Any Suggestions

If you are sure that you want to work in the United States and/or L and D, you would be better off to just do the four year nursing program and get your RN. Will second career pay the first few years of this program?

However if they don't, just continue on and get your RPN and get some experience.

Many people think they want to work L and D but it is actually a very stressful area to work and often requires some acute experience on other floors because you will need very astute general assessment skills in addition to the L and D floor skills. You have to remember that many mothers come in with lots of health issues besides being pregnant. Also keep in mind that L and D is an area that is subject to many instances of litigation against Doctors and Nurses, as a great birthing experience and the delivery of a healthy newborn are what every mom plans on.

Personally I feel that an aging population will add a need for more chronic care, stroke rehab, alzheimers day programs and most of these services will be delivered in the community, not in the hospital.

Hi,

Your post doesn't mention this, but are you aware that you'll need to get a US license if you want to work there? For the particular US state you want to work in? And that involves submitting your diplomas, etc. to the CGFNS (one organization for the entire USA) for credentials evaluation, then passing the NCLEX?

Oops, I also forgot to mention the H-1 US working visa - the mother of them all!

I am currently enrolled in the second careers program through Employment Ontario. I am in the Pre-Health program at the moment. The second careers program will only allow up to 3 years of school funding (2 years of career training and 1 upgrade course). I ultimately would like to be a registered nurse working in the maternal & newborn or labour & delivery ward. I have applied for the RPN course at the college I am currently attending for the fall because I only receive 3 years of government funding. Once finished my RPN course, I would like to work part time and get some experience under my belt while going to school for my degree. I was thinking about travelling down to the States to work in neo-natal as I know they have a high demand because of our aging population.

Any suggestions??

I am following up in 2012 to find out how you were able to successfully apply and register through "Second Careers". I will be attempting to do so and attended an info session and left feeling discouraged. The staff at the employment centre made it seem as though no one can qualify with Gov't criteria for the full funding.