Canada is facing a major shortage in healthcare
workers. To help provide relief to one of our most important industries,
Immigration Canada is accepting a set number of applications from foreign born
nurses to work in Canada as registered nurses.
Practicing nurses, who wish to immigrate, must
first decide on the province they intend to work in. Unlike other countries,
registration for nursing in Canada occurs at the provincial or territory level.
Prospective foreign nurses should first look at the requirements and fees
required by each province. After a self-assessment, applicants should then
apply directly to one or more of these associations. Once accepted and approved
for a temporary permit, applicants must then apply for the NCLEX-RN, a national
exam that ensures public safety and protection through a fair, comprehensive
and entry-level assessment that accurately reflects the current nursing
practice in Canada.
Canada is a vast country and each of our
provinces and territories offer unique environments and cultural challenges.
Life on the west coast is dramatically different than life on the prairies.
There is also a large variance in the demand
for nurses between the various job markets. Researching these demands will help
foreign workers determine where their skills are most needed.
Finally, each province and territory has a
unique set of requirements for immigrant nurses. Here is an at-a-glance list of
requirements set by each province:
Alberta
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 3-6 months
Fee: $525.00
Language Proficiency: (English) Canadian
English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses or International English
Language Testing System
British Columbia
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience (if not approved, applicants have the option to
take the Substantially Equivalent Competency Assessment)
Wait Time: 3-6 months
Fee: $560.00
Language Proficiency: (English) CELBAN or IELTS
Manitoba
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 4-6 months
Fee: $525.00
Language Proficiency: (English or French)
CELBAN, IELTS or Test d'Evaluation du Français
New Brunswick
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 4-6 months
Fee: $452.00
Language Proficiency: (English or French)
CELBAN, IELTS or TEF
Newfoundland and Labrador
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 3-6 months
Fee: $169.50
Language Proficiency: (English or French)
CELBAN, IELTS, Test of English as a Foreign Language or TEF
Nova Scotia
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 6-8 months
Fee: $469.20
Language Proficiency: (English) CELBAN or IELTS
Ontario
Experience: Personalized application processing
Wait Time: 3-5 months
Fee: $678.00
Language Proficiency: N/A
Quebec
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience, plus an independent integration program
Wait Time: 3-6 months
Fee: $594.99
Language Proficiency: (French) N/A
Prince Edward Island
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 4-6 months
Fee: $500.00
Language Proficiency: (English) CELBAN, IELTS
or Test of English for International Communication
Saskatchewan
Experience: Evidence of RN certification,
education and work experience
Wait Time: 4-6 months
Fee: $525.00
Language Proficiency: (English) CELBAN or IELTS
Once applicants have been approved by a
provincial association of nurses, they need to apply for the NCLEX-RN. All
foreign nurses will need to pass this exam to work as registered nurses in Canada.
PRIMED Educational Associates is committed to
providing comprehensive NCLEX prep review tools and support for internationally
educated nurses. Our participatory learning experiences our taught by dedicated
instructors who are committed to promoting nursing knowledge, empowering
students and building confidence for exam success.
We are currently offering two online sessions
in the upcoming months for nurses who are unable to attend our review courses
in person. This is the perfect opportunity for foreign nurses to prepare for the NCLEX-RN.
Our online sessions will be offered on December
13th-14th and on January 10th-11th. Apply today to ensure your success on the
NCLEX.
