Emigration to Canada - LVN to RN?

RNGrad2006 · Aug 14, 2008

I'm a California LVN; my husband and I would like to relocate to Vancouver BC, within the next five years. Would it be easier, given the impacted RN programs in the US, to emigrate on an immigration visa (and transfer LVN to BC), and obtain my RN in Canada, or to obtain my RN in the US and then relocate? I understand that Canada requires a BSN for registered nurses; there are no nearby BSN programs for me.[/quote']
I think you would be better off doing your RN in the US first and then petitioning to get a license in BC as an RN. And if worse comes to worse you could always do an online RN to BSN if things change in the next five years. Currently BC is still dealing with international applications on a case by case basis. If you were to get educated in BC you would have one option only and that is getting 1 years credit towards a 4 year BSN degree. And I am not sure about the wait lists. I am Canadian but received my education in the US and my US ADN was accepted in BC. I did have to provide evidence as to why I thought my education should be accepted as entry level to practice. What I did was provide a description of every single class and every credential I had received as evidence (it was about 20 pages) including a cover letter, resume etc... I also provided evidence of the pass rates on NCLEX with BSN graduates being par with ADN's (indicating that entry level to practice is not distinuishable on the NCLEX between the two degrees). I am in the process of upgrading my application in BC and talked to the registration assessor just 1 - 2 weeks ago and the process is still the same. I originally applied 2 years ago. I am also currently working on my BSN (about 2/3 done) just in case things change and to provide myself with other opportunities down the road. After you get your RN you can even possibly get a job as an RN and have your employer help you to pay for your BSN while working. That is what I am doing now and certainly a lot easier commiting to an online program so as not to interfere with class/work schedules. From what I have heard getting into an RN program in Canada is definitely just as difficult as in the US maybe even more so since they went to a BSN only requirement. BC went to offering BSN programs only in 2003 but they still treat internationals as a case by case basis (at least for now). Hope that answers your question. If you need more help since I am intimately aware of the inner workings of the process you can PM me.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 14, 2008

You cannot get a visa based on your Practical Nurse training in the US. You will not be able to work there with that training. You are going to need the RN after your name.

There are many programs that can be completed on-line if you have at least the two year ADN completed.

Best of luck to you.

RegNurstobe2008 · Aug 15, 2008

I am planning to apply for Canada after finishing my ADN in dec 2008, so is it possible or nor w/t any expierence and ADN degree.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 15, 2008

Most provinces have moved to BSN as entry to practice and will not accept anything less after a certain date. Seems to me the last time I looked this up for someone the only province still accepting new nurses without a degree was Alberta, and that will end soon.

SaraO'Hara · Aug 15, 2008

I've taken an immigration assessment and scored enough points (3yrs work experience - CNA and LVN, fluency / proficiency in both official languages, etc) to be able to emigrate without too much difficulty. This was confirmed by an attorney in Vancouver.

I spoke to the CLPNBC, whos say I must apply / be assessed to calculate the equivalency of my education to their programs.

Why do you say I won't be able to work in BC as an LVN?

suzanne4, RN · Aug 15, 2008

We do not see the government there issuing visas without having the RN after your name. Those that went to BC to work as LPNs even from the Philippines, all had RN after their name first.

Same way that qualifications may work for licensure, but that does not mean that the government will issue a visa. We have never seen it done, and the attorneys do not issue visas.

We can only tell you what is happening here, the decision is up to you as to what to pursue. But even all of the Canadian nurses here will tell you the same thing.

And Jan that posted above me has been working in BC for years and is very familiar with what is going on there.

Best of luck to you.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 15, 2008

Actually I live and work in Alberta, but my parents and a sibling live in BC. I have several friends who work in various BC community hospitals and one who is involved with the BC Nurses' Union. I'm not an expert on BC by a long shot, but I have sources who are.

SaraO'Hara · Aug 15, 2008

My husband (self-employed; independent contractor computer programmer) would be our primary applicant anyway. If we applied for, and were granted, permanent resident status, might I then attempt to obtain licensure in BC?

It seems like you're not saying that Canada absolutely won't issue a visa, simply that you haven't seen it done?

I'm determined to get my RN within the next few years, but we'd also prefer to leave the country sooner rather than later (disenchantment with government, low funding in the educational system, etc). I'm just trying to figure out what's best, and I do, according to the Canadian immigration website, qualify to come in as a skilled worker.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 16, 2008

If your husband is the primary applicant then you can get a work permit based on him but it will be up to the province to whether they accept your qualification and allow you to sit the Canadian exam. But if you do not have PR and he looses job and not able to transfer his work permit then you will both have to leave.

SaraO'Hara · Aug 16, 2008

PR = permanent residency, yes?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 16, 2008

YES that's what PR means in this context.