Are there any Canadians who completed their ADN and are now working in the USA?

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I've been advised to post this in the Canadian forum, I am also going to post in the international section, hopefully I will get some answers.

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Join Date: Aug 2010

Posts: 4

I am wondering if their are any Canadian RNs out there who completed their nursing training (Associates Degree) in the states and whether any of you are now working in the states.

Here is the thing, if I want to go to nursing school here, there is a 2yr+ waiting list plus prereqs (semester to year) and then nursing school would be another 4 yrs!

I am considering attending school in the states and first completing an ADN program and then working for awhile and eventually getting my BSN (the final goal is to get my masters).

I know the job market is tough right now but I am open to relocating (anywhere in the states) because I will not be able to work in Canada. Also in 3-4 yrs the job market could soften up (I am being optimistic here).

Also if anyone has gone this route, what steps did you take? Can I write the NCLEX-RN, and if I get a job offer is it easy to get a TN Visa?

Thank you for your time

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Specializes in Home Care.

What is your immigration status in Canada and the US?

You do realize that if you go to school in America that it will be very expensive since you'll be paying out of state tuition. There's also a waiting list for most public American colleges for nursing school.

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I am a Canadian citizen :)

The colleges I am considering are community colleges and the tuition fees are reasonable. The one's i have looked into have a lottery system and worst comes to worse I might just go to a private college (that is my last option).

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You can get a TN-visa providing that you're a RN in Canada too.

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You can get a TN-visa providing that you're a RN in Canada too.

I would not be an RN in Canada as I am going to nursing school in the states. As a Canadian citizen I can get a TN Visa provided I have a job offer after I have completed nursing school.

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Not only that. You will also need VisaScreen Certificate and you'll need to prove that your TN status is not a substitute for permanent residency. Now imagine how can you do this if the only your profession is US RN?

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It has been done :) This exact thread has been posted in International nurses and General nurses section as well. Other Canadians who completed their nursing education in the US (ADN) are now working in the states and they had no problem with getting a TN Visa/VSC.

I have read posts from other Canadians who have done their nursing education in the states and now are working there on TN Visa. I am aware of the VSC requirement.

I want to continue my nursing education, ADN would be a start, and I want some work experience before I continue with BSN and eventually MSN.

This is what I am thinking:

1) work in the states temporarily and then continue on with BSN

2) After BSN is complete I would write the exam to be licensed in canada

3) Then I can work in either country...

4) further education (MSN)

It all depends on the job market in 3-4 yrs.

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If so it's good news since in couple years hopefully I'll be in your shoes ;)

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I'm a Canadian and I just finished a 2 year RN degree in the U.S. I also went to the states for the same reason you are wanting to go. It is very expensive as you pay international fee's, but then again Canadian universities are quite expensive too.

To work in the states after your degree, you have to do a visa screen (takes about a month) and once you do that you can get TN visa status if you are offered a job.

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I am doing the same thing right now. I am in Houston, Texas attending cy fair college. I am one semester away from the nursing program. After i am done i hope to get a tn visa and work down here for a while to get some experience. If you come on a student F-1 visa you are allowed to work for one year after your studies. It allows you to get some experience in your field. This should give you enough time to get the screening and find someone to give you a work letter for your tn visa. It is a little complicated, watch who you are listening to, there is a lot of people with miss leading information. Do your research really good. I went to see a immigration lawyer for one hour and it was worth the money.

Good luck

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Specializes in Home Care.

Just a reminder that its difficult for American new grad RNs across most of the US to find jobs.

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Just a reminder that its difficult for American new grad RNs across most of the US to find jobs.

I hope the situation changes in the next 3-4 years. I have seen job postings online but I think it depends on where one is willing to work and if one is flexible to relocate.

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