Canadian finishing nursing degree in USA. Want to return to Canada, and work as RN in Ontario. Steps?

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me:
• Canadian citizen.
• 4th-year nursing student in West Virginia, USA. Graduating May 2024.
• After graduation, want to work as RN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Questions:
1. What are the steps I need to take to be able to work as an RN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?
2. Do I have to get licensed in the USA first before moving back to Canada?
3. Do I have to work for a period in the USA first?
4. What will the NNAS want from me?
5. Can I write the NCLEX in Canada?

Thank you for your answers and help.

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Specializes in Surgical/Trauma/Neuroscience/Cardiac ICU.

@Ragnhild_Frydenlund
1. What are the steps I need to take to be able to work as an RN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

- Start w NNAS then check the College of Nurses of Ontario initial step w RNs educated outside Canada. 

- Also, research into area you're insterested in - hospital setting, LTC etc. They will not entertain you until you have a temp/registration w CNO. Fulltime job status might not be available at first r/t job availability/union etc. 

2. Do I have to get licensed in the USA first before moving back to Canada?

- This would be beneficial because of passing NCLEX already & licensed w the US Board of Nursing.

- Unlike Canadian RNs going to the US w US BON having streamlined the process w license reciprocity (me included), the other way around seems to be more time consuming. 


3. Do I have to work for a period in the USA first?

- An RN experience is essential even if less than a year. Also, it provides you w evidence of practice that CNO requires. 

- NNAS & CNO assessment could take time. Why waste time! Depending on your employment status in the US, this could be taken into consideration. 

4. What will the NNAS want from me?

- Check NNAS.

5. Can I write the NCLEX in Canada?

- Yes, but why not do it in the US when it's more convenient (w the school paperworks etc to apply) & also would help your case in the future. 

1
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hypnotizer90 said:

@Ragnhild_Frydenlund
1. What are the steps I need to take to be able to work as an RN in Toronto, Ontario, Canada?

- Start w NNAS then check the College of Nurses of Ontario initial step w RNs educated outside Canada. 

- Also, research into area you're insterested in - hospital setting, LTC etc. They will not entertain you until you have a temp/registration w CNO. Fulltime job status might not be available at first r/t job availability/union etc. 

2. Do I have to get licensed in the USA first before moving back to Canada?

- This would be beneficial because of passing NCLEX already & licensed w the US Board of Nursing.

- Unlike Canadian RNs going to the US w US BON having streamlined the process w license reciprocity (me included), the other way around seems to be more time consuming. 


3. Do I have to work for a period in the USA first?

- An RN experience is essential even if less than a year. Also, it provides you w evidence of practice that CNO requires. 

- NNAS & CNO assessment could take time. Why waste time! Depending on your employment status in the US, this could be taken into consideration. 

4. What will the NNAS want from me?

- Check NNAS.

5. Can I write the NCLEX in Canada?

- Yes, but why not do it in the US when it's more convenient (w the school paperworks etc to apply) & also would help your case in the future. 

Dear @hypnotizer90,

Thank you SO SO SO much for answering all my questions, and doing it SO completely. You have really cleared my head about my situation. ?‍♀️??‍♀️?

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Hello! I am currently in the same situation and will be graduating in April. I also want to move back to Ontario and am wondering which route you ended up taking? (especially if it is more advantageous to take the NCLEX in Canada or the US after graduation). Also wondering how long it has all taken and how your experience has been as a new grad with little experience trying to transfer your license over to canada. Thanks!!

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Rachael Clement said:

Hello! I am currently in the same situation and will be graduating in April. I also want to move back to Ontario and am wondering which route you ended up taking? (especially if it is more advantageous to take the NCLEX in Canada or the US after graduation). Also wondering how long it has all taken and how your experience has been as a new grad with little experience trying to transfer your license over to canada. Thanks!!

I actually posted the original question on behalf of my wife.

Here's the update:
She graduated in the USA in May 2024.
She took the NCLEX in June in the USA.
She was offered a nursing job at the hospital where she precepted.
She started working in July.
She plans to return to Ontario in August, after completing a whole year of working in the USA.

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