[palmpalm]

Howdie,

I'm from Ontario, Canada and just about fed-up with not being allowed to carry here. I am also a libertarian so living in a socialist democracy, even aside from the gun issue, kinda sucks. I am seriously considering a move to the USA and would like to know what states I should consider as Canadian friendly when it comes to ccw. I do own and shoot guns legally here in Canada but don't have a permit to carry (almost nobody does here).

I have been a lurker on this forum for a long-time and now, since I am seriously considering this, I would like some advice.

I am a 26 year old male. I am currently doing my 2nd undergraduate degree in nursing ad will be a registered nurse in 2 years. So if I don't jump the boat and decide to switch to a school in the USA, I would be looking at moving there when I graduate.

I need to go somewhere where I can 1) get a good job as an RN, and 2) be able to carry as a Canadian given that it will likely take many years until I can apply for citizenship.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[KenInColo]

Welcome to the forum.

As you might know by now, our country is currently embroiled in a health care crisis which may result in our own version of socialized medicine. Are you sure you still want to come here?

Up until this last president, this was a great country for a person in the health care field. We have about a bazillion baby boomers ready for retirement, all needing all sorts of health care. Believe me, you would never be unemployed (health care has been one of the few fields where the number of jobs here has increased steadily over the last year).

As far as CCW: I would suggest that you go to handgunlaw.us. They have comprehensive info about all states CCW.

As you might have guessed, the states which pay the highest wages are also the states which have the most stringent gun policies. Were I you, I would chose Florida or Texas. Florida is chock full of retirees in need of health care & they also are a super friendly CCW state.

Whatever you decide, "Good Luck".

 

[Agave]

LAPRs can carry here in Tennessee. RNs are needed like crazy.

 

[Lewis128]

After you pick a CCW state you like, be sure to check the local job markets. I once dated a woman who moved to Missouri for an LPN job, only to discover they don't pay anything and were habitually understaffed.
Look at crime rates, school districts, "cost of living", etc.
Depends what you're looking for. St Louis is a big draw in Missouri because there's WAY more to do, but alot of folks move here (small town south of St Louis) when they have kids for the school district and safer neighborhoods.

 

[albundy]

Come on down to Georgia. I got the royal welcome at the Canadian border when I told them I own firearms and when they asked how often I carried I stated all the time I legally can. The stunned looked on the border greeter was amusing. He had me pull around the corner for a vehicle search. I left my 357 in Georgia so they found nothing in the car. Since the US dollar is tanking you should get a 1 to 1 par value soon.

 

[PeterCartwright]

The nursing field is wide open in the U.S. Many places are experiencing shortages. I suspect that whatever hoops you have to jump through for the I.N.S. folks will be your biggest issue. Otherwise, I think you'll have lots of choices. (My wife is an N.P. who completed her D.N.P. a couple years ago.)

Don't know what other states are like, but in my state (Michigan), legal aliens are eligible to apply for a Concealed Handgun License after establishing residency. Can't remember the specifics off-hand.

I wish you well.

P.C.

 

[FLSquirrelHunter]

Not sure what a 'permanent resident alien' actually is, but we issue them CWLs. We also (as most places) have an urgent need for nurses. And this is Florida, where we have already have many Snowbirds, eh? :wave: (Even have two NHL teams.)

 

[Arko]

As Agave stated, Tennessee will welcome you, and (for now, pre reform) nursing opportunities are still available in just about every city. IMO, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Nashville are where to be in TN for a number of reasons!

 

[Rugergirl]

:wave:Hey there neighbor, Michigan is right across the river and a shall issue state, c'mon over.:yup:

 

[JoJoGunn]

Sarcasm intended :

Forget it. Stay where you are. If the current Washington, DC crowd has their way we will eventually be just like Canada.

Sarcasm aside : We do have many states that would welcome a Canadian refugee. I have distant cousins in Alberta and one of them moved near Nashville, TN years ago. She finally married and then moved near Louisville, KY. Good luck to you and if you do make it here, welcome.

And I didn't even have to say it in French and English.

 

[archer51]

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to look into Virginia as well. Especially if your considering changing schools. Richmond VA has Virginia Commonwealth Univ./Medical College of VA, which has various programs available to you. Plus 10-15 different hospitals in the surrounding area. As long as your a legal alien resident you can get your permit.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[varob]

My wife is an R.N and has no problem with employment.

If you are single, may I suggest looking into being a traveler. Pay is great and you 'll get a chance to work just about where ever you wish on a temporary bases, that way you won't be locked into a permanent spot.

Good luck, and welcome from Virginia.

 

[jwhite75]

PM Gunnybunny. He is a fellow Canadian and has several US carry permits. Nurses are needed everywhere.

 

[tiwee]

You might check out employment agencies that specialize in the medical field. My niece is a nurse practitioner and works with an agency. She can and has worked several places in the USA generally on six or twelve month contracts. She is single and the jobs come with an apartment provided. Regular well paid employment and living in different parts of the country on your own terms. She has the best of all worlds for a young person.

 

[GunnyBunny]

PM Gunnybunny. He is a fellow Canadian and has several US carry permits. Nurses are needed everywhere.

Did I hear my name?

The carry issue is easy to deal with. Most states that issue non res permits will issue to legal US residents that have a "Green Card". I don't have one which limits the number of permits that I do have.

As far as where you should move to, I defer to the rest of the members of this forum as I've never lived in the US. Mrs. GB is a US citizen (dual actually) and is rather partial to OK and ID.

Here is a site you should check out..........

Best Places to Live: Compare the Best Cities & Small Towns for You! :hand5:

Answer the questions, and it'll suggest some places for you. It does ask for your email. I gave mine and received no spam.

BTW, welcome to the forum from the Left Coast!!

 

[miklcolt45]

Hmm, you speak English, have employable skills, and own guns....

Forget it, Amerika doesn't want you. :hand5:

If you're going to come, better come before the above statement is 100% true.

Welcome to the forum from FL's Space Coast.
Come on down...if you can handle our brutal winters.
It was 53 here yesterday morning. :image035:

 

[64zebra]

Texas has thousands of nursing positions available and plenty of nursing schools/college programs.
In fact...my wife is an instructor :smile:

 

[NavDoc]

There is no such thing as a RN in the unemployment line here in the US. Jobs are plentiful. Through research, I would list the best jobs for you, then check the gun laws for that area. As stated before, there may be one job that pays more but the laws may be more stringent. Florida is a valid choice as far as jobs, cost of living, gun laws if you do not mind not having snow.

 

[Paco]

My vote would obviously be for Texas, we need more good people here. I think it would be easier to recommend places to NOT move to:

• California
• New York City
• Anywhere near Chicago

I know there are more and some others may be able to add to the list.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

There is no such thing as a RN in the unemployment line here in the US. Jobs are plentiful. Through research, I would list the best jobs for you, then check the gun laws for that area. As stated before, there may be one job that pays more but the laws may be more stringent. Florida is a valid choice as far as jobs, cost of living, gun laws if you do not mind not having snow.

Yes there is. Here at my place of employment, a major international medical clinic for both treatment and education, we recently rescinded all open job offers from about March 2009 through just a couple months ago. We had a flat-out hiring freeze, and we're in much better financial shape than many other medical centers.

The NEED for RNs is there, but many facilities do not have the ability to PAY for them.

That being said, we don't have a hiring freeze anymore... I'm not one who's ever been a big corporate hack or anything, but I love my employer, and we still have openings for RNs. Plus, MN is a great state for CCW (You could get a permit now, I think), and it's really close to the OP.