Is Canadian LPN/LVN training recognized in the States?

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I live in California and am looking for an LVN progam. I am a Canadian citizen and contemplating doing the LVN training in B.C., because that's where my previous college credits are from (and therefore more readily transferable), and that is where my family is.

My concern is that if I obtain my LVN in Canada that it might be useless if I move back to the States. Can anyone advise me, or direct me to an agency that can?

Thanks.

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Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

Hello and welcome to the wonderful family of allnurses.com. Enjoy your stay, and best of luck to you. :)

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You need to seek info from the LVN board in California to see if they would issue you a lisence or allow you to sit for the exam. Also, you wouldn't qualify for a TN visa as an LPN so that's something to consider.

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fergus51,

Thanks for the reply. Sorry, I'm new to all of this - What is a TN visa?

Thanks.

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TN Visa is a special visa for Canadian and Mexican nurses to work in the US under the NAFTA Treaty, but is only available for RNs.

It isn't a problem as much as with the training being accepted but with getting a visa that will permit you to work. That is where you are up against a stone wall. And LPN will not be beneficila to you in terms of immigration.

What type of visa were you working before with in the US?

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Suzanne,thanks for your feedback. I actually have permanent resident status in the States. I have had an "alien" card for many years. For twenty + years I have worked with students with special needs, both in the classroom through various school disrticts, and in clients homes through the dept. of mental health doing TBS (therapeutic behavioral services) work. Unfortunately, since I have not had the opportunity to finish my 4 year degree (have spent most of my time raising 2 great kids as a divorced mom) the work, though rewarding in other ways, does not pay very well. Time to get some more training under my belt so that I am less dependent on my undependable child support/spousal support checks :-)

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Best bet then would be to contact the BON for California if that is where you wish to return to. Some programs are accepted from Canada and some are not.

Many times I get contacted about someone who wishes to come to work in the US with the LPN license, but most do not already have residnecy here. It is next to impossible to get a visa with the LPN, only way right now is to marry a green card holder or an American......... :) that is why I was asking all of the questions first.

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