Where to study LPN as an International student?

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Hello everybody,

I am a prospective international student of Nursing. I have decided on perusing nursing when I lived and worked in the U.S. for a year as a Fulbright scholar. When I became quite sure that I want to do nursing next, I (by mere coincidence) happened to be in D.C. attending a Fulbright conference in the same hotel where the Future for Nursing conference was taking place. I went up to their conference room and talked with so many big wig nurses (most of them have their PhDs already) and also talked to some younger ones. They made me wanna go for it even more. I loved living in the U.S. however, for economic and immigration related reasons I wanna persure my LPN studies in Canada or Australia as they have a friendlier approach to the immigration of skilled workers. I speak excellent English with a North American accent and it's hard to tell that I am not a native English speaker unless I talk for a long time then an unauthentic expression or two may pop up :) so I am confident that I can do well on interviews and at the workplace.

I need to consult you you on a couple of matters:

First: I will go for an LPN (A diploma in Nursing) from a community college or a tafe since the fees are crazy expensive for international students to go for a 4 year program, I kindly ask the Canadian and Australian nurses to tell me the job outlook for someone with a diploma in nursing not a BSN. I am not picky at all and I can relocate easily since I am alone anyway.

Second: if there are there any international students who have already taken the same path and want to provide me with any tips or advice, I will really appreciate their help:).

I am really looking forward to a career in nursing and I want to tell you all that you doing a great job :yes:. Thank you in advance for you help.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Moved to the International Nursing forum.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Going as a International student will be expensive and no guarantee you can stay afterwards to stay.

personally I would recommend doing RN and then look at working in another country

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Going as a International student will be expensive and no guarantee you can stay afterwards to stay.

personally I would recommend doing RN and then look at working in another country

thank you for your reply.

I tried doing that already. My country has an ancient education system that doesn't allow you to do a second bachelor degree without redoing high school. It's very sad and limiting.

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If you choose to pursue education in Canada, it is highly unlikely that you will obtain employment post graduation, as Canada does not have a shortage of new grads, they have a surplus and by law, employer's must hire a Canadian citizen or permanent resident over an international student.

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

Plus LPN does not qualify for a work visa in US or Canada. US and Canadian practical nursing programs are not equivalent. Most US LPN programs because they are vocational in nature are not authorized to accept/sponsor F1 student visas.

There is no nursing shortage in the most populated areas of US, Canada and Australia. It's always recommended to obtain nursing education in the country where you wish to live and work. Practical nursing often does not meet standards for an international student visa

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Plus LPN does not qualify for a work visa in US or Canada. US and Canadian practical nursing programs are not equivalent. Most US LPN programs because they are vocational in nature are not authorized to accept/sponsor F1 student visas.

There is no nursing shortage in the most populated areas of US, Canada and Australia. It's always recommended to obtain nursing education in the country where you wish to live and work. Practical nursing often does not meet standards for an international student visa

Hi just beach nurse,

thank you for your reply. It's not the F1 that I am worried about. You can have it for vocational school in the US and Canada. It is the fact that it doesn't qualify for immigration visa unless it is some 2 years + program. And it is not on the list of skilled occupations. Thank you.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Hi just beach nurse,

thank you for your reply. It's not the F1 that I am worried about. You can have it for vocational school in the US and Canada. It is the fact that it doesn't qualify for immigration visa unless it is some 2 years + program. And it is not on the list of skilled occupations. Thank you.

You can get the F1 it's just that the majority of practical nursing schools don't participate. Especially the proprietary schools. Good luck

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