Explore US nursing jobs as a Canadian RN
Tell us about your registration and the US states you are considering. We will look for US employers that may fit and follow up on next steps. Not sure how TN works? Read how TN status works for nurses first.
Free for candidates. Always. We are a recruitment agency, not an immigration law firm. Visa decisions are made by US authorities.
Received
Thanks, we will be in touch about US opportunities that may fit your background.
The TN path in plain language
- You tell us your backgroundYour registration, specialty and preferred states.
- We talk through where you areWe discuss where you are in US state licensing and VisaScreen.
- You complete licensing and VisaScreenYou work with the state board and the credentialing organization. These steps are yours to complete, and they take time.
- An employer prepares the job offerWhen a US employer is interested, the employer prepares the job offer letter.
- You apply for TN admissionYou apply at a designated US port of entry or pre-clearance location, or the employer files a petition. A US border officer decides.
This outline is general. Steps vary by state and by case. It is not legal advice.
Before you start
US state licence
You need a permanent or temporary licence, or other temporary authorization to work as an RN, from the nursing board of the state where you will work. Each board sets its own process.
VisaScreen
Nurses need a VisaScreen certificate from TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) or an equivalent organization. It covers education, licences and English proficiency, plus proof of passing the NCLEX-RN or TruMerit Nurse Qualifying Exam. Timing depends on how quickly your school and regulator send documents.
Job offer
TN requires a prearranged job with a US employer. TN applies to Canadian citizens only, so permanent residents of Canada do not qualify.
Read the TN overview, or see registered nurse jobs in Canada and how we verify credentials.
Questions before you submit
Can LPNs or health care aides use TN status?
The TN nursing category is for registered nurses. Other roles generally need a different pathway. Tell us your situation and we will say honestly what we can help with, including work in Canada if you would like to submit a general profile instead.
Do I need VisaScreen before I submit my interest?
No. You can tell us at any stage, including before you have started. Where you are in VisaScreen helps us plan next steps with you, but it is not a condition for submitting the form. VisaScreen is issued by TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) or an equivalent organization.
Does it cost me anything?
Free for candidates. Always. We are paid by the facility. Fees for US state licensing, VisaScreen and border admission are paid to those bodies and are not ours, so budget for them separately and confirm current amounts with each organization.
Can I keep my Canadian registration?
Many nurses do. Keeping it active has its own requirements with your Canadian regulator, such as practice hours and renewal fees. Check with your regulator before you decide, because those rules are set by them and not by us, and they can differ by province.
Which US states do you work in?
We will tell you which states we have openings in during our first conversation. We are building our US employer network, so we will be clear about what is available now and what is still in progress, rather than promising a match we cannot deliver.
Ready to explore US work?
Submit your TN interest
Free for candidates. Always.
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