U.S. RN to Canada B.C.

hypnotizer90, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2020

Hello. I just found your post. I think you may need to endorse your US license first to CRBNC via NNAS then from there they can assess your US education etc if compatible in Canada. Since you graduated in 2009 and while having an active US license, did you ever practice nursing via employment/volunteer? By reading CRBNC's RN practice hours & RN re-Entry Programs, it is quite different with Ontario.

I'm from Ontario and really a safe practice is during the past three years, have you practice any kind of nursing? Ontario did not really specify how much hours is needed but as long as you provide proof then your good. If not, the College of Nursing will let you know if you need to go back for a refresher course. I had some colleagues who were international RNs/ out of nursing for a while. It is a case to case basis. Some were required to complete the 1 year bridging program only, complete certain clinical hours etc or the whole 3 year fulltime (Diploma RN/RPN-BSN program).

* I'm Canadian and endorsed my Ontario RN to Maine. I'm here for 3 years with the NAFTA TN status.

dayandnight · Oct 21, 2020

On 9/2/2020 at 1:27 PM, hellothankyou said:

Hello,

This is my situation. I graduated in 2009 with my B.S.N. in the United States. I passed my NCLEX and have an active license.

Due to life circumstances I did not work in the the hospital but became a full time caregiver for a family member who needed 24/7 care. My family member has passed and I would like to return to acute care.

Now in 2020 I am living in B.C. I am a Canadian citizen and resident.

I am needing assistance in how to proceed. Any advice would help. Thank you very much!

In order to apply for a nurse refresher program I need permission from the CRBNC because of the time lapse since I finished school. I am planning on writing a letter immediately.

Also any advice on the nurse refresher programs in the Vancouver area and chance of getting in?

I have researched the process that an international RN takes to receive their B.C. license but I guess I am thinking that I should ask for permission first because if I get rejected then the long process may be very difficult.

Hopeful and hoping for suggestions!

Thank you

First of all there is a specific Canadian forum.

I'm going to be a bit honest with you. You haven't practiced as a nurse at all and that's going to have a bit of an impact on your assessment with BC even if you have NCLEX and did a BSN in the US. BCCNP and NNAS in general require at least a 1120 (hours approximate) hours of practice as a nurse in the last 5 years.

BC is a hard place to start working if you don't have any experience because they don't have a New Grad Residency program of any sort. New grad orientations are almost a 1 month orientation on the floor. Not that long compared to the New Grad programs in the states.

BC refresher course is a maximum of 1 year but the clinicals for the program are basically almost the level of the practicum (last semester preceptorship clinical for nursing school). Plus, BC will probably get you to take the NCAS exam which has a clinical component. If you don't do well on that test you might be told to retake the entire nursing program.

My recommendation is to seek the refresher program (take the NCAS first) and if you're not really up for that I really recommend going back to nursing school. It will help you in the long run for being a nurse in Canada.