Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.

Hi mzee:
I am going to be as detailed as possible because I remember how clueless I felt, not knowing the right questions to ask....

Process:

There isn't anything you can do to get your application processed by the provincial board of choice ASAP. The only part you have control over is getting everything to CNO or whichever provincial board you chose.

I visited my sister in September last year. I had shown interest in applying to CNO earlier that year and had requested and already received a application package, I took it with me to Canada just in case I decided to start the process.

So, when I got there and made the decision I put a plan in action. It helps that you are prepared to spend some money to get the process out of your hand.


1. Filled out package.
2. Sent all I needed to send to my school in USA, board, and to my previous employer. (This is why it is so important to establish healthy relationships whereever you go and to not burn bridges) as well as same day mailing to CNO. I called all involved and asked them to treat the matter with urgency. With the board in the US, I called and asked how long it would take and how much it would require to verify my license. I believe it was $40 USD. There's nothing you can do where the board is concerned. You send a money order with the paper work required by CNO to your board of nursing (all these forms are in the application package) and just hope that they treat the matter with urgency.
3. I used FEDEX(free ad here) for everything
4.In package to CNO, I sent everything they expected, including my copies of my CGFNS, diploma, license, and certificate of license in the USA not your OPT work permit. Your license does have an expiration date, attach a letter explaining why it is not renewed, if at the time of the application it is not current. They will verify everything you send them from your licensure board, it just helps your case to clarify possible questions.
5.I waited. Made calls to the hospital and school to ask them to send everything back through FEDEX. I asked a friend to pick up the sealed form from my employer and send it through FEDEX. The school's administrator was pretty good in assisting me to get the package off ASAP.
6.Follow the instructions in the application package to the 'T' you can't lose. When in doubt CALL them (the provincial board of choice). I keep referring to CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario) because its my board of choice.

So, it was out my hands, now up to my school, my board of nursing in USA, previous place of employment, CNO and the mailing system. I waited. I started the process in September and heard from them (really, I was the one who called) in November (a month and a half of processing-not bad). Just in time to hear that I was assessed and found eligible to sit the CRNE (Canadian Registered Nurses Exam). They said I was sent a package in the mail but that the deadline to sit in February was two days later. Thank God for technology! I asked if there were alternatives, yes! They attached and sent the application to sit the CRNE to me via email and I was able to print off and send it back to them using you guess it, FEDEX.

Got confirmation that I was able to sit the exam in February.

Exam:

I purchased the book recommended by CNO-CRNE Prep Guide, I might have looked in an NCLEX book once or twice but not really. I looked at the type of questions and focused my attention on how to answer them. The questions on the CRNE are MOSTLY psychosocial as opposed to NCLEX where alot of clinical judgement, meds and their effects and...
So when studying think about what you learned in Mental Health.Therapeutic nursing...Not so much what you'd do first (although, please note these are important as well, you should still study as if you would for NCLEX) but just focus alot on psychosocial events. I recommend getting the book suggested by your provincial board of choice. This will help in focus studying. I also bought the practice exam a couple of weeks before the exam. Go to the website of the provincial board and read through thoroughly, again if you have questions, call them.

After the exam:

Come online and go through the waiting process with those on allnurses, great place to get support and vent anxieties!

I recommend that while in Canada for the exam, visit career fairs. If possible try and get an interview with a possible employer, they understand the process...remember to always have copies of everything with you including resume.

I hope I helped.

Yes, I used the Prep Guide as the main study tool. I used the book as opposed to the cd since it is a written exam. Unlike NCLEX where I used the cd.

Medicine is standard whereever you go, so yes the lab and hemodynamic values are based off an international standard (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). The difference is in the medications and the measurements used. USA has not converted to the metric system yet, so they still use feet, inches and pound, unlike Canada which uses meter, centimeter and kilogram (this is good to know when study or preparing for the exam). I am sure there maybe some cultural difference, but...

No I don't have notes, I just made a few jottings in the book. Any of your nursing books should have questions surrounding psychsocial events, again, I must remind you that you should however study as though you would for NCLEX: prioritizing, safety, delegation, labs...and like silverdragon said there are forums which focus on how people have prepared for the CRNE.



We'll figure it out.

Gulp at registration fee...on that first thing in the morrow.

I was told the same thing, 12 weeks. Just know different factors determine the process. I am not sure why mine took a month and half, it is strange that you haven't yet been assessed. Outside of what I have shared I haven't done anything differently. I wish I had an answer for you. I believe I spoke with a customer service rep.. Did you ask them if they had all the requirments you sent in to start the process?

I really don't know...since March? Well theystill have about 3 weeks left. Call back tomorrow. Maybe someone else will be able to clarify what we hope to be a misinformation about it taking another 12 weeks.