CDN Citizen - California Education and wants to go back to work in Canada.. Help!

[CGardi]

Hi everyone!

I was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Long story short, I was accepted to Douglas College BSN in Vancouver, however I had to accept another offer in California at a ADN (associates) program. I want to move back home to Vancouver and work there when I graduate, but after looking into it, I'm worried it might be quite a difficult task.

Obviously I won't have the resident/citizen problem, as I still have an address there. What I'm concerned about is the equivalency part. Has anyone been educated at an ADN program in California and been cleared to work as a nurse in Vancouver (or Canada)?

Any advice would be great! I already know that I will have to pass the NCLEX and the B.C. board test. I was just wondering if only having the associate's will hinder me from passing the competency test?

Thanks in advance!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Is your ADN program 2 years or 3? Many jurisdictions in Canada are requiring a university degree in nursing for entry to practice. BC is still accepting the 3 year diploma, so I'd expect them to accept the 3 year ADN. Not only will you have to pass the NCLEX, but you'll have to register in California even if you never plan to work there. There is no "BC board test", all nurses planning to be registered anywhere in Canada write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination. Below is a link to the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia website. You might also want to read the sticky FAQ: The Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE)

http://www.crnbc.ca/RegRenewal/Applying/InternatApplicant.aspx

Having said all that, there will be other difficulties for you. BC is trying to balance their budget on the backs of health care providers. There are very few positions being filled at present and there are rumours of layoffs down the road. Keep your eyes and ears open.

[CGardi]

Thank you so much for the response! I will go ahead and read that link.

Unfortunately my program is only a 2 year, as all the ADN's here in California are I believe. Someone suggested that I get my RN-BSN in California and then try going back home to work, but I'd rather just get back there and take whatever other education might be necessary to make myself equal up there.

So as I understand it, I have to get all my equivalencies approved before I can take the CRNE?

Thank you for the heads up about BC's healthcare environment. Being in the States means that I don't get to keep up on what's going on with the job options back home. Getting a job as a new RN in California is very difficult for the new grads right now as well, I'm just hoping for a turn by the time I graduate!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

You won't be permitted to write the CRNE until your eligibility for registration in BC is confirmed by CRNBC. Their website has a self-assessment that you can do to see what they would say about your education. The problem for you will be that you're just completing your basic nursing education in the 2 year ADN program. If you'd done your education a few years ago and had been working for some time as an RN there would be a lot more potential for you to be "grandfathered" in. If you're thinking of upgrading to BScN in BC, you should contact some of the universities and see what their requirements are. That will help you plan things.