Bearing in mind the problems of getting qualifications recognised in Canada can anyone tell me the situation regarding someone who has a diploma in adult nursing from the UK. Once in Canada would they have to start from scratch and qualify all over again if they wanted to continue nursing or would it be a case of a shorter period of training to bring them up to the required grade?

I know the diploma grade is the lowest starting point here in the UK and I'm curious to know if it has any value at all in Canada. Does anyone have a suitable link to a website for such information? Thankyou

Please clarify what you mean by "adult nursing".

it does sound like you may be talking about a licensed practical nurse, but I would like a little more info first.

The question applies to my daughter who is currently studying for her nursing diploma. She mentioned the word "adult" but I think that's probably irrelevant. She's not yet qualified and we are weighing up the options as to where her future lies. She has a visa along with the rest of the family to land in Canada but doesn't know whether to "land" and then come back to the UK to finish her course or try and start again in Canada. This is all very unfortunate timing for her but because of other circumstances we are having to make our move while she is still at nursing college.

How many years does your daughter have in training for nursing?

If she has only one, then I would think she would be better off training afresh in Canada, but if she has more than that, finishing in the UK would probably be best.

When she goes to Canada as a qualified nurse, she will still have to take an exam to meet the requirements of the Candian licensing authority.

If she wants to train in Canada then the registered nurse course is a four year degree.

Try google search for registered nurse canada.

Hope this helps.

Nursing is regulated, and here is some info on the whole thing:

http://www.cicic.ca/professions/3233en.asp

Thankyou Mick. I've already looked at that site previously but it points to an accreditation service to assess qualifications for which there is a charge. Unfortunately my daughter doesn't have a qualification yet and we are trying to weigh up the pros and cons for her.

Thank you Liftman. My daughter is a little under halfway through a three year course. I feel terrible that we can't just stay here for her to finish but because of other complications we don't have that choice. She'd like to finish but sees her future in Canada with the rest of us and thus the question really. She's not keen to "land" and then come back here to finish while we are in Canada even though she could live with her Grandparents while she completed.

My wife (Operating Department Practitioner) thinks that she would be better in completing her course here if at all possible.

Where are you heading in Canada?
Does your daughter have any favourite speciaties yet?

Are you saying that if she completes here then she will have at least a qualification that has some recognition in Canada even if it means that she will have to take further courses to actually work as a nurse in Canada?

Thankyou very much for the input by the way. It's much appreciated!

Nursing is regulated in all the provinces, and to actually have a chance to take the exams needed, she has to have a first degree, and speak one of the two languages of this country. If she doesn't finish before coming, then i don't think she will be able to achieve that, unless you have a lot of "wonga" to spare so she can go and start her course again !

I appreciate that Mick but what I'm trying to confirm is whether the diploma that she hopefully will get at the end of the three years over here will be recognised so that she can take the exams in Canada. Note that I'm saying "diploma" and not "degree". She is on a nursing diploma course which is really the base level and if it doesn't qualify her to take the exam eventually in Canada then there is no point in her continuing with it as she wants to live in Canada with us (when we get there) and nurse there if possible.

Its been one of those days here today, but thank God its friday ! You might think am "thick" and not hearing you, but i hear what you are saying, loud and clear.

What you have to do, is email that link above, and they will be able to give you more info. What they do, is assess the diploma, and tell you where it fits in the canadian system, and then you go from there.

Its bound to count for something, and that will determine the number of exams she has to take. For example if you come from a non english speaking country as a nurse, you take more tests than people with english backgrounds, even though you have a nursing degree with bells and whistles.

Its $100 in TO, but my local assessment office does it for $65, which is how much i paid ( includes A-level, degree, and profesional qualifications ).

Thankyou Mick. I'll take another look. Oh, and I certainly don't think you're thick! Again thanks.

Stepnek,

My wife is currently going through registration assessment process for BC.

To say it is a tough drawn out process is an understatement - and that's for a OR nurse with 14 years experience and loads of quals/courses ! They require in depth notarised proof of all courses from place of study and same for evidence of work history.

Biggest issue is hours trained in theory and practical exposure to obstetrics and gynaecology. Some Brit courses (older ones and some of the more newer ones) just don't provide enough hours in each sector to meet Canadian requirements. Wonder if this is a Brit ploy to ensure UK trained nurses stay here ? Never ! Do I sound too cynical ?

It is not true in every Province that you need a degree in nursing to be accepted - but in Ontario, from next year a Brit nurse would need a degree. Rules keep changing, etc.

We have found that though there is an overall 10% shortage of nurses they don't exactly make it easy for good experienced people to be accepted - in fact some of the nursing associations are a real pain in the arse and blunty act as an obstacle to ANY overseas nurse who is applying. FACT.

It can take 6-12 months to be registered. And that's for as well trained Brit nurse with experience. Then try to get a job offer for a full time, permanent job !

Some provinces do allow an interim permit to be issued before taking the exam, after being accepted for registration, such as BC. But that is very much a lottery chance.

If you need more info, suggest emailing us, and my wife could have a chat with more detail. Send a PM or email if needed- more than happy to help.

Both of us would say, it's a tough call between finishing the qualification in UK or giving it up, hedging bets and starting afresh in Canada, but that would not be a cheap option. NURSE TRAINING IS NOT CHEAP ! Then again, that advice is from a 36 year old experienced nurse. At a younger age, it may be a more worthwhile choice to just get the hell on with it and train/study in Canada.

On a slight negative, the healthcare system in Canada is going through a real good shake up in some areas (it needs it). Some of the self-protectionism is unreal, and overall lack of competitiveness re. costs, flexibility, and outsourcing is years behing UK. On the plus side, they are well paid with great benefits yonks ahead of other sectors.

My wife says that if your daughter is a nurse by vocation, that is the first check. Secondly, when she finds out if she wants to live and settle in Canada, that will decide her future. The rest is surmountable through effort and hard work.

Hope this helps, wishing you all every luck and good fortune for the future.

Rich.

Thankyou Rich and to your wife for your comments. I think you have made some really worthwhile points for us to consider not least the quote that I've left in my reply because I would say that it sums up the situation perfectly. You've confirmed for me the real difficulties that lay ahead in resolving this particular problem and I would say that in my daughters position it is likely although very expensive that her future could lay in actually starting from scratch in Canada if it's where she wants to be and if as you say her true vocation is to be a nurse. Thankyou for your offer of further advice, you'll probably be hearing from us!