question for janfrn, everyone knowledgeable

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 4, 2008

CARNA does an assessment of your credentials and based on the information they receive from the school where you obtained your education, they will either accept your education as substantively equivalent or they will insist on an SEC assessment. They look at the academic and clinical components of your education by examining the syllabi of the courses taken and the number of hours of clinical experience obtained and then compare them against the curriculum of nursing schools in Alberta. If they're essentially the same, then you meet the substantively equivalent competency requirements. If they're lacking in some area(s), then you need further assessment. There are nurses from the UK, Australia and other countries where one would expect to see very few differences in education from that of Canadian schools who have needed SEC and upgrading. So there really is no way of predicting if you'll be subjected to SEC without having your credentials assessed.

The process of being licensed in Canada is expensive, no matter where you're coming from; there is no way around the regulations and their attendant fees devised by the Canadian Nurses' Association, the provincial colleges and immigration. If you are having financial concerns about the process already, they will only get worse unfortunately. An estimate of the cost of moving from the Philippines to Canada to work as a nurse conservatively would exceed $20,000. No employer will subsidize a move to any great degree. When I moved to Alberta from Manitoba 5 years ago, I was out-of-pocket nearly $10,000 and I've been a Canadian my whole life. You'll have to decide if you'll be able to recoup the money it will cost to make the move, and if it's really something you should do.

Serene_ieg · Jan 4, 2008

I heard that there is now a program in Alberta where foreign nurses go into what they call a "supervise training" for two (2) years after which you will challenge the nursing exam to become a full fledged nurse. From what I understand, one receives a salary during this "supervise training" period. Could anyone out there confirm this and perhaps expound on the procedure.

Thank you very much.

mazeRN · Jan 8, 2008

the process of being licensed in canada is expensive, no matter where you're coming from; there is no way around the regulations and their attendant fees devised by the canadian nurses' association, the provincial colleges and immigration. if you are having financial concerns about the process already, they will only get worse unfortunately. an estimate of the cost of moving from the philippines to canada to work as a nurse conservatively would exceed $20,000. no employer will subsidize a move to any great degree. when i moved to alberta from manitoba 5 years ago, i was out-of-pocket nearly $10,000 and i've been a canadian my whole life. you'll have to decide if you'll be able to recoup the money it will cost to make the move, and if it's really something you should do.

thanks for the prompt reply, janfrn.

do you really think that to be registered in canada costs this much? i have gone thru the schedule of fees but i dont think all would sum up to $20,000. i understand that carna assessment costs about $200+, sec assessment $150, the crne fee and the carna rn permit fee much higher but not to reach $20k, unless maybe i will have to take other courses and refresher programs? i am already done with the english test so that could be deducted from the big amount needed. would you advise me to send my application to carna already so from there i would know if i will be able to continue with the process or not? thanks again.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Jan 8, 2008

Maze, The cost estimate I made of $20,000 includes things like fees charged by educational facilities and registries for documentation that CARNA is going to demand, assessment fees, examination fees, registration fees, flying here to write the exam (it's only written in Canada, and only three times a year), accommodations and meals while here for the exam, long distance telephone calls, criminal records check, passport costs, visa/work permit fees, the costs associated with moving (and they aren't insignificant even if you have very little to move), security deposits for housing, set-up costs for things like utilities, furniture and effects once you're here, fees for obtaining new documentation (driver's license, health insurance etc) and a million other incidental costs that add up really fast. You can't make a life change like moving halfway around the world without considering all the costs associated with it. The fees simply to obtain registration here will run to at least $1,000 all by themselves, without considering any upgrading that may be necessary. That's what I meant by deciding whether the financial burden would be worth it to you.

Whisky, I have no information on the scheme you describe. I have heard bits and pieces about people being offered nursing assistant jobs while they work through the process of becoming registered in Alberta. I have a hard time recommending that plan, because the cost of living in Alberta has skyrocketed and no one can live on what a newly hired nursing assistant is paid, which is about half of what a newly hired RN is paid. I hesitate to call it exploitation, but it looks like it to me.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 8, 2008

I heard that there is now a program in Alberta where foreign nurses go into what they call a "supervise training" for two (2) years after which you will challenge the nursing exam to become a full fledged nurse. From what I understand, one receives a salary during this "supervise training" period. Could anyone out there confirm this and perhaps expound on the procedure.
Thank you very much.

To clear up any misconceptions, you will not be challenging the Canadian nursing exam, you must meet the requirements as far as education to be able to sit for the exam; just like in the US. To challenge the exam means that you never completed the required training and are asking for permission to test. That is not permitted in the US or Canada, or most other countries.

What they are calling a training period or auxillary nurse is just the same as a nursing asst, without a license as an RN, you are unable to work in that category and will be paid the same as the nursing asst, which is less than $10 per hour and you have to pay your living expenses from that and include clothing and food as well.

Quite hard to do. If you cannot go over directly in the role of the RN, have a good read on the Philippine Forum about those that have been brought over before and are now having issues.

suzanne4, RN · Jan 8, 2008

The other thing that they fail to mention is that if you do not pass the exam, then your visa will get cancelled and you will have to leave the country, even if you have been there for two years. You will be provided a visa based on the fact that you will be expected to be able to work in the role of the RN, if you will not be able to, then the visa is cancelled.

Fiona59 · Jan 14, 2008

What they are calling a training period or auxillary nurse is just the same as a nursing asst, without a license as an RN, you are unable to work in that category and will be paid the same as the nursing asst, which is less than $10 per hour and you have to pay your living expenses from that and include clothing and food as well.

Capital Health in Edmonton starts Nursing Assistants at around $13.50/hour. Then there are shift premiums added on. On the down side there are union dues, etc. to be paid out of the salary. The wage isn't great but reflects the amount of schooling that the job holder holds. The Union will also be negotiating a new contract at the end of March and increases are expected to keep pace with the cost of living.

Fiona59 · Jan 14, 2008

I heard that there is now a program in Alberta where foreign nurses go into what they call a "supervise training" for two (2) years after which you will challenge the nursing exam to become a full fledged nurse. From what I understand, one receives a salary during this "supervise training" period. Could anyone out there confirm this and perhaps expound on the procedure.
Thank you very much.

This is an urban myth. There are a lot of LPNs in Alberta who would upgrade to Registered Nurse if a similar programme was available to them. It would also be a lot cheaper and quicker for the health authorities to sponsor the PN through such a programme IF in fact it existed.

RGN1 · Jan 16, 2008

I have a job offer - not through an agency. I'll be paid as a Grad nurse $20-25 p hr until I pass CRNE (which I'm expected to do within 1 year to keep my position) then, because of proof of experience, I have been offered a $40 p hr basic.

They will also assist with costs up to a max $6000.

I think this is about as fair as you could get.

I'm just about to order my CRNE study book!

RGN1 · Jan 16, 2008

OMG:eek:!! CNA wanted to charge me just over $188 to ship the book - that means the bill would've been well over $200 for a book!! What planet are they on???? I don't live on the moon -do they?? Do they deliver by Rolls Royce, in person packed in a gold box then??? Sheeees!!

Guess I'll have to get the Mosby book from Amazon Ca instead - I hope it will be good enough - their N-CLEX book was. They only charge $27.98 for express (2-4 days)delivery!!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Jan 16, 2008

OMG:eek:!! CNA wanted to charge me just over $188 to ship the book - that means the bill would've been well over $200 for a book!! What planet are they on???? I don't live on the moon -do they?? Do they deliver by Rolls Royce, in person packed in a gold box then??? Sheeees!!
Guess I'll have to get the Mosby book from Amazon Ca instead - I hope it will be good enough - their N-CLEX book was. They only charge $27.98 for express (2-4 days)delivery!!

All I can say is wow.....