USA RN to Canada

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I will be trying to do this in the future. I was wondering from anyone who has done this how hard it was for you to accomplish and if the gov't made it any easier on you because of how hard up Ca. is for Nurses especially in small towns.

Specializes in geriatrics.

People here were just trying to help and be honest, in response to your question. That is also what this forum is for. Everyone is allowed to voice an opinion, provided they are doing so respectfully. You are extremely fortunate to be in the situation you are in. Most people, especially new grads are not. Perhaps small towns are hiring nurses, and, yes, to some degree, this IS true. However, most of those small towns often want experienced nurses, not new grads.

I am a recent grad of last year, and we all thought the employment situation was better than it is. My friend's mother is a nurse manager, and she still could not get a position on that unit. That's how bad it is. I was fortunate to make a friend who had a connection. As a result, I relocated to a small town. Yes, it can happen. But this is not always the case, even with who you know. When you graduate, hopefully things will be more promising for all these struggling nurses. GL

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People here were just trying to help and be honest, in response to your question. That is also what this forum is for. Everyone is allowed to voice an opinion, provided they are doing so respectfully. You are extremely fortunate to be in the situation you are in. Most people, especially new grads are not. Perhaps small towns are hiring nurses, and, yes, to some degree, this IS true. However, most of those small towns often want experienced nurses, not new grads.

I am a recent grad of last year, and we all thought the employment situation was better than it is. My friend's mother is a nurse manager, and she still could not get a position on that unit. That's how bad it is. I was fortunate to make a friend who had a connection. As a result, I relocated to a small town. Yes, it can happen. But this is not always the case, even with who you know. When you graduate, hopefully things will be more promising for all these struggling nurses. GL

Yes I agree they were being honest. Helpful...I am not sure how when I already stated what I wanted/needed to know. I am finding that this is a forum unlike any I have been to where going off topic is par for the course. The thing is all the RN'S and LPN's that are recent grads that I know have found work as well. Not all has been full time but it usually isn't to start anyway. I never meant that you could walk into any hospital in any town in any place in Canada and get a full-time job. You can't do that in the USA either. There is however work available for those willing to relocate. Some areas are in bigger demand than others, especially small towns. In mine for instance one of the docs brought in a RN form the Philippines for their dept. because no RN wanted to move here for the job. The gov't offers loan forgiveness for working in these types of towns for a reason.

My point remains that it is all by the wayside an really has nothing to do with the original question. It's like asking someone what their favorite apple is and and why they like it so much and they tell you that their are no apples available anywhere and they don't know anyone who is able to get an apple around where they live lol. Also I am specifically asking those who have done what I am going to do. Not Canadian RN's who have not of course. You don't ask a guy who drives a corvette what its like to drive a Ferrari. It doesn't make any sense.

I appreciate your reply regardless though.

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Specializes in Home Care.
I will be trying to do this in the future. I was wondering from anyone who has done this how hard it was for you to accomplish and if the gov't made it any easier on you because of how hard up Ca. is for Nurses especially in small towns.

So you're asking if the gov will make it any easier for you to relocate to Canada if you want to work in a small or remote town?

Easier in what way? You will still have to pass the board exam. I highly doubt you will be offered relocation assistance. If you do your research, you'll see that its only physicians that are being actively recruited.

I hope you get that job in the small town through your connections.:smokin:

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So you're asking if the gov will make it any easier for you to relocate to Canada if you want to work in a small or remote town?

Easier in what way? You will still have to pass the board exam. I highly doubt you will be offered relocation assistance. If you do your research, you'll see that its only physicians that are being actively recruited.

I hope you get that job in the small town through your connections.:smokin:

Lol so you don't know either. I was't looking for relocation but expediency on paperwork mostly. since you are canadian and not form the states or another country I garner that you have no experience in this process either correct? I am currently a bc resident as well so if I relocate back I want to know if there is any benefits for that as well. I think i will just talk to hr and the out of country nurses in the hospital that are already working here about it and see what ideas if any they have from the previous imported nurses. I have done my research and have found that most nurses do not want to work in small towns. This is why they created the loan forgiveness program and the online degree for bc rpns. lol since the hospitals in my area have had difficulty keeping nurses around for 15 years and are short staffed every day and have personally told me that it will be no problem. I have a pretty good shot :jester: There are ads in small towns all over bc if people actually want to apply for them and relocate. Saskatchewan is looking pretty hard too according to my cousin who works there. They actually pay pretty well too. There is always work for those who want it no matter what the job is. It might not be exactly what they want or where but there is always work. At worst I can work in wa and wait till a casual position opened. I'm not on a time line, faster is just my preference.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Why should the provincial college process your paperwork because you are a Canadian citizen who trained outside the country? you need to meet the same requirements as other International nurses and be aware a lot of provincial colleges are requiring some form of assessment even from US trained nurses if you trained outside the country like SEC

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Also, since Canada has an abundance of unemployed new grads and experienced nurses (yes, there have been numerous cutbacks across the country, due to budgets) if you haven't completed your training here, it will take longer to process the paperwork. I knew another nurse who was facing a similar situation...Canadian born, educated in the US. Just be prepared that the process will take time. Even moving within Canada takes 2-3 months for nurses. We're all basically just a number to the Colleges.

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But, but, his MUMMY has PROMISED to give him a job.

Rules are for everybody else.

OK, spank me now.

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Why should the provincial college process your paperwork because you are a Canadian citizen who trained outside the country? you need to meet the same requirements as other International nurses and be aware a lot of provincial colleges are requiring some form of assessment even from US trained nurses if you trained outside the country like SEC

For the simple reasons that I have stated of course. That MY area hospitals are actively recruiting for RN's because NO nurses want to work here and the hospitals are millions of dollars in debt from paying overtime to RN's to cover. Also it currently running an illegal operation because it does not have enough nurses to work there right now. Obviously I have to do the same paperwork and pass the same tests. That will not be a problem in anyway for me.

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Also, since Canada has an abundance of unemployed new grads and experienced nurses (yes, there have been numerous cutbacks across the country, due to budgets) if you haven't completed your training here, it will take longer to process the paperwork. I knew another nurse who was facing a similar situation...Canadian born, educated in the US. Just be prepared that the process will take time. Even moving within Canada takes 2-3 months for nurses. We're all basically just a number to the Colleges.

Ah, finally a concise and apt opinion on the subject. Thank you. I am prepared to wait if need be. I will have a job in the states at a private hospital until we move back anyway. Where was that nurse trying to get a job btw?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

This thread is in serious danger of being closed permanently if you folks cannot play nice.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

The BC gov't will not forgive a foreign or private loan, even if you work in one of the underserved areas.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

She was from AB. My point is, to the College, it doesn't matter where you are trying to locate. There are no Provinces actively recruiting nurses at this time. Ok, yes, if you are currently residing here in Canada, there are ads for nurses wanted in some of the rural areas. However, it's not the same climate as a few years ago.

Whether you are from BC, AB, or ON, or whatever, the College will not be processing your paperwork any faster. Having a potential job will have no bearing on the processing time, either. You will also incur additional fees because your education is outside of Canada. Just because you are a Canadian citizen does not mean the door is wide open. It is possible, but no one will be saying, "Come on in!'

The myth that certain areas are actively recruiting is dead. At least for now.

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