SEC Alberta
 

This was announced on the news today and this is taken form the CARNA website- public area. Not here to scare anyone, but a concern for those applying or in the process.

https://www.nurses.ab.ca/Carna/index...ructureID=7276

See below just in case the link does not work.

CARNA Responds to Announcement of Assessment Centre Closures

March 13, 2013


Edmonton, Alberta – The College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) has been informed that Mount Royal University will be closing their Substantially Equivalent Competency (SEC) assessment centres in Edmonton and Calgary. The Health Professions Act requires CARNA to provide an SEC process and the Mount Royal University's assessment centres for internationally educated nurses have provided the services CARNA requires to fulfill its regulatory mandate.

"We are extremely concerned by the loss of Substantially Equivalent Competency or SEC assessment services capacity in Alberta," says Mary-Anne Robinson, CARNA's chief executive officer. "An SEC assessment is an extension of the overall assessment done by CARNA to determine eligibility of an international applicant for licensure as a registered nurse in Alberta. We are working with Alberta Health to find a viable alternative process as quickly as possible to help us address this serious issue."

SEC describes the combination of education, experience, practice or other qualifications that demonstrate that an applicant has the competence required for registration as a registered nurse in Alberta. The Mount Royal University SEC assessment centres use a combination of written exams, Interview case management situations, clinical lab role-play situations and self-assessment to assess An applicant's professional knowledge, skills, attributes values and judgment. That information is Then provided to CARNA of as one part of the individual assessment of each international nurse applicant.

"Our immediate concern is for the 790 international nurse applicants who are currently waiting for SEC assessment," says Robinson. "We are also mindful of the potential impact on future international nursing recruitment if CARNA is not able to refer international applicants for the SEC assessment we need in order to determine whether or not an individual can practice safely and competently as a registered nurse in Alberta."

CARNA is the professional and regulatory body for Alberta's 33,000 registered nurses, including nurses in direct care, education, research and administration as well as nurse practitioners. Its mandate is to protect the public by ensuring that Albertans receive effective, safe and ethical care by registered nurses.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

No reason given for the closure?
Oh dear not good news for IENs who want to register but need to complete the SEC assessment. How do they intend to address the shortage of registered nurses in Alberta if IENs can't get through the registration process?? :(

Re: SEC Alberta
 

They are looking at other ways to allow the SEC to continue.
They know that they cannot not have IENs.

Tell me about the shortage of experienced nurses :(

I will be watching the news tonight to see if they say anything different.

The Edmonton news this evening stated that the provincial Government budget cuts affected the university and it was the university that had to pull the courses due to lack of finances. Apparently they need $2,500,000 per year for 250 nurses.
it was also stated that IEN's are an important part of the strategy for nursing in Alberta.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Only in the begining stages but, how will this effect International Nurses who, want to settle in Alberta ? :fingerscrossed: Hope they find alternatives fast !!!!

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Looking at allnurses.com forum - lots of discussion around the lack of jobs in alberta. Why did AHS attend recruitment fairs in the uk last year saying they are desperate for experienced nurses? Hard to know what is truth and reality. Do I pay my 500 dollars to start the process of registration only for it to be money down the toilet?:(.... And my plans to move to Canada with it too!!

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi Tommy
keep watching the CARNA website for updates. I haven't heard anything more at the moment.

Experienced nurses are still required in Alberta. :)

As Peeshpie also said check out all nurses forum for info

Best of luck :)

Re: SEC Alberta
 

we do need experienced nurses :) Recruitment is an ongoing process as I am sure you are aware.
I can't offer advice on whether you start the process or not. That will be your decision.

Keep a watch on CARNA website for updates.

Best of luck
MJ

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hummmmm, just another twist......

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi North2001
Try and keep a look out on CARNA website.

Have you heard anymore about your SEC or had you completed it before the announcment of the University slashing the programme?

I don't know if they the universityare going to continue with the SEC's that are booked or if they are going to stop once these students are completed- all a bit up in the air :confused:

Where in Ab were you planning on staying?

Hoping it works out for you :fingerscrossed:

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Our SEC is booked for Mar 14. You would think they would of notified us prior to pulling the shutters down. Not surprised really, as we have had a string of lost emails and mis-information.

We will be lead to where the nursing needs are regarding settling down. Travelled last year and visited both Calgary and Edmonton - both lovely areas. Worth every effort make a new life.

Hopefully the new system will be quicker and more International friendly.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

It was a surprise to us all when they announced the closure.

You might have a better chance of an LMO for the rural areas- Red Deer and the smaller hospitals, those I believe are harder to recruit into than the bigger city hospitals. They may be your starting point in gaining employment here.

best of luck
:)

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Thanks MJ

Re: SEC Alberta
 

You're welcome :thumbsup:

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Email received today. It doesnt give any infomation what happens next.

"The Internationally Educated Nurses Assessment Centres will phase out their services as of July 1, 2013, closing their offices in Edmonton and Calgary.

For the past six years, the IEN Assessment Centres have been funded by Alberta Health, the ministry that sets policy, legislation and standards for the health system in this province. Services at the IEN Assessment Centres have been provided by the School of Nursing at Mount Royal University.

Alberta Health has recently notified Mount Royal that they will not commit ongoing funding to support the operation of the IEN Assessment Centres after June 30, 2013. As a result, Mount Royal must close the services provided through both centres.

The IEN Assessment Centres are internationally recognised for their pioneering work in meeting the high demand for nurses in Alberta by helping registered nurses educated in foreign countries to meet the credentialing process by the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA).

If you are an IEN who is booked for a SEC assessment at either of the IEN Assessment Centres between April 1, 2013 and June 30, 2013, you will proceed with your SEC assessment as outlined in your Booking and Confirmation letters. Please contact the Assessment Centre 4 weeks in advance of your assessment to confirm your attendance.

If you are an IEN who is booked for a SEC assessment at either of the IEN Assessment Centres AFTER June 30, 2013 your SEC assessment has been cancelled. It is with deep regret that Mount Royal is unable to complete any SEC assessments beyond this June 30, 2013 date.

If you have questions about the closure of the IEN Assessment Centres, or about the future of the Internationally Educated Nurses Assessment Centre program, please contact the ministry directly:" address supplied

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi North

I am sorry to read your e-mail :(

I have not been able to speak with international recruitment so far. The person I speak with is on holiday.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

I am hoping to apply in May on the FSW programme do, you think we will now have to select a new Province now that the assessment process for Alberta is closing it's doors ? :eek:

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi
you could always try to contact CARNA, with the FSW route I believe it may take more than 12 months (just a guess). I can't see this not having SEC assessments continuing as we need nurses in Alberta.

It has just taken me 14 weeks to fill 5 positions, I have two international nurses and 3 new grads who are fresh out of the box.
I could have employed all brand new grads, but I need experienced nurses at this time.

Good luck on what ever you decide to do :D

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi North

Got the same email yesterday. When is your schedule for the SEC assessment? Mine is on October so it is definitely cancelled. I talked to CARNA today and they said that all I can do is to wait for them to come up with a plan to resolve things out. Hopefully they will work things out because Im really very depressed right now..

Re: SEC Alberta
 

NP,
booked for Mar 14. There are other locations however, Alberta for us is outstanding and suits travelling to from UK.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi all

Bit worrying to here this news that the SEC assessments have shut down, I've very recently sent off all my transcripts,payment and documentation to CARNA for assessment.

I'm a UK diploma trained nurse with a few years experience trying to move out to Alberta, and my first step was to try and get my registration sorted before anything else. I assumed as a a Diploma Nurse I would have to complete the SEC assessment to prove my ability to be an RN in Canada, and the hope was to study hard and hopefully get through the sec assessment and be allowed a Temp permit before the CRNE. Now that it has all been taking away I'm a bit stumped as to what will happen.

Fingers crossed that they will come up with a fair solution soon that will give myself and others a chance to register in Alberta. :unsure:

Re: SEC Alberta
 

I have my SEC booked for June 17 & 18, fortunately.
I'm sure CARNA will come up with a alternate solution soon, because iens have paid big money to start their registration process, they cant just shut it down.

I think there's a possibility they may send us to do it in Saskatchewan at Kwantlen.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Hi all,

I also trained in the UK and have a Diploma (in Children's Nursing). I moved to Calgary in January because my boyfriend got a transfer out here with work. We researched everything to do with nursing in Alberta, read about CARNA and the SEC's, and filled in all the forms before I left the UK. It has taken until now for them to receive everything (Canada's post is soooooo slow). Like UK_AJ, I have paid the application fee and the ball is rolling. But now I'm at a bit of a loose end and not sure what to do. I really hope they sort something out soon.

But reading the comments above, someone had an SEC booked for October. Is the waiting list really that long?! We might only be out here for 2 years (his minimum contract). It may look like I'll never get to nurse over here. The reason I agreed to come was because Canada is crying out for nurses (I work in NICU) and I'd be able to keep up my own practice.

Not sure what to do now!

Re: SEC Alberta
 

Have you contacted the International recruitment team at AHS?
Might be worth speaking with them regards employment now that you have the ball rolling with CARNA.

They obviously can't employ you at present, but you will be 'on their list' so to speak.

Good luck and hope it all works out for you :fingerscrossed:

Re: SEC Alberta
 

I believe I have their number, I shall give them a call. Thanks very much. Good luck to everyone else who is in the process x

Re: SEC Alberta
 

I have just received this email from CARNA

"It is our understanding that the MRU SEC center will be closed permanently at the end of June. This closure was not anticipated by CARNA and we were unable to have plan 'B' in place in advance. CARNA is actively discussing with government a short and longer term solution to continuing this kind of service but we do not have any concrete answers at this time. We expect to have more information available for our applicants in the very near future (within weeks) and so we are asking for patience while we get this sorted out. I am sorry I do not have anything more definite to tell you right now."

:fingerscrossed: They reach a decision soon

Re: SEC Alberta
 

It's looking like BC are having similar issues with SEC. There has been no funding allocated for SEC assessments and as yet so no bookings are being made. The waiting seems to be going on and on.

Re: SEC Alberta
 

It is really sad to read this, it was not like this 2 years ago, though. I was booked for my SEC to be done two days after I got my result.

Good luck guys.