Canadian RN's in the US- How do the countries compare??

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Hi all,

I know that there are alot of you out there............Canadian RN's who left for and are working in the US.

What is it like? Are you happy with your choice? Would you recommend it?

What is it like to work in a system so different to the Canadian system (health care)

What are your concerns? Are you planning on coming home?

What do you miss the most? What are you glad you left behind?

How different are the cultures? Any information would be greatly appreicated!!!!

I am doing long term planning......... getting ready to make the big move and want to do all my homework.

We are thinking of Arizona, Texas or SC or NC.

But I would love to hear from anyone working in the US who is a Canadian Rn.

Thanks! J.

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I am coming from an ICU setting- for the most part one to one nursing- very rarely doubled up.

Just in case there is an ICU Canadian RN out there somewhere- I am sure you are out there....................somewhere

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I worked in the US, came back to BC and am now thinking about either Alberta or the US again. Pros for the US: WAGES, tuition reimbursement, full time work available. Cons: You can get tricked into taking work in a hell-hole, I HATE HMOs, cost is often the bottom line more important that good care, a lot of patients seem to see you as servants there.

As for cultural differences, Americans I met seem to be "more" of most things (More religious, more patriotic, more outgoing, even more confrontational/direct). They don't seem to have ketchup chips. Forget French and learn Spanish. Get ready for more crime in some places, you'll probably get more violent reasons for admissions. And forget anyone knowing much about Canada!

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Overall, I would reccomend the US as long as you check things out BEFORE accepting a position. A lot of hospitals will fly you down and even if you have to pay for it, it's WORTH IT!!!

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Canada is my favorite of all the third world countries.

;):roll

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no ketchup chips???

what kind of insanity is going on there??

that should be illegal!

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I've tried ketchup chips and they were pretty good. Needs a new name to be marketed here in the US, though.

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Alabam

I guess I don't get the third world comment- can you elaborate?

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And I don't eat any kind of chips........ cookies are my thing. So ketcup chips are no loss to me.

Thanks for your comments Fergus, I have travelled in the US enough to know that most Americans know nothing about Canada. However, we are totally aware of everything that goes on in the US. So much of what happens to us, depends on what happens to them, I guess.

Anyway, I have heard from people that hospitals are like hotels and that pts are guests....... which would be quite different from here.

I just want an adventure, good wages, to be challenged and learn the all there is to know about critical care nursing.

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Specializes in LTC/Peds/ICU/PACU/CDI.

Canadian ketchup chips but HERR's brand potato chips has a Heinz Ketchup potato chip line out here in the states...if that's what you mean by ketchup potato chips. Anyway, I think they're delicious...I put ketchup on everything...even soft pretzels...heeee!:roll

Side bar - HERR's even have a line of potato chips with O'Bay seasoning...for those seafood (crabs) lovers.;)

JMP, sorry I couldn't contribute to any of your questions...I don't know any Canadian Nurses & I don't qualify...being American born & everything.:imbar - Moe

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It was a bad joke. Calling Canada a third world country.

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Alabam

I would be interested in all seriousness in hearing your preception of Canada........from a Southern US perspective.

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