I am looking for information on eligibility to open a private practice in the US upon graduating from a Canadian family NP program.
Are you aware of any specific limitations that would apply to Canadian citizens, who want to work as NPs in private practice?
How should I approach my quest for information? I have not decided on a particular state and I am flexible and willing to go to any warm state out there.
I am debating on whether to start the NP program, since the job market in Canada is bad and we can not even practice privately, which is my dream, even if I earn less money than in an institution or as an employee.
Thank you, very helpful replies. I did not even know about the inclusion of RNs in the NAFTA agreement.
As for licensing exam in the US, I will confirm that, but I have heard from a colleague that this is not a problem if you come from a legitimate school in Canada and you are already certified as an NP here.
But, obviously, there are a lot of complex issues that I have to think of before committing to this route. I really like some US states, have lived in two states in the past, while my husband was on J1 visa (I was not working then, had babies).
Furthermore, I am discouraged by the political regimen here (liberal in the last elections), and the target for over 50% taxes for high income earners. That tax difference might mean a lot to my family.
Thank you again for your replies. If anyone else wants to contribute, please feel free to do so.
I've actually done the math for my salary living in the US vs. Canada and tax rates (comparing Toronto vs. New England). You'd be surprised: I'd actually be earning more in Canada than in the US AND I'd have universal health care. Things are not that great here. You may have grass is always greener syndrome. My husband and I are debating moving to Canada once he's done NP school.
Thank you. What province would you move to in Canada? ON is pretty bad now. A lot of NPs can not find a job at all, which is why I do not want to target the Canadian job market as a first or only option. I just do not think it is a great idea, knowing that if I do not get hired, I would not be able to work as an NP at all. So, my issue is not as much about income (to be honest 10-15K difference will not be that important to me), as it is about unemployment without even an opportunity to become self-employed or a partner to another NP or MD.
My concern with becoming an NP is about whether I would be able to practice at all upon graduation from NP school. Therefore, I would love to have an option to be self-employed, even if it means more work for less money.
Taxes are projected to increase a lot in Canada, since a new federal government took over (liberal), whose campaign was centred around tax increases, in order to sponsor Syrian refugees, climate change initiatives and higher welfare for Aboriginals and for people with literally 0 income. So, things are not great at all here. Add that to the worsening state of healthcare in Ontario, things have been going down for the last few years - higher unemployment and lower salaries in Nursing. They also produce nursing grads like a factory.
Not sure which route to take. I am quite certain I would love the NP role. I like problem solving and thinking deeper about patient's conditions, being challenged and using knowledge, which is not always possible in a staff RN position. I have had enough of staff nursing and if I do not take the NP route, I would have to change careers, in order to have decent quality of life.
I am still working for an agency here, and even though I make decent hours some weeks, I was not able to find a permanent RN position with high GPA and excellent references out of school
P.S.: The Ontario government had severely cut the funding for new primary care NP-led practices and for NP employment in primary care led by physicians. Most jobs, if any, are only in acute care. Salaries in acute care are competitive to the US, but I do not want to work in acute care. My only goal is primary care. I dislike hospitals, have been working in them for 5 yrs now.
Now, that I gave you more information, do you still think working in Canada would be a better option? If so, why? Thank you so much for replying.
cat101
7 Posts
Thank you, very helpful replies. I did not even know about the inclusion of RNs in the NAFTA agreement.
As for licensing exam in the US, I will confirm that, but I have heard from a colleague that this is not a problem if you come from a legitimate school in Canada and you are already certified as an NP here.
But, obviously, there are a lot of complex issues that I have to think of before committing to this route. I really like some US states, have lived in two states in the past, while my husband was on J1 visa (I was not working then, had babies).
Furthermore, I am discouraged by the political regimen here (liberal in the last elections), and the target for over 50% taxes for high income earners. That tax difference might mean a lot to my family.
Thank you again for your replies. If anyone else wants to contribute, please feel free to do so.