Canada is a great destination for internationally educated nurses (IENs) who want to pursue their career in a diverse and multicultural country. Canada offers many opportunities and benefits for nurses, such as high-quality healthcare system, competitive salaries, flexible work schedules, and immigration pathways. However, becoming a licensed nurse in Canada is not a simple or easy process. IENs need to meet various requirements and go through several steps before they can practice as registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), or registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs) in Canada.
In this article, we will explain the latest updates and simplified process for IENs who want to become accredited nurses in Canada. We will also provide some useful tips and resources to help you prepare for your journey.
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Step 1: Choose your province and nursing category
The first step to becoming an accredited nurse in Canada is to choose the province or territory where you want to live and work, and the nursing category that matches your education and experience. This is important because healthcare is a provincial responsibility in Canada, and each province has its own nursing college or regulatory body that sets the standards and requirements for nursing practice. Each nursing category also has its own scope of practice and competencies that you need to demonstrate.
You can find more information about the different provinces and territories, and their nursing colleges or regulatory bodies, on the Canadian Nurses Association website. You can also learn more about the different nursing categories, and how your nursing experience qualifies you, on the National Nursing Assessment Service website.
Step 2: Apply for an assessment through the NNAS
The second step to becoming an accredited nurse in Canada is to apply for an assessment through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). The NNAS is a Canadian not-for-profit organization that offers a streamlined process for IENs to submit their documents and provide them with the tools to apply for Canadian nursing registration. The NNAS will verify your credentials in comparison with Canadian standards and provide you with an Advisory Report that you need to include with your application to a provincial regulatory body.
To apply for an assessment through the NNAS, you need to have the following documents:
Notarized identity documents, such as passport, birth certificate, or driver’s license
Nursing Education Form, which shows your nursing education history and transcripts
Nursing Practice/Employment Form, which shows your nursing work experience and references
Nursing Registration Form, which shows your current and past nursing licenses or registrations
You also need to meet the English language requirements for working as a nurse in Canada. You can do this by taking one of the approved English language tests, such as IELTS, CELPIP, or TOEFL, and achieving the minimum scores required by the NNAS. You need to send your test results directly to the NNAS from the testing agency.
You can find more information about the application process, the documents you need, and the fees you need to pay, on the NNAS website. You can also contact the NNAS customer care team if you have any questions or need more support.
Step 3: Apply for a license through a provincial regulatory body
The third step to becoming an accredited nurse in Canada is to apply for a license through a provincial regulatory body. You need to do this after you receive your Advisory Report from the NNAS. The provincial regulatory body will review your application and determine if you are eligible for a license or if you need to complete any additional requirements, such as exams, courses, or bridging programs.
The exams you may need to take include the following:
The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for RNs
The Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) for LPNs
The Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Canada Examination (RPNCE) for RPNs
The courses or bridging programs you may need to take include the following:
The Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) Assessment for RNs and LPNs
The Canadian Nursing Review Program (CNRP) for RNs and LPNs
The Canadian Registered Nurse Exam Prep Course (CRNEPC) for RNs
The Canadian Practical Nurse Prep Program (CPNPP) for LPNs
The Canadian Registered Psychiatric Nurse Prep Program (CRPNPP) for RPNs
You can find more information about the license application process, the exams, courses, or bridging programs you need, and the fees you need to pay, on the website of the provincial regulatory body you choose. You can also contact the provincial regulatory body directly if you have any questions or need more support.
Step 4: Prepare for your arrival and integration in Canada
The fourth and final step to becoming an accredited nurse in Canada is to prepare for your arrival and integration in Canada. This includes finding a job, securing a place to live, obtaining a social insurance number, opening a bank account, enrolling in health insurance, and accessing other settlement services. You also need to be aware of the cultural differences, the workplace expectations, and the professional ethics and values of nursing in Canada.
You can find more information about the arrival and integration process, and the resources and services available to you, on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada website. You can also contact the local immigrant-serving organizations in your province or city if you need more help or guidance.
Step 5. Find a job as a nurse in Canada
Once you have obtained your license to practice as a nurse in Canada, you can start looking for a job in your chosen province. There are many resources and platforms that can help you find nursing opportunities in Canada, such as:
[Job Bank]: This is the official website of the Government of Canada that provides information on current job openings, wages, outlooks, and skills requirements for various occupations, including nurses. [Health Match BC]: This is a free health professional recruitment service funded by the Government of British Columbia that helps health professionals find jobs in BC’s public health care system. [Health Force Ontario]: This is a provincial agency that provides information and support for health professionals who want to work in Ontario, including IENs. [Saskatchewan Health Authority]: This is the largest employer of health care professionals in Saskatchewan, offering a range of services and programs across the province.
[Health Careers in Saskatchewan]: This is a website that connects health professionals with employers in Saskatchewan, providing information on current vacancies, career fairs, and relocation assistance.
[Alberta Health Services]: This is the largest employer of health care professionals in Alberta, operating more than 650 facilities across the province.
[Manitoba Health Careers]: This is a website that showcases the diverse and rewarding careers available in Manitoba’s health care system, including nursing.
[Health PEI]: This is the provincial health authority that delivers health care services in Prince Edward Island, offering a variety of nursing positions in different settings.
[Nova Scotia Health Authority]: This is the largest employer of health care professionals in Nova Scotia, operating hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs across the province.
[New Brunswick Health Careers]: This is a website that provides information on health care careers and opportunities in New Brunswick, including nursing.
[Newfoundland and Labrador Health and Community Services]: This is the provincial department that oversees the delivery of health and community services in Newfoundland and Labrador, offering a range of nursing positions in different regions..
Why Canada needs more nurses
Canada is experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals, especially nurses. This impacts Canadians and newcomers alike through longer wait times for care that is sometimes not up to a professional standard due to overworked and burned-out staff.
Recent job vacancy data from Statistics Canada shows that as of May 2023, there were 134,500 vacant positions in Canada’s healthcare and social assistance sectors. This number represents a steady decrease in vacancies since a high of 151,200 in January 2023 but is still the employment sector with the highest rate of job vacancies.
To address this urgent need, Canada has introduced category-based selection rounds of invitations for Express Entry candidates with in-demand attributes, such as healthcare workers. This means that if you are an IEN who meets the eligibility criteria for Express Entry, you have a higher chance of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada.
However, even after receiving an ITA and arriving in Canada as a healthcare professional, you still need to get accredited and licensed as a nurse in the Canadian province you choose to settle in. This is because healthcare is a provincial responsibility, and each province has its own standards and requirements for nursing practice.
Becoming an accredited nurse in Canada as an IEN can be a challenging but rewarding process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can prepare yourself for the accreditation and licensing process, and find a suitable job as a nurse in Canada. Canada welcomes IENs who can contribute to the health and well-being of Canadians, and offers them many opportunities for professional and personal growth.
If you need more information or assistance with your accreditation or immigration process, you can contact the following organizations:
[Canadian Nurses Association]: This is the national professional voice of registered nurses in Canada, representing over 135,000 nurses in all 13 jurisdictions across the country. They provide information, resources, and advocacy for nurses and nursing issues. [Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators]: This is a federation of provincial and territorial nursing regulators in Canada, responsible for setting and maintaining standards for nursing education, registration, and practice. They provide information and guidance for IENs who want to become registered nurses in Canada. [Canadian Association of Practical Nurse Educators]: This is a national organization that represents practical nurse educators in Canada, promoting excellence in practical nursing education and practice. They provide information and resources for IENs who want to become licensed practical nurses in Canada. [Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing]: This is a national organization that represents nursing education programs in Canada, advancing the quality and innovation of nursing education and scholarship. They provide information and resources for IENs who want to pursue further education in nursing in Canada. [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)]: This is the federal department that manages immigration and citizenship programs and policies in Canada, including Express Entry, economic immigration, family reunification, refugees, and humanitarian cases. They provide information and support for IENs who want to immigrate to Canada.Conclusion
Becoming an accredited nurse in Canada as an IEN is a challenging but rewarding process. It requires a lot of preparation, patience, and perseverance, but it also offers a lot of opportunities and benefits. By following the steps outlined in this article, and using the tips and resources provided, you can achieve your goal of becoming an accredited nurse in Canada and contribute to the Canadian healthcare system and society.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it useful and interesting. If you have any feedback or questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for your attention and good luck with your journey.
