New Grad from California... want to work in Canada

Published

Specializes in Critical Care.

I am graduating next year from my ASN program in California. I cannot get the license or get a job here in the U.S. due to immigration issues. But I can get a certificate/ degree from the school and pass the NCLEX... anyway I can continue my education in Canada (transition program) or get into a new grad program there?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

To work in Canada as a nurse, no matter how many degrees after your name, you have to have been licensed in the place where you received your basic education. If you can't be licensed in California you won't be able to work in Canada.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

how about school?

any chance I can transfer to a Bachelors program? will they count my ASN degree even though i have no license but passed nclex.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
i am graduating next year from my asn program in california. i cannot get the license or get a job here in the u.s. due to immigration issues.

since you have yet to graduate from ca nursing school, you are not qualified to have taken and passed nclex.

alberta, canada - immigration : registered nurse (rn)

language requirement

  • evidence of competence in, and comprehension of, the english language

nursing education requirement

  • successful completion of a professional nursing education program that was approved in the jurisdiction where the program was completed

previous/current registration requirements

  • registered nurse status in the country where you obtained your nursing education
  • registration in good standing from other jurisdictions where you have practiced nursing in the last five years

practice requirements

  • have completed within the last five years (not including the current year):
    • 1,125 hours of registered nursing practice or
    • a nursing degree or a nursing program satisfactory to the carna registrar

substantially equivalent competency requirement

  • evidence of competence to practice that is substantially equivalent to the competencies required of all alberta nurses. for example: having a combination of education, experience, practice or other qualifications that meets the alberta entry-to-practice competency requirements.

fitness to practice

  • no health problems that impair your ability to practice

good character

  • evidence of good character based on a satisfactory employer references
  • no outstanding relevant criminal charges or convictions

exam requirement

  • achieve a passing score on the canadian registered nurses examination (crne) – fee approximately cdn$500.00

since you don' t have "registered nurse status in the country where you obtained your nursing education" as will not have ca license due to immigration issues, need to carefully check other jurisdictions before considering moving to canada.

links to the provincial colleges of nursing

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

obviously... I am talking about year from now when I have graduated and passed Nclex....

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Things may change once you complete your training although CA will not issue you with a license you can still sit and pass NCLEX but whether your training will be accepted in Canada will depend on the province you apply to. You also need to make your mind up where you want to work as I see you have also posted in the Australia forum and the process where ever you go can be a long process so what are you going to do whilst waiting. Your 2 year training may not be acceptable and you need to maintain legal status in the US whilst waiting on being accepted by the country or province nursing board and then apply for a work permit.

You are looking at approx 6-12 month process before being able to move.

May have to consider removing back to your home country

Up Vote Up Vote ×
how about school?

any chance I can transfer to a Bachelors program? will they count my ASN degree even though i have no license but passed nclex.

seungk5

I don't know if you can get into a post diploma RN BScN program without a licence, you will have to check with the individual school to see if they will accept you as an international student. If the school will accept you, you will need to obtain a permit to study in Canada see the government of Canada website for more details. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/study/index.asp

Be prepared for long waits for replies.

dishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×

seungk5

According to york university to be eligible for the post rn bscn internationally educated nurses program you must:

be a licensed Registered Nurse in your home jurisdiction

be a resident of Ontario (landed immigrant, Canadian citizen or convention refugee)

have been evaluated by the College of Nurses of Ontario as possessing an education at least equivalent to a diploma level

see link for contact information if you have questions about the progrram

http://www.yorku.ca/web/futurestudents/programs/template.asp?id=615

dishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

thank you for that site!

I recently found out that I can get a license here in the states, I just can't work.

but it seems like that school will not accept me because I must have permanent residence or citizenship in canada. I will have to study as an international student.

I found few schools with program that I can go as an international student, I am going to email and ask them if I can qualify for their program! Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Just be aware that international students pay about double the tuition and fees of resident students and figure out how you're going to pay for everything.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
thank you for that site!

I recently found out that I can get a license here in the states, I just can't work.

but it seems like that school will not accept me because I must have permanent residence or citizenship in canada. I will have to study as an international student.

I found few schools with program that I can go as an international student, I am going to email and ask them if I can qualify for their program! Thank you!

I am curious which schools in Canada accept international students in their post diploma BScN programs. When you find out, I hope you will post an update to let us know. Good luck in your future studies seungk5.

regards

dishes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

yeah it's pretty expensive... I would be spending at least 12000-16000 a year for tuition as international student, not counting room and board. But the programs are about 3 semesters long... so it's not too bad and I can probably take out a loan and get a friend to cosign it and pay it off when I graduate...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion