Do American graduates have any advantage over Canadian graduates??

Nurses General Nursing

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Hey,

I'm a Canadian citizen living in Ontario. There is a debate in my house wether I should go to nursing school here or in the States. For some reason my parents think that if I graduate from the states I would have a better education, and advantage over Canadian graduates. ( i don't know why?!)

Does this make sense to any of you? Would it be better to go to Nursing school in the states and then come work here?? Is there any difference at all???

Because most probably after I graduated I would be working in Canada not the the U.S... if i did graduate from U.S... what would I have to do to become licensed in Canada?

I would REALLY!!!!! appreciated any help and input on this matter

:) :)

it will cost a lot more if you go to school in the states. Tuition costs are subsidized by taxes. Non residents have to pay an extra fee. You would also need extra health care insurance.

OHIP will pay some of your medical bills but they only pay out at the Ontario rate which is a lot less than you will be charged. Even if your parents have benefits at work they are not likely

intended for you to live abroad.

As for the quality of education you will receive over there I haven't researched their programs so i can't comment on if you will get a better education. I can say that having being educated in Ontario has never stopped any of my classmates from getting work in the States.

There are little things that are different in the states and Ontario, legislation and brand names of drugs that you will have to get to know if you get educated out side of Ontario.

After you graduate and pass your NCLEX you will have to apply to the college of nurses (CNO) provide proof that you are a registered nurse in good standing then write your Canadian exam. If you go for any program other than a BSN then you should talk to some one at the CNO to make sure you could get registration as BSN will be the new entry to practice standard in 2005

Specializes in ICU.

Our hospital has hired a few RN's from the US, and likewise we have lost alot of RN's to them...I don't really think there is alot of difference to the two countries programs. US nurses still need to write the CNA exam here. We need to write the NCLEX to work there...

If you are going to stay in Canada it would be more cost-effective to you to school here.

Do your parents have a specific school in mind or something?

I did my BSN in Canada and my MS in the US.

As the other posters have said: US tuition is very high when you are a nonresident.

If this is your BSN program: I would say stick to Canada.... the education will be cheaper, no health insurance costs and you will likely be getting a BSN whereas in the US there is a real diversity of basic nursing programs from ADN to BSN. I believe most diploma programs are no longer available in the US.

If you plan on a nurse practitioner program, then I would definitely consider the US...with 40 years of hx...they have the most experience educating NPs and the most clinical experience in NP practice. I wouldn't consider a Canadian NP program if you want the flexibility of working as a NP in the US because as far as I know most graduates of NP education in Canada are not eligible to sit for national cert with ANCC or AANP.

If you are going to be working in Canada, it will be a lot easier if you just get your degree in Canada. I graduated from a Canadian school, and have worked in both countries without any problem. With the nursing shortage the way it is, you won't have a problem getting work no matter where you go to school.

You should know if you plan on going to the US, many of their programs take longer when you factor in the pre-reqs. A 2 year ADN can easily take 3 and their BSNs can easily take 4 or 5. They also seem to include more liberal art type classes. The Canadian degrees tend to be much more straightforward. You go for 4 years, have a lot of clinical standardized (some schools in the US have lots, others way less), most of your classes are nursing and you have a BSN. I would not go to the expense and trouble of getting an American degree if I were you. They aren't considered any better for job hunting.

Specializes in ER.

I would absolutely stay in Canada, having worked in both countries, I think you will be more satisfied with your education, and pay less for it. The Canadian education programs have a good reputation in the USA so you will not have a problem there. Financial considerations will at least triple your cost of education if you do it in the USA.

I would suggest that you write both the Canadian RN exam as well as the NCLEX when you graduate if you want the option of working in both countries ; not all states endorse the Canadian RN.

Specializes in Corrections, Psych, Med-Surg.

"Would it be better to go to Nursing school in the states and then come work here?? Is there any difference at all??? "

Down here, our polar bears and elks don't roam the streets.

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