....from those in the "know"

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

I am a Canadian Registered Practical Nurse with 24 years experience and my husband and I are contemplating "snow-birding" to the Gulf of Texas for the winters--six months here and six months there. I'm still a spring chicken, only 52 (okay maybe more of a late spring or early summer chicken) but would like to keep on working on part time basis once we make the big leap south. I happen to love what I do.

1. It appears that my clinical time and my classroom time doesn't meet the standards to take the exam for classification to LVN. Back in '82 this was a nine month course with a medication administration course tacked on that I think lasted three months.

2. What is a CNA in Texas? I hear they are unregulated and I never got an answer from the website recommended with the "dad" in it. I checked the glossary and didn't see it there....That's why I'm asking here.

So what do you know about this all you Texas nurses out there? Do I have a chance for some part time with a facility or nurses pool when the time comes?

And one more thing. I love this nurses resource! When I think that I'm the only nurse with the family persecutions , perplexing situations or managment frustrations :madface:, I just log on and discover that I am a part of a very big family of caregivers and it helps to put everything in perspective. These are all things that I took on when I went full time in 2002. Many thanks!! me_ewe

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

What visa are you looking at for doing what you are planning? That is where I think you may have some problems

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I have no advice for you (still just a student and have no clue :uhoh3: )

But, if you're looking at the Gulf Coast in TX I highly recommend Rockport. I used to live there and I wish I could go back! It's beautiful :)

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

Silverdragon--many thanks for such a speedy reply and for opening up a whole new perspective on this matter! "Visa" was the last thing on my mind. I was only at the "if I have the licensure then I can work" stage of thinking. Perhaps I should rename this thread, "Dream along with me"? If there is going to be any hassle with this I'd just as soon slip into the "Im retired and I don't do a darn thing" mode on the beach.

me-ewe

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

Hey Lucky!! We've fallen in love with Brazosport County! Lake Jackson, Clute, Oyster Creek, Jones Creek, Surfside, Brazoria.....and we love taking a side trip or two to the Strand in Galveston. I'll do a look up for Rockport. It sounds oddly familiar.

me_ewe

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Rockport is about (I don't remember exactly) 30-60 minutes north of Corpus Christi, where there as a tourist. Also, there may be a hospital in Aransas Pass, which is about 15-30 minutes south of Rockport.

Don't forget to check out Victoria, the largest city other then Corpus Christi. They have several hospitals (though, the city pop is about 50,000 - I think, it's been awhile)

Depending on how far south you are willing to go, Brownsville should have a lot of work, as well as Beeville, though that isn't on the coast.

In Texas, CNA's usually do VS, I&O's, personal care (bathing, linen change, BR, etc.) But it would likely vary from place to place.

Keep in mind, that I am nightshift and should be in bed.;)

seva

LVN

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Silverdragon--many thanks for such a speedy reply and for opening up a whole new perspective on this matter! "Visa" was the last thing on my mind. I was only at the "if I have the licensure then I can work" stage of thinking. Perhaps I should rename this thread, "Dream along with me"? If there is going to be any hassle with this I'd just as soon slip into the "Im retired and I don't do a darn thing" mode on the beach.

me-ewe

sorry if I have put a spanner in the works but I do know for the purpose of TN you need to be RN and have passed NCLEX with VSC on hand.

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

Thanks for the info Seva. We'll probably explore and visit the other places including Rockport. We've got our hearts set. The climate, the people and the greenery have got us hooked line and sinker for Brazosport. Right now we're up to our knees in snow with very little greenery so I'm dreaming of retirement and relocation from October end to about the end of April.

me_ewe

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

Hey silverdragon,

You didn't throw any spanners in the works! If I can't get licensure by endorsment or do the exam that doesn't throw any clots in my churn. I would have liked to be able to continue for a little bit here and there, but hey--I could get a metal detector and play on the beach all day unearthing bottle caps and loose change.

I was under the impression that CNA's gave medication--I don't know where I got that notion, but that was nicely cleared up for me today.

No worries. Everyone including you has been heaps of help!

me_ewe

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Went ahead and moved this thread to the International Forum as there are many more things that you need to be aware of besides licensure.

Getting the LPN/LVN license will not get you a visa to work in the US in any capacity. The CNA role, which is a nursing asst, does not meet the requirements for the visa either.

With RN after your name, then you could qualify for the Nafta TN Visa, but without those two letters after your name, it is not available for you either.

To be able to work in the US in a nursing capacity, you need to pass the licensure exam, there is no further reciprocity of the Canadian license any longer because of the necessity of getting a Visa Screen Certificate. And this still will not get you a visa, the only LPNs that you see from Canada, or RPNs as you call them that are working in the US are those that are married to Americans or a green card holder and got their green card that way. But as an RPN/LVN, that does not qualify for the visa.

Sure that this is not what you wanted to hear, but it is what is going on at this time and has been for quite a few years.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

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Specializes in long term care and geriatrics.

Thank you very much Suzanne for your enlightening words. No they weren't what I wanted to hear but it doesn't matter. It would have been nice but retirement is retirement and I'm not going to let that get in the way of my enjoying the warm weather and all the greenery! I look forward to that even more than i did the possible nursing part of it. But it is good to know the info you all supplied as now I can plan more realistically!!

Many thanks.

me_ewe

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