betsey06

My husband and I are in the process of applying to emmigrate to Ontario, Canada later this year. I am a Canadian citizen, although I left when I was a baby and will be sponsoring my husband on a spousal visa.

I am trying to find out what criteria I need to be in a position to even sit the CRNE exam before working as a Registered nurse preferably in my speciality area (renal inc. hemodialysis).

I qualified as a Registered General Nurse in 1992 in the UK and later completed a speciality course in renal nusing. I do not hold a diploma or degree although the renal course was diploma level study.

Since I had my children I have let my registration lapse and have not worked in nursing since the year 2000.

I have been accepted onto a Return to Nursing course which in 196 hours and 6 weeks will involve extra study and clinical placement leading to re registration. I am also planning to gain extra clinical experience afterwards, up until we leave for Canada.

So - by the time I reach Canada i will be a Registered General Nurse with about 400 hours clinical experience within the last 8 years.

Is this enough to to be eligable to sit Ontario exams??

Sorry if this is all a bit long winded but just wanted to explain that circumstances are very different to just being out of nusing for 8 years or even being newly qualified - hope it all makes sense

ps - have analysed all areas of CN0 website for relevant information but nothing specific to my circumstances and I know that (especially here in UK) it is not unusual for nurses to take time out to have a family and then want to re register by completing the return to nursing course before practicing where they left off in their chosen clinical areas.

Any info. appreciated

Wendy

lauder99

Hi Wendy

From what I have read of the CNO website you will need a degree or equivalent to meet the entry to practice requirements. I think you need specialist advice to sort out whether you can offset experience against academic requirements.

I think there are only a couple of Provinces that don't require a degree.

Cheers
Tom

betsey06

Thanks Tom

I think your probably right - have contacted CNO for assessment package but it will take so long to hear from them. (3 months apparently)

Hoping there might be some loop hole because I know British RN's working in another province can transfer to Ontario without degree.

Just sitting here discussing career options with my husband here. Could be back to the drawing board!!

lauder99

Hi Betsy

I know that Alberta and BC dont require degrees but I'm not sure about the Eastern Provinces. If you are willing to go to another part of Canada for a couple of years it might be an option. My wife is an RN and we have been waiting for CARNA since the start of December we were told initially that UK nurses trained under project 2000 were not getting through but we have since heard this is not necessarily the case.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

Tom

manchesterchick

Hi,
not all provinces require degrees, but I think you may need a diplma.
Also Tom, just noticed your note about CARNA.
Long story but I trained in 1990 (the old way)
Then did diploma and degree.
Took and passed the CRNE Oct 2007 (in BC) ,but prior to this wanted to get my stuff looked at by CARNA, sent it in JUly 07.......still not heard anything, but money has gone out of my account.
Dee

lauder99

Hey Dee

You need to talk to someone at CARNA, my OH submitted her stuff in October and it has been approved already. We were dealing with a lady called Lacey Billie she seems to deal with all international applicants.

Hope you get sorted.

Tom

walkerv05

sorry, you need a degree to nurse in Ontario. thats why they are so short of nurses well that and the retirement issues

destinationnovascotia

My understanding is that Ontario requires a nursing degree as others have already said.

If I were you I would contact someone at the CNO directly and ask for help and advice, when I was applying for my registration in NS the college there were very helpful.

The thing about there being a loophole is something that I have heard mentioned before but I have no idea what it would be (perhaps if you were studying for a degree or something like that ). You may find someone who knows more if you go to www.allnurses.com and ask the question on the Canadian nurses forum.

Good luck