Is it even worth working in the U.S?

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Both my girlfriend and I need some advice.

We both are graduating next year as R.N's and 'were' hyped about moving to the U.S, (North Carolina, Florida, or California). However, after thinking of the long term and the possible experience we could get, we don't know if it's even worth the hassle.

We wanted to go to the U.S for only few years to first pay off school with the incentives provided by the hospitals. Moreover, we were going to save for those years (2-3) for house when we move back to Ontario, Canada. Most importantly, the institutions we spoke to offered to pay for our continuing education course, such as nurse anesthetist. The only downfall to this is that Ontario has yet to implement nurse anesthetist into the profession, therefore, at this point it's useless to take the course. Lastly, we want to see a change in lifestyle.

On the other hand, we could just stay in Ontario, find the appropriate city we like to live in and start from scratch, paying off our school debt 'normally', and saving within reason. Also, staying in one area allows us to build seniority in the hospital and have an increase pay rate, rather than returning from the states and beginning at the bottom.

I feel like the safe route is to stay in Canada because it appears that no matter where in the U.S we go, everywhere has its pros and cons, such as higher wages, or higher cost of living. It seems like we can't win for that short period of time.

I think I answered my own question, but I'd like some insight from those who have had experience in the states, and anyone else who could shed some light on our endevours.

Thanks everyone!

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I hope you will be able to find full time nursing jobs in Canada. I've talked to a lot of Canadian nurses here in the USA and they say they couldn't stay in Canada because they were unable to find any full time jobs in Canada This was years ago so I don't know if this is true in Canada anymore or not. All I can say is "Good luck" :)

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Thanks :)

Anyone else?

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Same thing........Many Canadians went to the US because of lack of full-time nursing positions that were available to them.. I still hear of nurses unable to get more than part-time work in the Ontario area.

Most hospitals will pay for you to get your MSN, but not CRNA. They will pay for your schooling while you are still working there and attending school on a part-time basis, but you are going to find few that will pay your tuition for anesthesia school as it is a full-time program, and most do not permit you to even work during the program. If you would find one that would, you are talking about a payback of about three to four years for each year of schooling, so essentially taking into account one year of full-time employment before you would be able to get funding, then two years of school, then another six to eight years of payback time.

Do you really want to commit to that?

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If you are really just looking for an opportunity to save up, I would suggest you both work for a year or two in Ontario while getting all your US immigration and lisencing in order, then do travel nursing for a while. Since they pay for your accomodation you can make a lot of money, and you aren't commited to a particular hospital for a long period of time. Many hospitals in Canada will even give you a leave of absence so you don't lose seniority.

BTW, you wouldn't start at the bottom of the payscale if your experience is in the US. Your experience as a nurse there still counts.

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Both my girlfriend and I need some advice.

We both are graduating next year as R.N's and 'were' hyped about moving to the U.S, (North Carolina, Florida, or California). However, after thinking of the long term and the possible experience we could get, we don't know if it's even worth the hassle.

We wanted to go to the U.S for only few years to first pay off school with the incentives provided by the hospitals. Moreover, we were going to save for those years (2-3) for house when we move back to Ontario, Canada. Most importantly, the institutions we spoke to offered to pay for our continuing education course, such as nurse anesthetist. The only downfall to this is that Ontario has yet to implement nurse anesthetist into the profession, therefore, at this point it's useless to take the course. Lastly, we want to see a change in lifestyle.

On the other hand, we could just stay in Ontario, find the appropriate city we like to live in and start from scratch, paying off our school debt 'normally', and saving within reason. Also, staying in one area allows us to build seniority in the hospital and have an increase pay rate, rather than returning from the states and beginning at the bottom.

I feel like the safe route is to stay in Canada because it appears that no matter where in the U.S we go, everywhere has its pros and cons, such as higher wages, or higher cost of living. It seems like we can't win for that short period of time.

I think I answered my own question, but I'd like some insight from those who have had experience in the states, and anyone else who could shed some light on our endevours.

Thanks everyone!

There are FT perm positions where I am, in different disciplines, but more in the ICU.

I travel nursed in the US from 1996 - 2004, and I'm going back to the US (long, boring story).

I guess if you are hyped about going to the US, you are really raising your expecations. It is different, it has negatives and positives, but it's not perfect. Just like Canada. CA cost of living is high. I've heard that working conditions and pay aren't so great in the Carolinas or FL, not to mention the HCA facilities that dominate FL.

Would it help to sit down and prioritize what is the single most important thing to you in your life. It might be family, so you might want to stay home. It might be taxes, so you might want to go to the US. In all honesty, I make more money now than I did in alot of the states I worked in.

Maybe do a little soul searching? If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask or PM me. Take care.

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BTW, you wouldn't start at the bottom of the payscale if your experience is in the US. Your experience as a nurse there still counts.

When we came back, we were at the top of the payscale. We needed to have full time hours in the previous 5 years to hit the top.

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Specializes in CCU.

Furgus 51 took the words off my mouth!

Totally. I strongly suggest that you take a least one year of experience on med-surg to get trought the basics, and get this stress of the reality shock(honeymoon period and all, don't be affraid) off your back.

You'll see what I mean. You'll aquire self-confidence too.

I am a canadian living in the states. I never practiced in Canada but I see that the system is different. Some RN's come down here and make good money too. It must be nice to see the different practices.

I would also advise you to go through nursing agency and bargin, question many of them. (you have a year now) :balloons:

Go see: http://www.nursingcenter.com healthcaretravelingcenter.com

highwayhypodermics.com hospitalsoup.com

Good luck! Let us know what you decided to do.

From Gaspe, living in NY

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I don't know if this helps you or not, but this website, and the discussion forum, has A LOT of information for Canadian who want to work in the US, that is information on the legal aspects of it, getting the proper VISA, etc.

http://www.grasmick.com/

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Both my girlfriend and I need some advice.

We both are graduating next year as R.N's and 'were' hyped about moving to the U.S, (North Carolina, Florida, or California). However, after thinking of the long term and the possible experience we could get, we don't know if it's even worth the hassle.

We wanted to go to the U.S for only few years to first pay off school with the incentives provided by the hospitals. Moreover, we were going to save for those years (2-3) for house when we move back to Ontario, Canada. Most importantly, the institutions we spoke to offered to pay for our continuing education course, such as nurse anesthetist. The only downfall to this is that Ontario has yet to implement nurse anesthetist into the profession, therefore, at this point it's useless to take the course. Lastly, we want to see a change in lifestyle.

On the other hand, we could just stay in Ontario, find the appropriate city we like to live in and start from scratch, paying off our school debt 'normally', and saving within reason. Also, staying in one area allows us to build seniority in the hospital and have an increase pay rate, rather than returning from the states and beginning at the bottom.

I feel like the safe route is to stay in Canada because it appears that no matter where in the U.S we go, everywhere has its pros and cons, such as higher wages, or higher cost of living. It seems like we can't win for that short period of time.

I think I answered my own question, but I'd like some insight from those who have had experience in the states, and anyone else who could shed some light on our endevours.

Thanks everyone!

I think nursing here in the US is great, yet I have never been a nurse anywhere else. It does sound like you have answered alot of your own questions. I have a question for you or anyone else. I am in a masters program in the US and need to make contact with a nurse from another country as part of an assignment. I just have a few brief questions. I really won't take long Thanks!!

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I think nursing here in the US is great, yet I have never been a nurse anywhere else. It does sound like you have answered alot of your own questions. I have a question for you or anyone else. I am in a masters program in the US and need to make contact with a nurse from another country as part of an assignment. I just have a few brief questions. I really won't take long Thanks!!

If you want, you can pm me and I'll take a shot at your questions.

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Just a note. The RNAO (REgistered Nurses Association of Ontario) will give you up to $1500/year for continuing education even if you are not a member. Many hospitals will also help with continuing on to a Masters.

No we do not have CRNA's in Ontario or anywhere else in Canada as far as I know but there has been talk. That said if you do decided to go to the US and take advantage of the education opportunities thereand want to eventually come back, do as I did and go for an NP. The College of Nurses of Ontario will recognize the American FNP program as equivalent to the local Primary Health Care NP program here and you are eligible to write the RN(EC) (Extended Class) exam. Be aware that they will not accept any other NP specialty for this (Peds, Women's Health etc). You can be an Acute Care NP in Ontario as long as you have a Masters.

Hope this helps.

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