Canada. Spouses and children cannot work while in the U.S. They are permitted to study. Once you have your nurse visa (TN Visa) you can apply for your social security number. Some states require you to have a social security number before they issue a state license.To find out what you will need when going to the border, click on the nurse visa link.

Congratulations! You now have a TN Visa and as a Canadian Travel Nurse. After all that I was ready for my Hawaii Travel Nursing adventure.

Websites

NCLEX : www.nclex.com information on writing nurse exam for US to become a Canadian Travel Nurse.

Pearsonvue : www.pearsonvue.com includes locations where a Canadian Travel Nurse can write the computerized exam. NCLEX

CGFNS : www.cgfns.org Visa Screen Certficate requirements

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