Canadian Degree in the US?

[DisGirlAllie]

Hi. So, hypothetical situation. Let's say that I went to the University of Alberta (a Canadian university) and got a degree in nursing (I'm still a little hazy on all the years it takes to become a nurse so just pretend that you only need four years of college which I am aware is not all that that you need). Then, for some unknown reason, I needed to come back to the US and get a job here. Would I be able to get a job in the US with a Canadian degree?

 

[barkley]

i suspect you would have to look to what the national and individual state requirements are for nurse licensing to find out if the individual school/program are acceptable.

nursing, like some other professions (teaching, fireman/paramedic) has educational requirements as well as licensing-and an individual state (or city/county) can have specific rules about what college programs they will accept.

as an example-in our state, if you received your teaching degree from an out of state college you have a different application process for becoming licensed, and it may include having to take additional coursework at an approved in-state university program. in the area we used to live in (another state)-one of the local cities would not accept degrees from certain in-state, out of state and out of country universities for their firefighter/paramedics.

 

[maddiel]

My guess would be that the degree would be accepted but you would possibly have to rewrite any licensing exams.

You should probably check with whatever group licenses nurses in your state

Here's Maine for example: http://www.maine.gov/boardofnursing/licensing/index.html


M.

 

[bicker]

Yeah, that link is pretty explicit about licensure by endorsement being limited to "another state or territory of the United States". However, it does outline acceptability for the Canadian degree, at least.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I know of a circumstance where a Canadian went through Nursing School in Canada and then took certain tests in Florida and is now licensed (and working as a RN) in Florida.

 

[Kimberly]

Hi. So, hypothetical situation. Let's say that I went to the University of Alberta (a Canadian university) and got a degree in nursing (I'm still a little hazy on all the years it takes to become a nurse so just pretend that you only need four years of college which I am aware is not all that that you need). Then, for some unknown reason, I needed to come back to the US and get a job here. Would I be able to get a job in the US with a Canadian degree?

As an employer, as long as it is a reputable institution, I don't see why I would have a problem with a foreign university. With a nursing degree, you'll probably need to get licensed in the US, but I'm sure that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[canadianjovigirl]

Alot of times it is US hospitals who are recruiting the nurses from Canada....i know alot of my friends did that........

 

[drag n' fly]

The U of A is a worldwide recognized university. You can literally work anywhere with a degree from an accredited university in Canada. The entrance requirements and more info about attending internationally is below.

http://www.international.ualberta.ca/prospective/usa.cfm

http://www.uofaweb.ualberta.ca/uai_prospective/pdfs/NURSING.pdf

Good luck!

 

[LukenDC]

Many professionals in the US have foreign degrees and a Canadian degree should not be an impediment to employment and success. As others have said, you may have to look at licensing differences between the US and Canada for nursing.

 

[Sparx]

I agree with everyone else, your degree should be applicable but you may have to retake licensure exams.

Do nursing licenses work from state-state inside the US? I know LCSW licenses just recently (last few years) started working between states. Several years ago the exam had to be retaken when the SWer moved to a new state. Do nurse licenses work the same way?