Express Entry System (Federal Skilled Worker Program): The Express Entry system is a points-based immigration system that includes the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Nurses with the required education, work experience, language proficiency (English and/or French), and other factors can create an Express Entry profile. If they receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), they can apply for permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many Canadian provinces and territories have specific streams within their Provincial Nominee Programs that target healthcare professionals, including nurses. These programs may have lower eligibility requirements and faster processing times compared to federal programs.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program (AIPP): The AIPP is a partnership between Canada's Atlantic provinces and the federal government. It allows employers in the Atlantic region to hire expat nurses and other skilled workers. If you have a job offer from an eligible employer, you can apply for permanent residency through this program.
Quebec Experience Program (PEQ): Nurses who have completed a program of study in Quebec and have obtained work experience in the province may be eligible for the Quebec Experience Program, which can lead to permanent residency.
Caregiver Program: Although not specific to nurses, the Caregiver Program allows individuals with work experience in Canada as caregivers (including those with nursing backgrounds) to apply for permanent residency.
Work Permits: If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer, you can apply for a work permit to come to Canada as a temporary foreign worker. After gaining Canadian work experience, you may become eligible for permanent residency through Express Entry or a PNP.
Student Pathway: If you wish to study in Canada, you can apply for a study permit. After completing a nursing program in Canada and obtaining a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), you can gain Canadian work experience, which can contribute to your eligibility for permanent residency.
LMIA-Based Work Permits: Some employers may be willing to go through the process of obtaining a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign nurses. With a positive LMIA, you can apply for a work permit.
Nursing Licensing: Ensure that your nursing qualifications are recognized in Canada. You will likely need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and meet other provincial licensing requirements.
Language Proficiency: Canadian healthcare facilities typically require proficiency in English and/or French. You may need to take language tests like the IELTS or CELPIP (for English) or TEF (for French) to demonstrate your language skills.
Credential Evaluation: Depending on your educational credentials, you may need to have them evaluated by organizations like the World Education Services (WES) to ensure they are equivalent to Canadian standards.
As a general guide, you will likely require:
Top 8 Reasons to Choose a Nursing Career In Canada:
1. Demand
The world currently experiences a great demand in healthcare systems and nurses are the core of that demand. Canada has a high populace, requiring more nurses to balance the ratio of population versus healthcare. As of 2019, Canada has over 17000 job roles for nurses, waiting to be filled. The Registered nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses are very few in comparison. The Conference Board of Canada has estimated that the demand for nurses in their country will double in the next decade.
2. Job Security
Job security is an added advantage. Given the trajectory of demand, nurses can expect to always maintain their employment status. The world currently experiences a great demand in healthcare systems and nurses are the core of that demand. This is a great time to acquire a degree in nursing and embark on a profession of fulfilment. Canada has a refined and superior healthcare system and nursing is always associated with varied job roles.
3. Well-respected Work
Efforts put in by nurses are deemed highly and they are compensated with utmost respect and consideration. A Nursing Career In Canada can be highly rewarding given that it is service of the highest order.
4. Competitive Salary
As a registered nurse in Canada, you can earn anywhere between CAD 60,000 to CAD 104,000 per annum. If you specialize in assistance during critical surgeries such as neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, etc., you get rewarded with better career opportunities as well as higher remuneration. Clearly, a Nursing Career In Canada is a well-paid and in-demand profession.
5. Flexible Work Hours
Nurses also get to choose their working hours, if they prefer a part-time or full-time work schedule.
6. Global Scope of Work
As a practising nurse in Canada, job opportunities open up on a global scale. Nurses are always directly in contact with them therefore they keep track of each patient’s charts, needs, diet, routine, allergies, etc. Not only do nurses help during surgeries, but they also take care of the patients post-surgery to assist in their recovery. Apart from that, Canadian nurses also work in home healthcare, nursing homes and charitable hospitals to attend to the sick and needy.
7. Professional Learning Opportunities
The learning opportunities are abundant and provide more scope for career advancement. As a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered nurse, you can learn about the healthcare system and expand your role. Your skills will be enhanced as you gain in-depth knowledge of the profession. You can further apply for promotions if your qualifications or experiences are unmatched in the healthcare industry. You can also choose to acquire higher qualifications as you work and apply for management positions in nursing.
8. Provides a Variety of Work Environments
If you are inclined to assist the needy, you can work with the public sector or charitable trusts. If you prefer taking care of the aged, you can opt for home healthcare, nursing homes, or even old-age homes. If you would rather tend to serious injuries and critical surgeries, you can opt for a more challenging role in a hospital. You can also choose full-time opportunities to provide care for a niche such as diabetics, people who are paralyzed, the blind, ailing children, etc
National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS): A Gateway for Nurses to Work in Canada
The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is a crucial organization for internationally educated nurses (IENs) who aspire to practice nursing in Canada. Established to streamline and standardize the process of credential assessment, the NNAS ensures that all applicants meet the rigorous standards required to maintain the quality and safety of nursing care across the country. For those looking to immigrate to Canada and pursue a nursing career, understanding the NNAS process is essential.
What is NNAS?
The NNAS is a central organization that manages the initial application and assessment process for IENs seeking licensure in Canada. Its primary role is to verify and assess the educational credentials, professional experience, and regulatory history of internationally educated nurses. This service is applicable for three nursing groups:
Why is NNAS Important?
Canada has a high standard of healthcare, and the NNAS ensures that only qualified and competent nurses from abroad are allowed to practice. By standardizing the assessment process, NNAS helps protect public health and safety while providing a fair and transparent pathway for IENs.
The NNAS Application Process
Benefits of Using NNAS
Key Points to Remember
Conclusion
The National Nursing Assessment Service plays a vital role in integrating internationally educated nurses into the Canadian healthcare system. By providing a standardized, transparent, and efficient assessment process, NNAS helps maintain high standards of nursing care in Canada. For IENs dreaming of a nursing career in Canada, understanding and navigating the NNAS process is the first step towards achieving that goal.
For more information on how to start your application with NNAS, or for assistance with the immigration process, feel free to contact our Canada Visa Immigration Service. We are here to help you every step of the way to make your dream of living and working in Canada a reality.
Nursing is a very important profession in the medical field and is not one to be taken lightly, with so many lives involved. Nurses play a very important role in global health concerns. If you’re passionate about taking up a job in nursing in Canada, there are certain things you need to know first.
NCLEX is an important nursing exam in Canada. This standardized test is mandatory to get your license as a nurse. The test is computer adaptive, and the difficulty level varies with your performance.
This blog will explore everything concerning the nursing exam Canada, the eligibility for the NCLEX exam, the documents required and more!
Nursing Exam Canada: Overview
Nursing in Canada is different; some titles are specific to particular provinces. So, ensure you find the exact nursing title and identify the region you want to work in before preparing for your registration exam.
The two basic categories of nursing include ‘Registered Nurse’ and ‘Registered Practical Nurse’. You need to know more about both these titles before you choose one.
Nursing Exam Canada: Registered Nurse (RN) Vs Registered Practical Nurse (RPN)
If you want to work as an RPN in certain Canadian provinces, such as Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, or Nova Scotia, the same title will translate to a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). So do not get confused with the titles.
Nursing Exam Canada: Verifying your Documents
All foreign candidates who want to practice nursing in Canada must have their documents and credentials reviewed and stored by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS). The NNAS makes sure your credentials are authentic, compares them to Canadian standards and stores them online for later use.
Along with the application documents, you must submit proof of your proficiency in English or French. Once the review is done, the NNAS issues an Advisory Report on whether your credentials are sufficient to practise nursing in Canada. Check out their FAQs section, as most queries are already answered there, and if you have any other questions, you can email the address mentioned on the website.
After getting your Advisor Report, you must apply for the NCLEX exam.
Nursing Exam Canada: What is NCLEX?
The National Council Licensure Examination is a mandatory registration exam that all nursing graduates, including foreign nurses who want to undertake nursing practice in the USA, Canada and Australia, must undertake.
It is conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), a not-for-profit organisation in the USA recognised by all the nursing regulatory bodies in all 50 states of the USA.
Nursing Exam Canada: How to Apply for NCLEX?
The first and foremost, you need to apply for an Authorisation to Test (ATT). To do this, you should contact the local regulatory body for nursing. You will receive the ATT through your email. Only if you receive this email can you take up the NCLEX exam.
The eligibility requirements for receiving an ATT differ for each nursing regulatory body. So make sure to check with the nursing body in your chosen province to know the registration requirements.
All applicants are then required to register with Pearson VUE, which provides the assessment service for conducting licensure and certification exams. Based on whether you want to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), you need to apply for their respective examination. To become a Registered Nurse, you only have to apply for the NCLEX-RN exam.
With this, the application process ends. However, ensure that you securely save your AAT in your digital storage drive, either locally or on the cloud.
Canada Entrance Exams 2021
Why is an ATT important for Nursing Exam Canada?
The ATT contains your authorisation number, candidate identification number and the expiration date for your ATT. Only after you get an ATT will you be allowed to schedule the NCLEX exam, which is only valid for a limited time. On average, an ATT is valid for up to 90 days but not more than that. So, ensure you are prepared to attend the exam while applying for the ATT.
Once you pass the exam, you will receive your permit to practise as a licensed nurse in Canada. Additionally, becoming a member of the Canada Nurses Association gives you extra benefits, such as continuing professional development training to enhance your career.
Nursing Exam Canada: NCLEX-RN Eligibility
Nursing Exam Canada: NCLEX-RN Exam Dates?
You can apply to write the NCLEX-RN exam throughout the year. You need to schedule the exam on the Pearson VUE website choosing from the dates available at your preferred exam centre. Once Pearson VUE confirms the date, you will be scheduled to write the exam on the specified date and time.
Becoming a nurse in Canada requires hard work but offers a fulfilling career trajectory. We hope this guide for nursing exam Canada has helped clear your doubts.
Planning to take the Nursing exam Canada? You are not the only one.
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Conclusion
Given the statistical evidence, nurses are estimated to be more in demand than any other profession. With the discovery of new diseases, the increasing burden on hospitals, and the evolution of mankind, nursing has become a highly sought-after profession. Canada has experienced a constant shortage of nurses for the last couple of decades. Their healthcare system is advanced, but there aren’t enough nurses to handle the daily responsibilities and duties. If you like to care for people, healthcare and nursing may be the career you are looking for.
I hope you liked the top 8 reasons to pursue a Nursing Career In Canada.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the minimum Nursing salary in Canada?
Ans. A nursing professional in Canada can earn a minimum of CAD 60000 per year.
2. Which Province is best for a Nursing job in Canada?
Ans. The Canadian Province that offers high salary packages with great career prospects are:
3. What are the various categories of Nurses in Canada?
Ans. Nurse in Canada falls under four main categories:
How Nurses Can Help Patients with End-of-Life Decisions and Advance Directives:
Nurses, a part of your job is to provide quality care to patients. This includes supporting them in making difficult decisions about end-of-life care. End-of-life decisions can be overwhelming not only for the patient but also for their family members. However, as a nurse, you can help the patient and their family feel more confident by providing information and support. In this blog, we will discuss how nurses can help patients with end-of-life decisions and encourage them to create an advance directive.
Understand the patient's wishes and values:
The first step in assisting patients with end-of-life decisions is to understand their wishes and values. Nurses can facilitate discussions with patients and family members about the patient's goals and values related to their end-of-life care. This can include understanding the patient's religious beliefs, cultural practices, and personal preferences. Being aware of this information can assist the nurse in tailoring the care plan to the patient's wishes. This can be helpful to the patient and provide peace of mind for their family.
Encourage the patient to create an advance directive
An advance directive is a document that outlines a person's wishes for treatment and end-of-life care in advance. Nurses can play a crucial role in providing information about advance directives, promoting their importance, and assisting patients in creating them. Having an advance directive in place allows the patient to remain in control of their care and ensure their wishes are being carried out. This is beneficial to the patient, their family, and the healthcare team.
Foster open communication
End-of-life discussions can be uncomfortable and challenging, but it is essential to foster open communication. Nurses can help create a safe and supportive environment, allowing patients and their families to express their thoughts and feelings about end-of-life care. This can include answering any questions the patient may have, providing educational resources, or facilitating dialogue between the patient and family members. By fostering open communication, the patient can feel more in control and confident in their care decisions.
Provide palliative care:
Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness. Nurses play an active role in providing palliative care to ensure the patient is comfortable and free from physical and emotional pain. This includes managing pain, addressing spiritual and emotional needs, and supporting the patient and their family throughout the end-of-life process. Providing palliative care can help make the patient's last days comfortable and peaceful.
Support and empathize:
Finally, it is essential to support and empathize with the patient and their family throughout the end-of-life process. This can be a challenging and emotional time for everyone involved, and nurses can provide emotional support and resources to assist with coping. This can include connecting the patient and their family with support groups, social workers, or chaplains. Providing support and empathy can help alleviate stress and anxiety for patients and their families.
Conclusion:
End-of-life care requires sensitivity, compassion, and support from the healthcare team, especially nurses. By understanding the patient's wishes and values, encouraging the creation of an advance directive, fostering open communication, providing palliative care, and supporting and empathizing with the patient and their family, nurses can assist patients with end-of-life decisions and provide quality care. As healthcare providers, you must ensure that your patients receive care according to their wishes and needs, especially at the end of life.
