Canadian RPN moving to USA

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Hello everyone

I need your help. I am a Canadian RPN Student who will graduate in April 2020 and will get married to an American man in June of the same year. I am planning to move after I get My license as an RPN. I am doing good in my School, and my GPA is good. My dream was to be an RN, and I want to continue my RN/BSN education in the USA. What options do I have in the USA? And how long will it take me to be an RN in the USA? Also, will they accept my RPN license from Canada, or do I have to apply and take another exam in the USA? By the way, I am moving to Minnesota. I am really frustrated.

Thank you in advance.

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Specializes in ER OR LTC Code Blue Trauma Dog.

One of the problems is any education you have acquired in Canada isn't recognized or accredited by the US Department of Education.

For example, the Board of Nursing in the US requires everyone who has a nursing credential to have completed a high school education recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education. The wording used in the Board of Nursing licensing requirements is very specific about that.

The same situation comes into play if you are applying to an American college to complete an RN program. They won't recognize any Canadian high school education as a prerequisite for admission into any of their programs. Similarly, any college credits you already have in Canada are not transferable into the US education system.

For that reason, even though you have already successfully completed and graduated high school in Canada, you have to get a GED credential from the state that is recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education.

It is entirely possible to transfer your RPN "education" (not license) to the US and get a US nursing license, but a license will not be issued without writing a board-certified US exam.

Contact the Board of Nursing for the state you are moving to. They will provide you with all the details. Depending on the state, sometimes they have this information posted on their websites.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Nurse Registration forum.

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Crash_Cart said:

One of the problems is any education you have acquired in Canada isn't recognized or accredited by the US Department of Education.

For example, the Board of Nursing in the US requires everyone who has a nursing credential to have completed a high school education recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education. The wording used in the Board of Nursing licensing requirements is very specific about that.

The same situation comes into play if you are applying to an American college to complete an RN program. They won't recognize any Canadian high school education as a prerequisite for admission into any of their programs. Similarly, any college credits you already have in Canada are not transferable into the US education system.

For that reason, even though you have already successfully completed and graduated high school in Canada, you have to get a GED credential from the state that is recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education.

It is entirely possible to transfer your RPN "education" (not license) to the US and get a US nursing license, but a license will not be issued without writing a board-certified US exam.

Contact the Board of Nursing for the state you are moving to. They will provide you with all the details. Depending on the state, sometimes they have this information posted on their websites.

Thank you for your reply.

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Hi Lello,

I'm hoping you have an update. I'm in the same boat as you.

Thank you so so much!

Sonya.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

How does one post a new thread on here?

I am a US citizen currently studying for my RN in Quebec and have questions about shortening the program and getting my RN in the States.

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Crash_Cart said:

One of the problems is any education you have acquired in Canada isn't recognized or accredited by the US Department of Education.

For example, the Board of Nursing in the US requires everyone who has a nursing credential to have completed a high school education recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education. The wording used in the Board of Nursing licensing requirements is very specific about that.

The same situation comes into play if you are applying to an American college to complete an RN program. They won't recognize any Canadian high school education as a prerequisite for admission into any of their programs. Similarly, any college credits you already have in Canada are not transferable into the US education system.

For that reason, even though you have already successfully completed and graduated high school in Canada, you have to get a GED credential from the state that is recognized and accredited by the US Department of Education.

It is entirely possible to transfer your RPN "education" (not license) to the US and get a US nursing license, but a license will not be issued without writing a board-certified US exam.

Contact the Board of Nursing for the state you are moving to. They will provide you with all the details. Depending on the state, sometimes they have this information posted on their websites.

A lot of misinformation there, buddy!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
Malmeid said:

A lot of misinformation there, buddy!

But what is the right information?

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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
AkMN said:

But what is the right information?

My U.S. school did accept my Quebec high school transcripts. That would be absolutely crazy if they did not. And I did not need WES.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.
katherine100 said:

My U.S. school did accept my Quebec high school transcripts. That would be absolutely crazy if they did not. And I did not need WES.

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

What school is that?

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

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Which US schools 

AkMN said:

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

What school is that?

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

Which U.S. school are you applying to, since I am moving to the US soon and I want to apply while I am here? 

Thanks.

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Specializes in LTC (LPN-RN).
AkMN said:

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

What school is that?

I am applying to some Online BSN programs currently here in Canada and US, and the one I applied to in the US is asking me to do the WES.

Although I heard that I could go to Ontario to take the NCLEX-RN and then be able to work in the US easily, is that true? I just recently started the Nursing Internship and hope to graduate in May.

Where in Ontario can you do your NCLEX RN?  I would apply to NY or VT and get it done there. I doubt you can do it in Ontario. If they ask for WES, get it done.

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