How to Become a Nurse in Canada
If you want to become a nurse in Canada, start by getting the right educational background. Most territory and province's nurses' associations require you to have a bachelor's degree in nursing, but make sure to check since a few areas require a 3-year Diploma of Collegial Studies program in nursing instead. Once you complete your formal education, you'll need to apply to your provincial nurses' association to get your nursing license. It's likely you'll need to take 1 or more licensing exams to demonstrate your ability to practice nursing. To become a Registered Nurse, you'll have to pass the National Council Licensure Exam too.
Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Most provincial and territorial nurses' associations in Canada require potential nurses to have a bachelor's degree in nursing. As the first step in your journey to becoming a nurse, check with your province or territory's nurses' association or regulatory body for a list of approved nursing schools and programs in your area. Download a current list of programs accredited by the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing here: https://www.casn.ca/accreditation/accredited-canadian-nursing-education-programs/. Complete a Diploma of Collegial Studies program if you live in Quebec. Quebec does not require a university degree in nursing, but does require that you at least complete a 3-year Diploma of Collegial Studies (or DEC) program in nursing. If you would prefer a university degree, another option is to get a 3-year Bachelor of Science (BAC) degree in nursing. Find a program that fits your needs. For traditional students, a full-time 4-year bachelor's degree program in nursing may be a great fit. If you are a non-traditional student or a continuing learner, consider signing up for a distance education program, part-time program, or accelerated degree program in nursing that can work with your schedule and needs. Make sure you meet your program’s admission requirements. Requirements for getting into a nursing degree program may vary between regions and individual schools. Check with the nursing department at your prospective college or university to find out what you must do to qualify for the nursing program. For example, you may need to pass a certain number of introductory courses in relevant subjects (e.g., chemistry, math, and biology) before you can register for the nursing program. In some areas, you may need to complete a certain number of years in elementary and secondary school before you can qualify for a nursing program. For example, in Quebec, you must complete 13 years in elementary and secondary school, as well as a pre-university program, before you can get a BAC in nursing. There may also be non-academic requirements (e.g., up-to-date immunization records, current CPR training, and a criminal record check showing no relevant offences). Explore your financial aid options. While the idea of paying for the costs of a nursing education may seem intimidating, there are a variety of financial support options available. Check with your prospective college or university to find out what scholarships or other funding programs they have in place for nursing students. You may also qualify for loans, grants, or government tuition support. Visit the RNAO's Careers in Nursing website for information on how to get financial aid to support your nursing studies: http://careersinnursing.ca/new-grads-and-job-seekers/financial-assistance. Some provinces and territories offer government-subsidized tuition support or reimbursement for nursing students and recent graduates of nursing programs. Check with your local nurses' association or regulatory body to find out about programs in your area. Complete the required coursework and training for your region. In order to work as a nurse in your province or territory, you may need to complete a certain number of hours of coursework and practical training in various aspects of nursing. Check with your local nurses' association and speak with your academic advisor about how to fulfill these requirements. For example, you may be required to fulfill a certain number of hours of practical on-site training (sometimes called a practicum) in order to become an RN in your province or territory. Apply to your provincial nurses’ association for assessment. The process of obtaining a nursing license varies from one province or territory to another. Contact the regulatory body in your area to find out what steps you need to take to qualify for licensure in your region. Most of these bodies will require you to take 1 or more licensing exams to demonstrate your competencies in the field of nursing. For example, to begin the process of becoming a licensed nurse in Ontario, you must register with the College of Nurses of Ontario. The CNO requires members to pass an online RN Jurisprudence Exam. In Quebec, all prospective nurses must apply to the Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ). Depending on your background, the OIIQ may require you to pass a French Language Proficiency Licensure Exam in addition to a nursing exam. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers contact information for provincial and territorial regulatory bodies here: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm. Take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). In order to become a Registered Nurse in Canada, you must pass the NCLEX. Each regulatory body or board of nursing in Canada has its own eligibility requirements for members wishing to take the NCLEX, so contact the appropriate organization in your area to find out what you need to do before applying to take the exam. Once you are ready to apply, they will provide you with the necessary application materials. You must submit a licensing/registration fee along with your application. This fee may vary depending on the requirements of your local regulatory body/board of nursing. After completing your application, register for the exam at http://www.pearsonvue.com/nclex/. You can also call 866-496-2539 to register by phone. In addition to the licensing/registration fee, you must pay an exam registration fee of $360 CAD. Meet the 4 basic requirements to be registered as a nurse in Canada. In addition to passing the national exam and meeting the other specific requirements of your region's regulatory body, you must meet a basic set of national requirements. Consult the regulatory body/board of nursing in your province or territory to find out how to provide proof of the following: Fluency in written and spoken English or French. Registration or eligibility to register in the jurisdiction where you completed your nursing education program. Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency, or authorization to practice nursing under the Canadian Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Good character and suitability to practice. As part of the assessment of your character and suitability, you will probably need to submit to a criminal record check. Find out if your school offers career services. Some colleges or universities offer services designed to help students and recent graduates find jobs in their field. Talk to your academic advisor or someone in your school's Student Affairs office about what kinds of services they offer for nursing students. They may be able to help you: Build your resume and prepare for interviews. Gain experience through practicums, internships, or co-operative education programs. Connect with prospective employers in your area. Craft a good resume. A strong resume is critical to getting a nursing job. A resume is typically 1-3 pages long, and consists of a summary of your career interests, education, and experience. A nursing resume should include: A brief statement of your career objectives. Write a sentence or 2 about what kind of nursing job you are interested in, and briefly summarize your major strengths, accomplishments, and areas of expertise. A summary of your education, including all degrees, diplomas, and certificates. A list of any honors and awards you have received from your academic institution(s), previous workplaces, or professional organizations. A summary of your work and clinical experience. Highlight any major accomplishments or skills you have picked up. A list of any professional memberships/affiliations (e.g., memberships in professional nursing organizations). A list of any publications you have authored or professional presentations you have given. A summary of any relevant volunteer experience. Search for nursing jobs in your area. You can find Canadian nursing job postings on a variety of general and specialist job boards. Look for jobs for nurses with your qualifications, who are registered to work in your territory or province. Nursing jobs in every territory or province in Canada are listed on the Canadian government's Job Bank website, here: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home-eng.do?lang=eng There are also region-specific job boards for nursing and other healthcare jobs, such as the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's RNCareers website: https://www.rncareers.ca/rncareers/index.htm Apply for a job that matches your qualifications. Qualifications and requirements vary from one nursing job to another. Read the job description closely to make sure you meet all requirements for education, training, and experience. Follow all application instructions carefully, and submit any requested documents that show evidence of your relevant credentials. For example, a job for a nurse in an oncology clinic may require that you have an Oncology Certification from the CNA. Improve your prospects by getting a specialty certification. Nurses in Canada can specialize in a variety of areas (e.g., Community Health, Critical Care, or Perianesthesia). Getting a certification after nursing school can make you more marketable and help you find jobs that match your interests. In order to qualify for a certification, you will need to have a certain amount of education and experience in your chosen area of specialization. You must also complete a certification exam. Visit the Canadian Nurses Association certification website to find out how to qualify for a certification exam: https://cna-aiic.ca/certification/get-certified/initial-exam-eligibility Expand your horizons by becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Once you become a practicing Registered Nurse, you have the option of eventually becoming a Nurse Practitioner. NPs can order and interpret diagnostic tests, communicate diagnoses to patients, prescribe medications, and perform certain medical procedures. The requirements for becoming an NP may vary depending on the rules of the regulatory body in your province or territory. For example, in Ontario, an NP must have an advanced nursing degree, demonstrate evidence of safe practice, and pass a registration exam in their preferred area of specialization (Primary Health Care, Pediatric, Neonatal , Adult, or Anesthesia). Choose the Quebec Skilled Worker program to get permanent residency. The QSW program allows qualified nurses to immigrate to Quebec as permanent residents without having to secure a job offer first. If you have enough points (at least 50 for a single applicant and at least 59 if you have a spouse/partner) based on the program's list of selection factors, you may qualify for a Quebec Selection Certificate. The QSC makes you eligible for a Canadian Permanent Resident visa. Selection factors include: Your level of education Your area of specialization Whether you have a validated employment offer Your age (candidates aged 18-35 earn higher scores than older candidates) Your language proficiency in French or English Points are also awarded based on whether you have family in Quebec, whether you will be accompanied by a spouse/partner and/or children, and your level of financial self-sufficiency. For more information on how to apply, visit the official Quebec immigration website here: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/immigrate-settle/permanent-workers/index.html. Get your credentials assessed before applying for work outside Quebec. To work as a nurse elsewhere in Canada, you must first follow a series of steps in order to qualify for a work permit. Contact the regulatory body or board of nursing in the territory or province in which you wish to work to find out how to get your educational credentials assessed. As part of your assessment, you will likely be required to take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). Contact the regulatory body in your preferred province or territory to find out how to qualify for the NCLEX. Visit this page to find information on how to contact the regulatory body/board of nursing in each province or territory: https://www.ncsbn.org/contact-bon.htm. Register as a nurse in the area where you wish to work. After your credentials are assessed, you must register with either the Canadian Nurses Association (CAN) or the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR). The procedure for registration varies depending on the territory or province in which you are planning to work. This website has links to the pages listing registration requirements in each territory/province: https://www.cicnews.com/2013/08/coming-canada-nurse-process-082835.html#gs.AXmKbaU You may need to pass additional tests in order to register or practice, such as the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE), Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE), or other exams specific to the territory or province in which you want to work. Apply for a nursing job. Once you're registered to work as a nurse in Canada, the next step is to secure a job offer. You can search for nursing jobs in Canada using job search tools like the one here: https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-job-search-tool.html. Some territories or provinces offer government programs that help internationally trained nurses find jobs in Canada. For example, the CARE program in Ontario helps international applicants prepare for registration exams and find professional development opportunities. Submit a work permit application. After receiving a job offer, you must obtain a work permit. You can apply for a work permit online or on paper. To start an online application or download forms for a mail-in application, visit the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website here: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/work.asp?_ga=2.212897300.1629361107.1519254835-883044291.1519254835. You may need to provide some or all of the following documentation: Proof of identity, consisting of a valid passport and 2 photos of yourself and any accompanying family members. Proof of employment in Canada, which may include an Offer of Employment number (provided by your employer) and proof of your credentials for the job (i.e., documentation that you are registered to work as a nurse in Canada). Proof of relationship between yourself and any accompanying family members (e.g., marriage license, birth certificates, or declaration of common-law union). Any other documents as requested (e.g., proof of your immigration status in the country from which you are applying, if you are not a citizen). Look into permanent residency options, if desired. Once you've spent some time working as a nurse in Canada, you may qualify for permanent residency. There are a few different immigration programs that might apply, such as the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) program and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). To qualify for the CEC, you must have completed at least 1 year of work as a nurse in Canada within 36 months of the application date. You must also complete a Canadian Language Benchmark assessment in English or French. You cannot apply for this program if you plan to reside in Quebec. PNP qualifications vary depending on the territory/province in which you are working. Visit this website to find out about the application process in each territory or province: https://www.canadavisa.com/provincial-nomination-program.html. 
Get a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Complete a Diploma of Collegial Studies program if you live in Quebec. Find a program that fits your needs. Make sure you meet your program’s admission requirements. Explore your financial aid options. Complete the required coursework and training for your region. Apply to your provincial nurses’ association for assessment. Take the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX). Meet the 4 basic requirements to be registered as a nurse in Canada. Find out if your school offers career services. Craft a good resume. Search for nursing jobs in your area. Apply for a job that matches your qualifications. Improve your prospects by getting a specialty certification. Expand your horizons by becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Choose the Quebec Skilled Worker program to get permanent residency. Get your credentials assessed before applying for work outside Quebec. Register as a nurse in the area where you wish to work. Apply for a nursing job. Submit a work permit application. Look into permanent residency options, if desired. 