SRNA Assessment for SEC

dayandnight · Feb 17, 2017

I have a few acquantainces who are going through NNAS in Saskachewan. Their SEC is a full 5 days exam not 3 days one like they have in Alberta and used to have in BC. It costs 3000 dollars to take the exam now whereas it was free before. It depends on the province because I know that in Ontario now after assessment, if you have not had any experience or did not work as a nurse in the last 3 years they directly will tell you to take a refresher course (happened to a person I know who graduated as a BSN in the States). Saskachewan refresher course I heard is quite long... maximum of 15 courses you have to take and it all depends on how well you do on your SEC. You also have to talk to SK college of nursing directly about your CCA in Manitoba because I know that some provinces do not even accept other province's SEC results even though they are literally the same exam... I have people who took SEC in BC and want to move to another province due to their status but heard nowadays it's very hard for them to get their BC SEC results accepted in other provinces. Hope that helps!

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 17, 2017

What happened after you did the CCA in Manitoba, were you licensed? did you work as a nurse in Manitoba before moving to Saskatchewan? If so, then the labour mobility act should help you to work anywhere in Canada without further testing or training.

vasavi · Feb 17, 2017

Thank you companisbiki

I have updated SK regarding my CCA in Manitoba.Due to some personal reasons i could not perform good in MB and they gave me report to comple 4 yr course.Recently,I have applied to NS and NS replied me taking CCA report in to consideration that i need to go for 4 yr course,but i was atleast expecting SEC.i am so worried now about SK reply.Do you know anybody that on the same page.How long will SRNA takes to tell us regarding their opinion.Please let me know.thank you.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Feb 18, 2017

So, just to recap: You've been told by Manitoba and Nova Scotia that, based on the CCA you undertook in Manitoba, you must retake the 4 year nursing program in order to meet their criteria. Now you're hoping that Saskatchewan will ignore that and offer you a SEC assessment. If their answer is the same as Manitoba and Nova Scotia, where do you plan to try next? At what point to do accept their answer?

As companisbiki mentioned, these assessments are not free; someone pays for them. Prior to 2009, the provinces having the deepest nursing shortages paid for all necessary competence assessments with annual registration fee and tax money in order to bring their nursing staff numbers up to the desired level. There is no longer a shortage of qualified nurses in most provinces and those nurses whose fees -which are not insignificant and increase every year - were being used to pay for IEN assessments are not willing to see that continue. Governments can't justify using tax dollars for it either. So now the onus is on the applicant to pay all those costs. It may seem unfair to you and others in your position, but try to see it from the other perspective.

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

I think, (but don't know) that the SEC assessments in BC, AB, SK, MB and NS are the same or very similar SEC exams and the exam content is similar enough, that most regulatory bodies will not see the need to conduct their own SEC assessment on applicants who have previously undergone a SEC in one of those five provinces. It is just speculation on my part, but suggest you have a plan B, in case SK gives the same response as NS and MB. Have you considered applying to be assessed for LPN?

dayandnight · Feb 19, 2017

I think, (but don't know) that the SEC assessments in BC, AB, SK, MB and NS are the same or very similar SEC exams and the exam content is similar enough, that most regulatory bodies will not see the need to conduct their own SEC assessment on applicants who have previously undergone a SEC in one of those five provinces. It is just speculation on my part, but suggest you have a plan B, in case SK gives the same response as NS and MB. Have you considered applying to be assessed for LPN?

I guess it really depends if Manitoba assessment exam is a recognized exam in SK.. If the province wants more money and due o other assessment reasons they will probably ask the poster to do their mandatory 5 day SEC

dishes, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2017

I guess it really depends if Manitoba assessment exam is a recognized exam in SK.. If the province wants more money and due o other assessment reasons they will probably ask the poster to do their mandatory 5 day SEC

The competency assessment exams are labour intensive and they do not make money for the province.