THE MOST GRUELING AND BRAIN RACKING JOURNEY IN MY ENTIRE NURSING CAREER – AN INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED NURSE IN CANADA

According to the Canadian Nurses Association, if you have prepared and have previously worked as a nurse internationally, you most likely have a large part of the fundamental prerequisites to work in Canada.

Before you can practice as a registered nurse in Canada, there are procedures and guidelines you can follow to get licensed. To be a registered nurse in Canada, the nursing associations in each province sets requirements for internationally educated nurses. Which is made available to help nurses make the transition that will train them about the Canadian health-care system

The requirements also help with language barriers, and guarantee nurses have the information and abilities needed to be a nurse in Canada.

Highlight

Below is a highlight of my timeline as an internationally educated nurse, activities and wait times before obtaining my Canadian Nursing License.

• March 2019 – Arrived in Canada on a study permit.
• April 2019 – National Nursing Assessment Services (NNAS) account created.
• November 2019 – Sat for Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) and aced it.
• Late January 2020 – I received NNAS advisory report , and the result was follows

-LPN(Ontario/Alberta) Somewhat comparable

-RN(BC/Ontario/NS/NB) Not comparable

EXAMS

• February 2020 – Applied for Practical Nurse License in British Columbia and was able to take Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE)
• August 2020 – CPRNE result came through and aced it
• October 2020 -In anticipation to challenge obtaining my RN license, I took the RN CBA, a 3-hour proctored computer Based Assessment. This seek to assess one’s knowledge of the skills and competencies required to enter practice in health care.
• October 2020 – Few weeks after the CBA, I put in for the SLA/OA (Simulation Lab Assessment /Oral assessment) for RN and LPN NCAS Assessment
• November 2020 I also attempted the LPN Computer based assessment (CBA)

• Late November 2020- NCAS assessment result came through while waiting on British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM)’s decision

Along the line, somewhere around December 2020, just to increase chances of bringing my passion to practice nursing into reality, I attempted the NCLEX-RN for the Texas Jurisdiction and Passed.

• February 2021- Registration for LPN-College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) received
• June 2021- Received BCCNM’s decision for both RN and LPN. Approved registration for LPN however, conditioned my RN’S registration to completing 2-3 courses from one of their accredited universities prior to receiving approval to register as an RN in British Columbia
• Later in June 2021- Licensed Practical Nurse Registration in British Columbia completed
• Later in June 2021 – CNO confirmed my eligibility to register for RN and followed suit.
• August 2021- 3 Courses enrolled for completed

• August 2021- Officially registered as a Registered Nurse in British Columbia!

Conclusion

Once again, this has been the most grueling and brain racking journey in my entire Nursing career. Looking closely at the timelines, one could imagine how I was able to cope with other life struggles and activities. While I was writing all the exams and preparing for them, it sure was tough and tiring. Sometimes, I’m worn out but I keep moving on.

I pause and remind myself of why I’m on this Journey. Then I remember where I’m coming from and picture where I’m headed. That enough is a driving force.

I can confidently say that sacrifices and hard work pays off. Sometimes, it might not seem like that, but hang tight there and the door will open.

You just must keep knocking at the right one.

A D, LPN (Ontario and BC), RN (Ontario and BC).

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