I am an Indian BSN graduate. I graduated in the year 2007. I worked for India in two years and did not work for 5 years due to personal reasons. Then I started working in USA since 2015 till now. I applied for CRNBC RN license in 2016 and it was a very smooth process. So I wanted to share my two cents to help other nursesTo obtain license in any state in Canada, your credentials must be evaluated by NNAS. I applied to NNAS on August 20, 2016. I had to submit my license from India and US for verification, college transcripts and professional work experience in the past 5 years. NNAS issued an advisory report on November 15, 2016. The report mentioned that my education was not comparable to the Canadian education.
I now feel that NNAS was more complicated process than CRNBC. But, I feel that both NNAS and CRNBC are very responsive to emails. CRNBC more than NNAS. With NNAS, I got responses for my queries the next working day. But with CRNBC, I got replies the same working day, if I email them in the morning hours.
I became very anxious, worrying that CRNBC might make me take assessment exam or much worse redo the course. I applied to CRNBC on November 16, 2016.
1. They will electronically get the NNAS report. But asked me to do an English test. I replied via email saying that I have been working in an English speaking country for about 2000 hours and requested them to waive that requirement. They granted my plea and waived that requirement the next day via email. That was the first time I was very impressed by CRNBC for being so quick, efficient and considerate of license applicants.
2. Then there was a minor issue about difference of names in documents. All my Indian documents had only my first name and initial. But all my US documents had first name and initial expanded as last name. They sent me an affidavit, which I filled, got notarized and sent via email. It was a pretty easy process
3. After that they found out that I started working a month after graduation, but got my Indian RN license only after one year. I explained that working while waiting for RN license is allowed in India. They asked the licensing board to email them regarding the same. I contacted my licensing board, that was the tough part. Had to do a lot of explanations and pay more money, finally they sent a letter approving my work experience without license. Then the board had no issues with it.
4. Then they were examining my work experience. They asked proof and I sent around 40 pages of my timecard, which mentioned the number of hours worked and the units worked too. I had more than 2000 hours in 18 months. I sent those documents on January 26, 2017.
5. On January 30, 2017 came the happy news via email. They said that my assessment was complete. I had to consent for criminal record check and submit a statutory declaration form. I completed and emailed the forms back on Feb 1, 2017.
6. On Feb 3, 2017, they emailed me that I meet the requirements for practicing RN registration in BC. I had to fill a form and make payment. I completed the form and sent the next day, but did not make payment until March because their registration year is every March to Feb.
I made payment in March and I got my RN license for BC, CANADA from March 2017 to Feb 2018. HURRRAAAYYY!!!!!
I read in allnurses forum about many difficult lengthy processes for many other applicants who had to take SEC assessment and NCAS. But I did not have to go through any of that.
That is why I wanted to share my story to give hope to International graduates. I got my license within 5 months of deciding to apply.
If you have any questions regarding the process, I will be happy to help
In my application to CIC, they want to know how many hours of Canadian work experience I have. I'm really not sure what they're asking of me. I would like to think they want to know my total hours of work experience in the states as I have never been to nor worked in Canada.
You won't get points for Canadian work experience, but you will get points for your foreign work experience. Some applicants worked in Canada while they attended a Canadian university or community college and they qualify for Canadian work experience points, but most applicants are like you, they only have foreign work experience.
First of all congratulations .As it is difficult to get RN license without SEC assesment and IENCAP .In your case did you mention your past employer details soon after your study.NNAS they need last 5 years .Here is it mandatory to provide all details from the previous employers.
Please note that currently I am residing at United Arab Emirates with my family and I am working here with the Ministry of Health hospital as Registered Nurse in the Pediatric ICU section and have a total of more than 10 years' experience in the Nursing profession with a 1 year as Asst. Lecturer in a Nursing College and 9 year as registered staff Nurse which includes experience of 2 years in India and 7 years at Middle East
I plan to settle down with my family in Canada but I don't have a single idea of how to start with especially the papers needed for verification process.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
hi
Please note that currently I am residing at United Arab Emirates with my family and I am working here with the Ministry of Health hospital as Registered Nurse in the Pediatric ICU section and have a total of more than 10 years' experience in the Nursing profession with a 1 year as Asst. Lecturer in a Nursing College and 9 year as registered staff Nurse which includes experience of 2 years in India and 7 years at Middle East
I plan to settle down with my family in Canada but I don't have a single idea of how to start with especially the papers needed for verification process.
Regards,
Jinu Johnson
Start by going to the College of Registered Nurses for the province you plan on living and working in and checking out the requirements for International nurses
I plan to settle down with my family in Canada but I don't have a single idea of how to start with especially the papers needed for verification process.
Regards,
Jinu Johnson
Oh boy, you've got a lot of reading to do first. I'd suggest you read as much of this thread as you can. It will help you to be prepared for the long road ahead. Or, it will help you decide whether you want to choose another place to live or not. It's an incredibly difficult process and will take one year at the very minimum. And, that's if they don't make you go back to school.
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Hi, This was a good information shared by you.
I am also a nurse from India. Did Masters in Nursing and currently working as staff nurse in a hospital
When I went through the process of NNAS I found that Educational documents has to be sent by the institute/University directly to NNAS
same with the case of work experience. My university always delays such documents.
If we can sent the documents directly to the NNAS? as University will delay the process.
any answers much appreciated..
Generally documents are expected to be sent directly from university or institution you did your training. You could ask the university to prepare the paperwork and put in a sealed stamped envelope and you post to NNAS but need to check it will be acceptable
dishes, BSN, RN
3,950 Posts
You won't get points for Canadian work experience, but you will get points for your foreign work experience. Some applicants worked in Canada while they attended a Canadian university or community college and they qualify for Canadian work experience points, but most applicants are like you, they only have foreign work experience.