US Nurse bound for Calgary... maybe...

Canada has tons of foreign trained nurses, so I don't see that being a problem at all. You would have to write the Canadian RN exam of course. Because you are American, you can get a renewable NAFTA visa (work permit) very easily. I don't know what the job prospects are like for NPs in Calgary though.

Wow, that really surprises me since Canada is full of foreigners. I can't imagine any resistance here.

Anabelle, I think they may have been talking about doctors. It is very difficult for foreign trained doctors to become licensed in Canada because they are required to do a residency and there are few spots for them, plus they have to pass the exam which is difficult if the doctor has been in a certain specialty for a while. Nurses don't have as hard a time since the US education is so similar to Canadian. As long as you have the required hours in different specialties (peds, medical, surgical, OB and psych) you will be elligible to write the exam and become licensed. Then you can start your job search and once you have a job offer you can get your work permit at the border.

Some provinces also require a BSN, but I don't believe Alberta is one of them and this obviously wouldn't impact you anyways

Annabelle, I am a US nurse with a BSN and tons of experience in NICU. I am moving to Calgary this fall. I started the process a year ago and it's rather tough and expensive. First you have to make application to the AARN where they review your college transcripts and decide if you are qualified to take the CRNE. Then you have to take the CRNE. They will issue you a 6 month temp permit interim. Also, you have to have a work permit which requires a job offer and a physical. They seem reluctant to hire if you aren't registered with the AARN. I have tried to get more info but alas, no luck.

I have to agree, Calgary is awesome.