US- RN planning to transfer to Canada

[aubreytherese]

Hi. I am a US-RN and is thinking of trying to migrate to Canada. Can somebody give me advice if its true when they say that if you pass you're an NCLEX passer, you can just apply for a reciprocity in Vancouver? Is this true? Please help me.

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Why does everyone assume that because Canada is adopting the NLEX style exam it means they will have to forgo sitting an exam for Canada? Canada uses different values in a lot of things and also have different policies. How can Canadian students who will have been training for 4 years come 2015, when the new exam is supposed to start, be expected to suddenly learn new values?

Canada is a different country to the US and the exam although be NCLEX style will be and should be aimed at Canadian values etc

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I don't know why people have to get so defensive. All I said was that they were going to be using the NCLEX instead of the CRNE starting in 2015.

I am a Canadian attending RN school in the USA and am aware of the differences in the two countries. Thanks :)

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

When people post not to worry because NCLEX will be accepted by Canadian provincial colleges then that is when people get upset. NCLEX US is for the US just because Canada against many to accept external contract doesn't mean NCLEX US will be accepted. Both countries have different policies and ways healthcare is managed and that must be reflected in the exam

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I never stated "not to worry" i just was giving the information from the website and said that I'd post more info after I received a response from CRNBC.

[Kitesurfing bum]

I'll bite... so what are the differences between US and Canadian nursing practice?

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I'm no expert on the differences... From my understanding though, the drug names differ and the healthcare insurance is a major difference.

[scoobygang]

I'm marrying a Canadian and will be practicing in Canada at some point this year so I'll bite too. Can someone clarify "different policies and ways healthcare is managed and that must be reflected in the exam"?

It's been, ahem, a few years since I took the NCLEX but that particular test was to determine a prospective nurse had achieved a basic safe level of practice. In regard to particular processes in managing illness we obviously have minor variations in practice all across the US but learn a generic clinical (EBM) pathway. As to different drug names, it was more drug classes since the expectation that a US nurse remember every trade name is unlikely. Healthcare insurance wasn't a factor at all and would seemly be less so in Canada. I am interested in hearing more: I find it hard to believe Canadian nurses are required to learn the nuances of healthcare coverage at the entry level of the nursing exam. Whatever the coverage model, the ABC's are hard to argue with.

[jam_bv15]

Any updates regarding your communication with CRNBC?

Anyway, I came across this link at CNO's website under the 2015 Canadian RN Exam Updates

(http://www.cno.org/Global/new/NCLEX/Canadia_NCLEX_FAQs_toPost.pdf)

Page 6, Question # 26

If a Canadian writes the NCLEX will he/she be able to apply for registration in the U.S. as well as Canada or in more than one province?

NCLEX-RN is developed as an assessment of entry-level nursing practice competency. Passing the NCLEX-RN is one important component of obtaining the privilege to practice registered nursing at the entry-level. In addition to successfully completing the NCLEX-RN, boards of nursing in the U.S. and regulatory bodies in Canada may require additional evidence, such as successful completion of approved nursing education and meeting language proficiency requirements, prior to granting that privilege. Since specific licensure/registration requirements may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, reciprocity of registration is at the discretion of the regulatory bodies involved.

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

(I asked if the NCLEX-RN would have to be re-written again, once I move back to Canada. I am a dual citizen, CDN USA and obtaining my nursing education and license in Texas....)

This was the response I received:

As we are in the early stages of developing the NCLEX-RN exam for use in Canada, I cannot give you a definitive answer at this point. What I can tell you is that it is quite likely that as of January 2015, the NCLEX-RN exam will be accepted as meeting the entry to practice exam requirement whether written in Canada or USA. If you write the NCLEX-RN exam in the USA PRIOR to January 2015, it MAY not be accepted for registration in British Columbia and you MAY be required to write the NCLEX-RN in Canada. I'm sorry that I cannot provide you with more information at this time. As mentioned, it is still quite early in the process and such details have not been confirmed. My suggestion is to monitor the CRNBC and CCRNR (Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators) for future updates.

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

And Scoobygang.... Make sure to apply (permanent residence, citizenship, work permit) to Canada Immigration ASAP.

The process is painstakingly drawn out and slow.

BEST OF LUCK!!

[jam_bv15]

(I asked if the NCLEX-RN would have to be re-written again, once I move back to Canada. I am a dual citizen, CDN USA and obtaining my nursing education and license in Texas....)

This was the response I received:

As we are in the early stages of developing the NCLEX-RN exam for use in Canada, I cannot give you a definitive answer at this point. What I can tell you is that it is quite likely that as of January 2015, the NCLEX-RN exam will be accepted as meeting the entry to practice exam requirement whether written in Canada or USA. If you write the NCLEX-RN exam in the USA PRIOR to January 2015, it MAY not be accepted for registration in British Columbia and you MAY be required to write the NCLEX-RN in Canada. I'm sorry that I cannot provide you with more information at this time. As mentioned, it is still quite early in the process and such details have not been confirmed. My suggestion is to monitor the CRNBC and CCRNR (Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators) for future updates.

Thanks for sharing this. So as of now, no one can really tell for sure. We'll just have to wait on what it'll be in the next years to come.

[RED1984, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

You're welcome :) I will update this thread whenever I receive correspondence from them... May as well keep everyone in the loop!!