Which school should I go in the US, ADN or Accelerated BSN?

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I've been admitted to a 2-year ADN program in a remote area. As I've finished some of the pre-reqs already, I'll also be able to apply for accelerated 2-nd degree BSN programs in NJ, NYC area very soon. Generally these programs take 16-month. Together, BSN and ADN will take the same time for me to finish.

I don't know as for looking for sponsorship, is BSN definitely better? I do not have OPT any more. One reason I'm thinking about ADN is that I can go for BSN later on, and this gives me more time to search for job.

And there is absolutely no difference in training and finding a job if you are in a rural area vs. a large metropolitan area. Your patient population is still going to have the same illnesses that are going to need to be treated.

You many actually get better experience in the smaller town, and see more of the "good stuff."

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Accelerated programs are not currently accepted by immigration, doesn't matter what the board says. Until immigration laws get changed, that is where you will have the issue.

Suzan,

Please clarify, the immigration here you mean "US", not "Canada immigration", right?

Does that mean Accelerated programs are not accepted and cannot pass VisaScreen?

Personally I know one international student from my country in a 12-month Accelerated BSN program in Virgina. Does that mean he would have trouble getting GC later on?

If you mean Canadian immigration does not accept accelerated BSN creditials from US, then I am not worried. I already have the Canadian GC.

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If he is in the US, then there is not issue, but if he trained in Canada with an accelerated program, then wished to work in the US, then he would not meet immigration requirements.

Same thing for doing the program in Canada and wanting to work in the US afterwards, currently it doesn't meet immigration requirements.

Accelerated programs are not acceptd outside of the country where the program was. This is in terms of immigration policy, not licensing policy, and if you can't get a visa that will permit you to work with that license, then it is not the route to go. Depends on what the nurse wants to do.

I know that you have the Canadian green card already, but many do not.

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If he is in the US, then there is not issue, but if he trained in Canada with an accelerated program, then wished to work in the US, then he would not meet immigration requirements.

Same thing for doing the program in Canada and wanting to work in the US afterwards, currently it doesn't meet immigration requirements.

Accelerated programs are not acceptd outside of the country where the program was. This is in terms of immigration policy, not licensing policy, and if you can't get a visa that will permit you to work with that license, then it is not the route to go. Depends on what the nurse wants to do.

I know that you have the Canadian green card already, but many do not.

Thanks for clarification. That makes sense, if immigration does not accept it, then there is no route to go unless people do not have to go through the immigration process.

I know there are some Accelerated BSN programs from prestigious universtities in Canada. For example, U of Alberta has a 2.5 year program for people already have a degree, U of Toronto, York U, U of New Brunswich, U of British Columbia, and some others all have similar 2-year accelrated programs for people who are already college graduates. Does that mean graduates from these programs cannot pass US immigrations?

If that's true, it looks weird that US immigrations will accept a 2-year ADN from a community college while rejecting a 2.5 year so-called accelerated BSN from Canada.

In the worst case I have to go to Canada for schooling, does that mean it is safer to go for a 3-year diploma nursing program from a local college? I know there are still some 3-year diploma programs in Alberta.

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If the program is at least two years then more than likely it will meet the requirements, but in the US the accelerated programs are just about 14 months, not over two years. That is the issue, the program must be at least two years in length, and most of the accelerated programs in the US are not. Plus, a specific number of clinical as well as theory hours are needed in each area, and with the shorter programs this is not always met.

But also be aware, that if you are meeting requirements to retain your permanent residency status in the US, you may not be able to keep up with your requirements for Canada. Permanent residency is for life, only provided that you meet the requirements. It still needs to be renewed every five years in the US.

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If the program is at least two years then more than likely it will meet the requirements, but in the US the accelerated programs are just about 14 months, not over two years. That is the issue, the program must be at least two years in length, and most of the accelerated programs in the US are not. Plus, a specific number of clinical as well as theory hours are needed in each area, and with the shorter programs this is not always met.

But also be aware, that if you are meeting requirements to retain your permanent residency status in the US, you may not be able to keep up with your requirements for Canada. Permanent residency is for life, only provided that you meet the requirements. It still needs to be renewed every five years in the US.

Thanks for the helpful information. And thanks for the reminding. Canadian permanent residency is renewed every 5 years, and the person must be physically reside at least 2 years over 5 years to qualify for renewal. If the person reside 3 years over 5 years, then the person can apply for Canadian citizenship.

Things will become much easier if one becomes a Canadian citizen. He can go to a US school at the border without a student visa, and study part-time as well. Canadian citizen does not need a visa to enter US. So there is no such thing called illegal stay, and he can go to US to hunt for jobs whenever he wants.

I just got my Canadian GC last year. I still have time. Anyway, it is good thing that if things do not work out temporarily, there is still a way to go and know that things will eventually work out.

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If the program is at least two years then more than likely it will meet the requirements, but in the US the accelerated programs are just about 14 months, not over two years. That is the issue, the program must be at least two years in length, and most of the accelerated programs in the US are not. Plus, a specific number of clinical as well as theory hours are needed in each area, and with the shorter programs this is not always met.

But also be aware, that if you are meeting requirements to retain your permanent residency status in the US, you may not be able to keep up with your requirements for Canada. Permanent residency is for life, only provided that you meet the requirements. It still needs to be renewed every five years in the US.

Suzan,

I have another question. If a person goes to different programs, can he add up education/clinical hours from different schools? for licensure and immigration purposes.

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Suzan,

I have another question. If a person goes to different programs, can he add up education/clinical hours from different schools? for licensure and immigration purposes.

You have to have a completed set of transcripts that you have graduated from an approved school of nursing. So you could attend several schools, but that would only work if the last program accepts the hours from the other programs. Just getting hours at a couple of different programs does not give you a degree.

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Susan,

Thanks for your great information. It's very hepful!

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