I want to make the most of my time while waiting in the dark

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Hello everyone! I am currently waiting on the assessment results for both my RN and RPN applications with the CNO. Like most internationally educated nurses, I am left in the dark waiting until they let know me whether I am eligible to take the exams or not... My only dismay on the CNO's process is that they can't provide a timeframe on how long the applicant must wait.

So now that I am in this dilemma, i am planning to just go ahead and take up the bridging program for internationally educated nurses. Most of the time anyway especially for the most recent applications, CNO requires upgrade on the education right? or the assessment says the nursing program is not at par with the nursing program of Ontario? Which has a better bridging program: Centennial College, George Brown, or York University?

I might be just getting impatient.. frustrated.. you know the feeling of being left hanging in the dark... I miss the craziness of being a nurse.. an ER nurse.. I miss the crazy night shifts and the chaotic afternoon shifts.. I miss working. I never thought I would say that but yes. hehe..

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Hello everyone! I am currently waiting on the assessment results for both my RN and RPN applications with the CNO. Like most internationally educated nurses, I am left in the dark waiting until they let know me whether I am eligible to take the exams or not... My only dismay on the CNO's process is that they can't provide a timeframe on how long the applicant must wait.

So now that I am in this dilemma, i am planning to just go ahead and take up the bridging program for internationally educated nurses. Most of the time anyway especially for the most recent applications, CNO requires upgrade on the education right? or the assessment says the nursing program is not at par with the nursing program of Ontario? Which has a better bridging program: Centennial College, George Brown, or York University?

I might be just getting impatient.. frustrated.. you know the feeling of being left hanging in the dark... I miss the craziness of being a nurse.. an ER nurse.. I miss the crazy night shifts and the chaotic afternoon shifts.. I miss working. I never thought I would say that but yes. hehe..

You're not alone, everybody's been there in your situation. Even my RN assessment took 16months. Applying for RPN is also a good strategy so you can apply for bridging program while waiting for RN assessment. However, you can't apply to colleges unless you have the Letter of Direction from CNO or the result of your assessment. The minimum wait for RPN assessment is 6months, your RN may take up to 2yrs or even more depending on your credentials and to your assessor. Once you receive your RPN assessment (which for sure will arrive first) enrol on courses such as Health Assessment, Med Admin etc. Everybody starts from the bottom and there's really lots of waiting, your patience will really be tested. Just always think positive. Goodluck on your journey. :)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Canadian educated nurses, those with experience and new grads have been struggling to find employment for 5 years now. The economy is not great, and cut backs have been made to health care across the country. Unfortunately, we do not have a nursing shortage except in rural areas. As a result, the IEN applications will take longer because the need is not there at this time. You will need to be patient.

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Thank you for the encouraging words. I've to be reminded from time to time to remain patient and to always have the positive attitude. :) I submitted my RPN application September, so hopefully sometime April or May I get to write the CRPNE. I really miss being a nurse.

I feel like I dont fit in being here in Toronto.

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Hey how come I get notifications everyday of hospitals needing RNs and RPNs. Sick Kids, Sunnybrook, Baycrest etc are all looking for registered nurses for different departments.

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Hey how come I get notifications everyday of hospitals needing RNs and RPNs. Sick Kids Sunnybrook, Baycrest etc are all looking for registered nurses for different departments.[/quote']

There's always a need and there's always hundreds to thousands applicants for one position. So competition is really tough. Canadian grads have higher chances since they had their education and trainings/placements in hospitals here so they're kinda prioritized. That's why a lot of IENs take some courses so they can sell themselves. But if you have 2-5years experience, some hospitals consider them as well.

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Specializes in Nutrition/Rheumatology/Oncology.

I am waiting as well. It is frustrating, but there will be an end to it one day. I have been trying to get work as a PSW, but not been successful, as here in Ontario they require a PSW certificate, and wont accept references and 24 years of experience as a registered nurse. I am getting pretty bored waiting, which is made even worse by not being able to do any studying etc until I have the letter of direction from CNO.It would be nice of there was an approx time frame, but it seems some people have written their exam within a yearof applying, others are still waiting 2 years down the line!

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I am waiting as well. It is frustrating but there will be an end to it one day. I have been trying to get work as a PSW, but not been successful, as here in Ontario they require a PSW certificate, and wont accept references and 24 years of experience as a registered nurse. I am getting pretty bored waiting, which is made even worse by not being able to do any studying etc until I have the letter of direction from CNO.It would be nice of there was an approx time frame, but it seems some people have written their exam within a yearof applying, others are still waiting 2 years down the line![/quote']

Hi! where did you work as an RN? And when did you submit tour application to the CNO?:)

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Specializes in Nutrition/Rheumatology/Oncology.

I worked in the UK. I sent my application in in the summer, but unfortunately there was a problem getting my transcripts which I didn't know about (they got lost twice.???) so CNO finally got them in october.

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Hi all, I'm a British nurse wanting to apply to sit the CRNE, I'm in the early stages of finding out information, I assumed I just had to apply and pay the fee to sit the exam? But from reading this thread I'm guessing this isint the case, could anyone give me more details?

Thanks

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Specializes in Nutrition/Rheumatology/Oncology.

It isnt as simple as that.you need to apply to the nursing body for the province you would like to work in. They check all your credentials and advise as to whether your qualifications and experience are enough to sit the CRNE. It is quite a long winded process......depending on the province (i think some are quicker than others)You cant just sit the CRNEHope that helps

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Hi all, I'm a British nurse wanting to apply to sit the CRNE, I'm in the early stages of finding out information, I assumed I just had to apply and pay the fee to sit the exam? But from reading this thread I'm guessing this isint the case, could anyone give me more details?

Thanks

Where do you want to apply as a nurse? Caleo is right. It is a long frustrating process but it actually depends on which province you want to apply to. If you are interested in Ontario, visit http://www.cno.org

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