How to become RN in British Columbia?

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 3, 2009

I just want to ask about SEC. I opened CRNBC's website and I don't know why the FAQ's won't open. I would like to know what happens if you fail SEC? And what might be a big reason for requesting someone to do SEC.
Aside from that I would like to know if I have to answer the Nursing Experience part within the last 5 years. I started work just this month and this is my first job. Do I have to mention it right away on the application form? thanks!

If you fail SEC then I doubt the college will allow you to sit CRNE. Reason for SEC is the college feels that your training may not meet their requirements. If this is your first job you you need to mention it as they will want proof of work

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 3, 2009

I have read from one post here that her temporary license was revoked (??? I don't know if this is the term she used. I cannot find the one who posted it) because she failed crne by only 6 points.

Whether the poster you referred to failed by 6 points or 60 doesn't matter. A fail is a fail. People who pass are not given their scores at all, only a "pass" notification. In most provinces a fail on the CRNE does indeed result in having their temporary license revoked.

Without the license you cannot work right? Does it really have to be that way? Or is it between the employer and the person if he/she will still be given the chance to work and take the next schedule for the CRNE?

Without a license you cannot work. Period. And it really DOES have to be that way. It can never be between the employer and the candidate; the regulatory body (Colleges of Nursing here) is the arbiter of that decision. Without a license you cannot work.

I just want to ask about SEC. I opened CRNBC's website and I don't know why the FAQ's won't open. I would like to know what happens if you fail SEC? And what might be a big reason for requesting someone to do SEC.

SEC is, as Silverdragon102 stated, a secondary assessment required when a candidate's educational preparation doesn't meet the province's criteria but there's sufficient cause to believe that work experience might have filled the void. If you fail the SEC, the College will probably require you to complete further education (at your own expense) to the Canadian standard in order to then be permitted to sit for the CRNE. The College has assistance programmes to help navigate the educational upgrading, but paying for it and any other related expense is totally up to the candidate.

Aside from that I would like to know if I have to answer the Nursing Experience part within the last 5 years. I started work just this month and this is my first job. Do I have to mention it right away on the application form? thanks!

If you are a new grad, that is covered under the "be a graduate of a recognized/accredited school of nursing" section which follows the "have worked as an RN for X# hours in the preceding 5 years" section. But if there's a large gap between when you graduated and the start of your current, first job, be prepared for that to raise some questions.

AD2008 · Feb 4, 2009

hi. I applied to BC right after I graduated because I thought id still be considered competent since im a newly grad. So i didnt write anything on the experience aspect of the application. While waiting for CRNBC response, I started working as a nurse and now has 7 mos experience. Sad to say, I just received letter from CRNBC stating that I need to undergo SEC assessment. Im so depressed to find out that some Filipino nurses received their eligibility without undergoing SEC assessment and I didnt. Do you think if I inform them now that I have experience, they would reconsider?

breech · Feb 4, 2009

hi. I applied to BC right after I graduated because I thought id still be considered competent since im a newly grad. So i didnt write anything on the experience aspect of the application. While waiting for CRNBC response, I started working as a nurse and now has 7 mos experience. Sad to say, I just received letter from CRNBC stating that I need to undergo SEC assessment. Im so depressed to find out that some Filipino nurses received their eligibility without undergoing SEC assessment and I didnt. Do you think if I inform them now that I have experience, they would reconsider?

I don't think so. Once a decision has been made, I think it's final..

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 4, 2009

hi. I applied to BC right after I graduated because I thought id still be considered competent since im a newly grad. So i didnt write anything on the experience aspect of the application. While waiting for CRNBC response, I started working as a nurse and now has 7 mos experience. Sad to say, I just received letter from CRNBC stating that I need to undergo SEC assessment. Im so depressed to find out that some Filipino nurses received their eligibility without undergoing SEC assessment and I didnt. Do you think if I inform them now that I have experience, they would reconsider?

BC has only instituted the SEC in the last month or so. The Filipino nurses you refer to who didn't have to undergo SEC may just have been part of the reason that BC decided to follow Alberta in requiring the SEC. I really don't think that CRNBC, having assessed your education already, would believe that 7 months of experience would eliminate the need for the SEC after all is said and done. By all means, tell them about your work experience and provide them with documentation, because it WILL count for something, but not likely the requirement for the SEC.

AD2008 · Feb 4, 2009

I understand the side of CRNBC that they need quality nurses in Canada, and that SEC assessment would help them in this matter. It just saddens me that I would have to apply for visa, travel to Canada for few days, then go back to my country, then go back to Canada for CRNE, and so on. Its just so expensive. Thanks anyway... goodluck to ya all!

chelseaxyrene · Feb 4, 2009

Janfrn yes I know a fail is a fail. That's not my question anway. I was just describing the one who posted it because I cannot remember his/her name and I wasn't sure if he/she used the word revoked.

In most provinces a fail on the CRNE does indeed result in having their temporary license revoked. -- this answers my question

Is there a big chance that they will not ask you to do SEC if you graduated from a good school and have work experience? Is sec applicable to all state or is it just in Alberta and BC? thanks!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Feb 4, 2009

Janfrn yes I know a fail is a fail. That's not my question anway. I was just describing the one who posted it because I cannot remember his/her name and I wasn't sure if he/she used the word revoked.
In most provinces a fail on the CRNE does indeed result in having their temporary license revoked. -- this answers my question
Is there a big chance that they will not ask you to do SEC if you graduated from a good school and have work experience? Is sec applicable to all state or is it just in Alberta and BC? thanks!

Each province will have their own requirements. Not all has to do with work experience. I have over 20 years work experience and I may have to do SEC for Nova Scotia and I trained first as a Enrolled nurse and then bridged to RN so plenty of training but it goes on what the transcripts show on hours in each area

AD2008 · Feb 5, 2009

Do you guys have any idea what to study for the SEC assessment? how can I prepare for that?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 5, 2009

That totally depends on what areas you're being tested on.

quami · Feb 5, 2009

hi. i applied to bc right after i graduated because i thought id still be considered competent since im a newly grad. so i didnt write anything on the experience aspect of the application. while waiting for crnbc response, i started working as a nurse and now has 7 mos experience. sad to say, i just received letter from crnbc stating that i need to undergo sec assessment. im so depressed to find out that some filipino nurses received their eligibility without undergoing sec assessment and i didnt. do you think if i inform them now that i have experience, they would reconsider?

so it took them 7mos to assess your file?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 5, 2009

so it took them 7mos to assess your file?

why do you sound so surprised? the volume of applications from iens and nurses from other provinces who wish to move to bc that are landing on the assessor's desk, coupled with those of new june and december graduates from schools in bc (which will take priority) is staggering. the people in the assessment department are working as fast as they can and are assessing out-of-country applications in the order they arrive. when files are incomplete and references are slow to reply, the process bogs down and there are delays. that is not the fault of crnbc.