If you’re an internationally educated nurse looking to work in Canada, there are many opportunities available for you. Every province and territory have their own nursing associations that establish the requirements for international nurses to be registered in Canada. With the right training and experience, you can make a successful transition into the Canadian healthcare system and get started on your new career path.
Have you heard of it?
The Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) has announced a first-of-its-kind licensing procedure for registered nurses (RNs) moving Nova Scotia from other Canadian provinces as well as from 7 countries.
These 7 countries include Philippines, India, Nigeria, USA, UK, Australia, or New Zealand.
The changes creating the streamlined registration processes for Canadian nurses are effective March 29, while the changes for international nurses take effect on May 1.
📌Effective May 1, 2023 the duration of the whole application procedure for international RNs (who are in good standing) from the Philippines, India, Nigeria, USA, UK, Australia, and New Zealand will decrease from nearly a year to a few weeks.
This licensing procedure streamlines the process for RNs who have completed their training and registration in any of these locations and wish to practice nursing in Nova Scotia. With the new process, they no longer have to go through a lengthy qualification assessment or retraining period before they can begin working as an RN in the province.
This change will help ensure that Nova Scotia has a steady influx of qualified and experienced RNs who can provide quality care to patients. Additionally, it helps bring more diversity to Nova Scotia’s health-care workforce, which benefits everyone in the province by increasing access to culturally competent care.
It is clear that the NSCN’s new licensing procedure for RNs moving to Nova Scotia from other provinces and countries is a positive development for both nurses and patients alike. By streamlining the qualification process and providing greater opportunity for experienced nurses, this change will help improve patient outcomes while at the same time helping create an even more diverse healthcare workforce in Nova Scotia.
Nursing programs in Canada
If you’re not an educated nurse and you are looking for an opportunity to become a nurse in Canada, you’ve come to the right place. We have put together a list of nursing programs available throughout Canada, with their associated tuition fees and application fees. With this information, you can make an informed decision about which program is best for your needs.
We understand that researching the different programs ( including Ontario nursing programs) can be overwhelming, and that’s why we are here to help. If you have any questions on the nursing programs or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are happy to provide additional details and support as needed.
We know that becoming a nurse in Canada is a huge step forward in your career, and we want to ensure that you choose the program that is best for you.
College Diploma – Practical Nursing
Holland College – Prince of Wales Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Tuition $10,115.00 CAD
Application fee $100.00 CAD
Bachelor of Nursing – After Degree
University of Lethbridge – Lethbridge Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Tuition $11,606.00 CAD
Application fee $140.00 CAD
College Diploma – Practical Nursing (PNRS)
Georgian College – Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Tuition $14,150.00 CAD
Application fee $100.00 CAD
College Diploma – Practical Nursing (0619)
Confederation College – Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Tuition $16,220.00 CAD
Application fee $95.00 CAD
Bachelor of Science – Nursing
St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Tuition $19,300.00 CAD
Application fee $100.00 CAD
What exam do you have to take to become a nurse in Canada?
The NCLEX is the most important step for becoming a registered nurse in Canada. It tests your knowledge, skills, and judgment to make sure you are prepared for safe practice as an entry-level registered nurse. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions that you will have up to five hours to complete. You will also be required to answer at least 15 pretest questions that do not count towards your overall score.
You must register online with the College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) before writing the NCLEX exam. Before registering with CRNBC, you must first provide proof that you have either graduated from an approved nursing program in Canada or successfully completed an approved bridging program. Once this has been verified, you must submit the NCLEX-RN Eligibility application form along with a fee of $360 CAD.
Once your eligibility has been verified and accepted by CRNBC, you will then be able to register for the exam. In order to take the NCLEX exam in Canada, you must apply through Pearson VUE, which is an approved testing center in British Columbia. Once you have registered and paid for the examination, you will receive a confirmation email that includes all relevant exam details such as test date, time and location.
If you require special accommodations due to a disability or language barrier, it is important that these forms are filled out and submitted alongside your NCLEX-RN Eligibility application form. The College will then be able to make arrangements for you accordingly.
After writing the exam, you will receive your results directly from the College. If you are successful in passing the NCLEX, you can expect to receive your registration as a Registered Nurse in Canada shortly afterwards and begin practicing nursing professionally in the country.
Overall, becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada requires a significant amount of time, preparation and commitment to succeed. Passing the NCLEX is an essential requirement for those wanting to work as nurses in Canada and it is essential that all applicants take full advantage of any resources available to them for preparing for this important examination.
What are the different types of nurse practitioners Canada?
In Canada, nursing is an incredibly important profession that is made up of three regulated groups – Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs). Each one provides a unique set of skills to the care of patients.
RNs are considered the most advanced group in terms of specialized knowledge. They are able to diagnose medical conditions, administer medications, and provide treatments to their patients. RNs often specialize in particular areas such as pediatrics, gerontology or surgical nursing.
LPNs are typically responsible for providing basic patient care such as bathing, changing dressings, monitoring vital signs and helping with daily activities like eating and dressing. They may also provide medications and treatments that are ordered by a physician.
RPNs specialize in mental health care, offering assessment and treatment plans for individuals with mental illness. They work closely with psychiatrists and other medical professionals to ensure their patients receive comprehensive care.
No matter which group you are part of, nursing is an incredibly rewarding profession. You have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of your patients every day.
If you’re looking for a career that makes a positive impact on others, nursing might be just what you’re looking for!
How to immigrate to Canada as a nurse
Canada is accepting up to 20,000 new permanent residents working in healthcare positions in the country, through a temporary program. The application window will close on November 5, or when the intake cap is full, whichever comes first. The stream for French speakers is open to accept an unlimited number of permanent residents. Eligible candidates need one year of Canadian work experience in one of 40 eligible healthcare professions, and they need to be working at the time of their application. For their language requirements, they need a CLB or NCLC of at least 4 in order to be eligible.
These pathways for foreign nurses join the several that already exist at both the federal and provincial levels.
For nurses, Express Entry is a great option. To be eligible for Express Entry, you must have at least one year of full-time work experience in an occupation classified as Skill Level A or B under Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system within the last ten years. You must also meet the other eligibility criteria such as having a valid Canadian language test score and education credentials that match those required by employers in Canada.
If you have all these requirements, then you can complete your profile on the Express Entry system. Once completed, you will be placed in a pool of candidates with similar qualifications where your skills are compared to others from around the world. The higher your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, the higher your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
The CRS score is based on factors such as language proficiency, educational credentials, work experience and other factors. You may receive an invitation to apply within six months of submitting your profile. Once you receive this invitation, you have 90 days to submit a complete application for Canadian permanent residence.
Express Entry gives nurses the opportunity to benefit from one of Canada’s leading economic immigration programs. If you believe that Express Entry is right for you, consider taking the necessary steps today to create your profile and start working towards your dream of living and working in Canada!
The CEC, meanwhile, requires one year of NOC 0, A, or B experience in Canada, within the last three years. Applicants must prove scores, across all four language competencies: CLB or NCLC 7 for people applying with NOC 0 or A occupations, or CLB/NCLC 5 for people with NOC B occupations. Neither program requires a person to have a job offer, but having one can significantly increase one’s likelihood to receive an ITA.
PNPs are a great option for nurses who already have their license to practice in Canada and want to start working right away. You may be eligible if you have a job offer from an employer based in the province, or if you qualify under one of the categories targeted by that particular PNP program. Some provinces also run their own Occupational Demand List, which highlights occupations with a labor shortage in that region where employers can pick up prospective employees through the PNP.
If there is no dedicated stream for nurses within a particular province’s PNP, then it is likely that most of them will still accept applications from nurses or other health care professionals as part of their general skilled immigration category. This means they would consider your work experience and credentials, as well as other factors such as age, language proficiency and job offer.
If you are planning to apply for a PNP, the first step is to ensure that your nursing license will be recognized in Canada. Your credentials can always be assessed by the regulatory body in the province you wish to settle in. Once you’re sure they will accept it, then it’s important to research the various pathways available through each province’s individual PNP program. While some may have dedicated streams for nurses or health care professionals, others may require applicants to meet specific criteria before they can be considered eligible. Ultimately, having all of this information ahead of time can make applying for a PNP much easier and smoother.
Regardless of which province you plan to settle in, PNPs are a great way for nurses to immigrate to Canada and start their career. You just need to make sure you’re eligible, have all the necessary documents ready and understand exactly what is required for you to apply. With some research and dedication, you can find the right pathway for your needs and start on the road to becoming a proud Canadian!
We understand how difficult the immigration process can be, and we want to make it easier for you.
At our company, we will help you to navigate the different aspects of immigration, such as visa applications.
Throughout this process, we will be with you every step of the way.
Our team of experts are available to answer any questions or queries you might have. We will provide assistance in putting together a robust application and guide you through the different stages of immigration.
So, if you’re ready to take the next step towards making your dream of working as a nurse in Canada come true, get in touch with us today. We look forward to hearing from you!
Are you looking to apply for any type of visa to Canada?
We are offering a special promotion – apply now, pay later!
With this time-limited offer, there has never been a better opportunity to apply for any type of visa in Canada.
Don’t miss out – apply now and benefit from our apply now pay later promotion today!
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
***Please note government fees are to be paid at the moment of submitting the application. They are also non-refundable if the application is refused.