I have a question in regards to American vs Canadian Nursing

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I have an Associates Degree in Nursing which allowed me to sit for the boards and have my RN license.

I am a registered nurse in the United States.

I understand that in Canada as of 2005 you need to have a Bachelors Degree to be an RN in Ontario.

If I wanted to move to Ontario and continue my RN, what requirements besides taking the CRNE do I

have to do?

Will I be able to continue as an RN? Or because I dont have a Bachelors degree I wouldn't be one?

Can I still be a nurse in Ontario? Does anyone know?

:bugeyes:

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Ask the College in Ontario. Only they can evaluate your education and make a decision

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Ontario requires BSN for licensure of RNs I believe.

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I am currently new in Canada, but I have got an ADN from USA . I am not sure Ontario will give you the opportunity to sit for the RN boards instead you may end up applying for LPN.The hard part is the process you will have to go through to complete your BSN, most schools will ask you to go back to school for another 4 years,that is after they license you as an LPN. 4 years again on top of the 3 years you have already completed for your ADN program.You need to do a lot of brousing before you move or else it will be painful. Not even counting the time you will need to study for the LPN boards.( I assume you did a 2 year program with a million pre-nursing classes )

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There is a lot of mis-information in Rudo's post.

I have worked with ADNs educated in the US who have moved to Canada. Their education was assessed by CARNA and they were "grandfathered" into the profession. Bear in mind they had actual work experience and were not new grads.

Canadian nurses do not do "boards"

The information about LPN permits bridging into a BScN is also incorrect. It varies from province to province and university to university. On average it will take an LPN three years full time to complete the BScN degree..

CRNE and CPNRE are the national exams.

You might want to be aware that Alberta has a defacto hiring freeze on nurses of both grades. So you could be in for a long wait for a job in Alberta.

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According to the College of Nurses of Ontario. "Nurses who have been members of other Canadian nursing regulatory bodies prior to December 31, 2004 will be "grandparented", and may be registered in Ontario after January 1, 2005 without having to meet the new education requirement for entry to practice."

Seems the grandparenting clause is applied to those who had previous Canadian registration and will not likely be applied to an ADN who has US registration, but, As Fiona59 said ask the college of nurses to evaluate your education and make a decision.

Is it possible for you to stay in the US and complete your BSN and then move to Canada? This may be the most straight forward route for you.

Best wishes on your decision to relocate

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Dishes:

I believe that most provincial Colleges have a similar clause but they utilize it when assessing Cdn. educated RNs. It usually is a good indicator of when the BScN became the only route of entry for that province as well, just as the Colleges of LPNs will "grandfather" PNs educated in provinces that still issue the Certificate instead of the Diploma.

So realistically, these posters have to pick a province and apply there for an evaluation. We all know that the US has many routes to becoming an RN, so ultimately, each applicant has to be individually reviewed.

There is no quick and easy answer. Most American RNs don't just decide to move North, they usually have family ties, found a job that is too good to pass up, they have a reason. Unlike some posters who are blanketing the Commonwealth nations with applications because of the US freeze on immigration.

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Hi nandrani

Did you ask the ontario college of nurses if your are eligibile to write the crne in ontario and continue your studies? I am curious, what did the college say?

regards

dishes

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This is the answer from what I know. If you have an associate degree, you will be eligible to become an RPN but not an RN. The college will give you a letter of direction after you have applied to the college. In the letter of direction they will approve you to write the CRNE but for you to become a RN. They will ask you to go to York University to complete the 2 year BScN program for Internationally Educated Nurses. Meanwhile, you can write the RPN exam and become the RPN. Right now, york university has a trial for Prior Learning Assessment for Internationally Educated Nurses. If this program actually gets implemented, it may take you shorter to get your BScN as you may be able to do challenge exam based on your experience and additional training. Other requirements include, proof of good conduct, recent safe nursing practice within the last 5 years, good in english, eligibility for registration or eligible for registration in the state you completed your nursing degree, permanent resident or canadian citizen. Any other questions, feel free to contact me.

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Hi Fiona59,

I just graduated with an ADN degree from a US community college and I recently passed NCLEX. I'm currently licensed in Illinois and I'm looking at moving to Canada. You mentioned in your post that you have worked with experienced nurses with ADNs who have sucessfully registered in Canada. Would you have info on chances for registration approval for new grads? Would you know which Canadian nursing body/territory is open to US ADN graduates like me? From the numerous posts I've read, BC and Alberta seem to be open to ADN graduates from the US. I that really the case?

I've also read stuff about the SEC, would you know if US graduates are also being required to undergo SECs?

Your insight on this will be very appreciated.

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Hi Fiona59,

I just graduated with an ADN degree from a US community college and I recently passed NCLEX. I'm currently licensed in Illinois and I'm looking at moving to Canada. You mentioned in your post that you have worked with experienced nurses with ADNs who have sucessfully registered in Canada. Would you have info on chances for registration approval for new grads? Would you know which Canadian nursing body/territory is open to US ADN graduates like me? From the numerous posts I've read, BC and Alberta seem to be open to ADN graduates from the US. I that really the case?

I've also read stuff about the SEC, would you know if US graduates are also being required to undergo SECs?

Your insight on this will be very appreciated.

Hi Cranberry160

I am a RN from USA and I started the process in Alberta. CARNA will send you for SEC and based on your performance they will decide what classes you need to take (if any). I also have ADN from States and it didn't seem to be a problem.

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RNfromus, please check your PM, I PM you

Thanks!

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