Canadian registered nurse exam

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Calling any UK nurses who trained in the 1980's - showing my age now!!:D

I have applied for permanent residency in Canada, had my credentials assessed by the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses, and I am eligible to practice within Alberta.

I worked as a general nurse for 5 years, then was a midwife for 14 years,and am now an Occupational Health nurse for the past 4 years.

Because I trained all those years ago, and have really been out of the general nurse arena, I am having difficulty deciding how best to prepare for the CRNE.

I know that the Canadian Nurses Association have practice material available for those sitting the exam, but I am not sure how useful that would be given that I have no recent general nurse experience.

I thought about enroling on an immersion course once in Edmonton, but that takes anything up to a year to complete, plus I also need to do my Occ Health certificate, and need to earn some money at the same time!!!!

So, if anyone has had a similar dilemma, gone through a similar process, or have any suggestions, then I would really appreciate your input.

Many thanks

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There are books out there specific for that exam, or you can easily use one of the reviewers for the NCLEX-RN exam. I always recommend the Saunder's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN. The focus on the Canadian exam is different, geared more towards the psycho-social aspects, etc.

But the Saunder's book will give you an excellent foundation and it sounds like that is what you are looking for.

Best of luck to you.:balloons:

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Hi manchestergirl. I too was trained in UK and applied to Alberta for assessment. After I got the go ahead, I used the CNA reccommended guide. It is great because it is a study guide and will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Once you have done that,the CNA also have an on-line assessment that you can by for $42.38 which is a mock exam and will hep you to determine your readiness for the exam.

Do not forget that the CRNE is the basic exam that all Canadian nurses take to become eligable for registration-you may be surprised by what you already know just because of your experience.

Anyhow, I took the exam and passed (even though I am one of those dreadful project 2000 nurses!). If I can be of any further help, just pm me.

Any idea where in Alberta you are looking to work once you pass?

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Suzanne, many thanks for your reply. I assume I can buy Saunders online or via the usual booksellers. Hopefully it will go some way towards helping me prepare!!

hjfrn, I'm hoping to get to Edmonton with the family. I have applied via the skilled worker route, so need to wait for CHC to get a move on. Hopefully this should not be too long as they have recently asked us to update our information prior to having a decision re our application being made.

I know from other information I have received that Occ health does not seem to be as well established in Canada incomparisontothe UK, so I am a little apprehensive with regard to the job prospects. Hopefully our application will be approved, and then I will go for a recce trip to get the lie of the land, hawk my CV around, and take it from there!!

Thanks for the tip re the CRNE. Other people have said the same thing, but it's always nice to have different sources confirm this.

Project 2000 - wasn't all that bad, and you survived!!!

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Suzanne, many thanks for your reply. I assume I can buy Saunders online or via the usual booksellers. Hopefully it will go some way towards helping me prepare!!

hjfrn, I'm hoping to get to Edmonton with the family. I have applied via the skilled worker route, so need to wait for CHC to get a move on. Hopefully this should not be too long as they have recently asked us to update our information prior to having a decision re our application being made.

I know from other information I have received that Occ health does not seem to be as well established in Canada incomparisontothe UK, so I am a little apprehensive with regard to the job prospects. Hopefully our application will be approved, and then I will go for a recce trip to get the lie of the land, hawk my CV around, and take it from there!!

Thanks for the tip re the CRNE. Other people have said the same thing, but it's always nice to have different sources confirm this.

Project 2000 - wasn't all that bad, and you survived!!!

can buy from Amazon

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Message for Fiona59. Sorry site won't let me pm you,so have to do public reply instead.

Hi Fiona, many thanks for your reply. I am in sporadic contact with an OHN working in Edmonton,and she gave me that impression. I had asked about agencies specialising in OH recruitment, so maybe that's why she said that. Have a super weekend - it is supposed to be 24C in most parts of the UK over the weekend,so here's hoping!!

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