Opportunities in Canada for US educated BSN new graduate

[rhp123]

Hi, Everyone:

I'm a landed immigrant in Canada, I've been in US for many years on a non-immigrant visa. I am planning to choosing nursing as my second career.

I'm trying to get into a descent accelerated BSN program in US, it takes only two years considering the time to crack pre-requisites. Moneywise this option would not be a problem since I've been trying to save every penny for the tuition for years.

Or I can try to go to a BSN after-degree program in Canada, but admission is competitive and lengthy, I expect three years from now to get BSN degree in Canada. Advantages of this route is that Fiancial pressure is much less, but disadvantages is that it takes at least one more extra year to finish.

I want to find out the opportunities for US educated new graduate in Canada? I love Canad and I'd like to work in Canad for a couple of years and see what can I go from there. If US education will give me some problem, I will think about going to a Canadian university.

Is there any suggestion? Advice? I will fully appreciate it!

Maggie

[fergus51]

You may wish to talk to the board of nursing in your province to be certain they accept such degrees from the US, but I don't think it would be too much of a technical problem. After graduation you would have to apply with them to write the Canadian exam and get your Canadian lisence, which could take a few months. The only problem I really see is that the best opportunities for new grads tend to come from their preceptorships while they are in school. Many of them get hired on units where they did clinicals, since the nurses there have already gotten an impression of them. You'd have to come in as a stranger, but if you are interested in med-surg in a larger city I still think you'd be able to find a job.

[Fiona59]

Best find out if your still a landed immigrant in Canada. If you are out of the country for a certain period of time, (I think its 180 days) it is possible to loose the status of landed. Happened to a friend of mine who went back to visit family in the UK was gone 5months, got held up at the airport because they wanted proof that she hadn't been employed while over there.

[rhp123]

fergus51 and fiona59:

Thanks for the replies. They are very helpful. I think I will call BON of Ontario to find out. It is good to know there are jobs available in Med-Surg in big cities for new graduate.

fiona59, Thanks for reminder.

CIC changed the rule, now a landed immigrant need to stay 2 years out of 5-year period in Canada to maintain permanent residency status. The 180-day rule is no longer in use. Also, I am looking for a program near Canada, like onr in Detroit, Buffalo, etc. Hopefully, I can stay in Canada as much as possible during the study.