Help! Stressed coming to Calgary from United Kingdom

suzanne4, RN · Mar 31, 2008

Thread moved to the International Forum since it is specific to licensure issues and this is where we want all of them placed.

Be aware that the exam is only offered three times per year and only in Canada. You will need to fly to Canada and take it.

There are several other threads already very similar to this one on the International Forum, just have a look for them. There are many others that have the same concern as you.

One thing would be how much experience do you actually have? Years of experience or a fairly new grad?

RNGrad2006 · Mar 31, 2008

Hi to all,
I have just received a letter from CARNA telling me that I am eligible to take the CRNE. The next exam will be in OCt 2008. So I thought maybe the next thing to do is to start the revision.
My main concern is that I have been told to come and work as a Graduate Nurse until I pass the CRNE. I am wondering if that's a good idea. Or should i take the exam first then move to Calgary.
I dont want to be stressed thinking about if i failed the CRNE so i want to take the exam first will be better. But i have been told that while working as a Graduate Nurse in Calgary, you can get used to the Canadian way of thinking so it will be easier to pass the CRNE.
Is there anyone here that can help me decide? Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Cocoy2go

I have not taken the Canadian exam but I have heard from Canadians I work with in the US that they found the NCLEX a lot more challenging than the Canadian exam. The only thing is the CRNE is (I believe) an 8 hour exam (pencil paper) and you won't get your results very quickly. I think it takes a minimum of 8-12 weeks to get results so if you wait to take the exam it could be a while until you are certain that you have passed. I am a Canadian working in the US and I was interested in going through the process just in case I ever decided to return to Canada but in BC you have to do a 250 hour type of preceptorship in order to qualify for registration (similar to licensure) and I can't do that at this time. As well they only offer the exam at times when I am not really able to make a visit to Canada. The dates of exams are all during the regular school year so makes visiting a challenge at those times. I did take the Canadian PN exam and it focused on different aspects than the American PN exam. More social issues. I am not sure if this is the case with the RN exam also. But I worked with some nurses in Canada who had taken NCLEX unsuccessfully but stated the Canadian RN exam was not as difficult if that gives you some assurance. It is a tough choice though. There is a real shortage of nurses in Canada so not sure if this is the case as an RN but I found it easier to find a job as an LPN when I had an actual license.

cocoy2go · Mar 31, 2008

Hi to all,
I have just received a letter from CARNA telling me that I am eligible to take the CRNE. The next exam will be in OCt 2008. So I thought maybe the next thing to do is to start the revision.
My main concern is that I have been told to come and work as a Graduate Nurse until I pass the CRNE. I am wondering if that's a good idea. Or should i take the exam first then move to Calgary.
I dont want to be stressed thinking about if i failed the CRNE so i want to take the exam first will be better. But i have been told that while working as a Graduate Nurse in Calgary, you can get used to the Canadian way of thinking so it will be easier to pass the CRNE.
Is there anyone here that can help me decide? Your advice will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Cocoy2go

Hi I have +15 years experience as a RN in the UK. Hope that will help me pass the CRNE.

RGN1 · Apr 1, 2008

You already posted ion the UK forum too - I have sent you a PM.

Personally, I'm taking the work first, exam next route because I want outta the UK plus I think I'll be able to borrow revision books & crib off my Canadian colleagues! :-)

however, I'm still waiitng CARNA's decision on my elligibility. I had no probs with getting US elligibility so I'm really, really hoping CARNA won't want anything massively different credential wise.

How long did it take before they decided on your case?

If you haven't taken much in the way of "multiple guess" papers (which you won't have if you're UK educated) I suggest that you get the CNA book & practice, practice & practice some more. there's a real knack to taking this type of exam & learing the strategies behind the questions is 3/4 of the battle.

You can also get Mosby's CRNE exam prep from Amazon.ca, it's great for learing technical content & for practice but I think the CNA book will be what I use closer to the time. You can also do some practice tests on-line but at the moment they also include short answer questions, which we won't have to do.

cocoy2go · Jul 16, 2008

Hi Rebecca

We are going to Calgary on Thursday 17th July.

No reply yet from the embassy. My girlfriend and her daughter (14) will go with me to show them the place. My cousin lives in Calgary so thats cool cos she can show us round.

How about you? No news yet for the TWP.

Anyway take care and keep posting here. Be back in 2 weeks time.

Ibby

cheeca · Oct 9, 2008

Hi

:typing

I worked as a Grad when I arrived in Calgary in June 2007 sat the exam 5 months after...and failed. I took a year before I applied again for the exam and sat it for the 2nd time yesterday........now we play a waiting game. Its good to work first and get into the Canadian way of thinking like you say. Nursing in the UK is so different and done different, and if you answer a question on what you would do back home in the UK then you would be wrong in many instances. Good luck with your exams... :up:

cocoy2go · Oct 10, 2008

Hi Cheeca

Thanks for your reply. Where did you work in Calgary? I am planning to go in December 08. I am going to the Foothills. Are you back in England now?

What happened to you when you failed the CRNE? Did you continue working as a Grad Nurse or did the hospital terminate your contract? I understand you are allowed to take the exam 3 times in a period of 2 years.

Thats all our main worry. I dont mind giving up everything here but the uncertainty of passing the CRNE can be a very stressful thing hanging at the back of your mind. If you based the exam on your UK experience i was told that you won't pass it. Anyway I am planning to work first for a few months before I take the exam.

Bye

cheeca · Oct 10, 2008

:typingGood Morning,

I am working as a grad nurse:nurse: here in the Community in Calgary and am loving every minute of it. I previously worked at the Rocky view when we first moved here, and hated it. I worked there when I sat the CRNE exam the 1st time, and No they did not terminate my Contract. When I failed the exam I continued to work as a Grad nurse and still working as a grad nurse. Yes, you are correct that you are allowed to sit the exam 3 times, although not sure of the time period. The main concern is your temporary nursing permit, I am now on my 4th permit and to get it re-issued a 4th you have to justify by letter to CARNA why. The board then sit and decided if they will renew your licence...scary. They decided I could have Licence renewed and these licenses are valid for 6 months only. So I just hope that I pass the Exam this time, as I am scared that once my license is next due in April they may not renew.....then I will be out of nursing.....to scary to even think about. :crying2: Not sure if anyone else out there as experinced this?

If you answer the questions based on your nursing expereince in the Uk you could fail. The Canadian way of nursing/thinking is different in some ways. What we would consider a priority they don't, so this can mislead you when answering questions. Its a good idea to work in Canada before sitting the exam to get the feel for things. I worked for 5 months then sat...and failed the exam, but there were several reasons which I believe led me to fail.

Good luck with your move to Calgary and with the exam....where in the FMC (Foothills) will you be working? have you been offered a definite job?

Cheeca:)

Hi Cheeca
Thanks for your reply. Where did you work in Calgary? I am planning to go in December 08. I am going to the Foothills. Are you back in England now?
What happened to you when you failed the CRNE? Did you continue working as a Grad Nurse or did the hospital terminate your contract? I understand you are allowed to take the exam 3 times in a period of 2 years.
Thats all our main worry. I dont mind giving up everything here but the uncertainty of passing the CRNE can be a very stressful thing hanging at the back of your mind. If you based the exam on your UK experience i was told that you won't pass it. Anyway I am planning to work first for a few months before I take the exam.
Bye

RGN1 · Oct 11, 2008

Hi
:typing
I worked as a Grad when I arrived in Calgary in June 2007 sat the exam 5 months after...and failed. I took a year before I applied again for the exam and sat it for the 2nd time yesterday........now we play a waiting game. Its good to work first and get into the Canadian way of thinking like you say. Nursing in the UK is so different and done different, and if you answer a question on what you would do back home in the UK then you would be wrong in many instances. Good luck with your exams...

Wasn't that exam horrid? I thought it was the Nastiest thing I've EVER done!!

I'm thinking of moving from hospital to community based nursing asap - the shifts are horrible - you seem to get all evenings together (I have 14 - with a couple of days off inbetween) then all days together (with a couple of days off inbetween) why they can't split it up is beyond me!!

At least I have no nights - so I can't really complain I guess! I'm wokring evenings over Xmas (but at least Xmas day is double time) then off New Year.