Issue on Bridging to Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online Program-I Need Your Advice

[funkynurse09]

I completed a 3-year diploma RN in Africa. The Board of Nursing of the province I live now evaluated my credentials and said to be equivalent to Registered Practical Nurse. I wrote the Canadian Registration Exam and I became Licensed and I have been practicing since then.

I want to advance my career and become a Registered Nurse in Canada and I decide to take the online program with a University in Canada. I contacted the school; explained my qualifications to the person I spoke with and the person explained to me that I can Be qualified for the program so far I am a Registered Practical Nurse in Canada. She explained all the steps I needed to take and other necessary requirements like being registered in the province the University is located. I applied for the program; paid for application and transcript assessment fee. Also, I applied for out of province License endorsement and I requested the Board of Nursing of my province to send my transcript to the University and also the proof of registration and transript to the Board of Nursing of the Province the University is located.

After most of my documents have been sent to the school and the Board of Nursing of the Province, I called the school to know when I can get started only to find out that am not qualified for the program because I am an Internationally educated nurse-I do not possess Practical Nurse Diploma in Canada. The program advisor told me that the program is meant only for those who have their diploma program in Canada.

I could not beleive my ears when I heard that, am really disturbed. I have spent soo much and waisted my time and energy. I would have applied to another school, if I knew that the program is not meant for internationally educated nurses beforehand. I decided to apply for the program based on the information provided to me when I called the school. I am going to waist a year now because of this. What can I do in this situation, I was made to understand that the application fee is not refundable. Please advice me. Thanks for your suggestions in advance.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

I am sorry there was a miscommunication, but at least now you know to ask about being internationally educated when you apply to other schools. I hope you find a program that works for you. Good luck!

[funkynurse09]

Thank you Lunah for the reply. Actually, I explained to the person I spoke with when I called the University my educational background: that I am an internationally educated nurse and that my credentials were assessed by the College of Nurses of the province I based and said to be equivalent to RPN and am already licensed and practicing as an RPN in the said province. The person told me that so far I am a Registered Practical Nurse in Canada, I am eligible to apply. I spoke with the program advisor and they are considering refunding me. I am still following up on it.