New US RN moving to B.C., Canada

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Hello,

I just passed NCLEX in Fl, March 2016. And I moved to B.C., Canada with my family. I read on the CRNBC website of the steps I have to do to get my license through reciprocity. Besides doing the application, there is an exam for every international nurses that applies in Canada, which is called the National Nursing Assessment Exam. I would like to know if there is anyone out there who were or are in the same situation as I am. I would like to know what to expect from that exam? Is it like NCLEX? ( i hope not!) I would like to get ready for it and any suggestions would help!

:)

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

First question. Do you have a BScN? That's the minimum education for entry to practice for registered nurses in Canada.

Second question. Did you think to look into all of this before you moved? It's going to take months before you're even close to being ready for registration.

Third question. Are you aware of the shortage of nursing jobs in BC, especially in the Vancouver area? A year from now you might have registration with CRNBC but no job to pay your bills.

It's always wise to look before you leap.

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1. I am pursuing my bachelors currently, while inquiring for the reciprocity process. I'm actually looking for universities to do my BSN.

2. Yes, I have checked it out before I moved. I knew it would take months or even a year before I can have a job. And that is ok because I have a baby to take care of while my husband is working. :) However, it would be nice to start working as a nurse as soon as possible!

3. the nearest hospital from where I currently live is actually hiring right now for new grads and experienced nurses. Unfortunately, With my current situation, I cannot apply :(

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BC will take 2-3 yrs RN education for foreign graduates. Certain provinces are limiting though. With no BSN, you will probably have to take the 2-3 days foreign nurse assessment exam called SEC or NCAS (changing to NCAS soon) and it will include the Triple Jump Interview,Short Answer questions, multiple choice questions, Interview Question,and the Skills Test with actual scenarios. It is based off of the old Canadian RN exam called CRNE and as a US grad, it is a very hard exam because the format is very different than the NCLEX. It's better to do RN to BSN online maybe per say through UW in Washington rather than Canada - not many RN to BSN programs and they are quite pricey. You can find info regarding SEC in CRNBC website. A lot of people don't pass the exam and will have to take the refresher for the acute nursing setting (min 3 months to 1 year in BC), which I recommend you take anyways because without extensive hospital experience it is VERY difficult for even US RN to get a job in Canada right off the bat with no connections and experience.

With the changes in the foreign assessment exam.. the process is expected to be slower. You're looking at approx 2-3 yrs of processing time + refresher time to be an RN in Canada. I recommend you get a job in US cities close to the Canadian Border during the whole processing so you don't lose time not gaining experience and being idle.

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Ooh thank you for all the recommendation! I also thought and planned about working near the border. And as for taking the BSN, I am glad you mentioned it, because I was wondering if I should take it in Canada or US. If I have the BSN and experience, do I have to take all that you have mention above, companis?

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Depends on how nnas will assess you. Most Uk and Australian nurses have to take the sec. I've seen US nurses take it if they dont have a bachelor's degree. And your experience doesn't count so much for the actual assessment since BC doesnt have experience requirements to apply but approx 1125 hrs in 5 yrs if you have graduated over a year ago. i've seen more USA nurses take the test. canadian RN license is becoming more difficult and is taking longer to obtain. I would have recommended the lpn license but they are now making a ncas skills+written test for even foreign Rns applying for Canadian LPN license as well

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Wow, tyvm! I have an idea of what I'm gonna try to do for this year. I will try to change my nursing license to Washington state and find a job there while doing my bachelors as well. I think that's the first thing I will do before applying to NNAS. At least I can renew my license before next year with enough CEUs while going back to school for BSN ! This will be a big hurdle to jump over once again but I won't let it stop me!:)

im glad I posted something on here! :) ty again!

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