Information about CANADA Federal Skilled Worker

Applying as a federal skilled worker

According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), “Skilled workers are people who are selected as permanent residents based on their ability to become economically established in Canada”. The Federal Skilled Worker Program is an entry scheme for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.

Do I qualify as a federal skilled worker?

Step one

CIC examines certain basic criteria to determine an applicant’s eligibility under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. At the very least, you must:

• Have an offer of arranged employment, or
• Have been living legally in Canada for one year as a temporary worker or an international student, or
• Be a skilled worker who has at least one year of experience in one of the occupations in extreme demand in Canada

Step two

• 0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers
• 0811 Primary Production Managers (Except Agriculture)
• 1122 Professional Occupations in Business Services to Management
• 1233 Insurance Adjusters and Claims Examiners
• 2121 Biologists and Related Scientists
• 2151 Architects
• 3111 Specialist Physicians
• 3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians
• 3113 Dentists
• 3131 Pharmacists
• 3142 Physiotherapists
• 3152 Registered Nurses
• 3215 Medical Radiation Technologists
• 3222 Dental Hygienists & Dental Therapists
• 3233 Licensed Practical Nurses
• 4151 Psychologists
• 4152 Social Workers
• 6241 Chefs
• 6242 Cooks
• 7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades
• 7216 Contractors and Supervisors, Mechanic Trades
• 7241 Electricians (Except Industrial & Power System)
• 7242 Industrial Electricians
• 7251 Plumbers
• 7265 Welders & Related Machine Operators
• 7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics
• 7371 Crane Operators
• 7372 Drillers & Blasters - Surface Mining, Quarrying & Construction
• 8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service

NOTE: the occupations above are all Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification list.

If at this stage your application is deemed eligible for processing, to qualify as a skilled worker, you must also:

• Have at least one year of continuous full-time paid work experience or the equivalent in part-time continuous employment,and
• Your work experience must be Skill Type 0 (managerial occupations) or Skill Level A (professional occupations) or B (technical occupations and skilled trades) on the Canadian National Occupational Classification list, and
• You must have had this experience within the last 10 years

Step three

It is at this stage that those who have met the above minimum requirements are assessed according to six key selection factors. Currently, applicants need to score at least 67 out of 100 points to pass, though this pass mark is subject to change at any time and should be verified with CIC.

A free online self-assessment test is available through Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It can help you to easily determine whether or not you can meet the pass mark.

Points are awarded according to six selection factors:

Category	Maximum points granted	Detail
Education	25	A high school diploma will earn just five points, but a basic university degree commands 20. To achieve maximum points in this category, you must have a Master’s degree or PhD, with a minimum 17 years of completed study.
Knowledge of English and/or French	24	Fluency in English or French achieves 16 points, while fluency in both gains the maximum allowable 24 points in this category. Note that you may be required to take a language proficiency test.
Work experience	21	Points in this category are allocated per number of years of work experience an applicant has. To earn the full 21 points, you must have at least four years of experience in the occupation listed on your application.
Age	10	Priority and maximum points are given to applicants between the ages of 21 and 49 years.
Arranged employment in Canada	10	If you have a job offer from a Canadian employer or are on a temporary work visa and hold a job in Canada, you will receive maximum points in this category.
Adaptability	10	CIC wants migrants with the best chances of settling well. If you have lived or studied in Canada previously, have arranged employment or family in Canada, you are likely to receive additional points in this category.

Meeting the financial criteria

You must also show that you have enough money to support yourself and your dependants after you arrive in Canada if you do not have pre-arranged employment.

You will be asked to provide proof of your funds to the Canadian visa office in your home country when you submit your application for immigration. The amount of money you need to support your family (sufficient funds) is determined by the size of your family. Sufficient funds amounts are updated yearly.

Number of family members	Funds required  (in Canadian dollars)
One	$10,833
Two	$13,486
Three	$16,580
Four	$20,130
Five	$22,831
Six	$25,749
Seven +	$28,668

How to apply

Start by downloading the skilled worker application package. Then, take advantage of the simplified application process for skilled workers.

What happens next?

Applications are processed on a first come first served basis. Steps one and two are completed at the Sydney Case Processing Center in Canada. Applications are then sent to local visa offices.

Initially, CIC determines whether your application is complete and that fees have been paid. Afterward, your eligibility is assessed, and you will receive a confirmation letter, including a reference number, instructing you to send a copy of your application to the relevant Canadian visa office within 120 days.

After your application has been submitted, you can check its status and review processing times on the CIC website.

Your application will be assessed according to the points scale at this stage. If you pass, you will be asked to undergo a full criminal and medical assessment.

CANADA Federal Skilled Worker - Selection Criteria

Federal Skilled Worker - Selection Criteria

Skilled workers and professionals: Self-assessment test Who should take the test? You should take this test to help you decide if you want to apply to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker. If you are married or in a common-law relationship, you both should take the test to see who scores the most points. The person with the most selection points should apply as the principal applicant. The self-assessment test will help you determine if you would earn enough points in the six selection factors to qualify as a skilled worker immigrant. Note: you must meet the minimum requirements for your application to be eligible for processing. Use CIC eligibility tool to see if you would meet the minimum requirements. This test is only for guidance. A Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) officer will make a decision about your application based on the information you provide. The information from the test is for your use only. Pass mark The current pass mark is 67. The pass mark could change. You should check for updated information on a regular basis. Skilled Worker Self-Assessment Factor 1 – Education (maximum 25 points) Indicate your highest level of education Number of points Did not complete secondary school (also called high school 0 points Obtained a secondary school credential 5 points Obtained a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and completed at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 12 points Obtained a one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and completed at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 15 points Obtained a one-year university degree at the bachelor’s level and completed at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 15 points Obtained a two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and completed at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 20 points Obtained a university degree of two years or more at the bachelor’s level and completed at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 20 points Obtained a three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship (other than university) and completed at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 22 points Obtained two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and completed at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 22 points Obtained a master’s or Ph.D. and completed at least 17 years of full-time education or full-time equivalent studies 25 points Factor 2 – English and French language ability (maximum 24 points) To assess your English and French ability, first decide which language you are most comfortable with. This language is your first official language. The language you feel less comfortable communicating in is your second official language. Determine your language ability, then award points according to your ability to read, write, listen to and speak English and French. Check the areas that reflect your ability to read, write, listen to and speak English and French. First Canadian Official Language (either English or French) Read Write Speak Listen High Proficiency (Maximum of sixteen (16) points) 4 points 4 points 4 points 4 points Moderate Proficiency (Maximum of eight (8) points) 2 points 2 points 2 points 2 points Basic Proficiency (Maximum of two (2) points) 1 point 1 point 1 point 1 point No Proficiency (No points) 0 points 0 points 0 points 0 points Second Canadian Official Language (either English or French) Read Write Speak Listen High Proficiency (Maximum of eight (8) points) 2 points 2 points 2 points 2 points Moderate Proficiency (Maximum of eight (8) points) 2 points 2 points 2 points 2 points Basic Proficiency (Maximum of two (2) points) 1 point 1 point 1 point 1 point No Proficiency (No points) 0 points 0 points 0 points 0 points Factor 3 – Work Experience (maximum 21 points) You must have at least one year of full-time paid work experience (37.5 hours per week), or the equivalent in part-time work. p>You will earn points for the number of years you have spent in full-time (37.5 hours per week, or the equivalent in part-time), paid work. This experience must: be in an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) list and be listed in an occupation listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Levels A or B of the NOC and have occurred in the past 10 years. You must have performed most of the duties, including all the essential duties, that are listed for the occupation. If the initial description and list of main duties match what you did at your last job(s), you can use this experience to earn points under the selection factors when you apply as a skilled worker. Use the chart below to calculate the number of points based on your number of years of experience. PLEASE NOTE: You must meet all of the above criteria, or your application will not be accepted. To determine your points, first assess your work experience, and then complete the following: Your Work Experience is … Less than 1 year 0 points More than 1 year but less than 2 years 15 points More than 2 years but less than 3 years 17 points More than 3 years but less than 4 years 19 points 4 or more years 21 points Factor 4 – Age (maximum 10 points) Points are given for your age at the time your application is received. Please Enter Your Age in Years less than 17 - 0 points 20 - 8 points 52 - 4 points 17 - 2 points 21 - 49 - 10 points 53 - 2 points 18 - 4 points 50 - 8 points Over 53 - 0 points 19 - 6 points 51 - 6 points Factor 5 – Arranged Employment (maximum 10 points) To obtain points for this factor, you must have a permanent job offer in Canada, be capable of carrying out the work, and likely to accept the job. The job offer must be in an occupation listed in Skill Type 0 or Skill Level A or B of the National Occupational Classification. One of the following situations must also apply. You are working in Canada on a temporary work permit and your temporary work permit was issued after receipt of a positive labour market opinion of your job offer from Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC); you are currently working in that job; the work permit was valid at the time you made your permanent resident visa application and at the time the visa, if any, is issued; and your employer made an offer to employ you on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued. OR You are working in Canada on a temporary work permit and your temporary work permit was exempted from the requirement of obtaining a labour market opinion of your job offer from HRSDC on the basis of an international agreement (e.g., NAFTA or GATS), a significant benefit to Canada (e.g., intra-company transfer) or public policy on Canada’s academic or economic competitiveness (e.g., post-graduate work); you are currently working in that job; the work permit was valid at the time you made your permanent resident visa application and at the time the visa, if any, is issued; and your employer made an offer to employ you on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued. OR You are working in Canada on a temporary work permit and the circumstances described in 1 and 2 above do not apply to you; your employer has made an offer to employ you on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued; and your permanent job offer has received a positive labour market opinion from HRSDC. You cannot apply to HRSDC for a labour market opinion yourself. Your employer must apply for you. OR You do not intend to work in Canada before being issued a permanent resident visa, you do not hold a temporary work permit, and the employer has made an offer to employ you on an indeterminate basis once the permanent resident visa is issued; and your permanent job offer has received a positive labour market opinion from HRSDC. You cannot apply to HRSDC for a labour market opinion yourself. Your potential employer must apply for you. you meet the Canadian licensing or regulatory requirements for the job. No Arranged Employment 0 points Arranged Employment 10 - points Factor 6 – Adaptability (maximum 10 points) You can receive a maximum of 10 points based on any combination of the elements listed below: 1. Accompanying Spouse / Common-Law Partner’s Education: Secondary school diploma or less 0 points A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship and completed at least 12 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 3 points A one-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship or university degree at the bachelor’s level and completed at least 13 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 3 points A two-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship or university degree at the bachelor&# 8217;s level and completed at least 14 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 4 points A three-year diploma, trade certificate or apprenticeship (not university) and completed at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 4 points Two or more university degrees at the bachelor’s level and completed at least 15 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 4 points A master’s or Ph.D. and completed at least 17 years of full-time or full-time equivalent studies 5 points Not Applicable 0 points 2. Principal Applicant or Spouse / Common-Law Partner has studied in Canada No, or has less than two years post-secondary education in Canada 0 points Completed at least two years of post-secondary education in Canada since the age of 17 5 points 3. Principal Applicant or Spouse / Common-Law Partner has worked in Canada No, or has worked full-time in Canada for less than one year 0 points Worked full-time in Canada for at least one year 5 points 4. Principal Applicant has obtained points under Factor 5, Arranged Employment You are not eligible to claim points on this question as you do not have arranged employment under Factor 5. 5. Principal Applicant or Spouse / Common-Law Partner has family in Canada No family in Canada 0 points Family in Canada (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, niece, nephew, child or grandchild, spouse or common-law partner who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada) 5 points

Guide in Applying for the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE)

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announcement on their website about Canada's move to adopt a Provincial Nominee Program to facilitate the entry of immigrants to its labor force.

Canada's move was seen largely as a welcome development for filipino nurses looking for alternative foreign employment opportunities in the face of the current visa backlog in the United States.

The question in everyone's mind now is, "So, how do I become a nurse in Canada?"

This blogger did some reading and here's what I learned:

Requirements for Internationally Educated Nurses

1. To become a nurse in Canada, one must have a nursing degree that included theoretical and clinical experience in the areas of medicine, surgery, obstetrics (maternity), pediatrics (children's nursing), psychiatry (mental health), as well as gerontology and community health. (Some territories may require additional schooling)


2. The nursing degree must have been earned after a secondary education (high school).


3. The applicant must be proficient in both written and spoken English to ensure safe nursing practice.


4. The applicant must have a nursing license in good standing in the country where the nursing degree was earned.


5. The applicant must have worked as a nurse for at least 1125 hours in the last 5 years. (Not required in some territories)


Application Process for the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE)

1. To write the CRNE and become registered in one of the provinces or territories in Canada, applicant must apply to the nursing regulatory body in that province or territory.


2. The regulatory body will provide the applicant with the application forms needed and will be informed about the application process. It will also advise the applicant of eligibility to take the CRNE and inform the same of upcoming CRNE dates in the relevant jurisdiction.


3. All authority to take the actual CRNE and become registered is given by the nursing regulatory bodies. Links to Canadian nursing regulatory bodies are found at http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/about/members/provincial/default_e.aspx


Just like in the United States, application processes and requirements may differ from province to province. So, be sure to visit the individual nursing regulatory body's website when applying to sit for the CRNE.


Canadian Licensing Authorities:

Alberta - http://www.nurses.ab.ca/Carna/index.aspx

British Columbia - http://www.crnbc.ca/

Manitoba - http://www.crnm.mb.ca/

New Brunswick - http://www.nanb.nb.ca/

Newfoundland and Labrador - http://www.arnnl.nf.ca/

Northwest Territories and Nunavut - http://www.rnantnu.ca/

Nova Scotia - http://www.crnns.ca/

Ontario - http://www.cno.org/

Prince Edward Island - http://www.arnpei.ca/

Quebec - http://www.oiiq.org/

Saskatchewan - http://www.srna.org/

Yukon - http://www.yrna.ca/


Source: Canadian Nurses Association

CNA Certification

“May be the best career move you’ll ever make”

Certification in one of 19 specialties/areas of nursing practice shows your commitment to nursing excellence and continuing competence!
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) manages the only national nursing certification program in Canada.
What is certification?
CNA certification is a voluntary, recognized credential for registered nurses who meet specific nursing practice criteria, continuous learning and exam-based testing requirements. The credential, which must be renewed every five years, confirms that an RN has demonstrated competence in a nursing specialty/area of nursing practice by having met predetermined standards.
Benefits of certification
Your CNA certification credential indicates to patients, employers, the public and professional licensing bodies that you are qualified, competent and current in a nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. Preparing for the rigorous certification exam ensures your specialized knowledge and skills are current and comprehensive; renewing your certification through continuous learning ensures you stay that way. Having a trademarked certification credential after your name validates your competency in your area of nursing practice. It’s a tangible distinction, confirming your knowledge and skill levels in your specialty.
Other benefits of certification can include:

• Greater job opportunities, as some employers list certification as a preferred qualification
• Career advancement and increased responsibilities
• Potential for salary differentials and reimbursement of certification exam costs
• Formal recognition in the workplace
• University credit toward obtaining a nursing degree
• Opportunity to participate in exam development activities and act as a certification mentor to share your knowledge with the next generation of certified nurses

Meeting national standards of excellence
Certification represents a commitment to the leading edge in health-care standards. RNs who achieve certification commit to a national standard of professional competence that demonstrates their understanding of an area of nursing practice. CNA certification also supports and gives national scope to continuing competence initiatives mandated by provincial/territorial quality assurance programs. RNs who achieve certification join a growing network of specialized nurses – more than 16,000 strong – in an increasing number of areas of nursing practice.
Certification test development
CNA certification exams are developed by CNA-certified registered nurses across Canada with the assistance of Canada’s Testing Company, Assessment Strategies Inc. (ASI). The RNs act as content-matter experts while ASI ensures the exams are valid and reliable. ASI is Canada’s first choice for comprehensive assessment services, from research in the field of testing and measurement, to the development, administration and auditing of national credentialing and continuing competence programs. ASI has specialized in serving regulated professions for over 25 years.

Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses in CANADA

The Canadian Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses is a statement of the ethical values of nurses and of nurses’ commitments to persons with health-care needs and persons receiving care. It is intended for nurses in all contexts and domains of nursing practice and at all levels of decision-making. It is developed by nurses for nurses and can assist nurses in practising ethically and working through ethical challenges that arise in their practice with individuals, families, communities and public health systems.

Purpose of the Code
The Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses serves as a foundation for nurses’ ethical practice. It provides guidance for ethical relationships, responsibilities, behaviours and decision-making, and it is to be used in conjunction with the professional standards, laws and regulations that guide practice.
The code serves as a means of self-evaluation and self-reflection for ethical nursing practice and provides a basis for feedback and peer review. It also serves as an ethical basis from which nurses can advocate for quality work environments that support the delivery of safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care.
Nurses recognize the privilege of being part of a self-regulating profession and have a responsibility to merit this privilege. The code informs other health-care professionals as well as members of the public about the ethical commitments of nurses and the responsibilities nurses accept as being part of a self-regulating profession.
The specific values and ethical responsibilities expected of registered nurses in Canada are set out in part I. Endeavours that nurses may undertake to address social inequities as part of ethical practice are outlined in part II.

Part I: Nursing Values and Ethical Responsibilities
The first part of the code, “Nursing Values and Ethical Responsibilities,” describes the core responsibilities central to ethical nursing practice. These ethical responsibilities are articulated through seven primary values and accompanying responsibility statements, which are grounded in nurses’ professional relationships with individuals, families, groups, populations and communities as well as with students, colleagues and other health-care professionals.

Primary Nursing Values
1. Providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care
Nurses provide safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care.
2. Promoting health and well-being
Nurses work with people to enable them to attain their highest possible level of health and well-being.
3. Promoting and respecting informed decision-making
Nurses recognize, respect and promote a person’s right to be informed and make decisions.
4. Preserving dignity
Nurses recognize and respect the intrinsic worth of each person.
5. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
Nurses recognize the importance of privacy and confidentiality and safeguard personal, family and community information obtained in the context of a professional relationship.
6. Promoting justice
Nurses uphold principles of justice by safeguarding human rights, equity and fairness and by promoting the public good.
7. Being accountable
Nurses are accountable for their actions and answerable for their practice.
Nurses in all domains of practice bear the ethical responsibilities identified under each of the seven primary nursing values. These ethical responsibility statements, which appear in the full text of the code, are intended to help nurses apply the code.

Part II: Ethical Endeavours
There are broad aspects of social justice that are associated with health and well-being and that ethical nursing practice addresses. These aspects relate to the need for change in systems and societal structures in order to create greater equity for all. Part II of the code contains thirteen statements entitled “ethical endeavours,” which are intended to guide nurses in their practice. Nurses should endeavour as much as possible, individually and collectively, to advocate for and work toward eliminating social inequities through the ethical endeavours. These endeavours address issues related to access, change, choice, equality and rights.

Ethics Resources Listing
There are many valuable ethics-related resources which nurses, students and others may find helpful and useful. Outlined below are references from the CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses (2008), as well as suggestions for additional ethics reading resources. In an attempt to be as comprehensive as possible, there may be some overlap between the two lists.
Ethics in Practice series
The Ethics in Practice series consists of short papers that discuss various ethical issues of interest to nurses and provide guidance for nursing practice.

Canadian Registered Nurse Examination

June 2010 – May 2015

The Canadian Registered Nurse Exam (CRNE) consists solely of multiple-choice questions. For details about the exam, please read the information below.
Each provincial or territorial nursing regulatory body in Canada is responsible for ensuring that the individuals it registers as nurses meet an acceptable level of competence before beginning to practise.
The level of competence of registered nurses in all provinces and territories except Quebec is measured, in part, by the CRNE. The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) develops and maintains the CRNE through its testing company, Assessment Strategies Inc., and in collaboration with the regulatory authorities. The provincial and territorial nursing regulatory authorities administer the exam and determine eligibility to write it.
The purpose of the CRNE is to protect the public by ensuring that the entry-level registered nurse possesses the competencies required to practise safely and effectively.
Examination Length and Format
There are about 200 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Question Presentation
Of the approximately 200 multiple-choice questions on the CRNE, some are presented as independent questions and some are presented within cases. Case-based questions include a set of three to five questions associated with a brief health-care scenario. Independent questions contain the information necessary to answer the questions.
What Is Tested With the CRNE
The following text is taken from the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination Prep Guide (2010). There are 148 competencies that make up the content domain for the CRNE. Each question on the CRNE is linked to one of these competencies.
Competency Framework
The competency framework identifies and organizes the competencies that the CRNE should assess, reflecting a primary health-care nursing model. The framework and definitions of the four competency categories presented below are relevant to the June 2010-May 2015 exam. Because some of the competencies lend themselves to one or more categories, these four categories should be viewed simply as an organizing mechanism.

Provincial and Territorial Regulatory Bodies

BRITISH COLUMBIA College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 2855 Arbutus Street Vancouver BC  V6J 3Y8 Tel: (604) 736-7331 Fax: (604) 738-2272 E-mail: info@crnbc.ca	ALBERTA College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta 11620 - 168 Street Edmonton AB  T5M 4A6 Tel: (780) 451-0043 Fax: (780) 452-3276 E-mail: carna@nurses.ab.ca
SASKATCHEWAN Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association 2066 Retallack Street Regina SK  S4T 7X5 Tel: 1-800-667-9945 / (306) 359-4200 Fax: (306) 525-0849 E-mail: info@srna.org	MANITOBA College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba 890 Pembina Hwy Winnipeg MB R3M 2M8 Tel: (204) 774-3477 Fax: (204) 775-6052 E-mail: info@crnm.mb.ca
ONTARIO College of Nurses of Ontario 101 Davenport Road Toronto ON  M5R 3P1 Tel/Tél. : 1-800-387-5526 / (416) 928-0900 Fax/Télécopieur : (416) 928-6507 E-mail/Courriel : cno@cnomail.org	QUÉBEC Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec 4200, boul. Dorchester Ouest Montréal QC  H3Z 1V4 Tel/Tél. : (514) 935-2501 / 1-800-363-6048 Fax/Télécopieur : (514) 935-1799 E-mail/Courriel : inf@oiiq.org
NEW BRUNSWICK Nurses Association of New Brunswick  165 Regent Street Fredericton NB  E3B 7B4 Tel/Tél. : (506) 458-8731 Fax/Télécopieur : (506) 459-2838 E-mail/Courriel : nanb@nanb.nb.ca	NOVA SCOTIA College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia Suite 4005 7071 Bayers Road Halifax NS  B3J 2A8 Tel: (902) 491-9744 Fax: (902) 491-9510 E-mail: info@crnns.ca
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island 53 Grafton Street Charlottetown PE  C1A 1K8 Tel: (902) 368-3764 Fax: (902) 628-1430 E-mail: arnpei@pei.aibn.com	NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR Association Of Registered Nurses Of Newfoundland And Labrador 55 Military Rd St. John’s NL  A1C 2C5 Tel: (709) 753-6040 Fax: (709) 753-4940 E-mail: info@arnnl.nf.ca
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut  Box 2757 Yellowknife NT  X1A 2R1 Tel: (867) 873-2745 Fax: (867) 873-2336 E-mail: nwtrna@theedge.ca	YUKON Yukon Registered Nurses Association 204 - 4133 - 4th Avenue Whitehorse YT  Y1A 1H8 Tel: (867) 667-4062 Fax: (867) 668-5123 E-mail: yrna@yknet.ca

A nurse must hold individual membership in one of the provincial or territorial nursing associations which make up the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) in order to belong to CNA and the International Council of Nurses. The organizations listed above, except those of Ontario and Québec, are all members of CNA.
Nurses in Ontario wishing to belong to CNA should join the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.
Those in Québec should join the Yukon Registered Nurses Association or become an associate member of the Nurses Association of New Brunswick.

Information for International Nurses Applicants about nursing in CANADA

Where can I find out how to obtain a visa to work as a nurse in Canada?
Contact the Canadian Consulate nearest you for information regarding immigration or visas. It is very likely that an offer of employment will be required.
Where do nurses work in Canada?
Canada has had a publicly funded system of hospital and medical care since 1968. The majority of nurses work within the publicly funded sector of health care, a minority work in the private sector and a small number of nurses are self-employed.
Because health is a provincial jurisdictional area, the health care delivery system is not centralized and there is no one place where nurses can apply for work. They must apply directly to individual employers. The Canadian Healthcare Association publishes a large directory that lists and gives addresses for hospitals, health centres, nursing homes, health associations and health education programs. This directory may be available through a public library or Canadian Consulate.
What are the employment prospects in Canada?
The nursing employment situation in Canada is improving after several years of health care restructuring and hospital downsizing. Nurses with skills and experience in specialty areas (e.g., emergency, critical care and operating room) and those willing to work in smaller communities or isolated communities are in the most demand. The Canadian Nurses Association is predicting a continued shortage of nurses for the future.
Where can I obtain information about becoming licensed to practise nursing in Canada?
Unlike many other countries the registration of nurses does not occur at the national level. In order to practise nursing you must be licensed or registered in the province or territory in which you will work. You can request application forms from your provincial or territorial regulatory body.
Will I need to write an examination to become licensed to practise in Canada?
Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Québec, require that you write the Canadian Registered Nurses Examination as part of the registration or licensure process. At present, this examination can only be written in Canada on the recommendation of a provincial or territorial nurses association. The Canadian Nurses Association publishes CNA’s Canadian Registered Nurse Examination Prep Guide will help you prepare for the exam. Québec nurses have their own exam.
For further information, contact Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec.
What languages do I need to know in order to become a registered nurse?
You require language proficiency to become registered or licensed in Canada. Bilingualism (French and English) is an asset. Candidates must have knowledge of French to practise in Québec. In New Brunswick, Manitoba and Ontario, candidates must be proficient in either French or English. Employment and nursing education programs for unilingual French speaking nurses are available in Québec and in certain areas in New Brunswick, Manitoba and Ontario. In these provinces the Canadian RN exam may be written in either French or English. In the other provinces and territories require proficiency in English .
Can I work as a psychiatric/mental health nurse?
In Canada, registered nurses provide psychiatric/mental health services in a variety of settings. These nurses often have post-basic education and may also hold Canadian Nurses Association's specialty certification in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Registered mental health nurses from other countries may not have the broad education required for licensure as a registered nurse in Canada.
LIST OF COLLEGES OF REGISTERED PSYCHIATRIC NURSES

The College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of British Columbia 307-2502 St.Johns St. Port Moody, B.C. V3H 2B4 Tel: (604) 931-5200 Tool Free: 1-800-565-2505 Fax: (604) 931-5277 Web site: www.crpnbc.ca Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Alberta #201, 9711 - 45 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta T6E 5V8 Tel: (780) 434-7666 Toll Free: 1-877-234-7666 Fax: (780) 436-4165 Web site: www.rpnaa.ab.ca

College of Registered Psychiatric Nurses of Manitoba 1854 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3J 0G9 Tel: (204) 888-4841 Fax: (204) 888-8638 E-mail: crpnm@crpnm.mb.ca Website: www.crpnm.mb.ca Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan 2055 Lorne Street Regina, SK S4P2M4 Tel: (306)586-4617 Fax: (306) 586-6000 Web site: www.rpnas.com

Canadian nursing education takes place at the post-secondary level. The nursing programs include classroom theory and supervised practice for nursing roles and responsibilities including: disease prevention and health promotion; the nursing care of sick children, adults and the elderly; mental health and psychiatric nursing; and maternal-child (or obstetrical) nursing. The programs also include general arts and science courses. Read more about nursing education programs in Canada.
Can I practise midwifery?
Midwifery is a recognized profession in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec and Nova Scotia. For further information, please refer to the Canadian Association of Midwives.
For prior learning assessment, please consult your provincial or territorial regulator.
Related Links:

• Registering and Licensing Authorities in Canada
  
• The Canadian RN Prep Guide
  
• NursingCareersCanada.ca

Becoming a Registered Nurse

Never, ever, ever let anyone tell you it’ll be easy... JUST worth it.
Nursing, your career... your future.
Thinking about a career? Think registered nurse! It's more than a job, it's a growing profession offering an astonishing range of choices and opportunities.
You believe in a healthy lifestyle? Janet has been talking to teenagers about how to deal with sex and drugs. "These kids have their whole lives before them and I feel it's so important to help them now when they need it. With some groups I get into fitness and diet, too. They really want the information and someone to talk to."
You want excitement? So does Robin, so she works in the emergency department of a city hospital. "When people burst through those doors, they need help, fast and our ER team gives it. I have to think on my feet here, make immediate decisions about what a person needs. No other job could give me the same challenge - or satisfaction."
Intrigued by health questions? So is Nicole, and she's finding the answers. Nicole is the head of a research team studying the care needs of AIDS patients. "I used to give nursing care to people in their homes and then a great AIDS patient I had motivated me to move into research. I was shocked by how little knowledge and how few resources there seemed to be to care for people like Ted, so I decided to do something about it."
More interested in helping people over the long term? That's what Michael wants, so he's head nurse at a rehabilitation centre. "A lot of rehab patients start out fighting against our care; they're depressed, angry, and worried about their future. Helping them work through that is as important as their physical therapy. It's an incredible feeling to help a person go through the whole process back to health."
Michael, Janet, Robin and Nicole became registered nurses because they wanted to work with people in a career that offers challenges and the independence to make decisions. Nursing involves caring for the whole person - the physical, intellectual and social needs. Nurses also plan and deliver health programs for groups or communities.
Nurses are the heart of care. As a registered nurse, you can make a difference in one person's life through one-on-one, and in the health of all Canadians through research and leadership.
Jobs, the real story
This is an excellent time to enter nursing as there is a shortage. At some point in their life, every Canadian will require the services of a nurse. Since many nurses will soon retire, Canada needs bright young men and women to choose nursing as a career. Changes in the health care system continue to broaden the opportunities for nurses. An especially important trend is the increasing number of services that emphasize illness prevention and health promotion programs. Many of these are planned and staffed by registered nurses.
Registered nurses earn salaries that compare with other professionals with a similar amount of education. Health care is offered 24 hours a day, so expect to work some nights and weekends, like doctors, law enforcement officers and others who provide essential services.
As in any profession, salaries vary across the country, and people make more as they gain experience and responsibility. Graduates of degree programs usually have more opportunities for advancement, and in some provinces, make more money than graduates of diploma programs. Your provincial or territorial nurses' association can provide current salary ranges.
To see nursing jobs across Canada, visit NursingCareersCanada.ca, The National job board of the Canadian Nurses Association.
Choices... lots!
Nursing is full of opportunities to grow, to advance and to change your career direction. Whatever your interest - working with children, scientific procedures and high tech equipment, teaching and promoting healthy practices, developing your management skills - nursing has something for you. Here are just a few examples:

IN THE COMMUNITY: health clinics schools wellness programs in the workplace doctors’ offices home care family planning clinics poison control centres prenatal and well-baby clinics rehabilitation centres sexually transmitted disease units AIDS hospices

IN A HOSPITAL: emergency intensive care operating room post-surgery maternity cardiovascular (heart) oncology (cancer) psychiatry pediatrics (children) palliative (dying people) geriatrics (seniors)

One of the most exciting opportunities for nurses in Canada is Northern nursing. Often, community health centres in Canada's North are run completely by the nurse - independent and in charge. Many Aboriginal nurses return home to help their communities, other nurses find they enjoy learning about a different culture.
The great thing about nursing is that your choices never end. With some years of experience and further studies you could branch out in almost any direction imaginable. After a few years in practice you might decide to become an advanced practice nurse. An expert nurse with a master's degree, an advanced practice nurse provides direct care to clients and serves as a role model and consultant to other practising nurses. There are currently two types of ANPs in Canada, clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner.
Or you might decide, like Nicole, that you want to investigate current issues in health care. On the leading edge of health care discoveries, nurse researchers design studies, collect data and analyze results. Their findings contribute to the vast body of scientific knowledge that supports and improves nursing.
Leadership
All nurses are teachers, helping people learn to prevent illness and manage health problems. But you might want to become a nurse educator, preparing future nurses to enter practice. You could work at a community college or a university, and research would be part of what you do.
A nurse administrator coordinates nursing services in a hospital or community health centre. Handling large budgets, supervising staff and setting the standards for excellent care takes strength and good management skills.
The sky is the limit
And any of these choices could lead you still further. Nurses' ideas and opinions are sought after by the media, politicians, and national and international groups. Imagine being a consultant to Health Canada, or the World Health Organization.
Or you could travel. Northern Canada is a close-to-home example, but Canadian nurses are so highly regarded that other countries - both developing and developed - actively recruit them. Your skills and knowledge could take you places. The possibilities are endless!
Degree or diploma?
If you're thinking about a career in nursing, you should seriously consider studying for a degree (BN or BNSc). More career opportunities and the possibility of graduate study will be open to nurses with university degrees. Most provinces already require a baccalaureate in nursing (BN or BScN) to enter the profession.
Degree programs take four years. Besides learning social and physical sciences, and nursing, as in the diploma program, university programs generally offer additional studies in leadership, health teaching, research and other disciplines.
Diploma programs take three years. Graduates generally work in hospitals, nursing homes or other structured settings. Many colleges now offer their diploma courses in collaboration with a university with the option of continuing on after graduation to obtain a degree. However, getting a diploma and then a degree generally takes longer, and costs more, than enrolling in a degree program from the beginning.
Nursing students in both university and diploma schools of nursing will study psychology, child development, sociology, anatomy and physiology. The nursing courses include theory and clinical practice. You will be supervised and supported in the clinical setting to ensure the safety of patients and your own safety.
If you are interested in continuing your education, master's and doctoral programs in nursing are available in many places in Canada.
Get ready
Entrance requirements differ from one school to another. Generally, the admission requirements are high school graduation with senior level English or French, mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology. You can contact your provincial nurses' association or individual schools for their specific requirements and information on funding.
Caring for people, the independence to make decisions, the challenge and excitement of being on the leading edge of health care. Sound interesting? Then ask today for more information about a career as a registered nurse!
Provincial associations

• Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island
• College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia
• Nurses Association of New Brunswick
• Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec
• Registered Nurses Association of Ontario
• College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
• Saskatchewan Registered Nurses' Association
• College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta
• College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia
• Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
• Yukon Registered Nurses Association
• Native Access Program to Nursing

Work as a Registered Nurse in CANADA

With the advancement of technologies in the medical fields, and in Pharmaceutical industries; life is prolong. Soon, people will need a lot of Nurses in their life.

Shortage of nurses is rampant everywhere. Canada needs bright young men and women to work as nurses in their country and this is the right time to take part and become nurse worker in canada.

Why Work as Nurse in Canada? Because of thousands of benefits.
• Employment insurance for parental and maternity leaves (you can stay with your child while enjoying your salaries)
• They encourage permanent residency. (Immigrants become Canadian citizens)
• They offer generous assistance for relocation and language studies for those who can not speak their language.
• Annual salary for Quebic- $40.927-$60.319, Ontario $57.25-$82.25, Other benefits include pension plan, paid sick time, paid statutory holidays, paid vacation, life insurance, medical insurance premiums.

Another reason to work in canada as a nurse is because the demand is rising rapidly and is estimated to increase over time.

If you are planning to Immigrate to Canada, I suggest you