licensure in Canada for foreigners

[statedintent]

I've looked through many of the posts and haven't found the answer to this question - I apologize if it has already been addressed.

I'm an American and was recently accepted into a direct entry nurse practitioner program in the states. I would like to go to the program, but there's a 95% chance I will be settling down in Canada afterwards (I'm engaged to a Canadian citizen). Because of this, I have to make sure that I will be eligible for licensing in Canada (BC, specifically) before I start the program. It seems like an extensive and difficult process to get licensed as a foreign-trained student there and I think I understand the RN process at least. I don't see anywhere what guidelines they actually use to determine if your education was sufficient, though. Since I will be doing this knowing I need a BC license eventually, I want to know the guidelines to verify that my school will meet them. I also want to know if there are any problems getting licensed as an NP in BC as a direct entry student. Obviously, I will have had very little RN experience (although I do have significant experience in providing health care in clinical settings). There just doesn't seem to be enough specific information available that allows me to determine if my program will be sufficient for NP licensure. It seems that you have to get your RN licensure first and then your NP licensure in BC (you can't just do them both at the same time even if you're coming in with an NP license from the states, correct?). Any information someone can provide would be greatly appreciated. I do not want to spend the time and money on this program if I will not be able to be licensed at the end of it.

[statedintent]

I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum - I thought this was the international forum - sorry! I don't know how to edit/delete or move posts, so I'm sorry if it causes any problems being here.

[nightmare, RN]

I will move it to the International forum for you.

[Fiona59]

I can't speak for BC but every NP I've worked with in my province had at least three years experience before they were accepted into the NPs programme. Not just floor nursing but as hospital educators, outpost nursing, military backgrounds.

I think you should contact the authorities in BC directly and find out what the definitive answer is.

[suzanne4, RN]

Would recommend that you check directly with the nursing council for BC to see if they will accept the program for licensure there. They are the ones that will make the final determination on it. And would do it before starting your program.

Does your program also grant a BSN during the time while you are in school? Be aware that getting licensed as a Nurse Practitioner is going to need to have additional requirements met, and you will need to go thru the license process for the RN there first. And since you are not training there, you are also going to need to complete 250 hours of preceptorship before you will be able to get registered there.

Best of luck to you.