- Nurse Education Requirements in Canada -
Registered Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurse
Registered nurse
education programs in Canada lead to baccalaureate degree.
Licensed practical nurse programs vary in length from one to two years and are usually in a
community college setting.
The nursing profession is regulated in the public interest
and nursing education programs prepare graduates to meet the nursing standards and competencies set by
the regulatory nursing
organizations.
If you want to become a nurse in Canada there are 4 things you should know:
- to become a registered nurse the education requirement will be a university degree.
- To become a licensed practical nurse
the education requirements vary considerably across the
country and range from one to two years of college education.
- Hospital based programs for nursing education have been eliminated.
- In order to become a nurse and get a nursing license you must
have graduated from an "approved" or "recognized" nursing program.
What does "approved" or "recognized" mean?
The terms "approved" or "recognized" are used to identify nursing programs that meet the education standards set by the provincial regulatory nursing
organizations because the nursing profession is regulated in
public interest.
One of the ways that regulatory nursing organizations ensure
the public is protected is to set standards for education programs. This ensures that graduates will be
able to pass the Canadian nursing entrance test and meet all
nursing standards of practice once
they have a nursing license and are practicing in the
nursing profession.
All registered nurse and licensed practical nurse education programs must have regulatory approval or recognition so that graduates can
write the Canadian nursing entrance test.
Graduates are not allowed to sit the exam unless they have graduated from a program
that has met these standards. This is true for both the registered nurse and the licensed practical nurse programs.
Are You an Internationally Educated Registered Nurse?
When you apply to the provincial regulatory nursing authority you will be required to
submit your transcripts from the school you graduated from. The nursing courses will be scrutinized for content
and hours.
Content
Your basic nursing education must include a sufficient number of hours of nursing theory and practice.
This includes:
Registered Nurse Education Facts
Fact #1
Once you have completed the Canadian nursing entrance test and passed, you never have to write it again!
Fact #2
Medical school education is not sufficient to qualify as an "equivalent" to nursing theory.
- biological sciences
- social sciences
- physical assessment
- health assessment
- problem solving
- research
- legal and ethical issues in nursing
- social and political trends affecting health care
- health promotion and illness prevention
- leadership theory
- nursing across the lifespan
- communication, specifically therapeutic communication within the professional helping relationship
Hours
Your transcript must show sufficient hours in both nursing theory and clinical courses with clients across the lifespan and include
maternal/child, pediatrics, and mental health nursing.
Substantially Equivalent Competency Assessment (SEC)
If your paper documentation is not sufficient evidence to show equivalency to that expected in Canada
you may be required to take a substantially equivalent competency assessment (SEC).
The recommendation for an SEC is made by the provincial regulatory body.
Re-entry nurse education programs
All nurses in Canada must maintain their competency to practice.
The best way to maintain your competency is to practice nursing. There are, of course, a variety of reasons why
your nursing practice may be interrupted.
If you have not practiced a minimum number of hours (usually between 1100 and 1700) in the last five years you will not be allowed to practice until
you have completed a re-entry or "refresher course" to update knowledge and skills for contemporary nursing practice.
Re-entry nurse education programs must also be approved by the nursing regulatory body.
