Experiences applying for your RN through NNAS- moving from USA to Canada

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I am a born and raised Canadian, who lived (for 15 years) and studied in California, where I received my BSN RN. My question is, my family of 5 wants to move back to Canada, BC in particular. I have 2.5 years of hospital experience to date. I applied through NNAS this year, and as of this month, all my documents have been submitted. I am looking to talk to those who have walked this road.

How long after submitting all documents, did you receive an answer from NNAS?

After receiving an answer (hopefully yes), and applied for your RN license in Canada, how long did it take for that province to approve your license?

Were any additional tests or schooling needed in your case?

Was your NNAS application approved?

We have a move date of January 2019, and absolutely want to be moved by August 2019, so that our middle child can start kindergarten (she will be a year behind, due to enrollment dates that are later here in California). I am in the process of applying for my kids and husbands citizenship papers, which I have heard takes about 4-6 months once all documents are received.

Any and all information regarding NNAS applications, time and hick-ups (or lack there of) are greatly appreciated...

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Hi...check out allnurses Nursing in Canada section for further advice.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

There are a few threads in this forum discussing NNAS. Process unfortunately can be long so giving yourself until next year to move is a good idea.

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The only ball that is in your court is the fact that you aren't the first person in this situation and others have fought the good fight and worked out some of the kinks for you (yay!)

For the first two years every applicant got "non-comparable", even those educated in the US obtaining 4 year BSNs from universities that 3 months before applying to NNAS were accepted by Canadian nursing bodies. It was a @% show and there is zero real oversight or accountability. NNAS is a scam and a for-profit business--they know the result of applicants' Advisory Report prior to them applying (no way a nurse who was educated in Nigeria for example will get "comparable"). NNAS consists of American non-nurses evaluating how well your nursing education compares to that of a current Canadian nursing grad.

You are likely to get "somewhat comparable". Almost nobody gets "comparable". Most in your situation got non-comparable and then had to do a $500 exam called IENCAP (I"m talking about Ontario here, it has a different name in Alberta but is the same exam and costs around $1500). Since so many people fought back, they have added a step where before requiring you to do this exam they will ask you to have paperwork sent in to the nursing body that you applied to detailing your nursing work experience. This experience that you have is likely what will save you, if anything does.

So basically NNAS will send you an Advisory Report. This has taken up to 10 months for some people. From there you request they send your file to the nursing body. As soon as you apply they will invite you to take a Jurisprudence exam. Many get excited thinking this means something but it doesn't. They ask everyone who applies, even if they know there is no way they will be getting their license anytime soon.

This exam can be done at any point after this during the process. Then nursing body sends you a letter telling you what is next (in your case likely the info about work experience). Once that is sent in they will tell you whether it is enough to consider you to have met the education requirement. If yes, they will say you can sign up to take NCLEX-RN (not sure what you meant about how hard it is---of course it's hard, its the licensing exam for countries that uphold the highest standards in nursing care). After you have met all requirements including passing NCLEX-RN it takes 8-10 weeks to have a license in hand.

If they decide work experience isn't enough and you have to take IENCAP, this is a different story. In that case I don't think you'll have a nursing license by Aug 2019.

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Im a little confused. Say NNAS approves my application or I at the very minimum get somewhat comparable, and I apply to the BC board, and they reassess and say yes we think you have what we deem appropriate work experience and education, is that it? Like I apply to BC and they give me a license?

Currently my NNAS app is pending, as it has been for over 2 months. I sent it about 400+ papers supporting my education and work experience. You mentioned the NCLEX-RN but I have already taken the Nclex down here in California, would that mean I would retake it, or do they just take that as I have passed.

I guess Im basically wondering if all goes well with NNAS and they give me the go, what is next? And if all goes bad, and they say somewhat comparable, I just apply to BC anyways, and hope that they will reconsider the NNAS decision?

I hate this waiting game. We have ALOT riding on this. I just want to get home.

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Does it seem that American trained and education nurses have a better success rate when applying? I don't understand how Canada whom bases their education system on the US in so many ways, could say that the US would be undertrained. Ive lived in both countries, each for the exact same amount of time, and I just find both countries, including medical systems (aside from insurance) to be very similar. My sister is a nurse in Canada, and we have talked in depth about our jobs, and schooling.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If your report comes back ok and BC have proof that you passed NCLEX and you meet all their requirements then free paying any other fees they will issue license then all that is left to do is make sure other paperwork for immigration of family is done and make the move

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On ‎9‎/‎19‎/‎2018 at 12:04 AM, NewNurseRN15 said:

Does it seem that American trained and education nurses have a better success rate when applying? I don't understand how Canada whom bases their education system on the US in so many ways, could say that the US would be undertrained. Ive lived in both countries, each for the exact same amount of time, and I just find both countries, including medical systems (aside from insurance) to be very similar. My sister is a nurse in Canada, and we have talked in depth about our jobs, and schooling.

Canadian nursing education may appear similar to US but in reality it is very different.

The RN designation is only available after completing a four year degree. There is no diploma or hospital based RN programme.

The LPN designation is only available after a 2+ year college education. Unlike in the US where it can be done in as little as nine months.

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I do have a four year degree (BSN). I know its fairly similar because my sister did the RN program in Canada and we have compared a lot. Obviously there will be some differences. But my point was its probably not as different than say a nursing degree from India, Italy, or Philippines.

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Guysss! I got COMPARABLE!!!! May report just came back tonight, and it is COMPARABLE! Im beyond shocked and so happy.

I attended a "for profit" ADN program here in the US and bridged to a RN-BSN"for profit" school after beginning working. My work history includes New Grad in PCU for 1.5 years, 1.5 years in Medical Oncology and 1 year per diem (casual) in PCU. Ive been a practicing RN for 3 years now, passing my boards Dec.31 2015.
Although I deem my experience and education comparable, I did not, IN MY WILDEST DREAMS think the NNAS would agree.

next up is applying to the BRNBC and looking for a job! IM SO EXCITED!!

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On 1/24/2019 at 11:12 PM, NewNurseRN15 said:

I do have a four year degree (BSN). I know its fairly similar because my sister did the RN program in Canada and we have compared a lot. Obviously there will be some differences. But my point was its probably not as different than say a nursing degree from India, Italy, or Philippines.

Maybe not so different from the Philippines. Most graduating nurses move overseas and the schools are aligned with what the US does as it may be the highest standard, or at least hires a lot from the Phillippines. Grads can even sit the NCLEX there.

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On 8/5/2018 at 8:41 AM, RN_Pro said:
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If they decide work experience isn't enough and you have to take IENCAP, this is a different story. In that case I don't think you'll have a nursing license by Aug 2019.

SO I have so many questions. I got my advisory report back Jan.30th. It is comparable across the board. I applied to BC, did the Jurisprudence exam, paid the $115 Canadian. I was sent an email an hour later, saying Ive been waived from having to prove English as my first language. I logged on today, and it is asking for more money. This time $488 Canadian for their "International RN assessment fee Part 2". After paying this it says they will have a decision in 10 weeks and they will contact me if they need more information.

Have you heard of this fee? More importantly have you heard of any US trained/educated nurses needing to complete any more assessments? I have already taken the Nclex, and am in my 4th year of practice, with long histories with both my hospitals. I work both oncology and critical care.

thanks for any info!

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