cat101

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.

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 am sorry for your experience, I just wanted to say that I have been in a similar situation and I never felt better for leaving a job! I found another job soon after. Nursing is not a nice career, but one gets used to the stress and is able to judge their environment better after some time. It does get better in a sense, although the profession presents a lot of dilemmas and your fate often depends on the team you are working with and on your employer.

I do agree with everything that Goldenfox and the previous poster said. I wanted to mention though, that the Canadian Universities are much better in terms of not giving away NP degrees to random people who never stepped a foot in a hospital or health care setting. Actually, the program is strictly regulated by the provinces and offered only in "brick and mortar" universities, with a few exceptions of some universities offering some theory courses online, but we are talking schools like University of Toronto, offering some of the mandatory theory courses online. Otherwise, admission requirements are 3 years full time RN practice for all schools, high GPA and references. As a matter of fact, I would trust a Canadian NP more for these reasons. I think in the US it has turned more into a business than education at most schools, some of which are not even legitimate. Curriculum is also mandatory for all universities here and again regulated by the province I live in. So, basically everyone will take the same courses, as the program is centrally regulated. Clinical sites might slightly differ, but most are arranged by the schools as well and most are at big institutions. I personally have 5 years RN experience, mostly surgical, general medicine and a bit of psychiatry. I understand better now that psych NPs are different than Family NP s in the US. I have looked into US schools. What stopped me from applying to a reputable US university (my GPA is 3.9) was the uncertainty in clinical site arrangements. And the high out of province cost for most of them. My tuition will be much lower at a reputable Canadian Uni and they are supposed to arrange clinicals as well. Might not be my first preference of site or specialty, in term of clinical placements, but I will never be in a position where my graduation would be delayed due to inability to find a preceptor and clinical site. It will be a huge mess for a Canadian at US University to find out that they are not eligible for clinical placements in this state, or to be delayed due to inability to find them on their own. Thank you for the replies though, they are really appreciated.

Thank you. One more question: What kind of skills would make me more marketable? Is it really saturated for FNP? I was attracted to psychiatry a lot, but turns out no equivalent to this degree in Canada,, so if I go this route and do not land a good visa, it will be a waste, as I would not be able to work as a Psych NP or any other NP here. Can an FNP work mostly in psych? Like, providing therapy and titrating medications, or it is legally required to graduate from the Mental Health NP programs?

Thank you for your reply. I don't have a particular plan in mind, I have to research what the visa requirements are first. I am afraid, I will be told that I need an employer in order to work in the US. I am not a resident or citizen of the US. P.S: Having a good employer might be good enough, but it is more risky and not what would make me go for NP.

Hello all, 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. Your advice is highly appreciated.