American LPN to Ontario RPN

RNGrad2006 · Oct 8, 2009

Hi there,
I am in a frustrating situation. I took my LPN in Florida (long story). I am a Canadian that went down on a student visa with the hope of bridging to RN. I am back in Ontario working at my old job as a paramedic. Has anyone qualified for an RPN using the LPN education from the States? The Florida BON will let me write their exam, but will only certify me for 30 days because I do not have an American Social. Thank you in advance for any replies to my thread.

You can PM me if you want but I have a similar experience and this is what I did...it is a long story. I went to US also as a Canadian on a student visa since BC had already gone to the bachelors only program and with a waiting list it would take a long time to get work ready and I was in my late 30's and my hubby was out of work etc... Well I decided to go to Washington State for my LPN and the International Advisor in the end knew less than I did about everything and nobody even told me that in order to go on with my RN I needed a SSN and without it my schooling was not helpful. But as a technical college M-1 Visa I qualified for OPT (optional practical training) and worked for a a very short time in the US but it was long enough to get a SSN. I had already been on a waiting list for my RN as I had no intention at stopping at LPN due to the limited work opportunities. Besides as a Canadian I could not get work status in the US with LPN. The TN visa only works for RN. I did have the SSN and was able to get my license in Washington State and got my RN afterward. But in answer to your question. It was a LOT of hoops to jump through on both sides of the border...I can't believe how much I have been through because of it BUT...long story short I had to get my education assessed and pay a lot of fees but was able to get my LPN in BC after getting educated in the US. Not sure if Ontario is the same since their RPN program is a little longer than most LPN programs but you might be able to get your license in another province first and endorse over. But if you want to get your RN I would still pursue that. I figure if there is a will there is a way...and I am living proof of it. I ended up moving to Arizona after my RN due to better work opportunities both for my hubby and me and am loving it there. I have since finished my BSN on my employer's dime. It has been great. I just wrote the Canadian Exam too for my RN since we are never sure with our immigration issues and want to have a back up plan if things don't work out like we think. I have been through it all so PM me if you have more questions.

Blakpepa · Oct 18, 2009

You can PM me if you want but I have a similar experience and this is what I did...it is a long story. I went to US also as a Canadian on a student visa since BC had already gone to the bachelors only program and with a waiting list it would take a long time to get work ready and I was in my late 30's and my hubby was out of work etc... Well I decided to go to Washington State for my LPN and the International Advisor in the end knew less than I did about everything and nobody even told me that in order to go on with my RN I needed a SSN and without it my schooling was not helpful. But as a technical college M-1 Visa I qualified for OPT (optional practical training) and worked for a a very short time in the US but it was long enough to get a SSN. I had already been on a waiting list for my RN as I had no intention at stopping at LPN due to the limited work opportunities. Besides as a Canadian I could not get work status in the US with LPN. The TN visa only works for RN. I did have the SSN and was able to get my license in Washington State and got my RN afterward. But in answer to your question. It was a LOT of hoops to jump through on both sides of the border...I can't believe how much I have been through because of it BUT...long story short I had to get my education assessed and pay a lot of fees but was able to get my LPN in BC after getting educated in the US. Not sure if Ontario is the same since their RPN program is a little longer than most LPN programs but you might be able to get your license in another province first and endorse over. But if you want to get your RN I would still pursue that. I figure if there is a will there is a way...and I am living proof of it. I ended up moving to Arizona after my RN due to better work opportunities both for my hubby and me and am loving it there. I have since finished my BSN on my employer's dime. It has been great. I just wrote the Canadian Exam too for my RN since we are never sure with our immigration issues and want to have a back up plan if things don't work out like we think. I have been through it all so PM me if you have more questions.

I have a question about getting your LPN in the US and transfering it to BC. I live in the Vancouver area and as you know, going to private colleges is very expensive for LPN and the community college here has a very long wait list. I was just looking at the LPN program in Bellingham and it looks incredibly easy (I already took nursing courses, long story!) and I can do it full time or part time. I am working towards a science degree so I figure I only need to take a few classes and im good to go and for a fraction of the cost here!

How long did it take for you to transfer your LPN from Washington to BC? was there any major issues involved? Do you need work experience to transfer your LPN? Where did you got to school?

Thanks so much for your help!

Fiona59 · Oct 18, 2009

The PN programme isn't "incredibly easy". There is a lot of information packed into a very short time.

You would have to apply to the school to see what they say about your previous education. If it's anything like schools in Canada, you will have to complete a certain number of credits before they will let you graduate. If your previous nursing eduation was for an RN programme, they more than likely will not accept it. (Now people who had that happen to them here in Alberta)

Have you factored in the US exchange rate, and the fact that you will be an international student and the courses will be more expensive.

Blakpepa · Oct 18, 2009

The PN programme isn't "incredibly easy". There is a lot of information packed into a very short time.
You would have to apply to the school to see what they say about your previous education. If it's anything like schools in Canada, you will have to complete a certain number of credits before they will let you graduate. If your previous nursing eduation was for an RN programme, they more than likely will not accept it. (Now people who had that happen to them here in Alberta)
Have you factored in the US exchange rate, and the fact that you will be an international student and the courses will be more expensive.

I appreciate your response, however, my question is with regard to transfering the Washington LPN to BC and not about getting an American education.

I dont expect to get any exemptions due to my nursing education in the US LPN program;I will however get exemptions in all the other classes like english, math, sciences because of my current university education. The LPN program in the US is only 3 semesters and they also offer it part time which is a great convenience for me.

The reason why i'm considering going to the US for the LPN program is because there is no waiting list...their is only ONE college in the entire lower mainland that offers LPN and there's a 3-2 year waiting list. To go to a private school is $20,000...money that I dont have. There is no waiting list for the US LPN course and the admission requirements are easy; I wouldnt be surprise if they get alot of Canadians. Canadian tuition is only 35% of regular tuition; the tuition is the cost of one of my credit classes at university!

As far as me saying the LPN course is easy...yes for ME it WOULD be easy. I have already studied nursing and my marks made me a top student (i had to leave for personal reasons). I am currently pursing a BSc in Health science that includes courses in pharmacology, immunology and pathophysiology; this is and beyond what is bein taught in a LPN course. I've taken practice LPN exams and I found them relatively easy. I dont expect someone with no nursing background or university education to come into an LPN program and fly by, but this is not my situation. And before someone says to contact the clpnbc and ask about writing based on my nursing education, i already did before i moved to BC and was going to take a course through TRU but they cancelled the program and so the only option for LPN is to take an entire course.

Fiona59 · Oct 18, 2009

Well, by looking at your posting history, I can see where the tone of your response came from. By getting a "Washington LPN" you will indeed be getting an American education. You would even have to apply to write their NCLEX to be considered a LPN not merely a PN graduate.

As for taking practice PN exams, yes they may be easy but passing the clinical portion is a different story.

Blakpepa · Oct 18, 2009

I am looking forward to the response of RNGrad2006, the nice and very helpful poster who was in a similar predicament as me. I have done my research and made my phone calls and spoken to who I need to speak so that I can make educated and informed decisions.

Yes, I did excel in the clinical portion of my RN program and got very good grades...im incredibly proud of my tremedous hard work and dedication and is excited about the prospect of getting back into the profession... I was asked to go to PN after I had to drop out of the RN program and I couldnt afford it.

linzz · Oct 19, 2009

If you are able to move, Ontario offers lots of LPN programs with no waitlists, however Ontario doesn't offer the LPN program at any private colleges, and it takes 2 to 2.5 years full time to complete it.

As for exemptions, from your University studies, this varies depending on the college but the kicker is that most colleges will charge you fees to challenge credits as most colleges don't like giving exemptions. In some cases it is worth challenging the courses, you want exemptions from and sometimes it is not. I have a degree with courses in math and science but I am now forty and got the degree when I was 22, so the school would not give me exemptions because my education was over ten years old. So, I just took the same old courses and was able to do very well with very minimal effort.

I must also agree with the other posters in that the challenging part of the LPN program ins't the academic work, it is the clinical portion for many reasons but more often than not, you may end up in some very troubled units where nurses have had to fight long and hard for their job security.

Good luck.

linzz · Oct 19, 2009

If you are able to move, Ontario offers lots of LPN programs with no waitlists, however Ontario doesn't offer the LPN program at any private colleges, and it takes 2 to 2.5 years full time to complete it.
As for exemptions, from your University studies, this varies depending on the college but the kicker is that most colleges will charge you fees to challenge credits as most colleges don't like giving exemptions. In some cases it is worth challenging the courses, you want exemptions from and sometimes it is not. I have a degree with courses in math and science but I am now forty and got the degree when I was 22, so the school would not give me exemptions because my education was over ten years old. So, I just took the same old courses and was able to do very well with very minimal effort.
I must also agree with the other posters in that the challenging part of the LPN program ins't the academic work, it is the clinical portion for many reasons but more often than not, you may end up in some very troubled units where nurses have had to fight long and hard for their job security.
Good luck.

Disregard my post, I just read the last few posts over and noted that the op in from BC.

RNGrad2006 · Oct 20, 2009

I am looking forward to the response of RNGrad2006, the nice and very helpful poster who was in a similar predicament as me. I have done my research and made my phone calls and spoken to who I need to speak so that I can make educated and informed decisions.
Yes, I did excel in the clinical portion of my RN program and got very good grades...im incredibly proud of my tremedous hard work and dedication and is excited about the prospect of getting back into the profession... I was asked to go to PN after I had to drop out of the RN program and I couldnt afford it.

You can PM me if you want because I probably attended the very college you are speaking of. I took the LPN program at Bellingham Technical College (BTC). At the time they did not even charge an extra fee for tuition to Canadians. Even now they do not charge nearly as much as other colleges in Washington do and it is very affordable program. With the great exchange rate now it is a deal!!!! Did you check on waiting list though? There was a waiting list when I started but it was only a few months.

There may be changes but there are fees involved in obtaining licensure in BC. They will charge somewhere between 200-300 to assess your education. If you pursue this get used to jumping hoops. I have done it and very doable and I will be happy to help in any way I can. I have been there and have learned a lot through the process and want to save others the trouble.

Yes, you will need to take NCLEX in Washington before permission to write the LPN in BC. The cost of the exam in Washington is $200 (much less than Canada) and you are quickly able to get your results in 2 days as the exam is done as a computer adapted version. As opposed to pencil paper. I thought it was easier in the US simply because you do not have to deal with the fatigue of an all day exam...although the questions are not easier.

With your extensive background I would highly recommend that you continue on at BTC to get your RN once you have some work experience as they require 1000 hours to do the LPN to RN. There are so many more options for work with an education at the RN level.

In order to go to school at BTC you will need to get an I20 (student visa) in order to cross the border even if you are living in Canada and going to school in Bellingham. You may find it a challenge at the school if you are an older adult but the instructors are very helpful to the students overall. Our class unfortunately had one group gang up on another but if you can swallow it for 9 months you will do fine. They do a group process type of learning. I am a very good independent learner so found it frustrating at times when other students came to class unprepared. Clinicals are done at nursing homes and the hospital in Bellingham, and later in the program at doctors offices' etc...

I will look for some info in order to provide you with a contact at CLPNBC but not sure if the person I dealt with will still be working there. I graduated several years ago now. In my experience employers were not as forthcoming until I had my full registration in BC with job offers. One other issue with the US that you will need to be aware of that nobody brought to my attention is that in order to write the NCLEX you will need a SSN which you can't get without work authorization. PM regarding this.

I look forward to helping you further. It is a good option and don't regret the path I chose. I was even complimented when working in BC that my education was a good preparation for the job from nurses I worked with there.

I look forward to helping you as you make your decision to further your education.

fiy416 · Dec 14, 2009

Hey, this reply might be kinda late with the reply. I was in the same exact situation.. When I applied to write the RPN examination at CNO ( College Nurses of Ontario)... they gave me a hard time. I left the states because it was a long waiting list for RN school.. And my visa would have expired..The only province in Canada that I know that transfer your lpn license is Alberta.. Alberta has a similar system as the states.. The most important thing is getting licensed as a LPN, but its hard when you dont have a SSN. Im new to the website soo I really cant PM anyone..

fiy416 · Dec 14, 2009

I graduated from a nursing school in Kansas City, Missouri.. And the Missouri Board of Nursing said that they would not issue me my licenses because I did not have a SSN, they allowed me to sit for the NCLEX-PN.. but stated if I had passed they still would not give me the license to work in Missouri.. It depends on state your in.. but however while your a F1 Visa student, you have an option to work for a year after you graduate, forget what it was called. I think I made the biggest mistake by not taken advantage of that option..