LVN Relocating to Canada from USA

[FAITHFULRN01]

Hi

I need advice for a friend who is an LVN seeking to relocate from USA to Canada. Any ideas on her prospects to get a job as an LVN in the Canadian market? What is the easiest route to take? Please any info will be very much appreciated. Thanks:)

[Christine_04]

Hey everyone, I's a USA RN who just happens to be hopelessly in love with my Canadian boyfriend so I'm thinking of relocating. Problem is I got a DUI in the states like 4 years ago and I was wondering if anyone knows if its possible for me to still get a license with that on my record. I mean, I had to get special permission just to be let in the country!

Thanks!

[Fiona59]

Hey everyone, I's a USA RN who just happens to be hopelessly in love with my Canadian boyfriend so I'm thinking of relocating. Problem is I got a DUI in the states like 4 years ago and I was wondering if anyone knows if its possible for me to still get a license with that on my record. I mean, I had to get special permission just to be let in the country!

Thanks!

You'd have to check with provincial college.

[NurseSuzann]

Is LVN and LPN education equivalent? Its double the time now. I'm not sure, and definitely if you're going to be going to Ontario they may not even consider it because the entry to practice requirements there are pretty strict. Maybe they will consider experience.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

I think many of you who are moving to Canada will find things very challenging at the moment. Many Canadian educated nurses and IENs already residing here are either unemployed or underemployed, due to the tough economy. Even if your credentials are excepted, most employers will prefer to hire locals. Unless you don't mind living in a rural area where nurses are really needed, you will probably find that it takes months just to land a casual line. Unfortunately, the job market is not thriving like it was even a few years ago.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

My bad...tired. "Excepted...should read accepted"...lol.

[Fiona59]

I"m thinking that the US LPNs may be facing a hard time getting their evaluations done in Alberta and Ontario. These two provinces are requiring the diploma for entry to practice. I know that AB produced it's first diploma class in 2006ish and Ontario was around the same time. These programmes include first year university transfer Arts courses.

So, the provincial colleges in those provinces had better be acknowledging this fact and not grandfathering in overseas educated nurses who underwent a one year or shorter education. They will/would have a hard time with their membership on this issue if this is indeed what is happening.

I mean, Alberta won't even give LPNs who gained the certificate prior to 2005 and HAVE the university academics obtain a diploma.

[itsmejuli]

That's an interesting point Fiona59.

When I applied to CLPNA I had completed the US LPN but I also have a 2 yr college degree with transferable credits to US RN program and the first semester of US LPN-RN completed. I write the CPNRE tomorrow.

Its going to be interesting to see what happens to my DIL when she applies for Alberta RN. She has just completed the US ADN and has no work experience. She seems to think she doesn't need the BSN. Hmmm...I think she may be wrong.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

Yes that's true. Even if your DIL is accepted by the College, as far as employers are concerned, all new grad RNs require a BSN. That's the standard across Canada at this time. For experienced RNs with diplomas, they are often grandfathered in.

[itsmejuli]

I def agree about the issue of finding a job with an ADN vs a BSN.

I've suggested to my DIL that she consider applying to CLPNA rather than CARNA.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

That's probably a better idea. I have never known of any ADN educated RNs working in Canadian hospitals. They all either have the Canadian Diploma with many years of experience, or they hold BSNs as a new grad. Also, the AB union is pretty strict. I can't see them allowing an ADN to practice. Now, I could be wrong, of course, but especially since your DIL is a new grad, I don't see how she would be accepted by CARNA.

[Fiona59]

I've worked with US ADN's but they had years of experience, so CARNA "grandfathered" them.

As far as I know, it's required for new grads to have the degree.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

That's probably a better idea. I have never known of any ADN educated RNs working in Canadian hospitals. They all either have the Canadian Diploma with many years of experience, or they hold BSNs as a new grad. Also, the AB union is pretty strict. I can't see them allowing an ADN to practice. Now, I could be wrong, of course, but especially since your DIL is a new grad, I don't see how she would be accepted by CARNA.

The United Nurses of Alberta and the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta are two completely different entities. The union, UNA, has no input whatever into the educational requirements for registration. That's all CARNA. The minimum education for entry to practice (new grads and IENs alike) in all Canadian provinces is the Baccalaureate degree.