Pls help me decide

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Hi, I'm an IEN, I moved here in Canada 2008 and applied at CARNA. I undergone SEC and they advised me to take few courses which at the time wasn't possible because my job (as HCA) is 2 hours away from the college they want me to attend to. I found an opportunity in NS back in 2010, they had me eligible to write the CRNE right away and passed it. So from that year until now I'm working in halifax as an RN in an acute care setting. I'm back here in Alberta because my bf who lives here and I had just had a baby and I'm on maternity leave. Since my bf and I are planning to get married, I thought to stay here in Alberta. I have a good standing with my employer and with CRNNS and I want to practice RN here in AB. Now my problem that I need help from you co-RNs is do you think being an IEN and have previously advised by CARNA to take few courses, if I seek registration here in AB will I be considered as an IEN still and needs to take the courses they want me to? Or do you think I will be considered since I nearly practiced RN for almost 3 years? Pls help me, my future is at stake here.

No need to be rude Fiona! I've been reading a lot of posts from IENs who wants to practice here in AB, not that I believe all of the posts that I've read but everyone seems to have different cases with different assessments from CARNA so I thought to ask..

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No need to be rude Fiona! I've been reading a lot of posts from IENs who wants to practice here in AB, not that I believe all of the posts that I've read but everyone seems to have different cases with different assessments from CARNA so I thought to ask..

What's rude about telling you to check with CARNA? At least three other posters said exactly the same thing. Yet you have the right to call me rude? You don't understand humour?

It seems as many IENs want the easy route or word of mouth reply that they want to hear. Not the truth.

Now, I'm off to torture my patients.

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Specializes in geriatrics.
No need to be rude Fiona! I've been reading a lot of posts from IENs who wants to practice here in AB, not that I believe all of the posts that I've read but everyone seems to have different cases with different assessments from CARNA so I thought to ask..
This is precisely why you contact CARNA direct. CARNA assesses each IEN case individually. It does not matter what you've heard from other IENs or what we say on AN. CARNA will decide and inform you of their decision. I would contact them after the holidays by phone or email. And Fiona wasn't being rude. She has an off colour sense of humour, which you've taken offense to.
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OK, I'm not a truck driver. Well, I do drive a Ford pick up, so recreationaly, I'm a trucker.

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Hello co-RNs! Just want to share the good news to everyone, I received an email from CARNA yesterday and they had me eligible to register and get a practice permit as RN in AB. :) and I'm sorry if I became sensitive, no excuse to that... I just didn't want to go back to school because I think it's totally unnecessary. And to my fellow IENs, just keep reaching for your dreams. It'll all be worth it in the end and never ever give up those dreams. I believe we're all good nurses. :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

That's great news! AB definitely needs more nurses. Congrats.

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Just an update to my fellow IENs: as far as CARNA is concerned, as long as you've been practicing in a Canadian jurisdiction as RN with a minimum of 1,125 hours in the past five years, we will be assessed as a Canadian RN not as IEN. And if you have worked those 1,125 hours within two years, English will be considered your primary language, so no need to update nor take an English exam. :)

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Thanks Joanna! :)

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hi, i just want to ask if those 1,125 hours mean hospital/clinical experience?

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hi, i just want to ask if those 1,125 hours mean hospital/clinical experience?

Paid employment as a nurse.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Read this: http://www.nurses.ab.ca/Carna-Admin/Uploads/FAQ_SOH2013.pdf That will explain it all quite clearly.

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