Going from US LPN to Canadian RN

Published

Specializes in None yet.

I am a US citizen and considering becoming a LPN over the next year. I have completed my prereqs for a BSN program but I can not afford three years of time and tuition. If I become a LPN here in the states and then move to Canada can I work as a LPN there or do I need to go to school in canada? Also would it be possible to continue on to a BSN in Canada or would the LPN not transfer? I have no concrete plans but was just wondering about life in Canada and if it would be possible to become educaited here in the states and then expand my career in Canada.

Thanks

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

Moved to the International forum

You may find some threads of interest in the Canadian forum on bridging from LPN to RN however you will have to meet Canadian requirements for LPN, that will vary depending on the province, and get a job and then get a work permit to live and work in Canada

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Perhaps you would be able to get more information if you contacted the college of nurses(our licensing bodies are called colleges) in the province that you plan on living in. The PN education in some provinces is now 2 years so a US LPN program amy not transfer.Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Home Care.

I'm a Canadian citizen with US permanent residency living, working and going to nursing school in Florida. I plan on returning to Alberta at some point, my family is all there including my children who recently relocated.

I'm an LPN, I got the Alberta LPN international applicant package. From that I figured out that my education as an LPN here doesn't equate to LPN requirements in Alberta.

Once I get my ADN I might apply for LPN licensing in Alberta. But that all depends on the availability of jobs in southern Alberta and whether its cheaper and more convenient for me to do a BSN here or in Alberta.

There's also a consideration of the cost of writing the Canadian board exam and the times its offered.

So to answer your questions OP:

You need to have some kind of work permit before you can work in Canada.

Its difficult to transfer an LPN license from the US to Canada. You need to meet the provincial requirements then write the Canadian licensing exam. College credits from US colleges don't all transfer to Canadian colleges/universities. You must pay a fee to have your credits reviewed.

Hope this helps :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment