What are the differences in job duties of a RPN/LPN in Canada vs. the U.S.?

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What are differences in job duties of a RPN/LPN in Canada vs. the U.S.?

I just completed my education in Canada, so I have no experience as an employee yet. I am considering working in the U.S. for 10 years or less, and then possibly returning to Canada to continue working as a LPN. Would Canadian hospitals want to hire me if my LPN experience was in the U.S. only? Would they not hire me in a hospital because they would think that I had lost my skills?

Thanks AngelicDarkness. :) I know that recognition is important to many people, and that's completely understandable, but I have other reasons for possibly wanting to move there. The weather is one.

I was wondering whether Canadian hospitals would want to hire me if I wanted to return at some point? My education was completed in Canada, but I would have maybe 10 years of experience as an LPN in the U.S., and no experience in Canada. Do you think Canadian hospitals would be very likely to hire me on a med-surg floor if my experience was on a similar floor in the U.S.? Or would they think that I had lost some of my skills? (Considering that an LPN's scope of practice is different in the U.S.)

Thank you!! :)

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Specializes in Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

Many hospitals no longer hire LPN to work on units.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

You can't get a visa to work in the US anyways.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You really need to let us know what visa you are planning on using to live and work in the US. Are you already a US Citizen? Are you planning on marrying a US citizen otherwise as a LPN you do not meet work permit/visa or immigrant visa requirements so moot point trying to think how Canadian employers will feel about US experience

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Just asking this question, but why on earth would you want to live/work in the US?

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Specializes in Home Care.

Let me put it this way.

I was a new grad LPN in a large metro area in Florida. The only job I could find was in LTC working part-time for $18 an hour with NO benefits....meaning...I had NO health insurance. That's right NO health insurance. And I was lucky to find that job, I networked my way into that job through a college class I was taking...I met the unit managers in class.

I was going to school for RN, I would have been lucky to find a part-time job paying $22 an hour with NO benefits.

I'm much happier to be back in Alberta...everything is far better...except the winter weather.

As for getting back my PR....I'd have to apply, pay a bunch of money, explain why I want to move back, and then wait for at least a year for an answer. Sure I'd have priority over new PR seekers but I'd still be waiting.

There's a reason why I never took US citizenship.

So OP, you'd be better off looking for a job in the US if you had an in demand NAFTA skill.....like some kind of oil and gas engineer.

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Specializes in geriatrics.
Just asking this question, but why on earth would you want to live/work in the US?
Especially now. Terrible economy, no union in most places, low pay, call offs, mandatory overtime, firing at will. Sign me up for all that! Seriously....you can't work without a visa, and even if you could, is it worth all that?
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Just asking this question, but why on earth would you want to live/work in the US?

You've got to be kidding...

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I'm not sure why everybody assumes that I haven't done my research on visas. Honestly, some of your responses were rude, and none of my questions have been answered. I would like to end this conversation please.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Well it doesn't matter since you there would be no way for you to work there since there is no visa you could apply for.If you had done research on visas you would know that already.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

No one is trying to be rude. You're receiving some honest replies. American grads are having a very tough time finding work in the US for the last 5 years. You would fare much better staying in Canada for work.

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Specializes in AC, LTC, Community, Northern Nursing.

My mom is a PR in arizona and even though she has been around for 20 yrs there she still had to hunt for a new job... I used to be a PR and came back to canada at 20yrs old.. U can go down to study but u cant work unless its at school.. U can get licensing no prob.. Its the visa aspect unless you are planning on a border town.. Good luck amd i dont think anyone was trying to be rude.. In typing some ppl's way of conversation doesnt come across as it was meant..

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