Reciprocity of US RN and Canada RN in 2015

Published

Hai every body, if nursing board in Canada agrees for the practice of nursing in Canada with US NCLEX RN certificate what will be the IELTS score needed to accept it.Because now in most of the provinces in Canada for CRNE it is L 7.5,R-6.5,W-7,s-7 is the requirement,but for US RN it is only Speaking 7 and overall 6.5.it is easier to get this score than the first one.Anybody have any insight?meena

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Lets get one thing straight. It is only the NCLEX that will follow through and even then we have only heard from 2 or 3 provinces that they will accept it we are still waiting to hear what the other provinces will do.

Now that is out of the way it doesn't matter if you have passed NCLEX for the US you will still have to meet the provincial requirements and English will be one of them and the provincial college will indicate what the scores are and I doubt that will change from what the current requirements are

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

It seems you have the belief that having passed the US NCLEX makes you a US RN. It does not. You are still an RN from your country of origin and are still expected to meet the same criteria as before. That's assuming the province you've applied to for registration will accept your US NCLEX results. IELTS minimum scores will never be lowered because skilled professional communication in English is an absolute requirement for safe practice in most of Canada, the exception being Québec where one MUST be fluent in French.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hai,If they do not lower the IELTS score level then what is the difference between CRNE and NCLEX RN? The NCLEX RN exam questions are from the same theory and you have to prepare well for both the exams in the same manner. If US nurses can work with RN which required only S 7 in IELTS and still working without any problem in the hospital what is the difference in Canada where you should have all very high scores in IELTS than US?Any way waiting to hear something good.MEENA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Two different countries. Two different standards. Each US state has different minimum standards for English proficiency. Canada is more consistent. Australia requires a band score of 7 and 7 in all subtests in a single sitting for registered nurses.

You cannot compare the entry to nursing practice requirements between the US and Canada. The countries have different education systems, different governmental set up, different health care system even the climate and landscape is different. Canada & US share a continent but the standards don't necessarily match.

Also, Canada legally has two official national language (since 1969) English & French. While much of the US speaks English, there is legally no official language in the USA. Perhaps that is the simplest explanation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You're also basically comparing apples to bananas. IELTS is a measure of English language proficiency. NCLEX and CRNE measure nursing knowledge and critical thinking. As JustBeachyNurse said, comparing Canada to the US is also like comparing apples to bananas. While we do share a common history and a continent, Canada is very different from the US. It's not about what's easiest, it's about what is required. Canada requires a minimum band score of 7 with no score less than 6.5 no matter which province you're in - with the obvious exception of Québec. Period.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

As mentioned 2 countries 2 different requirements in fact can go as far to say not all US states require English exam where as Canada is more consistent. Which ever country you plan on working in you have no choice but meet requirements

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in GI Surgery Step-down.

I was thinking in the future to move Canada as a RN but now I see it's kinda though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

If a USC it can be a bit easier because you can use NAFTA but still need to meet provincial requirements and find employer willing to issue job employment letter enabling you to get NAFTA at the border allowing you to live and work in Canada

Up Vote Up Vote ×
If a USC it can be a bit easier because you can use NAFTA but still need to meet provincial requirements and find employer willing to issue job employment letter enabling you to get NAFTA at the border allowing you to live and work in Canada

Does that apply to all IEN? or just those without a visa?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
Does that apply to all IEN? or just those without a visa?

NAFTA only applies to US, Canadian & Mexican citizens/PR.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Does that apply to all IEN? or just those without a visa?

What do you mean? NAFTA is only for citizens from the US, Canada and Mexico and profession must be on the skilled NAFTA list

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion