HOW TO BECOME A REGSITERED NURSE IN CANADA

 

 

Are you ready to apply for registration as a nurse in Canada?

Before you begin the application process you will want to understand Canadian requirements, your eligibility, and what you will need to prepare. The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is here to help.

Understand the Timelines and Fees

The Main Application Order is the first NNAS application type you need to purchase. You must select one nursing group and one province for your application.

It will be active for up to 12 months from the date paid application is submitted. It expires if all required documents are not received by NNAS within that time.

How long you have to complete your application

The application process may take up to 12 months to complete. How long it will take depends on:

1.     When NNAS receives all of your required information and acceptable documents.

2.     When you have successfully completed a language proficiency test (if required).

3.     When your documents have been translated (if needed).

Note: Your application will be active for up to 12 months. Once you receive your Advisory Report, you can apply to the regulatory body in the province of your choice. You may require more assessments and courses depending on the regulatory body you choose as they each have their own requirements and timelines for registration. It could take up to another 12 months for a decision to be made.

 

NNAS’ Top Tips for successful time management of your application

1. Read the applicant handbook to make sure you fully understand the process before you begin.
2. Begin the process of gathering the required documents before opening your main application and paying any fees. This will assist with making sure your advisory report can be processed as quickly and smoothly as possible. Help us to help you!
3. If you have any questions that you can’t find answers to on our FAQ page don’t forget that our dedicated support team can help you by toll free telephone (855-977-1898) or by email. It’s better to ask first so that you can feel confident as you move through the application process.
4. Follow our step by step guide to the application process, you can mark off each step as you complete it and use this to know what you have done, and still need to do. This should help you to stay organized, focused, and confident in knowing that you are on the right track.

Fees ?:

In addition to the fee for the main application order there are other costs you may incur throughout the application process for things like: Document translations, Appeals, Advisory Reports etc. For more detailed information regarding those fees, please see the Application and Other Fees section of the site

• Applicant Handbook

Gather the documents:

You must submit two forms of identification directly to NNAS. They must be notarized, copies of original documents (signed, dated, and stamped) complete with your signature. You must be with the notary at the time your original documents are copied and notarized as certified true copies. NNAS does not accept original identity documents.

•       In Canada, notarized copies must be prepared by a notary public or a lawyer.

•       Outside of Canada, notarized copies must be prepared by a government-approved official.

They must apply their official signature and seal to each reviewed document, include their address and phone number and declare in a written statement that they have seen the original documents, made the copies, can certify that they are true copies, and confirm that they are not in any way related to the applicant.

You are responsible for all fees related to preparing your notarized documents. Copies of expired identification documents will not be accepted. At least one form of identification must contain your photo and it must be current and not expired.

Acceptable forms of photo identification include:

•       Passport

•       Driver’s licence

•       Other government-issued identification

Other acceptable forms of identification include:

•       Birth certificate

•       Legal name change affidavit

•       Marriage certificate

•       Divorce decree (Decree Absolute)

If any of these original documents are written in a language other than English or French, they must be translated by a certified translator into either English or French. The translated documents must be sent to NNAS directly from the translator. You are responsible for any costs involved in the translation process.

Translations can be done in three ways:

•       By an approved source agency (for example, a school or licensing authority)

•       By a certified translator

•       By NNAS (via CCFNS International Inc. at a cost of $85.00 per page) All translated documents must include:

•       The translator’s official stamp and/or identification number, address, phone number, and the date of translation.

•       A statement by the translator that it is a true representation of original document(s).

•       The printed name and original signature of the translator.

NNAS will not accept documents translated by either the applicant or anyone related to the applicant. All certified translations must be mailed to NNAS directly from the translator.

NNAS will confirm that all names on your identification documents match. If they do not, you will need to send additional documents to explain why.

 create an online account:

The first step towards working as a nurse in Canada is to set up on online account with NNAS and complete your application.

You are only eligible to apply for an NNAS application if you:

• Graduated from a college or university nursing program outside of Canada
• Have never worked as a nurse in Canada before
• Want to work as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or RegisteredPsychiatric Nurse (RPN) in Canada

You may use your online NNAS account to print your required forms, check the status of your application, view your emails, see your language test results, and update your contact information.

Note: If you have already worked as a nurse in Canada, you do not need to set up an online NNAS account. You may apply directly to the regulatory body of your choice.

Overview of the Application Process

Falsified Or Altered Documents

If NNAS discovers that any of your documents have been falsified or altered in any way, it will report these findings and send your Advisory Report with all documents submitted by you to the regulatory body you have designated.

Third Party Authorization to Release Information

NNAS protects your privacy and will only ever discuss your application with you. If you wish for NNAS to discuss your file information with any other person, you must submit a Third Party Authorization form to designate that person.

The form must be sent to NNAS by mail or courier. It may be cancelled at any time by sending a letter to NNAS by mail or courier. NNAS only keeps one mailing address on file per application. All correspondence from NNAS will be sent to that one address

https://www.nnas.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/NNAS_ApplicantHandbookV3.pdf

Create your online account

The first step towards working as a nurse in Canada is to set up an online account with us and complete your application.

Start your application

First click the Apply/Login link at the top of this page to create your online NNAS Applicant Account. Be sure to read the Terms and Conditions before creating your online account.

To create your online account, you will need to:

• Provide your email address and create three security questions.
• Agree to the online consent form.
• Enter the security code sent to your email address.
• Create a password.

To complete your NNAS Application, you will need to:

• Complete all of the application fields on each screen.
• Enter either a Visa or MasterCard credit card number to confirm your account. Debit cards are not accepted.

Once NNAS receives and confirms your application and payment, you will receive a welcome email with your permanent NNAS ID number. You will need this number to keep track of your application status and print all forms needed for your application. NNAS will inform you about the information and documents needed from you in order to complete your NNAS Advisory Report.

To cancel your NNAS application you need to:

• Ensure that the application is incomplete and not paid for.
• Select the “Cancel Order” link next to any incomplete order shown in your applicant account dashboard screen.
  

  Submit your proof of Identity documents

  You must submit two forms of identification directly to NNAS. They must be notarized, copies of original documents (signed, dated, and stamped) complete with your signature.

  You must be with the notary at the time your original documents are copied and notarized as certified true copies. NNAS does not accept original identity documents.

  • In Canada, notarized copies must be prepared by a notary public or a lawyer.
  • Outside of Canada, notarized copies must be prepared by a government-approved official.

  They must apply their official signature and seal to each reviewed document, include their address and phone number, and declare in a written statement that they have seen the original documents, made the copies, can certify that they are true copies, and confirm that they are not in any way related to the applicant.

  You are responsible for all fees related to preparing your notarized documents. Copies of expired identification documents will not be accepted. At least one form of identification must contain your photo and it must be current and not expired.

  Acceptable forms of photo identification include:

  • Passport
  • Driver’s licence
  • Other government-issued identification

  Other acceptable forms of identification include:

  • Birth certificate
  • Legal name change affidavit
  • Marriage certificate
  • Divorce decree (Decree Absolute)

  If any of these original documents are written in a language other than English or French, they must be translated by a certified translator into either English or French. The translated documents must be sent to NNAS directly from the translator. You are responsible for any costs involved in the translation process.

  Translations can be done in three ways:

  • By an approved source agency (for example, a school or licensing authority)
  • By a certified translator
  • By NNAS (via CCFNS International Inc. at a cost of $85.00 per page) All translated documents must include:
  • The translator’s official stamp and/or identification number, address, phone number, and the date of translation.
  • A statement by the translator that it is a true representation of original document(s).
  • The printed name and original signature of the translator.

  NNAS will not accept documents translated by either the applicant or anyone related to the applicant. All certified translations must be mailed to NNAS directly from the translator.

  NNAS will confirm that all names on your identification documents match. If they do not, you will need to send additional documents to explain why.

  Submit your Nursing Education Form

  Download and print the form from your online account. Sign, date, and send your forms to each nursing or nursing-related post-secondary school you have attended outside of Canada.

  They must be completed by each school official and sent directly from the school official to NNAS by mail or courier, along with copies of your academic records/transcript documents, nursing program curriculum/course descriptions and/or course syllabi.

  NNAS will not accept your Nursing Education Form if it is not sent directly from your school officials. You may not submit it yourself. The documents must be send in an envelope with the organization’s name, return address, and seal/stamp.

  If NNAS receives documents written in any language other than English or French, they will need to be translated. NNAS can translate them, at your request, for a fee.

  NNAS will review all of your documents and compare them with information in the NNAS global database for verification. It is important to note that the quality and level of detail found in the documents your schools provide will affect your assessment. You are strongly encouraged to communicate to your schools that you require as much detail about your nursing education as possible.

  You are responsible for any costs involved in this process.

  Submit your Nursing Registration Form

  Download and print this form from your online account. Print, sign, date and send this form to all nursing licensing authorities where you were ever licensed or registered outside of Canada. (They must be completed by each authority and sent directly to NNAS by mail or courier.)

  NNAS will not accept your Nursing Registration Form if it is not sent directly from your licensing authority. You may not submit it yourself.

  If you have a diploma that allowed you to work as a nurse in your country, ask the school that issued the diploma to send an official copy (but not the original) of the diploma in its original language to NNAS.

  If NNAS receives documents written in any language other than English or French, they will need to be translated. NNAS can translate them, at your request, for a fee.

  NNAS will review these documents and notify you if further information is required.

  You are responsible for any costs involved in this process.

  Submit your Nursing Practice/Employment Form

  Download and print this form from your online account. Print, sign, date and send this form to all employers you have worked for in the past five years. The current year represents year one.

  They each must be completed by each employer and sent directly to NNAS directly from your employer by mail or courier. You may not submit it yourself.

  NNAS will not accept your Nursing Practice/Employment Form if it is not sent directly from your employer.

  If NNAS receives documents written in any language other than English or French, they will need to be translated. NNAS can translate them, at your request, for a fee.

  NNAS will review these documents and notify you if further information is required.

  You are responsible for any costs involved in this process

  Submit your Language Testing results

  If your first language is not English or French, you will need to complete language testing and have the results sent directly to NNAS from your approved language testing agency.

  As part of your NNAS application, you must prove that you can listen, speak, read, and write in English or French (depending on the province that you intend to work in).

  You are required to meet minimum language test scores (as below). The testing must be current, and the successful results must be no older than six months at the time you apply to NNAS.

  Language testing can be conducted by and submitted from the following agencies:

  IELTS – International English Language Testing System

  The lowest acceptable scores are speaking 7, listening 7.5, reading 6.5, writing 7, overall 7 (Academic format).

  CELBAN – Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses

  The lowest acceptable scores are speaking 8, listening 10, reading 8, writing 7 (Academic format).

  TEF – Test d’Évaluation de Français

  The lowest acceptable scores are speaking 5, listening 5, reading 4, writing 4, vocabulary 4 (Academic format).

  If your first language is either English or French, you may not have to complete language testing, but you must meet the following criteria: 

  • The main language where you live and work is English or French, and your nursing education program of instruction was in English or French. Online and distance education programs are not accepted.
  • You can show evidence that you have safely practiced nursing within the last two years, where the main language used was English or French.

  for more detaisl please visit: https://www.nnas.ca/

  Canada PR Visa from India for Nurses

Canada is one of the nations know for its pacing development. A larger part of share responsible for this development is skilled immigrants of the country that are contributing their valuable expertise. Canada is also a country where a large part of working population is growing older and thus, there is an acute need for educated nursing professionals who can take up important positions in the regional and national healthcare system.

If you are a well-educated nursing professional, then Canada is the right country for you and following are the right programs for you to apply:

• Express Entry for Indian Nurses
• Provincial Nomination Program (PNP) for Indian Nurses

 (a.)Express Entry Program for Nurses:

The Express Entry program offers multiple pathways for immigrating to Canada. Out of these, the most relevant for nurses are:

         (i)Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

The most widely applied program of Express Entry is the federal skilled worker program. The program is suitable for those nurses who have at least 1 year of relevant working experience as a Nurse and have secured a job with a healthcare institution in Canada. To apply, Canada has a simple systematic procedure to proceed with. Firstly, visit the official website of IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) and fill up a new Express Entry Profile. The profile will ask you a number of questions regarding your credentials like age, educational qualification, work experience etc. Once you have done filing up the required particulars, you will be given a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score. This score will decide your fate of selection is and ultimately immigration to Canada in 2018.

Check your eligibility for FSWP

         (ii)Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

Canadian Experience Class is an immigration pathway meant for those who have a prior work experience in Canada. Thus, if you have worked in Canada as a Nurse anytime before applying for Permanent Resident Visa, then this class of program is for you. Consult Oneclick immigration experts to know how to apply through this pathway now!

      (iii)Occupation in-demand stream:

The occupation in-demand stream is meant for those nursing professionals who have enough working experience to secure a job once they move over to Canada. Candidates under this stream are selected keeping in view the current need of certain skills & expertise in the job market of Canada.

To apply through the OID stream, your NOC (National Occupation Code) must be present in the in-demand occupation list of Canada. Nursing is a much in demand profession and usually remains in demand year after year.

Check your eligibility for OID stream

 Provincial Nomination Program for Nurses

Canada is a huge country with 10 big provinces. Each of the provinces is having its own immigration pathway called the Provincial Nomination Program through which they invite foreign skilled labours.

To apply through PNP, you must first refer to the fact if your occupation is in demand in the province or not. After making this sure, you can apply for provincial nomination. Once you get the Provincial Nomination, you will get 600 additional points towards your application. This will boost your chances of selection in the subsequent draw to follow. On your selection, you will receive the invitation to apply for PR visa. Once you get that, all you have to do is to move to Canada with the all authentic documents and will to re-settle.

Check your eligibility for PNP

Nova Scotia Immigration for Nurses in 2019

To match the rising requirement of skilled nurses for healthcare, Nova Scotia has regularly been recruiting nurses from all over the world. The province offers attractive career advancements and opportunity to settle and work in the province’s healthcare industry. Nova Scotia has one of the biggest healthcare systems in Canada. It is therefore regarded as a hub of gainful employment for Nurses.

To apply for Nova Scotia PNP as an well-experienced nurse, you need minimum 1 year to 3 years of working experience and a minimum qualification degree of at least bachelors’ or a Master’s degree in nursing.

A licensed practical nurse or a registered nurse who like to migrate to Canada on a permanent residency is invited to explore the opportunities of Quebec skilled worker Immigration program or QSW. A nursing professional with an international nursing education credential or experience is allowed to work and live in Canada. The nursing professional can live as a temporary resident by obtaining a valid job offer letter from any of the registered Canadian employer. The chances to get a Canadian Permanent Residency increases while you work in Canada. Subsequently, the dream to get a Canadian Passport or the nationality will be materialized.

 

What is Quebec Skilled Worker Immigration Program (QSW)?

The province of Quebec with its rapid economic reforms, huge spending in the healthcare sector, wide job vacancies and high pay scale requires a large number of international nursing professionals to contribute to their economy. The province introduced a separate immigration program called Quebec Skilled Worker program to cater to the vast diaspora of nursing professionals all around the world.

The QSW program allows internationally educated nursing professionals to be qualified to get the Canadian Permanent residency without a valid Canadian Job offer. The QSW program works on a point based system in which applicants are given points based on factors such as Age, Education, Work Experience as well as Language proficiency results. An applicant who meets the eligibility requirement of QSW is qualified to receive a Quebec Selection Certificate. It ultimately leads to obtaining the ultimate goal of Permanent residency.

The points given for the French Language skills in the QSW program are marginally higher compared to other programs. But most nursing professionals will meet the eligibility criteria by receiving high points for factors like the area of training and education.

What is Canadian Work Permit – Temporary Residency Visa?

The economy of Canada has been bullish since the Trudeau the government has taken the charge. The country in the recent times requires more qualified international nursing professionals than ever due to its high spending on the healthcare sector. A qualified nursing professional can get the status of a temporary resident or work permit after obtaining a valid job offer from any Canadian Employer in Canada. In the first stage, the applicant with a nursing credential outside Canada must do an educational assessment of his/her credentials. In this educational credentials assessment, the Canadian government will compare the education received by the applicant with the Canadian educational standards. If the assessment is completed without the presence of the applicant inside Canada,  then he/she is allowed to stay in their residing country throughout the assessment process.

Once the assessment process completed, the applicants must register as a nurse in Canada. If the applicant has successfully registered as a nurse he/she should begin obtaining a valid job offer letter from the employer. The various provinces in Canada have various social initiatives to introduce highly skilled nursing professionals to various employment opportunities in the healthcare industry.

During the period of working as a temporary resident, an applicant is eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency. Apply for Canadian permanent residency through various immigration programs like Canadian Experience class and Provincial Nomination programs.

 

How to Register as a Nurse in Canada?

To qualify as a registered nurse in Canada, one must register either with Canadian Nursing Association or (CAN) or the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR). The Nursing registration requirements in Canada are managing by individual provinces and territories in Canada.

The applicants who like to register with CAN or CCPNR should register first with the nursing regulatory body of the province or territory in which the applicant would like to live in.

Express Entry Process

Applicants who wish to migrate to Canada through Skilled Worker visa should create an express entry profile.  Create express entry profile once the educational assessment and English proficiency results have been achieved. There is a very high chance to get the Canadian PR to qualified nursing professionals if they apply through Canadian Express Entry Process.