Can a Canadian grad get hired into an American ER?

[Vanillanut, DNP, RN, APRN]

Hi there,

I know this is going to vary greatly by region- so please just answer with respect to where you are and what you've seen in your area. Thanks!

I am about to graduate with my BSN (RN). Up here in Canada, we have a program called ESN (employed student nurse)- which is not affiliated with school. You are hired as an undergraduate by the hospital, and work with a limited scope (no IV push, no blood, no suicide watch- everything else fair game). I've been working in an ER and by the time I graduate I'll have over 700 hours of employment experience in the ER, plus my school practicum hours in the ER (Full time work x 3-6 months, + a ER specialization course). However, I realize this experience is all done without my RN.

How easy is it for someone like myself to get hired into an American ED? I realize there will be some adjustments to be made (calculation of units, ways of doing things, etc) and I'm open to learn.

Aside from being hired into an ER, what's the probability of being hired anywhere, in any dept, as a new grad from Canada? Must I have a year's experience here as an RN before I can start looking for work?

Thanks to all who answer!

[nrsang97, BSN, RN]

We have nurses from Windsor working in the Detroit area all the time. Not a issue. We hire new Canadien grads all the time.

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

I was going to say what she said. I have worked with all kinds of Canadian nurses both here around Detroit, a couple down in North Carolina and a few down in Florida. The last actually took her US boards down in Florida. I would say if someone is hiring new grads they would gladly hire you. The only hold back would be how fast you could get your paperwork in order.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I graduated in Canada, worked in the USA, and am back in Canada now. there's a difference between metric and imperial units, and some drugs have different names. The American system has a huge paperwork obsession, but that's easy to get used to.