Originally Posted by telgar32

I think you will find the process is the same for mental health nurses as it is for general nurses. you first have to apply to NNAS to get your qualifications assessed and once you have a report from them submit this to the regulatory body in the province you wish to practice in. In your case alberta. I started my NNAS application at the end of May 2015 and only got my report yesterday so it does take time. On two occasions they would not accept documents sent from my university because the envelopes were not signed and sealed properly. They knew about one of these on 26th October 2015 but did not tell me they couldn't accept it until 3rd January. I complained saying this was an unacceptable level of customer service and they speeded things up after that.
I would just advise that you keep them on their toes! Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Tirytory

Yes, it probably is unrealistic.... The process of collating information for NNAS and assessment and a result, then registration with a provincial college, what they ask you to do based on your education so maybe an OSCE, or more courses, then after all that you need to do an exam etc, bear in mind that each stage will take months to complete. For instance, I was advised I could apply for the exam in September but the next exam date is not until the second week of January, then a five week wait for the result- that part alone has covered a five month period and that's just one aspect. That's why I said about timing- you need to treat this as a priority.

Originally Posted by kasiadoran

From recent experience it appears that the programme differences are too great and you will be asked to do some extra modules: for example mother and baby nursing as in ns they do not have midwives as such so midwifery is part of your foundation programme...when I had OSCE last year my scenario was to deliver a baby on maternity ward...i said well I would call the midwife... then further down the line for the same scenario I was meant to deliver health visitor like care and advice...another one that you may need to do is children and then mental health - depending on your background in UK...basically they spend 4 years at uni so cover a lot more than we do...that's for RN...some if the staff is online some you need to attend...for LPN I was told to complete an online module which I am starting on Monday...it is community aspect with focus on mother and infant...then happy days I can apply to sit an exam...so the plan is to get LPN reg first and then once settled try and work up towards RN registration...it took me since April 2014 to get where I am now but it was initially towards RN licensure

Originally Posted by telgar32

Thanks for that Kasiadoran! I have been thinking about becoming an LPN first and then working toward an RN but I think I will wait and see what the college want me to do to become an RN. If its not too much then I might go straight for it but if its going to take a long time I may have to go the LPN route. did you have to start again with NNAS to go along the LPN route?
Visa is the other thing to think about! I still practice in the UK at the moment so if you say some theory is online I can complete that whilst I'm here. I wonder if its possible to work as Health care assistant until you become licensed?

Originally Posted by Acousins1

Thanks for your advice/information. Did you sit the exam in Jan 2016? How long did it take you from the beginning of your application until ur exam? Once the exam is passed are you able to work as an RN straight away? Is it not possible to work as a grad nurse or LPN at any stage of registering?

Originally Posted by Tirytory

You can work on a temporary license within a year of recent practice but you need to have had all else assessed and just be waiting to sit the exam to do that. I have applied for RPN as I didn't think that I had a chance of getting positively assessed for RN and didn't think I wanted to do all the things you need to do.

From the start of application (Feb 2014 pre NNAS) to just passing my exam, and still don't have a license...Two years.

Originally Posted by kasiadoran

From recent experience it appears that the programme differences are too great and you will be asked to do some extra modules: for example mother and baby nursing as in ns they do not have midwives as such so midwifery is part of your foundation programme...when I had OSCE last year my scenario was to deliver a baby on maternity ward...i said well I would call the midwife... then further down the line for the same scenario I was meant to deliver health visitor like care and advice...another one that you may need to do is children and then mental health - depending on your background in UK...basically they spend 4 years at uni so cover a lot more than we do...that's for RN...some if the staff is online some you need to attend...for LPN I was told to complete an online module which I am starting on Monday...it is community aspect with focus on mother and infant...then happy days I can apply to sit an exam...so the plan is to get LPN reg first and then once settled try and work up towards RN registration...it took me since April 2014 to get where I am now but it was initially towards RN licensure

Originally Posted by telgar32

. I wonder if its possible to work as Health care assistant until you become licensed?

Originally Posted by telgar32

I think you will find the process is the same for mental health nurses as it is for general nurses. you first have to apply to NNAS to get your qualifications assessed and once you have a report from them submit this to the regulatory body in the province you wish to practice in. In your case alberta. I started my NNAS application at the end of May 2015 and only got my report yesterday so it does take time. On two occasions they would not accept documents sent from my university because the envelopes were not signed and sealed properly. They knew about one of these on 26th October 2015 but did not tell me they couldn't accept it until 3rd January. I complained saying this was an unacceptable level of customer service and they speeded things up after that.
I would just advise that you keep them on their toes! Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Tirytory

You can work on a temporary license within a year of recent practice but you need to have had all else assessed and just be waiting to sit the exam to do that. I have applied for RPN as I didn't think that I had a chance of getting positively assessed for RN and didn't think I wanted to do all the things you need to do.

From the start of application (Feb 2014 pre NNAS) to just passing my exam, and still don't have a license...Two years.

Originally Posted by Silverdragon102

Yes you can apply for jobs with a temp license, you can even apply for jobs with eligibility to sit exam

Originally Posted by kasiadoran

Ha....that's a good news to start the day withThank you

Originally Posted by Tirytory

Yes you can and not to try and dampen your spirits but how do you score on Express Entry and/or you would need to look for a job backed with an LMIA..