By Medical Solutions

February 12, 2025

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U.S. Opportunities for Canadian Travel Nurses: A Quick Guide

Medical Solutions provided this article.

Hello, Canadian travel nurses! Curious about boosting your career and exploring new places? U.S. travel nursing offers a fantastic pathway for both professional and personal growth. It’s not just a job change; it’s a lifestyle change that introduces you to varied cultures, technologies, and healthcare settings. If you’re considering stepping into the exciting world of U.S. travel nursing, here’s a comprehensive guide on why it’s worth the leap.

U.S. Opportunities for Canadian Travel Nurses: A Quick Guide

Why Opt for U.S. Travel Nursing?

canadian travel nurses

Picture this: gaining the opportunity to earn more than you currently do in Canada, with added benefits like housing stipends and bonuses. Plus, travel nursing in the states offers more than just financial perks; working across the U.S., you’ll encounter advanced medical technology while serving a wide range of communities with varying patient needs, enriching your experience and expanding your skills. So, if you’re seeking a dynamic way to enhance your career while enjoying a flexible work-life balance, U.S. travel nursing might just be what you need. Ready to explore more and see where your nursing skills can take you? Let’s make it happen!

Licensing and Credentialing for Canadian Travel Nurses in the U.S.

To start your journey as a travel nurse in the U.S., there are a few key licensing and credentialing steps you’ll need to follow. First, you’ll verify your educational qualifications and ensure your language skills meet U.S. standards. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is crucial in this process, as they provide a VisaScreen certification that you’ll need for your U.S. nursing license.

Passing the NCLEX-RN exam is an essential step, whether you’ve previously taken it in Canada or not. Each state in the U.S. has its own Board of Nursing, so you’ll need to apply for licensure specifically in the state where you plan to work. Keep in mind, some states may require a Social Security Number before you start working, which you can secure once you’re in the U.S.

Securing a TN Visa and Social Security Number

For legal employment in the U.S., Canadian travel nurses need a TN Visa under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). This visa allows you to work for up to three years with the option to renew, providing long-term employment possibilities. You’ll apply for your TN Visa after receiving a job offer and your VisaScreen certificate. Following this, you can obtain a Social Security Number at a local office in the state you’ll be working in.

Top U.S. Cities for Canadian Travel Nurses in 2025

Choosing the right U.S. city can significantly impact both your career growth and your personal experiences. Here’s a look at some traveler-favorite U.S. destinations renowned for their vibrant cultures, excellent healthcare facilities, and superb travel nursing opportunities, making them standout choices for Canadian travel nurses in 2025:

  • Austin, Texas: Has a vibrant music scene and excellent healthcare jobs.
  • Boise, Idaho: Affordable living and a booming healthcare market.
  • Boston, Massachusetts: Known for its rich history with top healthcare facilities.
  • Chicago, Illinois: Features world-class medical centers in a cultural hub.
  • Denver, Colorado: Great for outdoor enthusiasts and healthcare professionals.
  • Hartford, Connecticut: New England charm with solid healthcare opportunities.
  • New York City, New York: Iconic, bustling, and rich in medical innovation.
  • Portland, Oregon: Known for its quirky culture and strong healthcare sector.
  • Rochester, Minnesota: Renowned for the Mayo Clinic and medical excellence.
  • Seattle, Washington: Has stunning scenery and leading healthcare facilities.

Find the Right Agency Fit

Embarking on a travel nursing journey from Canada to the U.S. isn’t just about advancing your career—it’s also an opportunity to experience life in new and exciting ways. With the right planning and a bit of guidance, you can smoothly manage the licensure requirements and find a U.S. city that’s a perfect match for both your professional aspirations and personal lifestyle.

If you’re ready to embark on this adventure, connect with a reputable, dedicated agency, such as Medical Solutions. The right recruiter can simplify the process by guiding you every step of the way.

Start your U.S. travel nursing journey today—apply with Medical Solutions and see where your nursing skills can take you!

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By Haleigh Gorrell

November 6, 2019

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Canadian Vacation Travel Tips for Travel Nurses: Great Places to Visit

About a year ago I began my journey as a travel nurse in Canada

Since packing up my car and leaving for my very first nursing contract, I have been to almost every province in this gorgeous country within the past year! Most Americans group Canada into one small category, but do you realize how huge Canada actually is!? We have a population of 37 million people and the land area is the second largest in the entire world! It would take you over 7000 km (4350 miles) to drive across Canada, or about 80 hours of driving. We have mountains, prairies, forests, arctic tundra, big metropolitan cities and oceans.

So when you look at a map of Canada…where should you visit!?

THE WEST COAST

Let’s start with the West coast. I’ve done contracts in both British Columbia and Alberta. A lot of people working in Seattle know how close it is to Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria so if you are working in Seattle take advantage of some days off to go explore across the border!

BC has the warmest weather in all of Canada. Highlights include camping, hiking, waterfalls, whale watching, skiing and driving through gorgeous vistas surrounded by mountains and the ocean. Alberta is home to Banff National Park, one of my favourite places in the entire world. There are gorgeous glacier fed lakes with beautiful crisp turquoise water. It’s breathtaking. The west coast is a great Canadian vacation spot all year round!

THE PRAIRIES

The prairies are where I grew up! Manitoba and Saskatchewan are generally very flat and usually covered in snow with a bone chilling wind. Not always though!

Winnipeg is a really nice city to visit during your Canadian vacation. And you can visit The Forks historical site, catch a hockey game, relax at the outdoor Thermea spa, or see polar bears at the Assiniboine Park Zoo! Or go see real polar bears way up in Churchill on the Hudson Bay. Saskatchewan is full of farm land and is a great place to catch a CFL football game which is a bit different than American football. Most people drive straight through the prairies but there are some hidden gems throughout!

ONTARIO

I was born in Ontario and this is where I live when I’m not out on assignment. I live in Northern Ontario which is quite isolated from the huge metropolitan area of Southern Ontario which is known as the GTA or Greater Toronto Area.

Northern Ontario is gorgeous, right on Lake Superior and covered in natural forests with numerous hiking trails and waterfalls. Southern Ontario is a lot more urbanized and it’s where most of Canada’s population resides. Toronto is so much fun to visit! Go up the CN Tower, visit Niagara Falls, go to a museum, relax in the Muskoka region, or explore our capital city of Ottawa full of history.

QUEBEC

Did you know that Canada has two official languages- English and French!? Although there are French speaking people scattered all throughout the country, most live in the province of Quebec. I recently visited Quebec City and Montreal this past summer and let me tell you- it’s an amazing place to take a vacation.

It’s so packed full of history of the French colonizing here and there is so much to see and do! Go see Montmorency Falls, walk through Old Quebec which feels just like Europe or hike up Mont Royal for a beautiful view of the Montreal skyline! You can practice your French a little or you can get by with just English if that’s all you know! Make sure you try the famous poutine dish- french fries smothered with cheese curds and gravy! Quebec is a good place to visit in the winter too; there are tons of festivals and even an ice hotel that you can stay in!

THE EAST COAST

I have a new found love for the East coast of Canada as I just visited this past summer as well! The people here are so unbelievably nice and being next to the ocean just makes me so happy! Spend some time enjoying the millions of bars/restaurants Downtown Halifax, eat all the seafood you can, go whale watching, deep sea fishing, surfing, and even go see Green Gables from the famous Anne of Green Gables book!

Driving through the Cape Breton Highlands is breathtaking as is walking on the ocean floor in the Bay of Fundy. Make sure to listen to some local live music which is always impressive with it’s Irish flair.

So there you have it!

Now it’s time to decide which area of Canada you want to visit! I haven’t even included the beautiful northern territories such as the Yukon. It’s overwhelming when you sit down to plan a vacation but if you narrow it down to mountains, ocean, or cities it becomes a bit easier to plan! No matter where you go in Canada for your Canadian vacation, you’ll always meet genuinely kind people who will want to serve you nice strong beer! You’ll see what our colorful “Monopoly” money is all about and use “loonies” and “toonies”! You’ll constantly be surrounded by a giant melting pot of cultures with unlimited ethnic food choices. You’ll see Tim Hortons on every corner which serves the best coffee and donuts! And you’ll always have beautiful surroundings as a view. Enjoy your Canadian vacation, eh!

Finished the travel nursing guide and are ready to look for an assignment?

Check out our travel nurse jobs!