Published Jan 20, 2017
KSANURSE_23
3 Posts
Hi guys...just want to ask some help or advice regarding what to expect in IENCAP in canada.. I am an internationally educated nurse applicant in Ontario and recently I received an invitation from touch stone institute to have the evalauation program as a requirement for registration. Just want to know if any of you have an idea on what will be the whole procedure of the evaluation? Thank you!
dishes, BSN, RN
3,950 Posts
You can find information by:
downloading the IENCAP Participant Guide from touchstoneinstitute ca
attending a Preparation Session for the IENCAP (register with healthforceontario)
finding other IENs who are preparing for the IENCAP by using the search tool in the top right corner of AN, search using the words 'NNAS Experience?'
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Moved to the Nurse Registration forum
RN_Pro
276 Posts
IENCAP in canada.. ...Just want to know if any of you have an idea on what will be the whole procedure of the evaluation?
Tip#1: You should get an email when a new test date is about to open for registration. On the day registration opens, register immediately and have your credit card ready. Spots fill up fast and Touchstone isn't great at communicating plans for future dates so you could be left in the lurch for months, not knowing when the next test dates will be announced. Which makes it hard to plan life :~
Tip#2: Eat a large breakfast that day with plenty of protein. I have read/heard that Touchstone does not provide anything more than a soggy sandwich and a bottle of water at lunchtime. And you cannot bring your own food in (understandably). If you are diabetic, good luck. I would suggest notifying them ahead of time if that is the case.
Tip#3: Half of the day is rotating stations where you are given assessment scenarios with acting patients. Half of the day is a written exam. I am not sure which order, as I have not yet taken the IENCAP.
Tip #4: Do not speak any language other than English from the moment you enter Touchstone to the moment you walk out the door.
Tip#5: Bring stethoscope, wear uniform. Even though uniform is not required a lot of people say it helps keep you in "the zone". Makes sense to me!
Tip #6: HealthForce Ontario runs information sessions that are one day long and allow the applicant the opportunity to practice and/or observe a few of the scenario stations. The person running it can also answer questions you may have about what the expect. Sessions are free but it is also hard to get a spot as they fill up quickly so check the website often for new IENCAP information session dates. They are held at Touchstone Institute in Toronto, Ontario, which I think is nice because at least you can see the building etc before the big test day.
These are the tips I have picked up along the way.
@RNPro have you attended a Healthforce Ontario information session or are you still waiting for your date?
@dishes I have an exam date now, I attend the info session in Feb and then the exam in March.
Im still waiting for my date...
Tip#1: You should get an email when a new test date is about to open for registration. On the day registration opens, register immediately and have your credit card ready. Spots fill up fast and Touchstone isn't great at communicating plans for future dates so you could be left in the lurch for months, not knowing when the next test dates will be announced. Which makes it hard to plan life :~Tip#2: Eat a large breakfast that day with plenty of protein. I have read/heard that Touchstone does not provide anything more than a soggy sandwich and a bottle of water at lunchtime. And you cannot bring your own food in (understandably). If you are diabetic, good luck. I would suggest notifying them ahead of time if that is the case. Tip#3: Half of the day is rotating stations where you are given assessment scenarios with acting patients. Half of the day is a written exam. I am not sure which order, as I have not yet taken the IENCAP.Tip #4: Do not speak any language other than English from the moment you enter Touchstone to the moment you walk out the door.Tip#5: Bring stethoscope, wear uniform. Even though uniform is not required a lot of people say it helps keep you in "the zone". Makes sense to me!Tip #6: HealthForce Ontario runs information sessions that are one day long and allow the applicant the opportunity to practice and/or observe a few of the scenario stations. The person running it can also answer questions you may have about what the expect. Sessions are free but it is also hard to get a spot as they fill up quickly so check the website often for new IENCAP information session dates. They are held at Touchstone Institute in Toronto, Ontario, which I think is nice because at least you can see the building etc before the big test day.These are the tips I have picked up along the way.
Thank you so much for this info...
Are you currently working as a RN in another country?or are you in Ontario?
Just an update to make sure everyone is aware:
"Staff are proposing a new process which they believe will provide a rigorous assessment and enhance the opportunities for international applicants to provide evidence that they meet the entry to practice competencies. If approved, the College will review the assessments from all
international applicants who had been assessed as not meeting requirements since the National Service began providing the College with reports.
The changes in the process were highlighted: (1) accepting programs that are assessed by the national service as meeting the threshold for equivalence to a Canadian program; and (2) adding an assessment of past and current practice for those applicants whose program is assessed as not equivalent by the National Service".
The above is taken straight from the minutes of the September 2016 CNO Council meeting. It has since been approved. If you are an applicant who had been deemed "non-comparable" by NNAS, I would suggest calling or emailing CNO to see whether your case has been reviewed and if your next steps are different from what was originally communicated to you. Hopefully there will be some pleasant surprises. In some cases, people have no longer been required to do the IENCAP.
Caranne_1, BSN, RN, CNS
29 Posts
Hi all,
I too am embarking on the IENCAP exam hopefully I am aiming to get a place to do the exam in November, so am interested to here how the process goes for people. So I will be following this thread. Passed the jurisprudence exam last night so feel I am finally moving this application along. Good luck to all preparing for the IENCAP
Payal Payal
6 Posts
Hey there,
I found your posts quite informative. Was wondering if I an get some help.
"Hi guys,
I graduated as an RN from India in 2011, have no nursing experience other than from working as a student nurse as I moved to Canada for an MBA right after graduating from nursing school. Upon stumbling and puttering around for a long while, I have finally decided to get back into nursing and have a list of competencies issued by the CNO. I have been offered to take the IENCAP (January or February 2019). As excited and grateful I am to have an opportunity to challenge the assessment,the practical side of me demands a realistic picture of what's involved with the whole preparation side of things for someone who's been out of touch for 7 years.
My main questions/concerns are:
- Should I even consider taking the assessment? Is it possible for one to prepare in five months while working full time. I live by myself which does make things a bit easier.
- What textbooks do I skim through? Fundamentals of nursing, Paediatric, Med-Surg, Anatomy and physiology, Nutrition, Obs., Psychiatry?? All of them? Is there a textbook or two out there containing concise information on all the necessary topics? (I did purchase Jarvis's Physical examination and health assessment couple of weeks ago to get a heads start to the preparation along with Tortora/Derrickson's A&P.
- I have been living in BC for over 6 years and have contacted the CRNBC to find out their registration process pertaining to my application. (Mostly to see if my NNAS file is valid even).
Any kind of suggestions/comments are welcomed!
I look forward to hearing from you guys.
Thanks!"
Cheers!