Ontario RPN = US LPN? who do I ask

[yeouinaru]

Hi!

I've been trying to figure out if an Ontario registered practical nurse (2 yr diploma) is eligible to write the NCLEX exam and become an LPN in the States. Does it depend on the state? I've been considering nursing college (have already been accepted), but I'm really not sure how an RPN will be recognized in the States, and the people on the Ontario nursing side of things have told me to ask the US nursing side of things. But I feel like I'm googling around in circles. Where do I start? I've been searching for this topic here but most posts seem to be about the immigration side of things....I have a greencard, so I'm not concerned about that.

Unfortunately, I don't know which state I'd be moving to after this. My husband will be posted in Ontario for two years, and then the army will move us...somewhere. LOL

Any info would be helpful! Thanks :)

[Fiona59]

You need to decide which state you will be living and working in and then apply there.

If you are posted to Ontario, there is very little chance the DND will ever post your husband outside of Canada. So why the worry about working in the US?

[yeouinaru]

He's in the US army, but got a posting in Canada. Then, presumably, we'll be moving back to the States.

Thanks for letting me know that it's a state-by-state issue. I was hoping that it would be simpler--we usually don't get more than a few months' notice, if that, where we'll be posted next. ah, well!

[Fiona59]

You might want to look carefully at getting your education up here. The fees charged to "international" students are pretty much double the fees charged to Cdn. residents.

[yeouinaru]

I'm actually Canadian, and have been living/working here while my husband's been deployed for the last 3/4 of a year...it's a long story. lol. At any rate, I qualify for the Cdn resident tuition. We get moved around a lot and I don't know when the next time we'll have even a year in the same place. Otherwise maybe I'd hold off on the education now and then study to be an LPN or RN in the States. That would be smarter, but things are just so unpredictable. We've moved 5 times in the last 3.5 years, so I want to make use of this recently confirmed 2 yr stretch.

Anyway, thanks so much for the tips. I appreciate your replies. My situation is kind of gonzo so it's been hard trying to figure out a way around it.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

No board of nursing in the United States will endorse an LPN who has received their education and training outside of the U.S. Unless you have attend a practical or vocational nursing program on U.S. soil, you will not receive eligibility to take the NCLEX-PN to become an LPN in the U.S.

The only Canadian nursing education that will be accepted by our boards of nursing is at the baccalaureate (BScN) level.

[yeouinaru]

Thank you! I'll check into that. I know an RPN who had worked in the States, but that was a while ago. If it's stricter now, that's really good to know. That helps a lot. I like working as a nurse's aide/personal support worker and thought that I would enjoy being a nurse. But if this RPN program won't be recognized in the States, then I shouldn't bother.

Unfortunately, I missed the cut off for the 2nd entry BscN program where we'll be, but I can probably continue my science studies and hopefully leave with a Bsc. And perhaps do some sort of nursing program in the States.

Cheers!