My Journey to Become a USRN: Nurse Brennan
Like many of you, my dream to become a USRN was years in the making. As a 4th year Canadian BScN student (in 2014), I can remember researching hospitals in the United States, wanting to learn more about the healthcare system and opportunities for international nurses like myself. I had been fortunate to have had the to opportunity to visit the United States on a number of occasions growing up, including Big Sky, Montana for a hockey tournament in 2002, and family vacations to Anaheim, California in 2003, San Francisco, California in 2006, and Las Vegas, Nevada in 2007. The magic and excitement of entering the United States as a child never left me, and part of me always longed to go back.
Upon graduating, I was told that I needed to get at least one year of hospital experience, a requirement that continues to stand to this day. And for good reason. Having the hospital experience that I did prior to moving to the United States and working as a USRN allowed for a much easier transition that I had anticipated, and I am thankful for that. When I graduated in 2015, I began working full-time in pediatric cardiology and gastrointestinal services (including heart, liver, and multivisceral transplant care) as well as adolescent and family mental health. It wasn’t until about six to nine months into my career that I began to feel comfortable as an RN. At that point I was able to gain confidence and take on more of a leadership role on my unit and among my colleagues, which I believe is both a normal and important progression for new nurses.
While my dream of working as a USRN never left, it wasn’t until a vacation with friends to Los Angeles, California in October of 2018 (3 years after graduating) that I began taking the necessary steps to turn this dream into a reality. It was the trip of a lifetime. My friends and I went to see Drake and Kiss live in concert, airings of Dr. Phil and James Corden, and even found ourselves in a commercial with Jane Seymour and having Tacos with Owen Wilson. While we were in the Uber ride back to LAX to return to Canada, I had told my friends “I need to be living and working in the United States” and that’s when my journey truly began.
Having researched the requirements for international nurses to work in the United States I discovered that I needed:
A Bachelor of Nursing Degree
Evidence of English proficiency
To pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
To hold a US CGFNS Visa Screen Certificate
Acquire a US state nursing license
I had been fortunate to have already passed the NCLEX-RN exam, which thankfully, is now offered all across the world including at five Pearson Vue Testing Centre locations in the Philippines, which makes up the largest number of international nurses in the United States to this day.
I had also taken my BScN in English in Canada (outside of Quebec), which meant that I did not need to take an English Assessment. Otherwise I would have needed to take either the Academic IELTS or TOEFL, which are also available all across the world. There are many incredible IELTS and TOEFL preparation courses and classes available to other aspiring USRNs for those who have not yet taken either of these assessments.
I did however need to acquire a US CGFNS Visa Screen Certificate, which I was able to process by going to CGFNS.org. CGFNS required that I submit a copy of my nursing degree, university transcripts and course breakdown (directly from my post-secondary institution), and license and NCLEX-RN Exam information (directly from my nursing regulatory body). That process took approximately three months from start to finish. I do recommend using tracking envelopes (expedited if possible) to ensure that your documents arrive to CGFNS’s headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Once I knew my documents had arrived, I was able to call CGFNS and inquire about my application which helped to speed the process up.
When acquiring a US state nursing license, I do recommend using the same method for submitting your documents using expedited tracking envelopes and following up with the regulatory nursing body directly once they have arrived to inquire about your application and to help speed up the process. To this day, I recommend Texas as an initial state to acquire a US Nursing License due to their fast processing time, employment market, and quality of life.
While I was in the process of acquiring the required documentation to become a USRN, I worked with the agency who assisted with my immigration visa and employment. This alleviated a lot of stress, knowing that the agency would be doing this for me, and which is why I believe Medliant International Healthcare Staffing is the best option for helping international nurses immigrate to the United States as USRNs. The entire Medliant team, including their legal team, is with you and your family during every step of the process and throughout your career as your employer.
When it came time to enter the United States, I couldn’t have been more excited. In November of 2019, I was on a one-way flight ready to begin the next chapter of both life and my nursing career. I can recall feeling every emotion possible that day, mostly notably excitement and eagerness. When I landed, I picked up my rental car, headed to my new apartment, and was at the beach the very next day before beginning work later that week!
Looking back almost one and a half years later, immigrating to the United States as a USRN was the best decision that I ever made. The only regret I would have ever had, would have been not to have taken this opportunity. I could have never imagined the friendships I have made, the places I have explored, and the learning that has happened as a nurse in the United States, but I am thankful for every moment that has passed and for all that is to come into the future.
If I have any advice to share with you as you look to turn your dream of becoming a USRN into a reality, it is to continue to work towards meeting the requirements which include:
Holding a Bachelor of Nursing Degree
Having 12 months of current hospital experience (in a hospital with 100+ beds); adult ICU is the best experience that you can get
Demonstrating English proficiency (Academic IELTS or TOEFL)
Passing the NCLEX-RN Exam
Holding a US CGFNS Visa Screen Certificate
Medliant International Healthcare Staffing and I are here to support you, in making your dream of becoming a USRN a reality. Our Facebook, Instagram, Youtube Channel, and website continuously offer helpful resources and information to support you in this journey. Remember that I was once where you are today, and that anything is possible. With ¼ medical professionals in the United States being born in another country, Registered Nurses are in high demand, and there is no better organization than Medliant to successfully assist you in becoming a USRN and in helping you and your family in immigrating to the United States.
From one international nurse to another, I look forward to seeing you here with me in the USA!
Your friend and colleage,
Nurse Brennan
If you are ready to begin your application to become a US Registered Nurse with Medliant International Healthcare Staffing please reach out to us on the Medliant Website, Facebook (Medliant International Healthcare Staffing), or Instagram (@medliant).
You can also email your resume to nursebrennan@medliant.com to start making your American Dream come true!
Nurse Brennan Belliveau
Email: nursebrennan@medliant.com
Medliant International Healthcare Solution
