Being a nurse in BC after studying and graduating Nursing from other province

[mangosteen]

Hello,

I'm located in Vancouver, BC, and I would like to be a nurse here.

I'm keen on becoming a nurse as soon as possible. Based on my understanding, the steps to become a nurse in BC are:

1) Go to school and get a nursing degree

2) Take the exam from the BC College of RNs

Are these 2 steps correct? Are these 2 steps complete?

Because I'm eager to do and accomplish step 1 as soon as possible ( see https://allnurses.com/forums/f108/list-schools-offering-2yr-less-fast-track-nursing-degree-ppl-w-prev-deg-287789.html), I am open to the idea of studying anywhere in Canada that can get me a degree as soon as possible.

But a question If I choose to study in some non-BC province and then I take the BC RN exam, will I have a disadvantage over nursing students who studied in BC and are going to take the BC exam? Does a non-BC nursing student (that is, a nursing student of some other province) even have to take the CRNBC exam? Or will CRNBC just look at his other credentials (such as whether the new grad has passed the college exam of his province)?

The page documenting "Eligibility of Canadian RNs" (http://www.crnbc.ca/Default.aspx?DN=624,72,12,11,5,Documents) seems to indicate NO requirement of taking the CRNBC exam. I'm confused.

Please help!!!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

You seem to be more than a little confused. There is no CRNBC exam, there is only the Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE) and every nurse who works in Canada, no matter where they've trained, writes the CRNE. Obtaining your nursing education in another province is unlikely to hold you back from working in BC. However, I'm not sure there's really any fast track for nursing education. The two year BScN After-Degree program is offered at several universities including U of A, U of M, U of S, and UNB. A Google search for Canadain universities then to the faculty of nursing then to any of post-registration, advanced standing, after-degree will tell you whether a school has a program or not.

[Apollorn]

Yes, the above poster is correct: there is no CRNBC exam for nursing. It is one, nationwide, comprehensive exam.

There will be a 3-year, accelerated baccularette nursing degree at BCIT soon. It may be starting in the next year or two.

[AirforceRN, RN]

I graduated in Ontario, wrote the CRNE there and came to Vancouver shortly afterwards to work...there are a number of people from my class who have done the same. No problems.

[mangosteen]

The BCIT "accelerated" course is only quicker by a semester, compared to what BCIT currently offers.

[Fiona59]

BCIT has turned out some superb nurses over the last 30 odd years. It was THE academic programme before UBC's came into existence.