CNA course as F1 student

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Hello,

I'm a student in US with F1 status, for now I'm in a Business related course and will apply for an OPT (Optional Practical Training) in this area, but I'll get a SSN for this. But I'm, inclined to apply for a CNA (nursing assistant) course, once I get my SSN, does anyone know if it's possible to do like this?

Also, I'm applying to Canada through Express Entry, does anyone knows if CNA course is accepted there and if it would help me get a job offer or is not something that they have shortage there?

Thank you very much for any help!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

CNA will not help you to stay in the USA. Whether your CNA course is accepted will depend on the province and what your training consists of.

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Specializes in Medical Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant.

You should be able to register for your CNA course as long as you can afford it, but I doubt it will sponsor you for your F1 visa. And also as Silverdragon said, a CNA is not qualified for employment-based sponsorship. I think a better option for you is going for a nursing degree (ADN, accelerated BSN, direct entry MSN, etc) if you do plan to stay in the US for a longer period of time.

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Hi, thank you for answering. Actually, I am focusing more in getting the permanent residency to Canada and thought that a course like CNA would be a good fit for me and could help me obtain a job or increase my points in Express Entry. I know that for here in US it won’t help me much. Thanks again for answering.

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Specializes in Medical Hematology/Oncology/Stem Cell Transplant.

It might help you to have a leg up but again I’m not sure if you still have to take other tests to become a CNA when you finally move to Canada. CNA is only state regulated, so even when you move from one state to another in the US you’ll still have to endorse/re take CNA exam to become certified in the new state.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You will more than likely have to take the provincial CNA exam plus I doubt it will help with express entry, usually LPN or RN is the key for express entry. I know for Nova Scotia CNAs if coming from another province have to do more training and sit exam

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On 10/10/2019 at 12:13 AM, OncologyCat said:

You should be able to register for your CNA course as long as you can afford it, but I doubt it will sponsor you for your F1 visa. And also as Silverdragon said, a CNA is not qualified for employment-based sponsorship. I think a better option for you is going for a nursing degree (ADN, accelerated BSN, direct entry MSN, etc) if you do plan to stay in the US for a longer period of time.

Hello, I’m an ADN student and I just want to ask how to be qualified for employment based sponsorship? I have two options, either do OPT for experience or look for a school that offers Rn-Bsn bridge program in person.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
7 hours ago, pioneer_MD said:

Hello, I’m an ADN student and I just want to ask how to be qualified for employment based sponsorship? I have two options, either do OPT for experience or look for a school that offers Rn-Bsn bridge program in person.

You look for hospitals willing to sponsor you

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