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by gchelak

I am a failrly new Associate degree RN in Texas and am moving to Alberta in July where I am from originally (no medical eduction from Canada).

I have contacted the CARNA for registration. What a nightmare. I was sent the papers for my school, Board of Nurse Examiners for Texas and myself to fill out. I sent my $200+ for them to look over my references and was told by a couple of people there that I did not need the work reference YET since I had not completed my 225 hours of work as an RN required for my employer to fill out the reference. I was told not having this would NOT hold up my other papers from being evaluated. All of my other papers were sent by the appropriate parties.

I was then told (e-mail) by 2 other people at the CARNA that I WOULD have to have the work reference for them to even look at my references. I sent an e-mail to everyone who was telling me different things, and the registrar (one of the people I had been talking to) was a little preturbed and said that I was confused because they were trying to accomodate me and bend the rules. I told them in a nice way that if I had not received conflicting e-mails, I would not have been confused.

I then had my work reference sent because it was causing so many problems. I did not want ot do this yet as it would alert my employer as to my intentions before I was ready.

The registrar had also indicated that it was "quite possible" that I would have to do a "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment".
What the hell is this now? QUITE possible??

By the sounds of it, I am thinking that pretty much EVERYONE that is internationally educated has to complete this Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment before they give you access to the CRNE...am I right?? This is terrible. I was planning on taking the CRNE in Aug, right after I move up there.
I am an RN here...I am practicing as such, but in a nursery- not an adult floor. I am a little worried about what this is and what it consists of and what the Alberta Dilploma'd nurses learn that I did not...
I guess I am jumping the gun here a bit, but I have a bad feeling that this is the norm going into Alberta, especially for a recent grad/RN educated internatioanlly.
Can anyone elaborate on this or have any experience going from the US to Alberta recently?
Much appreciated.
Gail

[janfrn]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Hey Gail, I've been giving this a lot of thought and I think I know why I don't know anything about it. I bet it has something to do with the passage and enactment last November of the new "Health Professions Act" that now includes nursing. That's the biggest driver of degree entry to practice and the reason for our wonderful "continuing competency" hullaballoo. Anyway, I'm still going to talk to the people I told you about and see what their experience is. I'll get back to you.

[gchelak]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Jan:
I had heard something about the legislation changing in Alberta to match most of the rest of the provinces in that I have to be an RN in another country in order to take the CRNE because there are no more diploma nurses (I have an Associates degree- which is a diploma equivelent pretty much) and I would not be able to come to Alberta as a graduate nurse from a "diploma" program. Taking the NCLEX here should have taken care of the competency part- which is pretty much what the nursing board in Alberta told me when I found out about the new legislation that would take effect right before I finished school, but apparently it may not. I am also surprised that they have enforced this assessment when there are still colleges in Alberta (Grant McEwean) that allow you to "break off" and complete only a diploma. I looked at Mount Royal and Grant Mcwean and compared their classes to what I took and I actually have MORE study than their diploma programs, but less than the BSN program by one semester. I sure hope the nursing board in Alberta sees it that way for me too. I have had too many hurdles in my life since starting this journey and this is one that I don't want to deal with. I wonder if they have an appeal process...ah, but I am getting ahead of myself here.

[janfrn]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

I'm just looking at the CARNA website and I'm a little confused. They're sayin ghtat there are three routes to registration in Alberta, first to have graduated from a recognized nursing school in Alberta within the last five years and passing hte CRNE; number two is current registration in good standing in another jurisdiction recognized by CARNA Provincial Council (which to my mind would be anywhere in North America, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and a few other places) or third, "Applicants who do not meet the requirements under the first or second route of entry, but whose qualifications have been determined to be substantially equivalent to the competence requirements set out in the first or second route of entry, may be considered under this category. In order to make this determination, applicants may be required to undergo an assessment of their competence. Applicants who demonstrate that a combination of education, experience, practice and other qualifications provide them with the ability to practice competently may be eligible for registration in Alberta. In addition, all initial applicants must provide evidence of the following:

* good character and reputation
* fitness to practice
* proficiency in the English language"

Then, in another section it specifically mentions nurses educated in the US. (http://www.nurses.ab.ca/pdf/RegRequirmtsIEN.pdf) My interpretation of THAT is there should be no big difference in the way you're assessed compared to "us". And you're right, there is an appeals process, but don't be thinking along those lines yet!

I had hoped to talk to some of our recent US emigres yesterday at work, but I had one of those days that started off with a trip to CT within the first hour. Downhill all the way after that! I'll see who's there tonight and maybe get some info for you. Keep your chin up. It ain't over til it's over!

[oneLoneNurse]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

I feel your pain.

I have lived in the US since 1988, NOW have to write the *(&^%$@@***) NCLEX. I had to get every state and province where I have ever worked to validate my license including AB. AB has been really, really nice. Working with the various states have found some to be really, really nice like the sweet lady in Ohio.

I have put the validation and ability to take the exam into the hands of one of my friends: a lawyer.

Worried about actually taking the exam. Just found your experience parallels mine only on the other side so thought I would post.

[gchelak]

Originally Posted by oneLoneNurse

I feel your pain.

I have lived in the US since 1988, NOW have to write the *(&^%$@@***) NCLEX. I had to get every state and province where I have ever worked to validate my license including AB. AB has been really, really nice. Working with the various states have found some to be really, really nice like the sweet lady in Ohio.

I have put the validation and ability to take the exam into the hands of one of my friends: a lawyer.

Worried about actually taking the exam. Just found your experience parallels mine only on the other side so thought I would post.

So tiy are saying you are an RN from Canada and now have to jump through the hoops to take the NCLEX? I can't believe that with the desperation for nurses goes this red tape. I called the Alberta nursing and the lady there said that they were sending me my letter last week (it takes a few weeks to get here). She said that I have "nothing to worry about, hint, hint" They only took a week to review my documentation after receiving EVERYTHING (I sent my employer reference to lessen the confusion that was happening). I will believe it when I get the letter. I have been studing the book for the Canadian exam and it is WAY different wording than the NCLEX exam, which I was educated around- kinda worries me.
Good luck with your application. Hopefully it will be painless and quick.
Gail

[oneLoneNurse]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Yep, thats what I am saying. And I have been an RN since 1987 soooo its really difficult. I have gone to 3 NCLEX review classes. After the second one I figured out that I was missing general nursing knowledge so have been reviewing tapes, DVDs etc, etc..

I am really, really considering doing some locums in the NWT in med surg. I think it would be a great experience and a birthday present to myself. Also, re establishing my AB license just in case.

What differences do you notice ? Its been such a long time since I took our boards. And for the last nine years I have been in IT.

Originally Posted by gchelak

So tiy are saying you are an RN from Canada and now have to jump through the hoops to take the NCLEX? I can't believe that with the desperation for nurses goes this red tape. I called the Alberta nursing and the lady there said that they were sending me my letter last week (it takes a few weeks to get here). She said that I have "nothing to worry about, hint, hint" They only took a week to review my documentation after receiving EVERYTHING (I sent my employer reference to lessen the confusion that was happening). I will believe it when I get the letter. I have been studing the book for the Canadian exam and it is WAY different wording than the NCLEX exam, which I was educated around- kinda worries me.
Good luck with your application. Hopefully it will be painless and quick.
Gail

[gchelak]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Originally Posted by oneLoneNurse

Yep, thats what I am saying. And I have been an RN since 1987 soooo its really difficult. I have gone to 3 NCLEX review classes. After the second one I figured out that I was missing general nursing knowledge so have been reviewing tapes, DVDs etc, etc..

I am really, really considering doing some locums in the NWT in med surg. I think it would be a great experience and a birthday present to myself. Also, re establishing my AB license just in case.

What differences do you notice ? Its been such a long time since I took our boards. And for the last nine years I have been in IT.

The NCLEX questions are different from the Canadian questions in the study guide - the NCLEX are more concrete and the CRNE's questions are more psycho-social- more diluted...I hate that. The Hurst Review is awesome...we did it live, but I am sure online is just as good. They have a 99% pass rate.
I am still waiting for the letter to be able to register for the CRNE- they said they were sending it almost 2 weeks ago...

[janfrn]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Originally Posted by gchelak

The NCLEX questions are different from the Canadian questions in the study guide - the NCLEX are more concrete and the CRNE's questions are more psycho-social- more diluted...I hate that.

Oh yeah!!! I truly hated that feature of the CNATS, as it was called when I wrote back in the mists of time. To me, there are no really objective measures to those kinds of fluffy questions, and they don't really reflect a person's nursing knowledge. That might explain the... ummm... type of nurses that are being graduated these days. But that's a rant best left for another day!

[seabird]

Re: Alberta: What the heck is this?? "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment"

Hi, First time on, New and looking for some answers along the same lines.
I'm a UK diploma nurse from 1978, out for 15 years with a different job, (mum), returned while living in the USA, took their NCLEX 10 years ago and have been practicing in US ever since. Recently got a BS in Health care. Looking to do some assignments in ON, where my new Canadian husband is living. Where do I begin? Have an active UK and USA license. Can I just go in as atravel RN for 12 weeks? Do you know of any good international travel
agencies? Any info would be a help.