Practical Nursing in Canada for 2 years

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Hi, I am a registered nurse in the Philippines with no work experience. I enrolled at a 2-year practical nursing program at Centennial College in Toronto Canada. I already have a student visa and will be leaving this November but my classes will start on January.

My question is, will CNO allow me to take the Practical nurse licensure exam on a post-graduation work permit? I read on the Canadian Immigration website that students who graduate from a course 8 months and longer are eligible for a post-graduation work permit which will be valid for as long as the course they graduated from. I was wondering if CNO would allow me to take the licensure exam with that permit.

Thank you so much. I'm new here and registered just so I could ask this question. :)

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the International forum

It will depend on the college when you make your application. There is nothing stopping you from sitting the exam as long as you are given eligibility to sit the exam.

CIC will have all other information in regards to working when post grad

Thank you for the reply. :) So the licensure exam is not limited to citizens/immigrants in canada? I tried searching all over the internet but can't seem to find an answer.

Thank you for the reply. :) So the licensure exam is not limited to citizens/immigrants in canada? I tried searching all over the internet but can't seem to find an answer.

Did you check the CNO website about eligibility to write the exam? Just get in contact with a CNO representative to get an accurate answer to your question.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

CNO isn't concerned in any way what kind of visa a person has when they write the exam. All they're concerned with is the candidate's eligibility for registration. The immigration stuff doesn't matter even a tiny bit to them. Many people have written their exams without having any immigration status at all other than a tourist visa. The visa issue does become important when you're ready to start working. A person could have registration with CNO and never set foot in Canada again after passing the exam, as long as they continue to meet the requirements for registration (minimum of 1125 practice hours in the preceeding 5 years, continuing competency documentation, good character and the almighty FEE!).

While you do not require proof of permanent residency to write the exam, you do require it to become registrated in Ontario,

http://www.cno.org/become-a-nurse/new-applicants/international/requirements-for-becoming-a-nurse-in-ontario/

CNO isn't concerned in any way what kind of visa a person has when they write the exam. All they're concerned with is the candidate's eligibility for registration. The immigration stuff doesn't matter even a tiny bit to them. Many people have written their exams without having any immigration status at all other than a tourist visa. The visa issue does become important when you're ready to start working. A person could have registration with CNO and never set foot in Canada again after passing the exam, as long as they continue to meet the requirements for registration (minimum of 1125 practice hours in the preceeding 5 years, continuing competency documentation, good character and the almighty FEE!).

Thank you for that. I got a bit worried since I would really like to become licensed and possibly start working as a practical nurse right after. I read from the Canadian immigration website that I need at least a year of work experience before I can apply as immigrant on Canadian experience class. So I plan to first get the post-graduation work permit, take the exam and hopefully land a job as a practical nurse. I know it all sounds easier said than done though.:/ But it's good to see the path clearly. Thanks again!:)

While you do not require proof of permanent residency to write the exam, you do require it to become registrated in Ontario,

http://www.cno.org/become-a-nurse/new-applicants/international/requirements-for-becoming-a-nurse-in-ontario/

Now this is where it's all a bit unclear to me. So I can write the exam BUT even if I pass it, I still won't be able to practice as a licensed practical nurse on a post-grad work permit or a working visa? I really hope I can find a way around it. :crying2: Thank you for the reply.

While you do not require proof of permanent residency to write the exam, you do require it to become registrated in Ontario,

http://www.cno.org/become-a-nurse/new-applicants/international/requirements-for-becoming-a-nurse-in-ontario/

I think it also includes people who have visas as it mentions "Proof of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)..."

"(g) to facilitate the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers for purposes such as trade, commerce, tourism, international understanding and cultural, educational and scientific activities;" is under that Act. Again call CNO, to clarify whether you can be eligible for registration.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Now this is where it's all a bit unclear to me. So I can write the exam BUT even if I pass it, I still won't be able to practice as a licensed practical nurse on a post-grad work permit or a working visa? I really hope I can find a way around it. :crying2: Thank you for the reply.

Working visa means you are a resident and can be issued a license. Finding employer may be the issue

I think it also includes people who have visas as it mentions "Proof of Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or authorization under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)..."

"(g) to facilitate the entry of visitors, students and temporary workers for purposes such as trade, commerce, tourism, international understanding and cultural, educational and scientific activities;" is under that Act. Again call CNO, to clarify whether you can be eligible for registration.

I hope you're right. :) I'll call CNO and ask them myself. Thank you

Working visa means you are a resident and can be issued a license. Finding employer may be the issue

Silverdragon, I called CNO today and they told me that I can only be registered with a valid work permit. My question is, do you think it would matter what kind of job I get to obtain a work visa? OR would it have be to a job in healthcare? It's confusing because I need a working visa to get registered at CNO but need to be registered at CNO to get work as LPN.

Can other people enlighten me?

Thanks :)

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