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Discussion

US RN to Alberta?

Hi!

I"m an RN-ADN in the States and Im planning to move to Alberta by the end of next year. I keep reading on here that nurses in Canada are required to have a BSN, but when I called the Alberta board of nursing I was told since I was from the US it wasn't necessary for me to have a BSN to work in Alberta. I'm still confused on that but I'm hoping to start a BSN program in my city in January.

Has anyone been through the application process? I know I have to submit an application with a $500 fee, then the SEC assessment and possible the CRNE.

I just want to know anyone's experience, how long it took, having to move to Alberta and being able to find a job afterwards. Thanks!

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    • Featured Replies

    How are you planning on moving to Canada? What visa are you looking at?

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    • Author

    I know the application process will take a while, so I don't plan on moving there until I can take the CRNE. I'm looking at a work visa or permanent residency.

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    Where in Alberta?

    Do you have work experience?

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    My understanding is the exam will be NCLEX style but relevant to Canada and suspect you would still have to sit the exam if moving to Canada because it will cover Canadian areas

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    • Expert

    Yeah I heard the same thing. It will be produced by the same people that make the NCLEX but it will still cover Canadian content. It will not be called the NCLEX and you still have to write it to work in Canada. It isn't going to be one exam to work in both countries.You will not be able to just endorse your license to Canada.You will still have to meet Canadian requirements.

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    You need to get immigration sorted out before worrying about getting a nursing license in Alberta.

    My daughter in law has her ADN from Florida, she applied for SEC and will wait almost a year for the assessment.

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    • Author

    I figured it would take a while, which is why I plan to start a year long RN-BSN program in January. I would like to complete that and by that time be able to sit for the CRNE/NCLEX. Eventually I would move to Calgary or Edmonton and work a non-nursing job for a while before I can hopefully work as a nurse. Next month I'm going to send off my application.

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    • Author
    You need to get immigration sorted out before worrying about getting a nursing license in Alberta.

    My daughter in law has her ADN from Florida, she applied for SEC and will wait almost a year for the assessment.

    That's mindblowing- waiting a year to be assessed! In the meantime I have 14 months nursing experience and will continue to work as an RN until I move to Canada. Also I wouldn't mind working as a CNA in Canada until I can work as a nurse. I'm not interested in being a live-in caregiver.

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    "NCSBN's December 8 news release, which clearly indicated that the American exam would be used for the purpose of licensure in Canada"

    Note: " it is an American exam " ( not a special NCLEX exam for Canadian nurses )

    History | CNA - AIIC

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    • Author
    "NCSBN’s December 8 news release, which clearly indicated that the American exam would be used for the purpose of licensure in Canada"

    Note: " it is an American exam " ( not a special NCLEX exam for Canadian nurses )

    History | CNA – AIIC

    So would I still have to take the NCLEX again????

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    " The selection of NCLEX by Canadian nursing regulators marks the first time that the exam will be used for the purpose of licensure in another country.”

    Note: " another country " ( referring to Canada ) which means identical exam with U.S. Therefore, I assume you can endorse your U.S. license to any of the 10 Canadian provinces. IMHO.

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