Nurse from US interested in moving to Canada

dayandnight · Mar 9, 2016

I have studied and worked in the US for 5 years before coming to Canada, and nursing in Canada is VERY different than that of the states. First the units you use is a bit different (use the metrics more and blood sugar is mmol/L instead of mg/dL) and then the actual nursing duties. Instead of having 4-5 cnas (in Canada they are called Care Aids) in one unit and having them take BPs, vitals I&O and sometimes blood sugars for you, care aids' scope is strictly doing ADLs in Canada. In addition, you don't really have that many of them in a unit (in my unit we have ratio of one cna per 20-30 patients). Nurses will have to do all the ADLs for the patients due to the staffing ratio and the level, and this includes the ICU. In addition, LVNs (LPNs) have a different scope of practice in Canada and are able to work in Medical, Surgical and in some cases with more education, in specialty units along with RNs and this is also a big difference compared to the States. In the States, it's normal for people to do straight nights and straight days at the hospital. In Canada most nurses do days and nights rotating every week (2 days 2 nights and then 4 days off pattern etc). Moreover, unlike in the States where a lot of new grads can get hired into the ICU right away and be able to do the training, in Canada you need acute experiences beforehand to get into specialty units in most cases. Just like US, this may also vary in different provinces across the country.

When you transfer your license, I advise you to actually offer to take a refresher course in one of the colleges recommended by the nursing association in the provinces to familiarize yourself with the system because in the beginning I struggled to adapt and it was a very different learning curve. Also, getting a degree from the states will not help you get a job in Canada. Having hospital experiences in the US will help you significantly and connections in Canada is kind of a must.

If you graduated from the States with a BSN chances are they will not make you do the assessment exams like the other foreign graduated nurses as this was my experience. Getting a license will not be so hard but a lengthy process. Refresher courses will help you get connections as well as getting you used to the Canadian medical system & work environment

I also advise you get your American citizenship because it will help you get a visa here faster... Right now it's very hard for non-North American citizens to immigrate to Canada as a nurse.

Anonymous666 · Mar 9, 2016

Thanks! That's very helpful.

As an LVN I have always worked medsurg/IMU. I'm in Texas, so I've been doing the same on the floor as RNs, except having I've had to get them to sign my blood transfusions and Admission assessments. I'd hope they would count that as hospital experience.

When I graduate here, I plan to work here for at least 6 months in an ICU as an RN before making any kind of move.

Yeah, I plan on getting the US citizenship. I figured being a British citizen might make it easier... (I'll be both)

Also, do you know if student debt would hinder my chances?

But, thank you

I have studied and worked in the US for 5 years before coming to Canada, and nursing in Canada is VERY different than that of the states. First the units you use is a bit different (use the metrics more and blood sugar is mmol/L instead of mg/dL) and then the actual nursing duties. Instead of having 4-5 cnas (in Canada they are called Care Aids) in one unit and having them take BPs, vitals I&O and sometimes blood sugars for you, care aids' scope is strictly doing ADLs in Canada. In addition, you don't really have that many of them in a unit (in my unit we have ratio of one cna per 20-30 patients). Nurses will have to do all the ADLs for the patients due to the staffing ratio and the level, and this includes the ICU. In addition, LVNs (LPNs) have a different scope of practice in Canada and are able to work in Medical, Surgical and in some cases with more education, in specialty units along with RNs and this is also a big difference compared to the States. In the States, it's normal for people to do straight nights and straight days at the hospital. In Canada most nurses do days and nights rotating every week (2 days 2 nights and then 4 days off pattern etc). Moreover, unlike in the States where a lot of new grads can get hired into the ICU right away and be able to do the training, in Canada you need acute experiences beforehand to get into specialty units in most cases. Just like US, this may also vary in different provinces across the country.
When you transfer your license, I advise you to actually offer to take a refresher course in one of the colleges recommended by the nursing association in the provinces to familiarize yourself with the system because in the beginning I struggled to adapt and it was a very different learning curve. Also, getting a degree from the states will not help you get a job in Canada. Having hospital experiences in the US will help you significantly and connections in Canada is kind of a must.
If you graduated from the States with a BSN chances are they will not make you do the assessment exams like the other foreign graduated nurses as this was my experience. Getting a license will not be so hard but a lengthy process. Refresher courses will help you get connections as well as getting you used to the Canadian medical system & work environment
I also advise you get your American citizenship because it will help you get a visa here faster... Right now it's very hard for non-North American citizens to immigrate to Canada as a nurse.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 9, 2016

Moved to International Nursing forum.

Having UK citizen ship will not make the immigration to Canada any easier. There are many different routes to move to Canada with so you need to decide which route you want to use. Firstly though the process to getting nurse registration would be first port of call as that can be a long process. I would suggest checking out the provincial college of RN for the province you plan on living in and check out their requirements

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

After you graduate and are licensed in the US, you should apply to NNAS to have your education assessed for equivalency to a Canadian BScN. While you're waiting for your assessment, you should work to pay off your student loans, after paying your debt, you should save at least $12,000 in order to meet the immigration proof of funds requirement.

Anonymous666 · Mar 9, 2016

I have $12k US, but I will have student loan debt when I graduate. So that is a requirement? No student loan debt?

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

The savings are not free and clear if you have outstanding debt. Look on the CIC website for immigration to Canada, the proof of funds is to show that you have enough of your own money to fully support yourself while you are settling.

loriangel14, RN · Mar 9, 2016

Yes the PN scope is different here. PNs can hang blood and do assessments. Although that won't make any difference to you once you have your BSN. As someone said , aides, or PSWs aren't used everywhere so the nurses do the cares.

NOADLS · Mar 9, 2016

Your student loans will not affect your ability to move across the border and seek employment in Canada. It is actually common practice for Canadians and Americans to evade debt (including student loans) by hopping the border. Because you have a UK passport, you've actually got a load of options to choose from. How effecting your debt dodging is depends on how good you are at living under the radar. I won't go into detail on this, but there are many resources out there from people who have gotten away with dodging massive amounts of debt. Google is your friend.

I wouldn't advise hopping their border to avoid Trump. You will be better off submitting to his reign since you will presumably be a high earner. Cruz wouldn't be bad for you either. It's those democrats you better watch out for.

Fiona59 · Mar 9, 2016

NAs in my hospital do vital signs rounds.

LPNs work in ICU,NICI, ER, the OR, dialysis,etc in my health authority, the only place I know for sure that we don't work is PICU.

New grad RNs are hired into specialty units and given on the job training/education.

Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN · Mar 9, 2016

I know our ICU requires all it's nurses to have passed at least one critical care course before they can work in the ICU.

And to echo the others, nursing in Canada is much more hands on than in the states.

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2016

Your student loans will not affect your ability to move across the border and seek employment in Canada. It is actually common practice for Canadians and Americans to evade debt (including student loans) by hopping the border. Because you have a UK passport, you've actually got a load of options to choose from. How effecting your debt dodging is depends on how good you are at living under the radar. I won't go into detail on this, but there are many resources out there from people who have gotten away with dodging massive amounts of debt. Google is your friend.
I wouldn't advise hopping their border to avoid Trump. You will be better off submitting to his reign since you will presumably be a high earner. Cruz wouldn't be bad for you either. It's those democrats you better watch out for.

It won't be difficult for creditors to follow the trail to Canada. It will be difficult to stay under the radar when one's nursing license and place of employment are on public record.