NNAS experience?

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Does anybody have any experience with NNAS? So far, I've read the site but it would be great to hear from people who have gone through the process :)

Thank you very much for your input and suggestions, I will then proceed with what I have started and pretty much hope for the best.

If anybody can think of anything that might help (or even if not), I'd be very grateful for that.

Hi all, in the hope that someone will read these posts for evidence purposes that the NNAS is not up for the job (to say the least!) I want to give my experience here. With 23 years experience working as a nurse and currently holding nurse registration in the Netherlands (RN and RPN) and the UK (RN) my report came after a long 11 months of frustrating paperwork submission (why is email with attachments not accepted??). In all their wisdom, My ETP (entry to practice) average was deemed 1.05% and my RN level was set as "not comparable". As I also applied for RPN registration I am now waiting more then 4 (!!) months for the RPN report which was set "ready for review" since 23/03/2017. I want to work in BC and I must say the CRNBC has been great after my RN report with clear, quik and relevant information provision. I am now set to have to have the NCAS exam in November.... good luck with your process for whoever is reading this.

Just an update regarding the NNAS Client Satisfaction Survey:

After 3 emails and 2 phone calls since May, I finally received a response from NNAS regarding their claim that client satisfaction had increased from 89% to 92.5% in the last reporting year.

I asked how many applicants were given the opportunity to complete the survey, how many completed the survey, and at what point during the NNAS process they were given the opportunity to complete it. While I was at it, I also asked how many NNAS Advisory Reports were issued (since their report only says how many people applied, which tells us nothing about whether they are completing the assessments in the time frame that they say they are). I also asked what the breakdown in results was (comparable, somewhat comparable, non comparable).

I received an email response that confirmed my gut feeling that the survey is given at any point in time, at NNAS discretion. So they can send the survey out to a client when they have a positive phone conversation with them, but choose not to send one out to a client with whom they just dealt with an issue or whom is upset with NNAS. They declined to respond to any of my other questions, stating that the information contained in the report is the only information they ever intend to share.

Needless to say, I am not surprised but I am disappointed. I am especially disappointed at the government dollars that went into the startup of NNAS and the lack of transparency they embody and are permitted to embody since they are not technically an entity of the government. They are the sole access point to IEN's nursing in Canada--a role granted to them by the licensing bodies, so have the monopoly in this market, yet are at arms length from government and therefore not bound to any transparency whatsoever. It is clear to all of us that there is absolutely no way NNAS client satisfaction is 92.5%. It is clear to them too--otherwise they would have provided more numbers and would not have been so determined to shut the subject down. This refusal to even attempt transparency is worrisome. What else is going on behind the scenes?

@pdubuf Welcome to the club. I'm sorry this has happened to you as well. In Ontario, they have now implemented another step before the candidate has to do an exam: they ask the candidate to submit job descriptions and other information which they assess to see if their current or recent nursing work experience is enough to show that they have an equivalent education and skill level to a newly graduated Canadian-educated nurse. Since this has been implemented late last year, many US and UK educated applicants have been able to get a license without another exam. I don't believe any other provinces have done this sort of thing yet.

This whole situation is a result of one (American) company being given the monopoly over Canadian nursing assessments. They know there are serious problems with their assessment service but there is no incentive for them to fix it.

Did anybody ever got in touch with higher positions, such as CARNA itself, Member of Parliament, Ombits minister (or how they are called) or a lawyer, regarding all of this?

I feel the need that we should (and I am gonna), because I don't think that the government (for instance) knows about this show NNAS is pulling off, since they keep posting officially that Canada DESPERATELY NEEDS NURSES and other trades/ professionals.

@pdubuf Welcome to the club. I'm sorry this has happened to you as well. In Ontario, they have now implemented another step before the candidate has to do an exam: they ask the candidate to submit job descriptions and other information which they assess to see if their current or recent nursing work experience is enough to show that they have an equivalent education and skill level to a newly graduated Canadian-educated nurse. Since this has been implemented late last year, many US and UK educated applicants have been able to get a license without another exam. I don't believe any other provinces have done this sort of thing yet.

BC also looks at IENs work experience to see if it fulfills the competency gaps that were on the NNAS advisory report, as a result some posters have reported they become licensed in BC without requiring further competency assessment.

@Vasuema

I have been in touch with the Office of the Fairness Commissioner in Ontario. They don't care. They basically exist as a facade to make it look like there is regulatory oversight. They don't keep track of what exactly the CNO has done to "fix" the issues, they just put checkmarks beside them on the website to say they are fixed. When I asked what was implemented to deem the issue fixed, they said they don't keep track of that. The person in charge of the nursing file at Office of the Fairness Commissioner used to work for CNO!

I would still encourage you to contact your MP, MPP, and anyone else under the sun (including media if you'd like, although, it would be best if they did not use your name). The more we contact people about it, the better our chances of making our voices heard.

I just spoke to CNO about what to do with issues regarding NNAS. They just kept repeating that we should talk to NNAS about it. I kept repeating that someone needs to hold NNAS accountable, namely, the colleges that give NNAS the contract to conduct assessments. They act like they don't get it. They do though, they just don't want to take any responsibility for it.

Hi, I have read this thread from P1 to p25. Thanks you all for the generous sharing!

Much appreciated!

I started NNAS aplication from 8/2016 till today still have not got the advisory report.becoz they still need to verify my files with my schools and nnas claimed that they have contacted with my schools but nobody reply! The thing is i have confirmed with my school teacher in charge and was told so the shcool did not receive any letter from nnas...my nnas nearly ganna be expir In one week time.....Anybody pls advice me how should i do for the next? Im afriad even i wait another two months or so there still no final report from nnas...

Many thanks in advance.

regards,

@Sky19

You should have a name of at least one of the evaluators who's responsible for your report, usually gives you an email address to get in contact with them directly.

I had a similar situation; what I did was: I called my nursing school and gave them the email address of my evaluator and made them get in touch with NNAS.

Also, make them put you into CC, that way they can't say they never got an email, it'll be your proof.

Just a suggestion to everybody who still in in the process of NNAS - assessment:

I was thinking and believe it might be of adventage to take screenshots of all perspectives and after each change of your account, as well as emails you exchanged with same. I wish I had, even tho I haven't needed them (yet).

Thanks Vasuema! Sure, I will try that. Much appreciated!

Thanks Vasuema! Sure, I will try that. Much appreciated!

I agree with @Vasuema

That was a good suggestion. There have been so many people on this forum and others that have had errors made by NNAS, NNAS saying they did not receive documents that they did receive but lost, NNAS saying checkboxes were not checked off when they were (luckily the applicant had scanned all documents so was able to prove that it was), confirmations of certain things, etc etc, and when it comes down to it, NNAS denies it so this is a good idea for everyone to document all emails as well as keep a log of all phone calls with NNAS and CNO/regulatory body.

The 1 year timeframe is intended for files that have been completely untouched with zero action for 1 year. Any action on the part of the applicant or NNAS is supposed to keep the file open. If I were you, I would write an email to your reviewer at NNAS, the general NNAS customer support inbox, and CC yourself. Also let them know that the same letter is in the mail (and mail a letter so they have a hard copy). In the letter, explain the situation and state at the beginning of the letter and the end of the letter a very clear statement/sentence that says "I am working actively on my NNAS file and I wish for my NNAS file to remain open".

I did wrote to nnas this is the reply i just got :

" we cannot proceed with the evaluation without having received authenticated your documents. Please note that there will be follow ups to our requests. If you have any more questions, please call our Customer care on the toll free number: 1-855-977-1898. Thank You NNAS Team"

Which drive me really crazy...Nnas says they contacted with my schools two and half mon ago but they says no response. My trachers never receive anything....Nnas wont provide me my evaluator's email though i have asked for...shall i just keep writing them? Thanks!

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