Ready to Work in the USA This Holiday Season? Here’s Your Chance
Canadian and Mexican registered nurses: celebrate your fall holidays at home, then head to the U.S. to cover American Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s — and earn premium holiday pay.
Leave After Your Fall Holidays — Arrive When the U.S. Needs You Most
Key 2025 dates:
- Mexico Independence Day: September 16, 2025 → Travel/start as early as September 17.
- Canadian Thanksgiving (2nd Monday in October): October 13, 2025 → Travel/start as early as October 14.
- Day of the Dead: November 1–2, 2025 → Travel/start as early as November 3.
Canadian nurses:
Enjoy your family Thanksgiving in October, then begin your U.S. assignment right after — you won’t miss your big holiday at home, and you’ll be available for peak-demand shifts in the U.S.
Mexican nurses:
Celebrate Independence Day and Day of the Dead with family, then head north in mid-September or early November so you’re ready to cover the U.S. holidays.
U.S. Holiday Coverage & Pay Opportunities
Hospitals in the United States need coverage for these high-demand days, which often come with premium pay and bonuses:
| Holiday | 2025/2026 Date | Why It’s a Great Opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| Thanksgiving Day (USA) | November 27, 2025 (Thursday) | High demand; many local staff take time off. Premium/holiday pay is common. |
| Christmas Eve | December 24, 2025 (Wednesday) | Evening/night shifts often include incentives and schedule flexibility. |
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2025 (Thursday) | One of the best single-day earning opportunities of the year. |
| New Year’s Eve | December 31, 2025 (Wednesday) | Premium pay for late shifts; strong need across many units. |
| New Year’s Day | January 1, 2026 (Thursday) | Holiday rates often extend into the morning/day shifts. |
Note: Specific pay policies vary by hospital and unit, but holiday differentials and bonuses are common during this period.
How to Get Ready for a U.S. Assignment This Fall
- NCLEX-RN: Have it passed or be ready to sit the exam.
- VisaScreen or Visa4Nurses: Start or complete your CGFNS VisaScreen certification.
- Choose Your First U.S. License: We recommend starting with New York to help streamline placement options.
- English Testing (if applicable): Mexican and Quebec nurses must complete an approved English exam if their nursing education was not completed in English.
- TN Visa (for Canadians & Mexicans): Fast and straightforward — no waitlist, no lottery, no cap. You can start as soon as you have an offer letter.
- Plan Your Target Start Date: Align to the dates above so you’re ready for U.S. holiday coverage.
Fast onboarding options: target September 17, October 14, or November 3 starts, aligned to your fall holidays.
Why the Holidays Are a Smart Time to Start
- Financial upside: Holiday differentials, bonuses, and stackable incentives can significantly boost your pay.
- Schedule advantage: Many U.S. nurses request time off, so your availability is valued.
- Career momentum: Enter a new team when hospitals need you most — a great way to showcase your skills quickly.
Start This Fall with IntelliStaff Medical
IntelliStaff Medical supports Canadian and Mexican nurses from first conversation to first shift. We guide you through licensing, English testing (if required), VisaScreen, and TN visa preparation — and we have nurses successfully starting new assignments weekly.
Reach out now so we can align your documents, license, and start date — and get you earning through the U.S. holiday season.
