RN or RPN career as a traveling nurse from CAN to US

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 26, 2008

I think you will find RN is the better choice

RNGrad2006 · Apr 15, 2008

I just graduated from high-school last year and will be going to George Brown college this fall to take pre-health science, which is a preparatory program for any health science program. I wish to become a traveling nurse in the future, but unsure which nursing program to take, whether RN or Practical Nursing. I know PN is shorter and easier but I dont want to sacrifice work opportunities or other benefits as an RN. Any thoughts?:uhoh21:

If you have any aspirations of going to other countries you will be much more limited as an LPN. Going to the US as an LPN is not even an option. But as an RN you have a lot of options to get a work visa either via a green card or on non immigrant status (if you are a citizen of Canada with a Canadian Passport) called the TN.

linzz · Apr 15, 2008

Do your RN which will mean doing a BScN here in Ontario. It is unlikely that you will be able to travel as an RPN as far as I know. My father lives in the United States and the immigration paperwork is extensive. I would also suggest that prior to being a traveler that you get some hospital medical or surgical floor experience as you will be thrown onto a new floor and expected to hit the floor running.

Fiona59 · Apr 15, 2008

It is a myth that the PN education is "easier" than the RN. With the changes to the curriculum over the last decade admission requirements have gotten higher. It is no longer a "trade school route" to nursing.

You must be capable of completing the first year university arts portion of the education in Alberta.

Good luck.

linzz · Apr 15, 2008

I would agree that RPN schooling here in Ontario is shorter than a BScN program but not easier across the board. Entry still requires high marks in math and two sciences. Clinicals also begin right away and are demanding. By the end of the 2.5 year program, you are expected to function on a busy surgical floor organizing your time between six patients who may need many things in addition to meds, such as q15 minute vitals, dressing changes, drains and/or sutures removed, IM injections, IV's started and of course monitored and on and on.

Guile~ · Apr 16, 2008

Thanks for the replies guys:up:

Any advice for an aspiring nurse from Canada?

RNGrad2006 · Apr 19, 2008

Thanks for the replies guys:up:
Any advice for an aspiring nurse from Canada?

What specific question do you have?

suzanne4, RN · Apr 19, 2008

The LPN or the RPN license will not get you a visa to work in the US in any way as there is not a shortage of this classification. You are required to possess an RN license in order to get a green card, or a TN Visa. Neither is offered with any other nursing training.

Guile~ · Apr 20, 2008

Anything else I should do to prepare for travel nursing? :nuke:

suzanne4, RN · Apr 20, 2008

You are going to need the RN after your name and at least a year or two of experience, but be aware that travel nursing is not a specialty in nursing. And you need good, solid experience.

Take the time to check out some of the threads on the travel forum for more information, but I would focus on getting thru an RN program first.

dragonfly25 · May 22, 2008

Is it better to go to school in Canada or the US for nursing? I'm currently enrolled for the RPN program in Ontario and was hoping to do some traveling after I'm finished but just read that they do not hire RPN in the States so I'm a bit disapointed...Is there a college or university that would recognize your RPN program if you wanted to bridge over to an RN in Canada or the US ?