Canadian considering bsn in the USA.

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Hi all. I'm a Canadian considering doing my bsn in WA, starting with the adn at BTC. I'm a mature student, some university in the past.

My eventual goal is travel nursing ER speciality, in the USA with eventual goal of permanent residency down the road, if possible going as far as NP or PA if I'm busy dreaming. I've a bit of background in wilderness first aid and tend to be quite nomadic which is part of the appeal. I am in my 30s but I have no ties anywhere anymore, and few possessions.

My reasons are this: I would be able to start school sooner(1 year sooner) than doing it here and being able to find work as an adn would make funding the bsn easier. I would finish the full bsn in a shorter or equal time frame.

My primary concern is visa eligibility after completion of the adn. I understand that I'd be eligible for an OTC which would give me 12 months of work.

After the bsn would I be eligible for another OTC period while I sort out licensing etc?

My secondary concern is would I be eligible to work as a travel nurse in Canada as a us trained nurse would be? Having passed the nclex.

My last concern is the difficulty in obtaining license in Canada, I don't mind if it takes a few years after I graduate, as I'm happiest on the move anyways. But I've read some pretty unpleasant sounding experiences with that.

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Have you thought about working for the Red Cross and traveling to South America or Africa once you get your degree? You seem cut out for that lifestyle.

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/international-services/measles-and-rubella-initiative.html

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Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.

1. What are the comparative costs of the degree on both sides of the line? Will you have higher tuition for being a non-resident? Are you saying it takes a year longer to get into school in Canada?

2. I would check with USCIS about the requirements for a student visa and subsequently a work permit.

3. It may be much cheaper to get your degree in Canada, take the NCLEX in the US and get a work permit.

4. What on earth does OTC stand for in this context?

5. Is it that difficult for US-educated nurses to become licensed in Canada? Is it province-specific?

I guess I would start by mapping out (as precisely as I could) the costs and time frames for the different pathways to your goals. Don't forget to factor in test fees, licensing fees, immigration status fees as well as general cost of living for the time that you would be in school. What are the requirements at the respective schools? Long list of prereqs?

Good luck, whatever you end up doing.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International Nursing forum

if you get ADN then you qualify for OPT that has to be applied for before the course finishes and used within 3 months of graduating otherwise it is invalid. If you got for BSN as a full time student after BSN then OPT is available again to use but again with the same conditions previously mentioned. NCLEX for US is same as Canada so if moving back to Canada then you apply to college as trained outside Canada and meet requirements but don’t have to sit NCLEX again

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8 hours ago, juniper222 said:

Have you thought about working for the Red Cross and traveling to South America or Africa once you get your degree? You seem cut out for that lifestyle.

https://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/international-services/measles-and-rubella-initiative.html

Yes or msf. I will have some debts to pay but that always interested me.

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6 hours ago, TriciaJ said:

1. What are the comparative costs of the degree on both sides of the line? Will you have higher tuition for being a non-resident? Are you saying it takes a year longer to get into school in Canada?

Actually a year longer at least to get in, plus more prerequisites plus way more competitive to get in.

2. I would check with USCIS about the requirements for a student visa and subsequently a work permit.
Thanks

3. It may be much cheaper to get your degree in Canada, take the NCLEX in the US and get a work permit.


Cost is going to work out within a few thousand.

4. What on earth does OTC stand for in this context?
Oops opt.

5. Is it that difficult for US-educated nurses to become licensed in Canada? Is it province-specific?

I guess I would start by mapping out (as precisely as I could) the costs and time frames for the different pathways to your goals. Don't forget to factor in test fees, licensing fees, immigration status fees as well as general cost of living for the time that you would be in school. What are the requirements at the respective schools? Long list of prereqs?

That's mostly covered under my budgets, I ran a business for the last decade ago the cost part is not a big deal for me to plan out. Because I have a little bit of a unique living situation(live on a boat). Bellignham is cheaper than most Canadian options for living.
It's the issues of getting working in Canada as a travel nurse and or getting certified in Canada that seem daunting as long as the rest pans out. I read a post here about a nurse getting scored as only 38% comparable competencies even though they're passing the same test. yet if I graduate here then go south as a travel nurse it's OK? Seems odd, r so much of immigration and such is just plain odd anyways.


Good luck, whatever you end up doing.

Thanks!

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17 minutes ago, Silverdragon102 said:

Moved to the International Nursing forum

if you get ADN then you qualify for OPT that has to be applied for before the course finishes and used within 3 months of graduating otherwise it is invalid. If you got for BSN as a full time student after BSN then OPT is available again to use but again with the same conditions previously mentioned. NCLEX for US is same as Canada so if moving back to Canada then you apply to college as trained outside Canada and meet requirements but don’t have to sit NCLEX again

Thanks! I have read some unpleasant sounding stories about getting registered in Canada. Hoping it might have gotten smoother. Is it possible to get tn visa and just work in the USA after while I deal with that, or to work in Canada as a travel nurse the same way as I could do the reverse if I was Canadian trained and going to the USA?

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So you are planning on getting your ADN down there?

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4 minutes ago, Lucydog14 said:

So you are planning on getting your ADN down there?

ADN followed by BSN bridge.

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