Experienced USA nurse moving to Ontario Canada

Published

I am wondering if anyone has any advice regarding immigrating to Canada. I hold an associate degree in Nursing in the United States but have worked as a Registered Nurse for 10+ years so am definitely not a new graduate. Anyway I have heard mixed opionions about immigrating to Canada. I would apply under the Skilled Worker category and have contacted the Ontario Nurses Board to get my application started so they can be looking at my credentials but really have done nothing else as I'm waiting for the forms. Do you think I will have to still take the Canadian CRNE exam even with having that much experience? Will I have to work as an LPN because I don't have a bachelors degree? I've heard the NCLEX is also coming there so is there a better chance to get in if I wait until that happens (we use the NCLEX in the USA so does that mean you don't have to retake it in Canada?) Also I actually lived as a landed immigrant in Canada as a child but that was 20+ years ago. My parents are also wanting to move back to Canada as the only reason we left years ago is because my Dad's mom was ill. She has since passed and there is really nothing keeping us in the United States any longer. My husband and I have always wanted to go as my parents have told us stories of living there but didn't really want to go without family. Now that they have stated they want to go back we figured we should check some things out as it may be a possibility. My parents are in the beginning stages and are questioning the landed immigrant status. They have'nt really done anything yet they are just finding paperwork, getting certified copies of birth certificates, etc. Does anyone know if you had a landed immigrant status from years ago if it is still good? Or do we have to start the whole application process over again since we have not been back to Canada in the last 20 years? Also is there going to be an issue with my spouse and children coming if I get in as spouse has Type I diabetes with neuropathy as well as bipolar disorder. Diabetes is under fair control but is improving - no renal issues, no vision issues but does have neuropathy of arms, hands , legs and feet as he has been diabetic for almost 40 years. He is very stable on meds for bipolar- has never been hospitalized, not in counseling, just goes to see the doctors every 3 months for his med refills. In fact if you didn't know of the diagnosis you wouldn't know there was an issue. Can he be medically denied because of this? Or does that only happen if he is the main one applying for citizenship? He uses Lantus and Novolog Insulin and I've heard there is no coverage for that. Does anyone know what the costs would be to obtain strips, needles for insulin pens and the insulin pens in Ontario? Any input in any area would be greatly appreciated. We are aware this is a long process and looking at doing this maybe in the next 2-5 years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ontario's job market is lousy. Read the Canadian Forum.

Yes, your parents have lost their landed status. You have only a set amount of time you can leave the country for and 20 odd years exceeds it.

Medicals are required. You have to be determined not to be a future drain on the medical system.

Only the government can answer your questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Roughly if husband is going to cost the province over $6000 a year then usually the application is denied.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

I'm curious what your parents' immigration status is.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If they came as PR then they have to be in Canada for at least two years out of every five. If not, the PR status is lost.

Was anyone in the family born in Canada or the child of a Canadian citizen?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I figured the status was lost. They initially moved there for my Dads job after my oldest brother was born. They lived there a couple of years and were considered landed immigrants according to my Dad. He does have paperwork showing this. Later they moved back to the usa due to a job change for 1-2 years and I was born in the meantime. We moved back to Canada when I was 3 and stayed another 3 years until we left for the usa again this time for 20+ years. All family is from the usa. No canadian parents. All my siblings were born in the usa.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Others will probably be able to give your better information than I. However, based on my experiences you will only qualify as a LPN if you don't have a Bachelors. You will probably have to do a Substantive Equivalency assessment and write the CPNRE (I am a US educated LPN and had to do those things but I should also point out that I am in the Maritimes and not Ontario and am surmising about the rules in Ontario). The process took a year and was NOT cheap.

The medical exam was over $400 per person and they don't tell you the results. As such, you can pay the huge application fee to Canadian immigration only to be denied based on the medical results the details of which were not disclosed to you.

I love Canada and love my Canadian spouse. I'd definitely do it all over again. However, it is a very long and very expensive process with no guarantees. Think long and hard over how much you are willing to pay and how much risk you are willing to take.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion