Pennsylvania CNA to Canada CNA

Published

If I immigrate to Ontario, Canada, will my CNA license from Pennsylvania be valid?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

In Ontario Personal Support Worker's (PSW) are not licensed, only Registered Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses are licensed with the College of Nurses of Ontario.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

It will likely not carry over. PSW programs are 8 months full time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It is very unlikely. When I was in school for CCA (the cna of my province) there was a PSW who was retaking the course because she moved to this province.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

How is he planning to migrate to Canada? We're not exactly importing NAs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gerontology, Occ. Health.

Fiona, there are other ways to immigrate to Canada that are not career related. I immigrated because my common-law partner is Canadian. It had nothing to do with my job as a Licensed Practical Nurse. In fact, I can't even practice as a nurse in Ontario because I did my program in the US in 2002, when it was an 11 month program. Ontario will grandfather in Canadian practical nurses, but not any from other countries. You simply cannot practice if you had any program less than 2 years. PSWs do not have an official regulatory body, as nurses do, but I would bet most employers will require a certificate of completion of a PSW program from an Ontario college. In the absence of that, I doubt you would be hired in the position. I've thought of trying to find a job as a PSW myself, but I'm not sure how to translate my practical nursing schooling/experience into the position. I've contacted a couple of colleges via email inquiring about this, but no answers yet. I will have to get on the phone with them I suspect. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The OP is still in high school, so highly unlikely he'll be moving for love.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gerontology, Occ. Health.

Oh, I didn't realise that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would like to move to Canada for love, I'm just concerned my desired career won't work out there since it's different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatry, Cardiology, Gerontology, Occ. Health.

Well, I just spoke with a rep at Trillium College about how my practical nursing education might translate to PSW and she said it won't. I would have to do the 25 week course from the beginning, as would anyone else educated outside Canada. :( So, I can say that unless you find a PSW job that doesn't require a certificate, you will not be able to work as a PSW/CNA in Canada with US credentials.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion