How to pursue an RN in the US with a Canadian LPN

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Hello, I am a Canadian citizen currently in BC studying my LPN.

I am hoping to moveto the US to continue to pursue my RN.

I do have dualcitizenship as my Dad is American, but I have heard a lot of mixed/confusinginformation regarding Canadian LPNs who want to pursue their RN is the states.

If anyone could helpprovide some answers it would be greatly appreciated!

  1. I'd like to know what are the different options I can pursue (I've heard you can go about it several different ways such as going for a Bachelors in Nursing or pursuing an ADN).

I know that an LPN and LVN in the states are basically the same thing but thelength of the course and what the courses covered may differ slightly, so I'mnot sure if the route to pursue my RN will necessarily be the same. I know Iwill have to rewrite a licensing exam, but are there any other barriers due tomy Canadian qualification?

2) I'd also like to know which option is fastest, most rigorous and perhaps the most affordable?

(AsI do not have a loan and have been juggling multiple jobs to pay for my schooling).

Thankyou for any nuggets of wisdom or advice you may have! :)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You are fortunate to have dual citizenship however coming from outside the state you may find you still have to pay more than a resident of the state.

Starting point would be to look at nursing schools in the areas you plan on living and seeing what their requirements are to study RN. May also be beneficial and cheaper to do RN in Canada and then look at the US.

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It's definitely not cheaper to do it in Canada considering how there are no longer LPN to RN courses available so the only way is to do a 4 year undergrad, 1-2 year wait list for another 4 year program (equaling 8-10 years), where and LVN to RN course would take a fraction of that time.

Can anyone else help please???

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Specializes in Home Care.

You're not really going to know anything until you apply to a US college and have your college transcripts evaluated.

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It's definitely not cheaper to do it in Canada considering how there are no longer LPN to RN courses available so the only way is to do a 4 year undergrad, 1-2 year wait list for another 4 year program (equaling 8-10 years), where and LVN to RN course would take a fraction of that time.

Can anyone else help please???

Athabasca University does a PN-RN bridge. And no, it doesn't take ten years.

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Athabasca is the pretty much the only (from what I've read) university left that offers that course and I heard they will likely close the program also (probably before I'm finished my lpn) and only offers it online and I am adamant about attending in class sessions because it is just better for my learning style. Unless you know any others that still offer the bridge program? Thanks

Well you need as I said a 4 year bachelor before you can apply for a four year nursing program and all the ones in the province I currently live stated there were 1-2 year waitlists for the RN program, so 8-10 years depending if you get on a wait list.

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Athabasca is the pretty much the only (from what I've read) university left that offers that course and I heard they will likely close the program also (probably before I'm finished my lpn) and only offers it online and I am adamant about attending in class sessions because it is just better for my learning style. Unless you know any others that still offer the bridge program? Thanks

Well you need as I said a 4 year bachelor before you can apply for a four year nursing program and all the ones in the province I currently live stated there were 1-2 year waitlists for the RN program, so 8-10 years depending if you get on a wait list.

Wait, I'm confused, you say you need to get a (a). 4 year bachelor's (say in accounting or sociology), then (b). you can apply for a 4 year nursing program? If that's the case, you don't need two bachelor's, just go for the 4 year nursing program directly.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

You don't need a 4 year Bachelors before you can apply for a BSN. There are plenty of PN-BSN bridges around.

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Silver, I don't know what you're talking about, I've done lots of research, yes you do. You cannot go from high school into RN you need a 4 year bachelor in anything first.

if there are supposedly so many PN to RN bridges out there can you name some?? As far as I know they have all been abolished in the last couple years as Canada is changing the system to become an RN. (with the exception of Athabasca which I have seen other Canadian lpns discuss on other forums, which is said to abolish that program as well soon and only offers on line).

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VCC and UFV both offer LPN to RN bridge and as for needing a 4 year degree before becoming an RN doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I'm in a 4 year RN bachelor of science program and I did not need a degree before, however some schools like UBC you need an associates degree first ( 2 years) and then your last two years is nursing studies. As for in the states what I have noticed is there are RN and then BSN RN's so maybe that's what you were looking into? Good luck!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Silver, I don't know what you're talking about, I've done lots of research, yes you do. You cannot go from high school into RN you need a 4 year bachelor in anything first.

if there are supposedly so many PN to RN bridges out there can you name some?? As far as I know they have all been abolished in the last couple years as Canada is changing the system to become an RN. (with the exception of Athabasca which I have seen other Canadian lpns discuss on other forums, which is said to abolish that program as well soon and only offers on line).

Not sure why you quoted me when I haven't mentioned anything,

What I have seen is people going to university to do BSN straight from school without a bachelor in anything first. They just had to meet the course pre-requisites. I also know that in NS the college of LPN is looking at a bridging from LPN to RN option locally and did do a survey among it's members to see how many would be interested.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Found this for Alberta

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN)-Collaborative Program is primarily for high school graduates or those who have some postsecondary education, and is designed as a 4 year full-time program. With approval from the Faculty of Nursing student advisor, students can extend the program for up to a maximum of 6 years from the time of admission.

BScN-Collaborative Program - Faculty of Nursing - University of Alberta

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