Hi there! I'm wondering if any nurses who have immigrated from the US to Canada can share any of their experiences with the immigration process and getting your license transferred over. I've already submitted my paperwork to the NNAS and it is currently undergoing "final review."
Have any USA RNs who have gotten the 'comparable,' from the NNAS have still been forced to take the competency assessment from the NCAS?
And if you were successful in immigrating to Canada, what was applying for a hospital job like? Or any RN job like? Currently I work for a major hospital (3 yrs experience) in med surg here in Oregon.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Finding employer willing to go the TWP will depend on where you want to live and work and whether the area has a shortage of RN or LPN positions. Probably going the skilled route for permanent residency will be easier and in a lot of cases you do not need an employer. Strongly suggest checking out the CIC website for the different ways you can live and work in Canada.
From someone who did this and has the tee-shirt with absolutely no regrets on moving
Pretty much all work visas seem to involve getting an employer to sponsor you. With Canada not really having a shortage of nurses, they don’t have an incentive to bring someone over / sponsor them. I have yet to find an employer willing to sponsor a work visa for an RN, even in a highly specialized area.
My suggestion would be to go for permanent residency, which would then allow you to work there once you’ve moved to Canada and gotten your permanent residency card.
On 5/30/2020 at 4:10 AM, gardengrower92 said:
Hi there! I'm wondering if any nurses who have immigrated from the US to Canada can share any of their experiences with the immigration process and getting your license transferred over. I've already submitted my paperwork to the NNAS and it is currently undergoing "final review."
Have any USA RNs who have gotten the 'comparable,' from the NNAS have still been forced to take the competency assessment from the NCAS?
And if you were successful in immigrating to Canada, what was applying for a hospital job like? Or any RN job like? Currently I work for a major hospital (3 yrs experience) in med surg here in Oregon.
Any experience / advice / thoughts are welcomed!
Hi gardengrower! Could you please update what has happened with you since your initial post. Were you able to immigrate to BC? Did you find employer (sponsor)?
Hi gardengrower! Could you please update what has happened with you since your initial post. Were you able to immigrate to BC? Did you find employer (sponsor)?
Hey TatianaL, thanks for checking back on this post! I did make it to Canada and currently do work as an RN in acute care in Vancouver BC. My permanent residency application is still pending (covid has significantly delayed their processing times), but as my husband was sponsored to work in Canada through his company (he works in marketing), I was also able to come to Canada to work on a spousal work visa while we wait for our permanent residency applications to be processed.
A few things to note... I can pretty much confirm in Vancouver at least, that no employer will sponsor a RN to come over and work in Canada. Even in highly specialized positions like ICU/IMCU/ER/burn units, hospitals here will offer fellowships to train med surg RNs into those roles, rather than import someone from the US who already has the experience.
I also do work both night and day shift during the week. The standard is two days and then two nights (no break in between), and then you're off for 4-5 days before repeating. Pay is also standardized, I believe all hospitals (and maybe even clinics), offer nurses the exact same pay rate based on the number of years they have worked as an RN (as laid out by the nurses' union in Vancouver). If you have four years of experience for example, your pay would be around $40/hr CAD ($33/hr USD).
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hey TatianaL, thanks for checking back on this post! I did make it to Canada and currently do work as an RN in acute care in Vancouver BC. My permanent residency application is still pending (covid has significantly delayed their processing times), but as my husband was sponsored to work in Canada through his company (he works in marketing), I was also able to come to Canada to work on a spousal work visa while we wait for our permanent residency applications to be processed.
A few things to note... I can pretty much confirm in Vancouver at least, that no employer will sponsor a RN to come over and work in Canada. Even in highly specialized positions like ICU/IMCU/ER/burn units, hospitals here will offer fellowships to train med surg RNs into those roles, rather than import someone from the US who already has the experience.
I also do work both night and day shift during the week. The standard is two days and then two nights (no break in between), and then you're off for 4-5 days before repeating. Pay is also standardized, I believe all hospitals (and maybe even clinics), offer nurses the exact same pay rate based on the number of years they have worked as an RN (as laid out by the nurses' union in Vancouver). If you have four years of experience for example, your pay would be around $40/hr CAD ($33/hr USD).
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hey! Thank you so much for quick reply.Hope you will get PR in the nearest future.I'm stuck with my Associates Degree , and I'm not sure if they will let me to register as RN in Alberta, maybe I will need to apply as an LPN right away.I'm surprised that they mix days& nights , I think it is a torture.Do you know if there is a chance to find a job in small private clinics, GP offices with 8-5 schedule after you get your PR? Have you ever heard any stories when US run did bridge program from ADN to BSN? I'm not sure what can I do in order they let me become an RN in Canada.Did you go through 4 year bachelor's program in US, or you did 2 yrs of Associate's plus a year for Bachelor's?
Hey! Thank you so much for quick reply.Hope you will get PR in the nearest future.I'm stuck with my Associates Degree , and I'm not sure if they will let me to register as RN in Alberta, maybe I will need to apply as an LPN right away.I'm surprised that they mix days& nights , I think it is a torture.Do you know if there is a chance to find a job in small private clinics, GP offices with 8-5 schedule after you get your PR? Have you ever heard any stories when US run did bridge program from ADN to BSN? I'm not sure what can I do in order they let me become an RN in Canada.Did you go through 4 year bachelor's program in US, or you did 2 yrs of Associate's plus a year for Bachelor's?
As an ADN, I don’t think you’ll be able to register as an RN in Alberta. You’ll have to contact CARNA (College of Registered Nurses of Alberta. The licensing body for RNs in our province).
the mix of Days/nights is standard in Canada. Almost all our hospitals are unionized and it’s very rare to get straight days or straight nights. It happens, but not that common.
Clinics/doctor offices and private LTC pay significantly less in Alberta then hospitals. Right now in Alberta, it can be very difficult to get hired into a hospital right away. We have too many nurses, not enough positions and a provincial government wanting to lay a lot of us off.
(I’m an LPN I’m Alberta. Hit me up for any more questions)
As an ADN, I don’t think you’ll be able to register as an RN in Alberta. You’ll have to contact CARNA (College of Registered Nurses of Alberta. The licensing body for RNs in our province).
the mix of Days/nights is standard in Canada. Almost all our hospitals are unionized and it’s very rare to get straight days or straight nights. It happens, but not that common.
Clinics/doctor offices and private LTC pay significantly less in Alberta then hospitals. Right now in Alberta, it can be very difficult to get hired into a hospital right away. We have too many nurses, not enough positions and a provincial government wanting to lay a lot of us off.
(I’m an LPN I’m Alberta. Hit me up for any more questions)
Hi Amanda! Do you think is it better for me to apply right away as LPN(since my RN degree had 2 year program) in Canada and not waist my money for RN application? Do you know approximate pay for LPN if they work in private clinics? Did you move from US or you are from Canada? Thanks!
Hi Amanda! Do you think is it better for me to apply right away as LPN(since my RN degree had 2 year program) in Canada and not waist my money for RN application? Do you know approximate pay for LPN if they work in private clinics? Did you move from US or you are from Canada? Thanks!
You’re best bet is probably to contact CARNA and see if they’ll accept your ADN first.
LPN pay in clinics is usually around $25-$27. Have seen as low as $22 and high as $30. Starting wage here for hospitals is $27. All hospitals in Alberta are union and we are currently going through contract negotiations.
(all wages in CND dollars).
I think the main thing for everyone on this thread is how you are going to get here in the first place... You will either need to get permanent residency or come on a spousal work visa (your spouse will need a work visa from their company and then you could come on an open work visa / work for any company you choose). Or get a RN work visa but as I have mentioned before I don't think there are any hospitals / agencies willing to do this. You'll need to figure that out first before anything else.
Hi Amanda! Do you think is it better for me to apply right away as LPN(since my RN degree had 2 year program) in Canada and not waist my money for RN application? Do you know approximate pay for LPN if they work in private clinics? Did you move from US or you are from Canada? Thanks!
Might as well try to see if you can be an RN here. But it’s highly unlikely cuz to be an RN you need a degree. LPNs are diploma
Just now, gardengrower92 said:
I think the main thing for everyone on this thread is how you are going to get here in the first place... You will either need to get permanent residency or come on a spousal work visa (your spouse will need a work visa from their company and then you could come on an open work visa / work for any company you choose). Or get a RN work visa but as I have mentioned before I don't think there are any hospitals / agencies willing to do this. You'll need to figure that out first before anything else.
Exactly.
you can’t just come and work. You have to have get some sort of visa. And I have zero clue about that stuff. Sorry.
Hey TatianaL, thanks for checking back on this post! I did make it to Canada and currently do work as an RN in acute care in Vancouver BC. My permanent residency application is still pending (covid has significantly delayed their processing times), but as my husband was sponsored to work in Canada through his company (he works in marketing), I was also able to come to Canada to work on a spousal work visa while we wait for our permanent residency applications to be processed.
A few things to note... I can pretty much confirm in Vancouver at least, that no employer will sponsor a RN to come over and work in Canada. Even in highly specialized positions like ICU/IMCU/ER/burn units, hospitals here will offer fellowships to train med surg RNs into those roles, rather than import someone from the US who already has the experience.
I also do work both night and day shift during the week. The standard is two days and then two nights (no break in between), and then you're off for 4-5 days before repeating. Pay is also standardized, I believe all hospitals (and maybe even clinics), offer nurses the exact same pay rate based on the number of years they have worked as an RN (as laid out by the nurses' union in Vancouver). If you have four years of experience for example, your pay would be around $40/hr CAD ($33/hr USD).
Hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Hey, I am a bit late to the party but I was wondering if it would be okay to ask a few questions about your process as I am also currently going through the process with BCCNM to transfer my nursing to BC.
Did you end up having to do the NCAS? If so, what was it like? Was it comparable to the NCLEX or, how did you prep for it?
Hey, I am a bit late to the party but I was wondering if it would be okay to ask a few questions about your process as I am also currently going through the process with BCCNM to transfer my nursing to BC.
Did you end up having to do the NCAS? If so, what was it like? Was it comparable to the NCLEX or, how did you prep for it?
Thanks ?
Hey there! I did not end up needing to take the NCAS thank goodness.
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Finding employer willing to go the TWP will depend on where you want to live and work and whether the area has a shortage of RN or LPN positions. Probably going the skilled route for permanent residency will be easier and in a lot of cases you do not need an employer. Strongly suggest checking out the CIC website for the different ways you can live and work in Canada.
From someone who did this and has the tee-shirt with absolutely no regrets on moving