I am a failrly new Associate degree RN in Texas and am moving to Alberta in July where I am from originally (no medical eduction from Canada).
I have contacted the CARNA for registration. What a nightmare. I was sent the papers for my school, Board of Nurse Examiners for Texas and myself to fill out. I sent my $200+ for them to look over my references and was told by a couple of people there that I did not need the work reference YET since I had not completed my 225 hours of work as an RN required for my employer to fill out the reference. I was told not having this would NOT hold up my other papers from being evaluated. All of my other papers were sent by the appropriate parties.
I was then told (e-mail) by 2 other people at the CARNA that I WOULD have to have the work reference for them to even look at my references. I sent an e-mail to everyone who was telling me different things, and the registrar (one of the people I had been talking to) was a little preturbed and said that I was confused because they were trying to accomodate me and bend the rules. I told them in a nice way that if I had not received conflicting e-mails, I would not have been confused.
I then had my work reference sent because it was causing so many problems. I did not want ot do this yet as it would alert my employer as to my intentions before I was ready.
The registrar had also indicated that it was "quite possible" that I would have to do a "Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment".
What the hell is this now? QUITE possible??
By the sounds of it, I am thinking that pretty much EVERYONE that is internationally educated has to complete this Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment before they give you access to the CRNE...am I right?? This is terrible. I was planning on taking the CRNE in Aug, right after I move up there.
I am an RN here...I am practicing as such, but in a nursery- not an adult floor. I am a little worried about what this is and what it consists of and what the Alberta Dilploma'd nurses learn that I did not...
I guess I am jumping the gun here a bit, but I have a bad feeling that this is the norm going into Alberta, especially for a recent grad/RN educated internatioanlly.
Can anyone elaborate on this or have any experience going from the US to Alberta recently?
Hello, I chanced upon your posting and although i know it's been a while since you posted this, I wanted to know what ultimately happened to your application.
I'm a recent ADN grad from a US college and I'm wanting to move to Canada. From other postings, people seem to think that BC and Alberta are open to ADN graduates from the US. Is this true?
Did you end up taking the SEC?
Your insight will be greatly appreciated.
Hi Cranberry160,
I also studied in the US and passed NCLEX here. I finished Bachelor's in Nursing program in NYC. I applied to CARNA and it is true that they will accept ADN Registered Nurses for the Assessment, at least in Alberta. I am not sure about BC.
However, I am pretty sure you will have to take SEC Assessment after you apply to CARNA. I had to do it too.
I just completed my 5 day SEC assessment in Calgary, Alberta 2 weeks ago. It was very extensive but I don't think it is unreasonable. You should be able to do it if you studied in the US.
After the Assessment you will wait 4-8 weeks for the results and probably have to take some short courses... There are people who had to do like a week or 2 days of courses only. But some others had to take a year long courses... It all depends on your performance.
I need your help. I have my SEC Assessment day after tomorrow and I am really tensed about OSCE. Right now my anxiety level is way too high. Could you please share your experience about Assessment?.
Thank you
Hi narmeen18,
Are u still around in the forum? I just took my SEC assessment in Calgary. It was alrigh. I hope you are already finished with everything and working somewhere in Canada :).
I am interested to know what was the process like for you. How long it took for your SEC results to come in and what classes (if any) you had to take. When were you able to sit for CRNE etc.
hi everyone, i just have a (worst-case scenario) question.
what's the worst thing that can happen to a candidate who takes the SEC assessment and has low scores on all competencies? will the candidate have to basically go back to zero and study right from the very start?
Are u still around in the forum? I just took my SEC assessment in Calgary. It was alrigh. I hope you are already finished with everything and working somewhere in Canada :).
I am interested to know what was the process like for you. How long it took for your SEC results to come in and what classes (if any) you had to take. When were you able to sit for CRNE etc.
Wish you all the best!
Hi:
Yes I am still around:)....My SEC went well. I had to take one-day short courses and 160 clinical hours....but everything is done now and I am taking my CRNE day after tomorrow (10/6/2010):)...
FutureCanadian
10 Posts
Hi Cranberry160,
I also studied in the US and passed NCLEX here. I finished Bachelor's in Nursing program in NYC. I applied to CARNA and it is true that they will accept ADN Registered Nurses for the Assessment, at least in Alberta. I am not sure about BC.
However, I am pretty sure you will have to take SEC Assessment after you apply to CARNA. I had to do it too.
I just completed my 5 day SEC assessment in Calgary, Alberta 2 weeks ago. It was very extensive but I don't think it is unreasonable. You should be able to do it if you studied in the US.
After the Assessment you will wait 4-8 weeks for the results and probably have to take some short courses... There are people who had to do like a week or 2 days of courses only. But some others had to take a year long courses... It all depends on your performance.
Good luck!