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Canadian Nurses

There are numerous benefits of working for Catholic Health, including:

• Generous health benefits
• Full-time and flexible shifts
• Better pay
• Catholic Health University – Catholic Health has a corporate philosophy that is geared toward the education of all its associates 
• Assistance with educational financing for nurses

Coverage of Relocation Expenses

Catholic Health will cover relocation expenses for Ontario nurses wishing to move closer to Buffalo. Call our Recruiting Center at 1-877-247-5989 for details.

VisaScreen™ Application

In order to practice Nursing in the United States, Canadian Nurses must first contact The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and begin a VisaScreen™ application. 

Nurses can apply for the VisaScreen™ program in one of three ways:

• Request a copy of the VisaScreen™ Program Handbook and Application from CGFNS by mail (3600 Market Street, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA, 19104-2651) or by phone (215-349-8767).
• Apply online at www.cgfns.org by clicking on "Apply Online" under the "Information" section of the homepage.
• Download the VisaScreen™ Handbook and Application from www.cgfns.org by clicking on "Applications & Forms" under the "Information" section of the homepage.

The VisaScreen™ process is a visa credentials assessment program offered by the International Commission on Healthcare Professions (ICHP), a division of CGFNS. The program is comprised of three steps:

• A credentials review of the applicant's entire professional education and all registrations/license that the applicant has held or currently holds.
• Successful completion of either the CGFNS Certification Program or the NCLEX-RN® exam (Registered Nurses only).
• Successful completion of designated examinations demonstrating English proficiency.

A Career in Catholic Health Worth the Wait for Nurse North of the Border

Buffalo’s close proximity to Canada offers many advantages for residents on both sides of the border. For Donna Poirier, a registered nurse who lives in southern Ontario, it’s the opportunity to work in the Buffalo area.

A lifelong Canadian citizen, Donna has worked at Sisters of Charity Hospital for the past two years. She began as a Charge Nurse on the hospital’s Cardiac Unit and within two years was promoted to Nurse Manager on the Vascular Unit.

While the credentialing and verification process can take some time, Donna says working in the U.S. offers many advantages for Canadian nurses including:

• Greater flexibility in scheduling (nurses in Canada are required to work rotating day and night shifts).
• Access to better health benefits and the U.S. healthcare system.
• More opportunities for career advancement, and
• Better continuing education programs.

To work in New York State, Donna obtained her credentials and education verification from CGFNS International (formerly the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools). In addition to a Visa screening, she also had to pass the New York State Nursing Exam.

While Donna says it’s easy to get discouraged during the CGFNS process, she is quick to add that it was well worth the effort. One of the biggest benefits for Donna and her family, including husband Brad, and daughters, Destiny, age 20; Serenity, age 16; Hope, age 15; and Jewel, age 13; is the opportunity to get health benefits in the U.S. and the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing they can get the medical attention they need without waiting for government approval.

Donna encourages other nurses from Canada who would like to work in the U.S. to get their working papers. “The best advice I can give to anyone is to stick with it and to ask a lot of questions throughout the verification process,” she said. “CGFNS also offers a ‘Help Line’ that can answer any questions or concerns.”

Besides working at Catholic Health, Donna also works as a nurse for Mercy Flight (Canadian citizens with U.S. working papers can work up to three jobs). Through her work in Catholic Health and at Mercy Flight, Donna enjoys helping others and responding to the emergency medical needs of people across Western New York.

More Information

For more information, please call our Recruiting Center at 1-877-247-5989.

Some content taken from "VisaScreen,™ A Crucial Step Toward Working in the U.S.," published by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools.