bachelors or associate Degree in halifax, NS

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 20, 2007

After an extensive search of the College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia's web site (the licensing body) at http://www.crnns.ca/default.asp?mn=414.70.82.229 I've come to the conclusion that there is no easy answer to that question. My interpretation suggests that if your wife obtains a license in the state where she was educated (meaning she writes and passes the NCLEX and then pays for an active practice license there) then applies to Nova Scotia, she'd have a better chance of having her credentials accepted. She would still have to write and pass the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination, which is quite different from the NCLEX. I can't find any reference whatsoever to suggest that international nursing graduates are required to have a baccalaureate degree for entry to practice. The process of having credentials verified is involved and lengthy. She will have to submit a ton of paperwork and pay some hefty fees. The province will have to do an assessment of the nursing program she has attended to determine if it meets their standards of equivalency. I'm not telling you all this to discourage you, only to prepare you for some hard work and frustration. My best advice would be to contact the CRNNS directly and get their initial impression of her chances, then take it from there. Good luck.

cicada · Feb 27, 2007

I agree to Janfrn! I just sent all my papers to CRNNS. Before, I contacted them and was explained that as a RN with ADN from USA, I probably will not need a BSN; however, my credentials will be evaluated. I passed NCLEX, have valid RN llicense and have an experience that looks like helpful factors in my case. In your wife's case, I would strongly suggest to pass Nclex and obtain RN license before she applies for Canadian license. Good luck!

RNGrad2006 · May 13, 2007

Hi,
MY wife is graduating in may2007 as RN. She has done her Associate degree in RN from Community college in USA. We are planning to move to halifax, NS soon and would like to know if she can work in halifax, NS with an associate degree. i know that she has to get her eval done and take her board exams in canada but dont know if she can work with her associate degree. i have seen posts here that say that nurses should have bachelors to be able to work in canada. so please any info on nursing in canada and that too NS would help.
I am Canadian and took my training in the US. Graduated with ADN in Washington State and wanted to take exam in BC when I passed NCLEX but they now require you to have a supervised practice of a certain number of hours prior to taking the exam in BC since employers dont provide references. But as a new grad I didnt have much experience anyway...but that didnt seem to make a difference. Ontario definitely requires a BSN and BC is heading that direction but not formally. They say they look at each case separately. But NS might have totally different policies. Each province like each state have different requirements.