Nursing in Canada

[we_rn]

Husband and I are interested in moving to Canada. Any nurses on the Board who live there and could tell me what nursing in like in Canada and what if any opportunities are available? I am an RN with over twenty years of experience. Prefer Long Term care but am experienced in many areas.

[fergus51]

Believe me, immigration is a pain everywhere! For American trained nurses with a BSN, NAFTA allows them to immigrate fairly painlessly, but it still takes a few months.

[bizzymum919]

I did not know that US nurses are covered under NAFTA, but I know that NAFTA only applies to temporary work. I do know that the "score" to gain entry as a skilled worker is now 67 as opposed to 75 as it was before. I took an survey and I scored a 71. I would have scored more if I had family who lived in Canada, or a job offer, but that will come in time therefore my score will be even better.:chuckle

I am looking at more of the middle provinces like Saskachewan, Manitoba and such mainly because of the high cost of living in Ontario and BC. I am hearing that those areas are not limiting US nurses to having only BSN's. I hope that is true.

[fergus51]

I did not know that US nurses are covered under NAFTA, but I know that NAFTA only applies to temporary work. I do know that the "score" to gain entry as a skilled worker is now 67 as opposed to 75 as it was before. I took an survey and I scored a 71. I would have scored more if I had family who lived in Canada, or a job offer, but that will come in time therefore my score will be even better.:chuckle

I am looking at more of the middle provinces like Saskachewan, Manitoba and such mainly because of the high cost of living in Ontario and BC. I am hearing that those areas are not limiting US nurses to having only BSN's. I hope that is true.

NAFTA TN visas are technically only temporary, but you can just keep renewing them. It's the easiest way to move between the 2 countries if you don't have citizenship. It is true that you don't need a BSN for most of the other provinces (other than BC, Ontario and PEI I think). Alberta also has a low cost of living and pretty good pay and lots of jobs!!

[uk_nurse]

Im a paeds nurse. Is there a call for paeds nurses in canada? Do you have to sit exams to qualify to work as a nurse like u do in USA?

[fergus51]

Yep, we need peds nurses too and you do have to sit for the Canadian nursing exam. You first have to be assessed by the registration board for the province you wish to move to (College of nurses of Ontario, or Registered Nurses Association of BC, etc.) then write the exam.