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It has been done :) This exact thread has been posted in International nurses and General nurses section as well. Other Canadians who completed their nursing education in the US (ADN) are now working in the states and they had no problem with getting a TN Visa/VSC.
I have read posts from other Canadians who have done their nursing education in the states and now are working there on TN Visa. I am aware of the VSC requirement.
I want to continue my nursing education, ADN would be a start, and I want some work experience before I continue with BSN and eventually MSN.
This is what I am thinking:
1) work in the states temporarily and then continue on with BSN
2) After BSN is complete I would write the exam to be licensed in canada
3) Then I can work in either country...
4) further education (MSN)
It all depends on the job market in 3-4 yrs.
I'm a Canadian and I just finished a 2 year RN degree in the U.S. I also went to the states for the same reason you are wanting to go. It is very expensive as you pay international fee's, but then again Canadian universities are quite expensive too.
To work in the states after your degree, you have to do a visa screen (takes about a month) and once you do that you can get TN visa status if you are offered a job.
I am doing the same thing right now. I am in Houston, Texas attending cy fair college. I am one semester away from the nursing program. After i am done i hope to get a tn visa and work down here for a while to get some experience. If you come on a student F-1 visa you are allowed to work for one year after your studies. It allows you to get some experience in your field. This should give you enough time to get the screening and find someone to give you a work letter for your tn visa. It is a little complicated, watch who you are listening to, there is a lot of people with miss leading information. Do your research really good. I went to see a immigration lawyer for one hour and it was worth the money.
Good luck
Curiousgurl
15 Posts
I've been advised to post this in the Canadian forum, I am also going to post in the international section, hopefully I will get some answers.
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 4
I am wondering if their are any Canadian RNs out there who completed their nursing training (Associates Degree) in the states and whether any of you are now working in the states.
Here is the thing, if I want to go to nursing school here, there is a 2yr+ waiting list plus prereqs (semester to year) and then nursing school would be another 4 yrs!
I am considering attending school in the states and first completing an ADN program and then working for awhile and eventually getting my BSN (the final goal is to get my masters).
I know the job market is tough right now but I am open to relocating (anywhere in the states) because I will not be able to work in Canada. Also in 3-4 yrs the job market could soften up (I am being optimistic here).
Also if anyone has gone this route, what steps did you take? Can I write the NCLEX-RN, and if I get a job offer is it easy to get a TN Visa?
Thank you for your time