The guide for Foreign nurses wanting to work in Canada

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Specializes in OR and anaesthetics.

Hi there,

Im afraid I am not personally writing the guide - I am actually hoping someone would breakdown the stages for myself and other future applicants.

I have been searching around on many different websites and am extremely confused with the process. Please would an experienced member step in and shine some light on starting the ball rolling and the following steps necessary to obtain permanent residency.

Thank you so very much (in advance) :redpinkhe

Just for reference, I am english and born in uk - I have full UK nursing registration, qualifed with diploma - experience in anaesthetics AND scrub.

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Specializes in intensive care, recovery, anesthetics.

I actually found the information on the cic website very clear and easy to understand, what is so confusing for you? Or is the process of getting registered confusing to you? But those steps are also outlined very clear often online on each provinces association/college of nursing. There are some stickies here on this site also about registration and becoming a nurse in Canada, maybe you start with those?

Just be aware that the jobsituation in most places is pretty poor right now, so work permit route is unlikely.

5cats

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Also to add a lot of UK nurses have not met Canadian requirements (depending on transcripts) and many have had to do some form of assessment to meet college requirements regardless on experience post student. Canadians train generally so you will need both clinical and theory hours in Paeds, mental Health, Adult and Obstetrics and most provinces now only accept BSN.

As mentioned by 5cats, CIC gives clear information and you will need to apply to the college of RN in the province you plan to live and work.

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Specializes in OR and anaesthetics.

Thank you for your advance - well I find the whole process confusing & I'm sure others do too; what route to take, where to start....

I've completed 2 further modules at degree level since qualifying;

foundation in perioperative care

advanced practice in anaesthetics

both required me to work in all disciplines including paeds, obs etc and with a set number of working hours.

I know anaesthetic don't exist in Canada but would my qualifications be of assistance when applying for registration?

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Specializes in ED, L+D,.

I am a foreign nurse who has been going through the process of registering in Canada. Like the others have said - there is a lot of information on CIC and AllNurses detailing the process. I have that yes, there are a few things that are a bit confusing, but on the whole, most of it is self explanatory.

If you have particular questions for your own situation, honestly - you are better off asking the college of registered nurses in the province you are looking at moving to directly. This way you will get the correct information for YOU.

You will need to keep in mind that they are only looking at your initial education that led to your original registration as an RN, so they may not take into account all the extra courses you have done. The college is only determining if your qualifications are equivalent to that of a new grad who received their education in Canada. This is why many foreign nurses have to do extra competencies etc. Its not a reflection on how you are as a nurse personally - they're just trying to ensure your education is equal. This is both to keep you safe as a professional, as well as to keep Canadians safe from 'dodgy' RN's.

My best advice - take the time to read the information here on the sticky notes. Then contact the college directly and obtain the necessary information from them. And then, TAKE YOUR TIME!! Gather ALL the information you need, ensure you have documentation for EVERYTHING, and ensure your nursing school sends transcripts AND course descriptions so that the college has all the evidence they need to make a decision. I've heard of many nurses who have not been accepted simply because they did not send enough evidence or assumed that a transcript will be enough. Assume that the college has no clue what subjects you've covered, and its your job to make sure they DO know what you've learnt! Taking the extra time to gather all the right documents will hopefully save you a lot of bother further down the track.

Once you have been approved for registration, you will then be able to find employment. If you can find an employer to sponsor you, you will then be able to apply for residency/work permit, which ever path you're looking at.

Be prepared to have a LOT of patience - it won't happen quickly, you have to take your time and take one step at a time.

I hope that helps you get started in the right direction!

Best of luck,

Becky

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I actually found the information on the cic website very clear and easy to understand, what is so confusing for you? Or is the process of getting registered confusing to you? But those steps are also outlined very clear often online on each provinces association/college of nursing. There are some stickies here on this site also about registration and becoming a nurse in Canada, maybe you start with those?

Just be aware that the jobsituation in most places is pretty poor right now, so work permit route is unlikely.

5cats

5cats, I want to believe the original poster simply found the whole thing confusing, what's so difficult to understand in that - come on now! Loads of "ridiculous", repetitive questions are asked on here daily, but these things are important to the person asking and I personally believe if individuals do not share the person's view or can not help, then they should just leave the thread alone, allow someone who can assist to deal with that thread. You should not feel that you have to respond to everyone - We are nurses for heaven sake, we ought to show more of our caring side in this forum not just at work to our patients. Our colleagues need our help, let's just give it nicely or not at all.

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Specializes in intensive care, recovery, anesthetics.

A lot of people don't even read the info that is available allready, I'm not sure if the OP did that, so I mentioned sites that are available and were to get the info from, I think that is offering help. I and many others went through the whole proccess, so it's not that difficult, just paperwork, patience as the other poster mentioned and you have to read carefully. This is why I replied to this question. I find it more useful to enable people to help themselves than to outline every little bit.

5cats

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Specializes in OR and anaesthetics.
5cats, I want to believe the original poster simply found the whole thing confusing, what's so difficult to understand in that - come on now! Loads of "ridiculous", repetitive questions are asked on here daily, but these things are important to the person asking and I personally believe if individuals do not share the person's view or can not help, then they should just leave the thread alone, allow someone who can assist to deal with that thread. You should not feel that you have to respond to everyone - We are nurses for heaven sake, we ought to show more of our caring side in this forum not just at work to our patients. Our colleagues need our help, let's just give it nicely or not at all.

Thanks soo much for your Extra input Btdthat08 - I was really concerned about it all coming to an end before I'd even started. Feel somewhat more positive now. Thanks again :-)

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Specializes in Emergency, medical-surgical,.

I am within registration process and can advise you to be patient and to read every application guide carefully!

I printed all guides provided by CIC and CRNBC and did application step by step!

For better understanding and organization I created a "mind map" that helped me to gather all needed documents, transcripts and test results!

My fear was to forget sth. essential, that would result in delay!

I am sure you`ll make it, if you`re english skills are sufficient!

Good luck!

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hello,,i suppose all of you who replied to 5cat are registered nurses here in canada already...may i ask a favor if you can lend me your reviewers please,,with the CRNE, same as the materials you used for IELTS or TOEFL....i am here in british columbia....i am working not as a nurse, so i am planning to accomplish hose requirements to qualify as a licensed nurse here in BC,please if you can lend me your readiong materials...thank you so much...

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hi, my name is mercedes and i am an rn from trinidad and tobago, i hold a diploma and i am general trained in paeds, med surg, maternal , psych. etc. are there any nurses from trinidad, who have done sec, if so, please let me know the process , planning to move to edmonton ab , i have gotten pr.awaiting a replyfrom someone out there , thanks.:flwrhrts:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hi, my name is mercedes and i am an rn from trinidad and tobago, i hold a diploma and i am general trained in paeds, med surg, maternal , psych. etc. are there any nurses from trinidad, who have done sec, if so, please let me know the process , planning to move to edmonton ab , i have gotten pr.awaiting a replyfrom someone out there , thanks.:flwrhrts:

Doesn't matter where you are from when trained outside of Canada each province will have their own requirements for IEN (International Educated Nurses) and you will have to meet their requirements and pass CRNE to be able to work as a RN. The province will make their own assessment based on what your documents tell them when they review your file

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