Internationally Educated Nurses of CANADA

[maanderson]

Hello! This post is to locate current IENs (Internationally Educated Nurses) going through the Canadian licensing system in Manitoba, Alberta, and BC-- specifically Registered Nurses. I am curious about discussing your story and see how it parallels mine. I ask that if you were an IEN that successfully became an RN more than a year ago that you don't comment, because things have changed quite a bit and we will not be discussing the same process you've experienced. I am very interested in talking with RNs from the US, but also would like to hear from nurses coming from other countries. Thank you !! Please only comment if you have something helpful to say, if this post does not pertain to you there is no need to comment.

Ps. I have a meeting scheduled with the Manitoba Health Workforce Secretariat to discuss the difficulties IENs are facing in the province.... so I'm very interested in hearing your story so I can relay it in the future. Maybe we can rally together and seek change. I am also possibly planning on contacting the media after my meeting with the Secretariat.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Hi Dear,

I am glad that somebody is going to raise the voice of nurses. I have a long story to tell you. I am an IEN and I had my RN application with CRNBC. My file was assessed by the NNAS first and the advisory report says Comparable. However, now CRNBC has asked me to do re entry to practice program or SEC. I am really frustrated that what is the role of NNAS if they do not rely on their report. I questioned my Case manager he said your safe practices expired. I responded that I have done the whole Bridging for internationally educated nurses program here in Ontario.He replied that This program was done at PN level then I explained that it was the RN and the PN refresher program, means for Both. there was no difference the difference was this only that I did my pre ceptorship under an PN. I . contacted the college and college also is not helping at all as they were saying that I do not have the eligility letter from CNO to do the program. I replied that only because I do not have the letter from CNO means that I have to repeat the same program again.

The CRNBC also says that there are gaps assessed by OSCE. I said it was there before the completion of BIEN program not now but they are not agree. I am really very stressed. It is all injustice . I want to appeal now and if nothing happens I will seek legal advice. If NNAS has nothing to do if their reports are not valid why our credentials are being evaluated by them. Why to waste 1000 dollars. If NNAS says not comparable then go for additional education , if somewhat comparable then also additional education and if comparable then also additional education. I dont know which report would give the eligiility to write the CRNE exam. It is just waste of money. Secondly if NNAS is evaluating and taking 1000 dollars why regulatory bodies again charge the fee that is almost 500 dollars. They are just making money. I feel sad that the IENs are not treated fairly.

I would appreciate if you help the IENs in this regard,

Thanking you

why did you take an RPN refresher in Ontario without a referral/directive from CNO if you were applying in BC? Did you even apply to CNO? ofcourse a clinical preceptorship supervised by an RPN won't count for RN. If your safe practices has expired you need to complete at the RN level. You admit you were supervised by an RPN duration big preceptorship which by default indicates that you completed an IEN bridge for practical nurses. Why did you not speak up or clarify when you were placed? CRNE hasn't been used since last October for all provinces except Quebec NCLEX-RN is now used. NNAS makes recommendations based upon their initial review of your credentials but the final determination is up to the College of Nurses

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@maanderson did you ever end up telling your story to the media? I am not sure if you are aware but there are several published research articles on IENs and their experiences in Canada such as:

Not very welcoming: A survey of internationally educated nurses employed in Canada, L McGillis Hall, C Jones, M LaLonde, G Strudwick, B Mcdonald

Motivations of nurses who migrate to Canada as domestic workers. B Salami, S Nelson, L Hawthorne, C Muntaner, L McGillis Hall.

Health human resources series 3,internationally educated nurses in Ontario:Maximizing the Brain Gain, J Blythe, A Baumann, A Rheame,K McIntosh.

Internationally educated nurses experience of downward occupational mobility in Canada,a study being done at University of Alberta B Salami.

In Canada, the evaluation process of IENs is evolving, many provinces are taking steps to make the process tranparent to IENs prior to immigrating to Canada. Hopefully in the future, all IENs will take the time to be assessed before coming to Canada, so they will know if they are eligible to be licensed before they arrive.

[gurvinder]

Hi Dear,

I had applied to CNO first and, I did take OSCE in May 2014 and the bridging program was for RPN not for RN. I got a few competencies in OSCE and I was asked to compltere additional study.when I completed the program I applied to NNAS. I got comparable from NNAS. I got comparable because of the Bridging program I completed here, Otherwise I would not have got Comparable. None of the IENs get comparability. I have my file with CRNBC now and CRnBC says my safe practice expired. The program I completed was at the PN level, however it is for both the RNs and the PNs. The POS was same the difference was only the clinical placement. I did my preceptorship under an PN.I asked my College if they can allow me to do the preceptorship under an RN but the college does not allow, the reason was that I do not have a letter from CNO to do the Clinicals.

I feel frustrated, only because I do not have a letter from CNO means that the whole program is a waste now. I am asked to do the same program which I have already completed. it is not fair.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Hi Dear,

I had applied to CNO first and, I did take OSCE in May 2014 and the bridging program was for RPN not for RN. I got a few competencies in OSCE and I was asked to compltere additional study.when I completed the program I applied to NNAS. I got comparable from NNAS. I got comparable because of the Bridging program I completed here, Otherwise I would not have got Comparable. None of the IENs get comparability. I have my file with CRNBC now and CRnBC says my safe practice expired. The program I completed was at the PN level, however it is for both the RNs and the PNs. The POS was same the difference was only the clinical placement. I did my preceptorship under an PN.I asked my College if they can allow me to do the preceptorship under an RN but the college does not allow, the reason was that I do not have a letter from CNO to do the Clinicals.

I feel frustrated, only because I do not have a letter from CNO means that the whole program is a waste now. I am asked to do the same program which I have already completed. it is not fair.

Why did you do an RPN bridge program if applying for RN? Why did you take a bridge program without a referral from CNO? The typical profession is apply for assessment (now NNAS), await results, apply to college of nursing, await response what additional assessments or training is needed per the college.

Did CNO refer you to take a RPN bridge for IENs?

[gurvinder]

I got my RPN license first at that time I did not apply for RN. I have already done the Bridging program which was recummended by CNO. However I have already done the program ,this program is for RN and PN . why should I go for the same program. If CNO did not ask me to do it It, is all a waste now. The program I did was for the safe practice. This program is for both the RNs and The PNs. The name of the program is RN and PN refresher program. there are nine courses:

MOHAWK COLLEGE

RN & PN REFRESHER PROGRAM 2015

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** Recommended order of courses

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[TD]REQUIRED COURSE

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1. NRSG 10083 Nursing Informatics

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2. NRSG 10086 Professional Issues

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3. NRSG 10019 Nursing Theory 1

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4. NRSG 10027 Administration of Medications

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5. NRSG 10084 Health Assessment

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6. NRSG 10028 Clinical Skills Review

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[TD]7. NRSG 10085 Family Centered-Care (formally Maternal Child)

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[TD]8. NRSG 10087 Community & Mental Health Nursing (formally Mental Health Nursing)

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[TD]NRSG 10037 PRE-CLINICAL WORKSHOP

(1 Day workshop close to Clinical start date)

• All theory courses must be completed before Clinical
  

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[TD]MANDATORY

*if you are doing clinical

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CLIN10027 Professional Practice (formally Clinical Experience I)

200- 400 hours SUPERVISED

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CLIN10028 Professional Practice (formally Clinical Experience 2)

(200 hours) PRECEPTORED

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Note: Successful completion of all theory courses (with the exception of Nursing Theory 2) is a requirement for clinical placement.

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[TD]** Your P.O.S. is subject to change if Safe Practice expires

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*All Clinical Experiences are full time and occur between April and September each year. (Spring/Summer semester only)

* Clinical Applications are available in November of each year

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It must have answered you questions. even if I was not asked to do it at RN level, I completed it because it was also required for the PN level safe practise. this same program is offered to the RNs whoes safe practise expired.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@gurvinder, the majority of the courses were for both PNs and RNs except the clinical placements. NNAS deemed your education comparable to a Canadian BScN, however, because you are missing two RN clinical placements it isn't comparable, it's partially comparable. To me, the problem is NNAS deemed your education comparable when they should have deemed it partially comparable. NNAS's inaccurate assessment of your education is misleading you.

If the system were fair, you would be offered the opportunity to complete the two RN clinical placements, then be allowed to write the NCLEX.

[bobacia]

Hi maanderson--I'm curious what rating your education got from the NNAS? Did your education rating from NNAS really make any difference at the provincial level?

I am facing a similar situation. (Canadian citizen--born and raised in Ontario, ASN/BSN degree from the USA, want to come back home). I appreciated hearing about other's experience with trying to get back into Canada. Thanks!

[SignorinaVhienne]

Hi Everyone! I am also an IEN and currently referred to undergo SEC assessment. However, since I heard about NCAS i decided to call and email CNRBC at the same time. The representative told me that, "If I have not booked my SEC assessment yet, I can try registering for NCAS assessment (which I still need a referral from both CLPNBC and CRNBC if I decided to take DUAL assessment). I also asked what is the difference between the two assessmentsm and she said that "there's not much difference, except that NCAS is an improved way of assessing IENS). Now, if you go to NCAS website, one benefit is that this assessment is FREE. Not the greatest thing for us IEN's since we've gone through a lot of vast changes, not to mention the time and money we already invested on this application process. It is indeed a tough path for all of us but hey, when you quit, it's over.

Another information that CRNBC gave me is that, they will communicate these changes (NCAS) to all affected applicants BEFORE the end of this year! I was shocked because I have no idea what and how it's gonna be with this NCAS.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@signorinavhienne, it seems like SEC is ending and NCAS is beginning, if the NCAS is currently free, it makes more sense to take the NCAS rather than the SEC, as the SEC costs a minimum of $1,200.

[SignorinaVhienne]

I know. On top of that, you can also register for DUAL assessment if you have applied for both LPN and RN. There will be 2 different sets of written exam and only 1 Simulation Lab exam. Just go check NCAS website and all the info are there.

[kaye_UK]

@maanderson can you please tell me your experience getting a registration for alberta as RN? Would be very grateful.

[dishes, BSN, RN]

@signorinavhienne, Did you already do the NCAS or are you going to do the NCAS? If you did the NCAS what reference material did you use? If you are preparing to do the NCAS what material are you using to help you prepare?