How to Migrate to Canada as a Nurse Trained Internationally | Being a Nurse in Canada

How to register as a Nurse in Canada – Step by Step

Step 1: Choose which province or territory you want to work in

To begin the process, it is essential to obtain the necessary licensing from the relevant local regulatory authority.

The initial step involves determining the specific province or territory in which you intend to reside.

Conducting thorough research on the diverse regions of Canada is advisable, considering the country’s vast size and the distinct climates and cultures spanning from coast to coast.

Additionally, it’s important to contemplate your preference for residing in a major urban center such as Toronto or Vancouver versus a smaller community.

This consideration can assist you in making an informed decision regarding the most suitable province or territory for your needs.

Step 2 : Register with the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

All Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) must first apply directly through the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), a national online application service developed by nursing regulatory bodies across Canada.

The purpose of the NNAS application process is to create an Advisory Report that includes an evaluation of your education, based on Canadian standards and comparing it to current Canadian nursing requirements.

NNAS is the mandatory first step for any internationally educated nurse (IEN) applicant who:

• Is a graduate of a nursing education program outside of Canada; and
• Is not currently registered to practice as a nurse anywhere within Canada as a Registered Nurse (RN) Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)

The following outlines the essential steps in the application process.

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

2. 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)
3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Step 3: Obtain proof of language proficiency, such as IELTS for nurses in Canada

To practice as a nurse in Canada, it is imperative to showcase proficiency in English (or French if relocating to Québec).

There are two widely recognized assessments for validating English language proficiency for nurses: CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses) and IELTS.

If opting for the IELTS route for nursing in Canada, the application process typically involves seeking a Federal Skilled Worker visa (refer to the details below). This necessitates taking the IELTS General Training test, which can be administered either on paper or computer. To qualify as a skilled worker, a minimum overall IELTS score of 7 is required, with at least 7 in the Speaking and Writing sections, 7.5 in Listening, and 6.5 in Reading.

Step 4: Complete the provincial or territorial assessments

After finalizing your preferred work location, reach out to the pertinent nursing association for assistance and guidance in fulfilling the necessary assessments to obtain your license for practice in that specific province or territory.

A list of regulatory bodies can be found below or on the CNA website, providing valuable information for your reference.

Step 5: Take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX)

To become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Canada, you need to pass the NCLEX . The nursing association for your province or territory can tell you what you need to do before applying for the exam, as eligibility requirements may vary.

An NCLEX Centre in Nairobi was established in January 2024

Pearson VUE Test Centre’s launch in Nairobi responds to the longstanding desire for a local National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

KMTC, proactively addressing this initiative, has developed a comprehensive NCLEX Preparatory course curriculum, aiming to equip nurses with the skills needed to pass the examination on their first attempt.

Step 6: Apply for a work visa

There are three ways to apply to work in Canada as a nurse:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry)
   If you have at least one year of continuous experience working in nursing, you may be able to apply for a work visa under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry) . If you’re successful, you can then apply for permanent residency.
2. Québec’s Regular Skilled Worker Program (QSW)
   If you wish to work in Québec, you can check to see if you are eligible for the QSW program .
3. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)
   Depending on which province or territory you wish to work in, you may be able to apply for a PNP  which can sponsor you to come work in that area.

If none of the above options are suitable for you, you might want to consider furthering your education by studying in Canada.

There are additional immigration streams for students in Canada, so if you’ve been thinking about further studies then this may be a good option for you.

Step 7: Arriving in Canada

Once you have your visa and qualifications in place, you can prepare to travel to Canada and begin looking for a job.

Your nursing association can give you guidance on how to apply for jobs in your province or territory.

In general, you’ll need to prepare a resume (CV) and cover letter for each job application.

Contact me on EvaMtaliiCVServices@gmail.com for professional Canadian style resume writing services.

Nursing Regulatory Bodies in Canada