Nursing in Canada

Nursing is a regulated profession in Canada.

The Nurses (Registered) Act and Rules permits only currently registered nurses to use the title "Registered Nurse" or "RN".

To qualify for registration in Canada, an international nurse must complete a nursing program comparable to one in Canada, demonstrate fluency in English, provide evidence of recent practice and achieve a passing score on the Canadian RN Examination (CRNE).

If an offer of employment exists, the international nurse is allowed to practice on an interim (temporary) permit before the Canadian Examination. However, applicants must be advised that Canadian employers prefer international nurses who have already passed the CRNE.


Basic requirements for Nurse Work Visa Program:

.Completion of a Nursing Education program of minimum 3 years (4 years required in Ontario)

.A minimum of 5 years postgraduate experience, preferrably in ICU, CCU, OR, ER or L&D.

.Good character - based on references, no record of outstanding criminal charges or convictions relevant to the practice of Nursing

.Fitness to engage in the practice of Nursing - based on satisfactory employment references, registration in good standing in other jurisdictions and no health problems that impair ability to practice

.Fluency in English; if native language is not English, passing scores at: TOEFL Paper=550/Computer=213 and TSE=50; or Academic IELTS: At least 7 in Speaking and 6.5 for Writing, Listening and Reading.

You can join the program without the English tests, but they must be passed before coming to Canada. The Provincial Nursing Association will not issue an interim permit without proof of fluency in English!

The English test waiver. In some cases, the follwing categories of international nurses might be able to obtain a waiver for the English test:
- applicants who have worked as a RNs for at least 12 consecutive months in a Hospital where English was the language of communication
- applicants have completed a nursing education program in English
- applicants who are registered and have practised nursing in the last five years in a country who's official language is English


The licensing board will consider other education courses and programs completed in English or French on a case by case basis based on the official transcript of the course and course description.

CGFNS / NCLEX tests are NOT required in order to obtain registration in Canada!



for more information, visit: newsolutionscanada