Do Canadian LPN's get to work in the US?

JellyBean1 · Sep 28, 2003

I'm an RN thinking of doing the same. Where did you find the info on RN's getting a visa?

Worthy · Oct 2, 2003

I'd love to know too!

I am in second year RPN school, I dream of moving to California.

I heard that you could work as an LPN in the states, and go to school to complete your RN while you work. That's impossible here in Ontario - I'd have to quit my RPN job (when I get one) and go to school full-time. That would be tough.

So I'm ready to pack my bags and move to sunny CA to do it!

Anyone know?

Loppear, RN · Oct 15, 2003

This is the website http://www.immigration-bureau.org/visa.htm

..........check it out......it's pretty confusing! I'd like to actually talk to someone about Visas first before applying.......but I have a few months to go before any of this is an option anyway! Good Luck!

fergus51 · Oct 15, 2003

If you're an RN, it is much easier to go through an agency. I did that as a new grad and they found my job, my appartment and would have done all my immigration stuff had I needed it.

LydiaGreen · Oct 17, 2003

I am in my final year of a diploma RN program through Northern College. They have satellite sites throughout Northwestern Ontario and we have more than a few RPN's taking the course at each of many sites (Dryden, Fort Frances, Timmins, Kenora, Sioux Lookout, Kapuskasing, to name a few). I do not know of any RPNs who had difficulty working while taking this program (they joined us at the beginning of second year). I know two in my satellite site whose hospitals not only work around their class and practicum schedules but are paying for their RN course with a signing bonus - they have agreed to work their first two years as RNs at those hospitals. It is an agreement that has worked out well for the RPNs and for their hospitals who are chronically short-staffed.

Worthy · Oct 17, 2003

Thank you, Lydiagreen. That is very helpful - I hope that the degree program will be the same - since the diploma RN program has gone in Ontario very shortly. I do know that under the Diploma program RPNs were given credit for their first year of RN, now, under the degree program, we would have to start right back at first year:( I am told by my instructor that a "bridge" program can't be too far off in the distance, however.

As for whether RPNs can work in the states, I have disappointing news. No, we can't. The NAFTA agreement (which allows nurses to avoid the Greencard/citizen problem) does not apply to anyone other than RNs. Thats straight from someone at a Travel Nurse Agency that has been in business for 14 years. Sigh. Oh well, Lydiagreen has given me hope!!!