US RNs immigrating to Canada: Advice!

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I'm a US citizen married to a Canadian citizen, and we are planning to move to Ontario in the next couple years to be closer to my husband's family. I've started to poke around at the Ontario College of Nursing's requirements to transfer your license and they seem pretty feasible, especially since now that they are going to be using the NCLEX, it said re-testing is not necessary if you've taken the NCLEX within a certain time frame (which I have). What I'm wondering, though, is how long it will be before I can work, since we will likely be relying on my income, it would be difficult financially if it took many months before I was eligible to work. We plan to use an immigration attorney and start the immigration process before we leave the US, so hopefully that will expedite things. Has anyone gotten a job offer prior to moving to Canada? I will probably do the family class sponsorship instead of the skilled worker class, since I've read that that's faster and easier, but if there's any possibility to have a job arranged prior to moving there that would be ideal! I would love anyone who has immigrated to Canada from the US's advice and opinions! Thank you!

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Several things you need to consider.

Entry to practice for RNs is degree. Do you have one?

Which part of Ontario? Read the Cdn. threads. Ontario can be a brutal market.

Are you a highly specialzed, degree holder? If not, you may have more of a struggle than you expect.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

To practice in Canada as an RN you need to have a minimum of BSN. For Ontario your NCLEX results are accepted only if you applied for assessment & licensing before September 18, 2014. As you have yet to apply to NNAS & CNO you may have to repeat the NCLEX-RN.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If possible don't move until you have completed with NNAS and CNO and have a job

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Thanks for the input. I do have a BSN, and I did take the NCLEX before September 2014. I will look into NNAS and CNO and see about beginning that process before actually moving. We are looking at Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Thanks for the input. I do have a BSN, and I did take the NCLEX before September 2014. I will look into NNAS and CNO and see about beginning that process before actually moving. We are looking at Kitchener/Waterloo/Cambridge/Guelph.

It doesn't matter if you took the NCLEX-RN before September 2014, it matters if you applied for NNAS & to the CNO before September 18, 2014. Be prepared for the possibility that the CNO may require you to retake the NCLEX as a condition of licensing in Ontario.

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Good to know, I will look into this. Thank you!

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I have started applying to the NNAS and the CNO. Do you know if it is possible to get a job offer from outside Canada? I had assumed I would have to live there first and begin my immigration process, but if it will be possible to do my license transfer from outside Canada and have a job lined up, that would make life so much easier!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If the employer is willing to either wait for you to get PR or the employer is willing to go for a work permit but for that the employer will require you to have eligibility to sit any exams or have a license issued then yes it is possible

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Hi @ivyRN987

Just wondering if you were able to get your license in Ontario? I am in a similar situation.

And, you will not be required to re-take NCLEX-RN (I'm sure you are aware of that now). CNO will accept your NCLEX from before Sept 2014.

Thanks!

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