Anyone know how to get a license to practice in Canada?

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I just obtained my LPN license in PA. My husband is from Canada and our plan is to move to Canada in the next few years. Does anybody have any idea how one gets licensed to practice in Canada? I don't even know where to begin with this. Any help would be appreciated. :o

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Google the college of LPNs of the province you will move to, or look it up under the Canadian forum, there is a sticky with links....check out that website and call them for more info.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Follow the link at the top of the Canadian Forum to contact the college of nurses for the province you want to work in. They will tell you what you need to do. Be aware that in most provinces the PN education is now two years and we have an ever expanding scope of practice. I know that the LPN scope varies greatly depending which state you are in. Some are closer to our scope than others. Best of luck.

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You can't become a nurse in Canada as an LPN.

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You can't become a nurse in Canada as an LPN.

Wrong.

LPN stands for Licensed Practical NURSE.

If you can get through the tangled process of migrating here, it's up to the appropriate Provincial College of PNs to evaluate your education and decide if you meet the provincial standard.

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The official title isn't "LPN" in Canada, but my understanding from my in-laws, some of whom are working NURSES in Canada is that there is an equivalant to "LPN" in Canada. They just call them something else.

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The official title isn't "LPN" in Canada, but my understanding from my in-laws, some of whom are working NURSES in Canada is that there is an equivalant to "LPN" in Canada. They just call them something else.

Ah. I thought the Canadian LPNs were equivalent in education the US RNs, and Canadian RNs need a four-year degree.

Sorry.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

:) PN education has moved to a 2 year program now and is very similar to the old RN diploma program which is now extinct due to RNs having to go the BSN route now.

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The official title isn't "LPN" in Canada, but my understanding from my in-laws, some of whom are working NURSES in Canada is that there is an equivalant to "LPN" in Canada. They just call them something else.

WRONG again. I AM Canadian (wow, sound like a beer commercial) and I AM an LPN.

In the province of Ontario they are called Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). However that is the only province that uses the title.

In western Canada (basically west of Ontario) the title RPN belongs to Registered Psychiatric Nurses.

Several provinces require two years at College to become a PN. In Alberta and Ontario, the old RN education is what PN students undergo.

Mother in laws, the font of all knowlege (lol)

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Well, was *I* ever confused.

Never mind.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

Yup.............I am also a Canadian LPN

I am Canadian, and I'm a nurse...OK, got that figured out....

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LOL...I thought the saying was "I am Canadian and I play hockey"? :) Thanks for all the help everyone. Hopefully I have time to just do my bridge to RN down in these parts before I move up to beautiful Canada, then maybe it will be less confusing?

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