Being Registered in Two Provinces

[ashlio]

Hi everyone! I'm looking for some advice regarding registration in a new province. I am currently an RN registered and working full-time in New Brunswick. I'm looking to move to Alberta in the near future (not really a choice but more of a necessity). My problem is, I obviously can't leave my current job until I have a new job to go to. My understanding is that you cannot be registered in two different provinces at the same time. Most of the jobs posted for Alberta require current CARNA registration to be eligible for the position. Has anyone run into this problem before? I really don't want to have to leave my full-time job in NB and move to AB without having something lined up. But I can't be registered with CARNA and still work here in NB. This is so frustrating!

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You can be registered in two Provinces simultaneously, but after a period of time you will be required to take non practicing status.

New Brunswick will forward the details of your registration to CARNA. CARNA will assess and then issue a license. This process may take anywhere from 6 weeks to three months.

Start the process with CARNA early. Do not move to AB without work unless you have at least six months of savings because internal applicants are always given priority.

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

joanna73 said exactly what I was going to say. Best wishes!

[alisondanielleg]

Hello,

I recently went through this process myself, relocating from Ontario to NS. I would agree with above about starting the process early as sometimes the paperwork takes a while to go through, and would estimate 6 weeks as well. I would also recommend applying online while you are in the process of getting your license before you even get to AB, it is good to start learning about the facilities and get your name out there. Some employers are even willing to do a phone interview or schedule an interview when you arrive ( if it is closer to the date). I was actually hired for a position over the phone from ON and had job and a licence waiting when I arrived in the new province. Good Luck!

[lemur00, BSN, RN]

Yeah you totally can have two licenses, but it seems that you're more likely to be audited if you do (at least here in SK anyway). So I'd try to truncate that time as much as possible.