I want to work as a nurse in Canada - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | June 3, 2014

I want to work as a nurse in Canada - News - Jamaica Gleaner - Tuesday | June 3, 2014

Dear Ms Powell,

I am a practical nurse in Jamaica and have worked for more than five years in a hospital. Recently, one of my friends told me she was applying to be a licence practical nurse through the Federal Skilled Worker Programme. I am very interested in doing that. Could you tell me how I can become a licensed practical nurse in Canada?

- KR

Dear KR,

In Canada, nursing is a profession with three regulated nursing groups: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs). Many nurses from around the world have found rewarding careers in Canada as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Approximately 88,200 LPNs are registered in Canada.

Nurses who have been trained outside of Canada would need to become certified before being able to practise anywhere in Canada. For international nurses, before you can become a LPN in Canada, you must meet the requirements of the provincial or territorial nursing regulatory body or licensing authority on the particular province in which you would like to live/ practise.

I will outline below the registration process and the steps required to become a licensed practical nurse in Canada.

Minimum requirements for licensure as a LPN in any province or territory:

All licensed practical nurses must provide proof graduate from an approved practical nursing programme in Canada or an equivalent certification. You will need to have your qualifications assessed to ensure that they are equivalent to that of a Canadian certification. Many persons are currently doing courses and, upon evaluation, it is discovered that those certificates are not acceptable here in Canada. To be registered here as a practical nurse, your educational certificates will need to be deemed the equivalent to the approved programmes offered in Canada.

Step by step to becoming an LPN in Canada

1. Evaluation

You must be a graduate of a nursing programme from a Canadian educational institution or have your previously international practical nursing programme evaluated.

When applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP), you will need to have this educational assessment (ECA) report and submit the results with your application. Your application under the FSWP will be returned if this is not included.

2. Provide evidence of nursing practice.

You must provide proof that you have a minimum of one year's full-time paid work experience or the equivalent part-time work within the last three years as a nurse.

3. Demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French.

EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

You must demonstrate that you can communicate effectively both orally and in writing in either French or English. You have a distinct advantage if you can demonstrate competence in both languages.

4. No medical or security inhibitions

You must demonstrate you do not suffer from any physical or mental condition or disorder that could affect your ability to practise nursing in a safe manner.

You also will need to pass the medical and security test. Furthermore, you must make a declaration on whether or not you have been found guilty of an offence or had a finding/ ruling against you while practising as a nurse or in any other profession.

5. Examination

Once you have received your permanent resident card through your application under the FSWP, your next step will be to become certified to practise in Canada.

You should also note that, if you are making your application for certification as a nurse, between now and August 12, 2014, you will need to complete the application process by paying the required fees for the individual regulatory authority based in the province that you would like to work.

Applications after August 12, 2014, would need to be submitted to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) for your credentials to be assessed.

If you are deemed eligible to write the registration examination, you will need to sit and pass two examinations. These examinations can only be written at a designated testing site within Canada, and the jurisprudence exam is available online.

6. Initial registration

When you have met all the above registration requirements, including the successful completion of the examination, the registration authority will guide you through the final registration process. Usually this is completed within 15 days.

If you have additional concerns about the FSWP and how to become certified as a nurse in Canada, I would suggest that you consult with an immigration lawyer to guide you through the process.

Deidre S. Powell is a lawyer, mediator, and notary public who is a member of the Jamaican and Ontario, Canada bars, with main office located in Ottawa, Ontario. Her areas of practice are in immigration, personal injury, commercial, family, and administration of estates. She is on the roster of mediators for Ottawa, Toronto, and the Dispute Resolution Foundation of Jamaica. Submit your questions and comments to: Email:info@deidrepowell.com. Subject line: Immigration. Facebook: jamaicanlawyer. Tel: 613-695-8777.