Can US RN- Associates degree possibly practice in Toronto as an RN

fergus51 · Jun 1, 2005

Ontario, BC and I believe PEI all require the BSN now. This was done to further the nursing profession in order to bring our education on par with other disciplines we work with. Like it or not, it's the reality. I don't believe a new ADN grad could practice in Ontario, but they may let you after you have worked in the US for a certain amount of time. Ask CNO http://www.cno.org . They are the only people who could tell you for certain.

If you wanted to pursue getting your BSN, look for universities that offer post-diploma BSNs or post RN-BSNs. Those are the ones who allow you credit for your RN coursework. I know you can get some of these degrees almost completely by distance. BCIT and UVIC both offer programs. BCIT's bachelor is especially good for RNs with experience in certain specialty areas because they are allowed to challenge courses associated with that specialty (that means paying only half the price and doing half the work!). Plus, they run courses for three semesters every year instead of only two. http://www.bcit.ca is their website if you're interested. Just click on distance programs and find "bachelor of technology in specialty nursing" listings. You could probably complete that program in about a year. UVic's takes a little longer.

New grad RNs made about $23 an hour as of last year when I left Toronto. The wage is the same in the GTA as it is all over the province, but of course the cost of living is higher.

suzanne4, RN · Jun 2, 2005

Many of the provinces are actually beginning to go the BSN, or equivalent, route.

gchelak · Jun 3, 2005

I wanted to find out if anyone knew if a Registered Nurse with an Associates degree in nursing ( 2 yrs of Nursing coursework plus 1 yr or so pre-requisites) could apply to practice as a RN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
From the website of the nurses association in Ontario it looks ,like they have new rules which limits the practice of nursing to only those who have a BSc Nursing degree. So it looks like they will not allow a new RN from the states to qualify to practice. This leads me to some questions
1) Can a US educated RN apply for some sort of exemption.
2) Can she apply for entry into the BSc Nursing program and get admission to an advanced stage (only 1-2 yrs of additional schooling) ?
3) Can she apply to practice as a RPN ?
4) How does the Canadian RN exam compare to the NCLEX in the US. Is it nearly the same syllabus/level of difficulty etc ?
Could someone give me an idea of what a fresh out of school RN and/or RPN would make in the GTA ?
ps: I thought Canada faced a shortage of nurses also. Why did Ontario go for this Bachelors requirement, wouldnt it keep even more ppl out of the profession ?

I too am a Canadian (ALberta), and in my 3rd semester in Texas (Austin).

I will stayed here until I am done school and will move up to Alberta when I am done (my husband is already there -transferred right when I was accepted into school!).

Although Alberta has not yet gone to the BSN requirement- this requirement is ONLY A REQUIREMENT TO TAKE THE CRNE EXAM. There are still ADN (diploma) nurses practicing in Ont., etc. that were RNs before the requirement became official. The way around this (in Alberta anyway) for people like you and I who are going to school in the US in a 2 year class is to take the NCLEX before moving back. According to the Alberta Nursing Board, you are then considered an RN taking the CRNE NOT A GRADUATE NURSE who graduated from a 2 yr course. I can not see why Ontario or other BSN provinces would not do this as well.

Hope this helps. The best thing to do is e-mail the nursing board for the province you want to go to... they respond very quickly.

Gail

nurse2bmaryg · Jun 3, 2005

my husband just told me that we may be going to Nova Scotia, (his roots), we are americans and i am in the second year of a us ADN program,

anyone know anything about nursing in nova scotia, and what would be necessary to take the Registered nurses licensing exam there,

I too am a Canadian (ALberta), and in my 3rd semester in Texas (Austin).
I will stayed here until I am done school and will move up to Alberta when I am done (my husband is already there -transferred right when I was accepted into school!).
Although Alberta has not yet gone to the BSN requirement- this requirement is ONLY A REQUIREMENT TO TAKE THE CRNE EXAM. There are still ADN (diploma) nurses practicing in Ont., etc. that were RNs before the requirement became official. The way around this (in Alberta anyway) for people like you and I who are going to school in the US in a 2 year class is to take the NCLEX before moving back. According to the Alberta Nursing Board, you are then considered an RN taking the CRNE NOT A GRADUATE NURSE who graduated from a 2 yr course. I can not see why Ontario or other BSN provinces would not do this as well.
Hope this helps. The best thing to do is e-mail the nursing board for the province you want to go to... they respond very quickly.
Gail