How to become a Registered Nurse in Canada?

Canada has a high demand for healthcare professionals. With the pool of employment opportunities and highly developed medical infrastructure, many international students and professionals aim to work as registered nurse in Canada. So, how to become a registered nurse in Canada and what are its requirements is the question? In Canada, each province has its own process for registering Nurses from overseas. The NCLEX is the licensure qualifying exam required to practise nursing in Canada.

This Story also Contains

1. How To Become A Registered Nurse In Canada From India?
2. Internationally Educated Nurses(IEN’s)
3. Registered Nurse in Canada Requirements
4. How to Apply for Nursing Licence Registration in Canada?
5. What is National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)?
6. Documents required for NNAS application
7. National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)
8. Bridging Course for Internationally Educated Nurses
9. Nursing Regulatory Bodies in Canada Offering Registered Nurse License
10. Benefits of Registered Nurses in Canada 2024

Along with the eligibility requirements, candidates have to possess English language proficiency to work as a registered nurse in Canada. Read the article to know complete details of the process to become a registered nurse in Canada from India in 2024.

How To Become A Registered Nurse In Canada From India?

Both individuals who completed nursing courses in India or students willing to study nursing courses in Canada can work as registered nurses in Canada from India.

In Canada, nursing is considered under 3 professions

• Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

• Registered Nurse (RN)

• Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

The RPN professional cares for patients with complex psychosocial and mental health problems. To become RPN in Canada you are required to have 2.5 to 4 years of nursing education at college or university level. Whereas for the registered nurse a four-year university program of nursing is necessary.

Registered nurses work to take care of individuals, families, communities, etc. For those who choose to be licensed practical nurses, a nursing diploma of 2 to 3 years is required.

Internationally Educated Nurses(IEN’s)

If you have already completed your nursing course in India and planning to work as a registered nurse in Canada, you can be referred to as an internationally educated nurse(IEN). Check out the details below which guide you on the process on how to become a registered nurse in Canada from India and follow accordingly.

Registered Nurse in Canada Requirements

To be a registered nurse in Canada you must meet the eligibility criteria set by the nursing regulatory body of Canada. Each province in Canada has its own Nursing Regulatory Board with a different set of requirements. However, you can check out the general registered nurse requirements of Canada 2024 mentioned below.

• Completed nursing diploma or degree.

• Registered Nursing License in India or from the country where you pursued your nursing education.

• English language proficiency.

How to Apply for Nursing Licence Registration in Canada?

In Canada, you can not directly apply to the nursing regulatory bodies for registration. Firstly, you are required to seek the NNAS services to verify your credentials and might be required to appear for qualifying exams and bridging programs. To apply for a license as a registered nurse in Canada, check the step-by-step process detailed below.

• As an internationally educated nurse(IEN), you can apply for the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).

• Submit your NNAS application and verify your credentials

• Based on the NNAS application outcome you can appear for the NCLEX exam.

• If your NNAS application outcome is “not comparable” you are required to attend bridging courses or reentry programs nursing programs and then clear the NCLEX and OSCE exams.

• Once done, you can appear for English language proficiency exams like IELTS or CELPIP.

• With all these qualifications and documents you need to apply to the Canada nursing regulatory body of your chosen province.

• Once your license is approved you can start the practice.

What is National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)?

The NNAS is a non-profit organization that serves internationally educated nurses (IENs) to work in Canada. The IENs can submit their application to NNAS to get their education and work experience evaluated as per the Canadian nursing requirements. The NNAS is the initial step to register as a nurse in Canada. Check the detailed application process mentioned below.

Process for the NNAS Application:

• Visit the official NNAS website at nnas.ca.

• Create an NNAS account.

• Fill in the application form for the required nursing profession (RN, LPN, RPN).

• Enter your personal, education, experience, and examination details.

• Upload the necessary documents. Few documents needed to be submitted from the third parties within the given time frame.

• Make the payment for the NNAS registration fee and submit.

Once done, you can check your application status for the advisory report. The overall application process, documentation upload, and verification can take up to 12 months.

Documents required for NNAS application

A set of documents is required for the NNAS application. Some of these documents can be directly uploaded from your end, while a few need to be sent through third parties like nursing schools, employers licensing authorities, etc. Check the list given below.

• Two notarized identity documents: passport, driver's license and other government-issued ID.

• Nursing Education form

• Nursing Employment form

• Nursing registration form

All the given documents must be in English or French, if not you can attach the document translations.

National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)

The NCLEX is the licence-qualifying exam for nurses to work in Canada. The NCLEX is a computer adaptive test. To take the NCLEX exam you are required to apply for the licensure or registration Nursing Regulatory Body(NRB). Once the NRB declares the candidate is eligible, you can attempt the test. The cost of the NCLEX exam for Canada licensure is USD 360. Being an international applicant outside Canada you are required to pay the additional international scheduling fee of USD 150.

Bridging Course for Internationally Educated Nurses

The bridging courses are the pathway for internationally educated nurses to bridge the gap between their education and experience with the Canadian nursing standards. These courses train you in Canadian health care and prepare you for the NCLEX exam. Upon the completion of the bridging course, you can apply for the NCLEX and register for a nursing licence in Canada. However, not everyone requires a bridging course, you are required to apply for the course based on the NNAS application outcome.

Nursing Regulatory Bodies in Canada Offering Registered Nurse License

There are nursing regulatory bodies (NRB) for each province in Canada. So depending on the province you prefer, you need to apply for the respective NRB in that location. These NRBs assess your registration application and approve the licence. Check the total list of nursing regulatory bodies in Canada.

List of Nursing Regulatory Bodies in Canada

Benefits of Registered Nurses in Canada 2024

Working as a nurse in Canada you can receive various benefits. All of them are detailed below.

• Nurses are paid well in Canada and you can expect a salary of CAD 55,000 per year.

• After working for a few years you will receive complete health coverage for seeking medical facilities

• The work permit in Canada allows you or your children to study in the country.

Working full-time for a few years makes you eligible for Permanent Residency in Canada.