US RN wanting to move to Canada

gchelak · Mar 28, 2006

Gail, I'm sorry you're having such a rough time getting a straight answer from the good folks () at CARNA. Trust me when I tell you that even if you were coming from somwhere else in Canada, you'd run into trouble. I came here three and a half years ago from Manitoba. It cost me a pile of cash, and all they really did for me was "verify" my credentials with CRNM, who incidentally also received their pound of flesh for sharing my information. One thing that caught my eye in your post is the timing of your move. I would strongly advise that you wait to register in Alberta until October. Licensure here runs October 1 to September 30. I started my orientation at the University Hospital on September 9, and therefore paid $265 to practice for three weeks.
Another nurse from Manitoba was in my orientation group. She had trouble getting her verification from Manitoba and finally resorted (at my insistance) to contacting the president of CRNM at the time, someone who happened to be a friend of mine. Amazingly she had her documentation the next day. Without it she coudn't register here and that meant that she couldn't get started with her bedside orientation. Wha a racket!! I think we should go with a national registration scheme and then everyone is equal and portable.
I don't know about the Substantively Equivalent Competence thing, but I know several nurses at work that I can ask. I'll do that and get back to you.

Thanks so much for the sympathy...I think the Substantively Equivalent Competence assessment is for internationally educated nurses trying to take the CRNE only. I do not know why they are making this so difficult. I had to jump through hoops here to get through my program and again to get everyone the CARNA needed references from to send them in a timely manner. If there is such a shortage- why the hoops?

Like I said: I have a feeling that I will have to do the assessment because it seems they are warning me about it too much that it is a possibility. If this is the case- why do they even need a reference from my employer? If I need the assessment of my skills for the CARNA, that tells me that I am practicing unsafely in their eyes here in the US and they do not trust my skills in Canada- so what is the reference for?? Another gimick to generate revenue? I am sure it will cost me a pretty penny....

Thanks for the advice for the registrating timing...I thought I read somewhere that it was prorated? I guess not. Anyway, by the sounds of it, I won't have to worry about registration before Oct like I had planned. I guess I am being a bit negative, but this is the feeling I get from them.

Let me know if anyone there knows about this assessment.

Thanks again.

Gail

satinsilver888 · Apr 1, 2006

Thanks janfrn

I am considering Canada because a lot of my friends keeps on saying that it is a better place to raise children. I am kust wondering if i still need show money as a nurse to be able to migrate and how long the experience needed is for them to qualify me to sit for the Canadian exam. Also, is the exam harder than the NCEX-RN here in the US?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Apr 1, 2006

I am considering Canada because a lot of my friends keeps on saying that it is a better place to raise children.

I would agree with that, although it's gradually changing here too. We have a great education system, a good health care system, lower rates of violent crime, and better air and water quality. But drug abuse is increasing, and young offenders are being involved in far more serious crimes than ever before. All that notwithstanding, I still think it's a great place to raise kids.

I am kust wondering if i still need show money as a nurse to be able to migrate and how long the experience needed is for them to qualify me to sit for the Canadian exam. Also, is the exam harder than the NCEX-RN here in the US?

I imagine there will be some significant expenses related to obtaining documentation and the exchange of that information. There will be costs associated with writing the CRNE, and then obtaining registration in Canada. There will be costs associated with the actual emigration process too, for work permits and such. But I can't quantify any of those costs for you. You might have a look at http://www.cic.gc.ca/ which is the Canadian government web site for immigration. You should be able to answer some of your questions there.

As for the CRNE, since I've never written the NCLEX but used a study guide for it to study for my CRNE, I would expect that they're pretty similar. There have been changes made to the format of the exam over the years and there are now several short and long answer questions on it. And therapeutic communication is a big piece of what they examine. I wish you luck.

Jan