RNA in Quebec -LPN US equivalencies

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 5, 2008

I can't really answer most of your specific questions as I haven't lived in Quebec for many years. I can tell you that in order to be registered or licensed you will have to write an exam set by the regulatory body in the province. I can tell you that you need to be fluent in French if you want to work at almost any job in the province. Health care professionals are held to an even higher standard. I can also tell you that Quebec pays their RNs much less than the other provinces, so I would guess that LPNs would be paid a very low rate. They do have a shortage of human resources there, but whether it would be worth your while to make that move is something only you can decide.

mizzash · Dec 20, 2008

hi, im currently a RNA student. i can tell you that i ahve a rna student in my class and she was a lpn from the states, she had to do a few modules,, (sit in class ) and do a few stages, and then u can practice as a rna in quebec. their is actually no exam to practice as a rna in quebec but soon their coming out with one.

yes their is a high demand for RNA/LPN/LVN. and at the moment that starting pay is 17.90$/hr.

would they take american nurses, of course we need everythign in the healthcare industry so yaa. ohh and a RN makes 24$/hr in quebec but u make 28.30$/hr in ontario and more in other provinces. quebec is kown to pay the least out fo other provinces..and yet we pay the highest taxes..

hope the info help if their anythign else u need to know , dont hesistate to ask.

silverhalide · Dec 20, 2008

So you do not need to pass a version of the NCLEX-PN in Quebec?(atl east for now) You do still need to register with the Order of Nurses?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Dec 20, 2008

Yes you will need to write the Quebec LPN licensing exam. The exam can be written in English, but you must be able to function in French and pass the Office de la langue Francaise's exams to keep your license.

shurchik · Mar 16, 2009

Hi, silverhalide!

Your question addresses a very sore spot in my recent dealings with Quebec nursing system, and I want to share some painfully acquired info, so you don't make my mistakes and waste precious time.

If you have the opportunity to receive a US education as an RN, then DO NOT try the LPN route with Quebec!

Better yet, try and get a Bachelor degree in nursing. Quebec does not require a BSN yet, but they might change that at any moment. They're cheeky like that

Now for the facts.

There are two types of nurses in Quebec. There's "infirmier technicien", which is equivalent to Registered Nurse in the USA. They are governed by the nursing order called Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers du Quebec (OIIQ). Here's a link to their site, where they give information on the education equivalencies required for licensure:

http://www.oiiq.org/infirmieres/diplomes/index.asp

If your French is only so-so, then click a .pdf file on that page, titled "How to Obtain a Nursing Permit from the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec". It's pretty straightforward, but still, a lengthy phone call to the OIIQ is a must, as you need to grill them about every single detail and requirement as it relates to your particular situation. Most of their customer service reps speak OK English, but not all of them are quite competent. So it's fine to call them several times until you get a rep that feels knowledgeable to you.

The other type of nurse is "infirmier auxiliair", which is equivalent to LPN in the USA. They are governed by a completely separate order called Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers Auxiliaires du Quebec (OIIAQ). And that one word "auxiliaires" makes a steaming pile of difference.

Here's a link to the OIIAQ website:

http://www.oiiaq.org/accueil.fr.html

It's all in French, but during the application process French knowledge will be the least of your worries. The main problem is that in comparison to the OIIQ, the OIIAQ is a newly formed organization, that is funded by a different branch of Quebec government. I won't go into political details, as there've been plenty of heated discussions of Quebec politics in this forum. But practically, the difference comes down to the fact that OIIQ will truthfully evaluate your US nursing education against Quebec standards, plus they will, if reluctantly, take into account your work experience. So, currently all US-educated RN-BSN's and most RNs with a US Associate degree are allowed to take the Quebec nursing exam without having to take any additional courses. Even if additional courses are required, you can take most of them in US. There's also an Integration into Quebec Nursing Practice course, which can range from 3 weeks to several months, and has to be taken in Quebec. On their website OIIQ states that US educated nurses don't have to take this course. In reality, however, they still might require that you pass a short version of it. But it's feasible and not scary.

OIIAQ, on paper, has very basic education equivalency requirements - only 1800 hours with basic theory/practice hours in major areas. Here's a link:

http://www.oiiaq.org/etudiant/diplomes-hors-quebec.fr.html

In addition, you absolutely have to check out this:

http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/publications/en/professions/nursing-assistant.pdf

This is the Ministry of Immigration's bulletin regarding LPN profession in Quebec. By the way, OIIQ doesn't require US educated nurses to pass through Ministry's equivalency committee. OIIAQ, however, does. It means an additional $150 and 1-3 more months added to your processing time.

Anyway, this bulletin is in English and it provides almost everything you'll need to know before you apply to OIIAQ. Almost everything... Please notice, on page 3 it says: "Order requires most foreign-trained candidates, including nurses, to complete a program of study in an educational institution located in Québec before it will grant training equivalence." If I may offer a small correction: the OIIAQ requires ALL candidates (even those trained in US or other Canadian provinces!) to complete at least 300 hours of additional LPN education in Quebec. They will never tell you that before they take your application fees and get you to send them all the transcripts, etc., but it is true. It's their dirty little secret. Another one is that you NEED to be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident before you can write the OIIAQ exam. I know, the Ministry's bulletin says you don't, but you do. Your US citizenship or Canadian work permit don't count. If you don't believe me, call the OIIAQ Admissions Registrar (http://www.oiiaq.org/contact.fr.html).

But the most beautiful thing, the one even Mme Admissions Registrar won't tell you about even under torture, is a cute little detail about those 300 hours. Remember, you need to complete them (and usually it's more than 300) at an educational institution in Quebec? Well, that translates to a year or more of studying in a handful of Quebec vocational schools, which accept applications only twice a year and require a Permanent Resident Status, Quebec Selection Certificate and a proof of 12-months residency in Quebec. So, again, your US passport, or Canadian student visa, or work permit don't matter.

In summary, you need to be a Permanent Resident in Canada before you can get licensed as an LPN in Quebec. So, if you plan on getting a LPN job in Montreal through applying for a temporary or permanent work permit, it will never happen. In order to apply for work permit, you need to have an official employment offer that's been approved by the Labor Department (you'll learn about that on the immigration website). In order to get your employment offer approved, you need to be licensed as an LPN (Infirmiere Auxiliaire) in Quebec. In order to be licensed as an LPN in Quebec, you need to be a Permanent Resident in Canada and a Quebec resident for at least a year. See a glitch there?

US educated RNs, not LPNs, that have their applications approved by the OIIQ, not OIIAQ, are not subjected to this bureaucratic idiocy. Not yet, anyway.

Sorry for a long post. But I had to warn you. And quite possibly it will help somebody else, who is as wistful as I once was, and doesn't know yet that Quebec bureaucracy is as ugly as the fair city of Montreal is magnificent.

Good luck!

charliebrown2 · Jun 6, 2009

Hello gang,

Just to let you know, I am an RNA in Quebec. Now, the title has been modified to LPN. Also LPNs in Quebec can now start an IV under certain conditions

katherine100, LPN · Jul 13, 2009

I take my hat off the rigid Quebec system for allowing LPNs to practice but i am disgusted with the red tape..it almost reminds me of all the crap i had to do going to us (not as an RN though).

Nice of you to share your story.

Hi, silverhalide!
Your question addresses a very sore spot in my recent dealings with Quebec nursing system, and I want to share some painfully acquired info, so you don't make my mistakes and waste precious time.
If you have the opportunity to receive a US education as an RN, then DO NOT try the LPN route with Quebec!
Better yet, try and get a Bachelor degree in nursing. Quebec does not require a BSN yet, but they might change that at any moment. They're cheeky like that
Now for the facts.
There are two types of nurses in Quebec. There's "infirmier technicien", which is equivalent to Registered Nurse in the USA. They are governed by the nursing order called Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers du Quebec (OIIQ). Here's a link to their site, where they give information on the education equivalencies required for licensure:
http://www.oiiq.org/infirmieres/diplomes/index.asp
If your French is only so-so, then click a .pdf file on that page, titled "How to Obtain a Nursing Permit from the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec". It's pretty straightforward, but still, a lengthy phone call to the OIIQ is a must, as you need to grill them about every single detail and requirement as it relates to your particular situation. Most of their customer service reps speak OK English, but not all of them are quite competent. So it's fine to call them several times until you get a rep that feels knowledgeable to you.
The other type of nurse is "infirmier auxiliair", which is equivalent to LPN in the USA. They are governed by a completely separate order called Ordre des Infirmieres et Infirmiers Auxiliaires du Quebec (OIIAQ). And that one word "auxiliaires" makes a steaming pile of difference.
Here's a link to the OIIAQ website:
http://www.oiiaq.org/accueil.fr.html
It's all in French, but during the application process French knowledge will be the least of your worries. The main problem is that in comparison to the OIIQ, the OIIAQ is a newly formed organization, that is funded by a different branch of Quebec government. I won't go into political details, as there've been plenty of heated discussions of Quebec politics in this forum. But practically, the difference comes down to the fact that OIIQ will truthfully evaluate your US nursing education against Quebec standards, plus they will, if reluctantly, take into account your work experience. So, currently all US-educated RN-BSN's and most RNs with a US Associate degree are allowed to take the Quebec nursing exam without having to take any additional courses. Even if additional courses are required, you can take most of them in US. There's also an Integration into Quebec Nursing Practice course, which can range from 3 weeks to several months, and has to be taken in Quebec. On their website OIIQ states that US educated nurses don't have to take this course. In reality, however, they still might require that you pass a short version of it. But it's feasible and not scary.
OIIAQ, on paper, has very basic education equivalency requirements - only 1800 hours with basic theory/practice hours in major areas. Here's a link:
http://www.oiiaq.org/etudiant/diplomes-hors-quebec.fr.html
In addition, you absolutely have to check out this:
http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/publications/en/professions/nursing-assistant.pdf
This is the Ministry of Immigration's bulletin regarding LPN profession in Quebec. By the way, OIIQ doesn't require US educated nurses to pass through Ministry's equivalency committee. OIIAQ, however, does. It means an additional $150 and 1-3 more months added to your processing time.
Anyway, this bulletin is in English and it provides almost everything you'll need to know before you apply to OIIAQ. Almost everything... Please notice, on page 3 it says: "Order requires most foreign-trained candidates, including nurses, to complete a program of study in an educational institution located in Québec before it will grant training equivalence." If I may offer a small correction: the OIIAQ requires ALL candidates (even those trained in US or other Canadian provinces!) to complete at least 300 hours of additional LPN education in Quebec. They will never tell you that before they take your application fees and get you to send them all the transcripts, etc., but it is true. It's their dirty little secret. Another one is that you NEED to be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident before you can write the OIIAQ exam. I know, the Ministry's bulletin says you don't, but you do. Your US citizenship or Canadian work permit don't count. If you don't believe me, call the OIIAQ Admissions Registrar (http://www.oiiaq.org/contact.fr.html).
But the most beautiful thing, the one even Mme Admissions Registrar won't tell you about even under torture, is a cute little detail about those 300 hours. Remember, you need to complete them (and usually it's more than 300) at an educational institution in Quebec? Well, that translates to a year or more of studying in a handful of Quebec vocational schools, which accept applications only twice a year and require a Permanent Resident Status, Quebec Selection Certificate and a proof of 12-months residency in Quebec. So, again, your US passport, or Canadian student visa, or work permit don't matter.
In summary, you need to be a Permanent Resident in Canada before you can get licensed as an LPN in Quebec. So, if you plan on getting a LPN job in Montreal through applying for a temporary or permanent work permit, it will never happen. In order to apply for work permit, you need to have an official employment offer that's been approved by the Labor Department (you'll learn about that on the immigration website). In order to get your employment offer approved, you need to be licensed as an LPN (Infirmiere Auxiliaire) in Quebec. In order to be licensed as an LPN in Quebec, you need to be a Permanent Resident in Canada and a Quebec resident for at least a year. See a glitch there?
US educated RNs, not LPNs, that have their applications approved by the OIIQ, not OIIAQ, are not subjected to this bureaucratic idiocy. Not yet, anyway.
Sorry for a long post. But I had to warn you. And quite possibly it will help somebody else, who is as wistful as I once was, and doesn't know yet that Quebec bureaucracy is as ugly as the fair city of Montreal is magnificent.
Good luck!

redcross514 · Jan 5, 2010

since 2009-04-01 the pay scale started at 18.26 ..theres 10 echelons and the 10 one is 23.97....i live in montreal now and i work at the jewish general hospital. i believe this is the only hospital where we are not allowed to give any types on medications including IV medications. from what i hear. any other hospital you are allowed as practiced in school. as for myself, i didnt mind the limitations at the jewish but now being 2 years there and being only 25, i find myself bord of the samething. i am moving the gatineau, qc and i will be going back to school of course. i should have done the RN program from the beginning but. i didnt and well i kick myself for that!. so if you want, i work on the oncology ward at the moment and the position will be opening. the hospitals number is 514.340.8222 ext 5376...ask for the nursing office; the staff there will point you in the right direction if you'd be interested in a career at the jewish general. its a very big hospital and very clean and up to date. i myself am quite impressed with the hospital. i would recomend it to any RNA and wish you the best with your studies!

www.jgh.ca