Irish Psych nurse wanting to move to Canada

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 31, 2020

Depending on which province you plan on living and working in you may want to consider applying as a psychiatric nurse as a couple except that training.

Eleanerd · Mar 3, 2020

Hey @lostboy I'm a general nurse from DCU applying for registration in BC (West Coast). Hate to be the barer of bad news but I would advise you to reconsider a move to Canada. The process has taken me over two years so far with no end in sight.

Step one was paperwork and sending documents to NNAS- I've heard horror stories but my experience as OK with that, apart from the fact it took a long time.

Next step is NCAS (assessments) which were about $1500 total one written test and one in person OSCE (you would need to attend in person). Both had long waiting lists to even take the test and then several months waiting for results. As far as I can tell from online forums these assessments are kind of a scam as all internationally educated nurses from outside of North America get the same result which is that they are required to complete a internationally educated reentry to practice course.

These courses are 1 year full time and cost around $10,000. Not to mention cost of living etc. while you are studying. I recently got accepted into one after 1 full year of applications- they are very over subscribed and my experience with the University was they they were nice to deal with but not very open or forthcoming with useful information-. E.G. they let me pay and submit an application months after it opened when as I later learned these courses fill up on the first day. I applied three times in total and finally got in on my third attempt (this wasted up a year of my time just applying and re applying- applications are not merit based but instead first come, first served).

As of now I'm waiting to start on September of 2020 so due to graduate (all going well) in Fall 2021 and take NCLEX at that time. I began my application in the end of 2017 which would make my total time 4 years- enough time (and probably money too) to complete a new degree or post-grad! The only reason I stuck with it is because my boyfriend is from here so I'm committed to staying and didn't feel like I had another option. I found very little by way of information or guidance for international nurses registering here and as a result had no idea up front what I was getting myself into. I'm not sure I would do the same again and I certainly made a few mistakes along the way because I just didn't know what I was doing.

I would be very interested to hear from other nurses esp. from Ireland to hear what their experiences are and if there is anyone out there who is near the beginning of the process I'd be happy to offer what I've learned to help you avoid some of the pitfalls I encountered.

Similarly if there is anyone who has already taken the GNIE course at KPU I'd love to hear from you.

Lucydog14 · Mar 9, 2020

Not all international nurses are made to take the one year course. That is inaccurate.

Eleanerd · Mar 12, 2020

Yes as I said that's just what I have gleaned from people talking on online forums and it was also my experience. I have been out of practice for a few years so maybe not surprising for me but I've read a lot of accounts and met other nurses who were very experienced and even took prep courses for this exam and still did not pass.

@lostboyI recently found this resource which is prob too late for me but you might find it helpful to reach out the them.

https://www.douglascollege.ca/programs-courses/training-group/employment-services-career-development/internationally-trained-professionals/career-paths-immigrants-health