How to become a Registered Nurse in Canada

Nursing is usually categorized into two groups in Canada - Registered Nurse (RN) and Registered Practical Nurse (RPN). There are six classes of registration for nurses - General, Extended, Special Assignment, Temporary, Emergency Assignment and Non-Practicing. One can become an RN only if one qualifies for post-secondary education in Nursing and is able to fulfil other requirements as well. 

Since every province in Canada has a regulatory body for nursing practice, rules may vary for becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada depending upon the province. The regulations have powers to set requirements to enter the profession, assure the quality of practice, and establish standards of nursing practice. Also, nursing is a popular job sector in Canada hence, those holding a nursing degree from India will have to apply for a license to practice in Canada. This article thus aims to throw light on how to become a registered nurse in Canada.

How to become a registered nurse in Canada from India?

If you are from India and are opting to apply for a Registered Nurse in Canada from outside Canada or without a BSc in Nursing from Canada, then you'll have to follow the given rules:

Internationally Educated Nurses

If you are a skilled nurse registered outside of Canada (e.g. in India) you will have to complete a bridging course meant for nursing registration. These programs will provide you with the clinical experience and knowledge necessary to meet the ‘evidence of practice requirements set by the regulatory bodies.

Upon completion of the bridging program, a verification of the course completion will be forwarded to the regulatory body as proof of practice and eligibility. This program may or may not be available on a part-time basis. Please check with your college to see which options they have.

Benefits of the bridging course

Any kind of bridging course is required for you to start with nursing practice in Canada. With it, you will receive a recognized certificate stating that you are eligible to work as a practising nurse. You will also be earning experience in a typical Canadian hospital setting, which will ensure you are employment-ready.

You will learn how to participate effectively as a team member and to support clients. It gives you the chance to practice in a professional manner within the legislative and ethical framework. Communicating effectively with clients and healthcare team members is essential, so in order to develop and sustain therapeutic relationships with clients, you need to learn all these skills before you can start practising.

Additional Experience Beneficial

Those nurses who have an additional experience in the professional domain will be able to get their registrations faster in comparison to others. What stands out an experienced nurse is their education, safe practice, and expertise in the field of practice.

Registered Nurse in Canada Requirements 

To practice nursing as a Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse in Canada, internationally educated nurses must hold a General Certificate of Registration. To become eligible for Registration, international applicants will need to meet the following registration requirements -

• Evidence of nursing education in Canada. If the international student then that is equivalent to a four-year bachelor's degree in nursing or practical nursing diploma in Canada.
• Proof of authorization to work in Canada
• Successfully qualifying for the NCLEX-RN for those applying for Registered Nurse which is a registration examination.
• Also, qualify for the RN Jurisprudence Exam.
• Nursing practice is the category for which the international student is applying within three years prior to issuance of the Certificate of Registration.
• Submit if any offers for jobs were made previously and if they agreed to work or not with relevant reasons.
• Proof of language proficiency in English (or French).
• Applicants must also disclose if they are suffering from any health ailments while they apply to become a Registered Nurse in Canada.

Nursing Regulatory Bodies in Canada Offering Registered Nurse License

There are different nursing regulatory bodies in Canada which offer Registered Nurse licenses to both domestic and international students who come from outside Canada. These regulatory bodies are headed by the parent body called the National Nursing Assessment Service or NNAS. There are different provinces in Canada and each province has a separate regulatory body which assesses the applications for becoming a Registered Nurse in Canada. The following table summarizes the nursing regulator bodies province-wise in Canada, through which international students can apply based on their preferred area of practice:

*Note: The NNAS regulatory body is applicable to assess applications for Registered Nurses for the above-given locations only. This excludes Quebec, Yukon, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories of Canada. Internationally educated nurses or IENs will have to apply through NNAS only. 

How to apply for Registered Nurse license in Canada?

IENs must apply via the NNAS website only to obtain a license to become an RN in Canada. Applicants can follow the given steps in order to apply for a Registered Nurse license in Canada:

• Go to nnas.ca and click on the Apply/Login link.
• Create a new account by providing the email address, answering three security questions and creating a new password.
• Submit identity proofs which are notarised directly to NNAS. Acceptable proofs include - a passport/driver's license / any other government-issued photo id.
• Nursing education form, with part A signed, which is redirected to third parties for confirmation.
• Submit the application and pay the requisite fee.
• Finally, download the Nursing Registration Form which includes Part B (“Nursing Examination and Registration Information”) and Part C (“Identification of Official”) from the online
  account.

This nursing registration form then needs to be sent to each nursing authority plus Canadian authorities. They must be requested to complete the form and send it back via mail or courier directly to NNAS. Nursing Registration must be completed by the respective officials who are authorized to provide registration or license-related information.

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