New Grad moving from US to Canada

Fiona59 · May 16, 2019

In a nutshell, No.

Canada doesn't have Associate Degree RNs. Haven't since 2009. So there is no chance you will be "grandfathered".

Your education would be evaluated.

You've got to remember that LPNs in this country are educated for two+ years before they can work.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 16, 2019

It IS possible that you'd be evaluated to be equivalent to an LPN and offered the opportunity to write the CPRNE. Just keep in mind that having a permit to practice is no guarantee of a job.

dayandnight · May 18, 2019

On 5/16/2019 at 1:56 PM, sjsingh said:
Hi all,
I just graduated from nursing school and received my associates in nursing (not my BSN). I'm having to move to British Colombia, Canada from US due to family. I just wanted to know if it is possible to get a nursing job in Canada with an associates in nursing? Any help will be much appreciated.
Thank you

For BC, you will have to take the NCAS exam for Rn and LPN (if you apply for LPN as well) according to BCCNP’s decision based on their evaluation of NNAS’s evaluation of your education/work records. I highly recommend you work in the states before moving because NCAS has a clinical skills component as well as written and oral interview. It will be easier if you have work experience.

many foreign nurses here don’t have bachelor’s and it’s still ok. Based on your NCAS result, you will have to take a refresher course which includes a med-surg clinical at BC metro Vancouver hospitals. Refresher courses will make it almost a guarantee you will have a job in any of the medical units at smaller hospitals (as per diem/casual)

Other units will be harder unless you have years of equivalent experience in the states.

The whole application processing takes up to a year and you are looking at waiting times for NCAS and potential 1 year of refresher course. I would apply now and get work experience in the US.

Hope it helps