How to Work as a Nurse in Canada From Nigeria

Canada’s economy is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

It has become greatly obvious that Canada is among the most progressive societies in the world where one can practice his/her profession, particularly the nursing profession.

In Canada, there is this dire demand for nurses, making it a good career choice. Currently, nursing is among the top in-demand career jobs in Canada.

It has been estimated that Canada will need over 60,000 nurses by 2020 and the figure is expected to multiply soon. Nurses in Canada are well paid and well treated given the services they offer to save humanity.

Nevertheless, this work will expose individuals who intend to work as nurses in Canada from Nigeria to the needed certifications and also an in-depth understanding of the Canadian nursing system.

Who is a Nurse

A nurse is an individual who has undergone a complete basic program of nursing, and general nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority to practice nursing in his/her country or anywhere in the world.

Nursing cuts across autonomous and collaborative care of persons of all ages, families, groups, and communities, sick or well, and in all settings.

Nursing also includes the promotion of health at its best, prevention of all forms of illness, and the care of the sick, disabled, and dying persons.

True advocacy, promotion of a safe environment, research, partaking in the shaping of health policies and in patient and health systems management, and education are also major nursing duties. The duties of the nurse go beyond taking care of the sick.

Basic nursing education is a formally recognized program of study dishing an encompassing and sound foundation in the behavioral, life, and nursing sciences for the general practice of nursing, for a leadership role, and for post-basic education for specialty or advanced nursing practice.

Duties of a Nurse

The nurse is geared and authorized to carry out the following duties:

• To take part in the general scope of nursing practice, including the promotion of health, prevention of illness, and care of physically sick, mentally sick, and disabled people of all ages and in all health care and other communities or settings
• To dish out good health care teaching
• To fully partake as a member of the healthcare team
• To supervise and give good nursing training and health care auxiliaries
• To be involved in health-improving research.

Categorization of Nurses in Canada

The nursing profession in Canada can be broken down into three different categories; they are as follows:

1. RNs (Registered Nurses in Canada): Registered nurses (RNs) have acquired their General Registered Nurse certification after completing an accredited nursing program at a college or higher institution such as; university.
2.  RPNs (Registered Psychiatric Nurses in Canada): RPNs are registered nurses with maybe a bachelor’s degree in psychiatric nursing or a bachelor’s degree in another nursing field who have also completed graduate-level coursework in psychiatric nursing in university. The provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba control the practice of RPNs.
3.  LPNs (Licensed Practical Nurses in Canada): These are nurses that have a diploma from an accredited nursing school and can practice independently under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.

How to Work as a Nurse in Canada From Nigeria

As a Nigerian who desires to work as a nurse in Canada from Nigeria, there are certain certifications one must possess. Also one must have in-depth knowledge of the Canadian nursing system to enable one to fit into the system perfectly.

Among the things one needs to do is, first; be sure that you attained the level of education and experience required to fulfill the requirements set out by the Canadian nursing standards.

However, there are possibilities that one may need to take more classes or get other certifications in order to fulfill the prerequisites mapped out by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) and the regulatory authorities in the province in which one wants to work.

After that, the second thing to do is to apply for a work visa or an immigration status that will enable you to lawfully find employment in Canada.

Note, that one can only begin the search for nursing employment in Canada after one must have gotten the relevant credentials and have immigration status sorted out.

Although, it is very important to do research on the labor market in the province in which one desires to work in order to have an understanding of the needs and expectations of employers.

Good relationships and connections with other people who work in the medical field can be of high importance in the search for career prospects.

Steps to prepare you to work as a nurse in Canada from Nigeria

1. Verify Your Credentials

The first thing to do as a nurse who attended school in Nigeria and now desires to work in Canada is to have their academic credentials accepted so that they can be processed.

This is most necessary in order for the nurse to be able to work in Canada. However, World Education Services is the agency that has the capability to assess and verify the academic credentials of an overseas student.

This is an excellent avenue to get your nursing credentials officially recognized in Canada.

2. Be Sure Your Credentials are Accessed and Ascertained by NNAS

To get one’s Credentials Assessed and ascertained by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS), the following steps must be sustained: After passing the NNAS exam, the next thing to do is to apply for a Canadian visa and become registered as a nurse in Canada.

This is an important step in the process of getting your nursing degree recognized in the Canadian healthcare system.

This leaves you with a great advantage. Again, the establishment of a functioning account, is followed by verification of the account and the submission of essential credentials for the nursing job.

After the completion of the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) review of credentials, you can then move on to the application process.

However, for one who would want his/her advisory report to be delivered to more than one province, there will be fee increase associated with each additional province.

Documents to Be Submitted for National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) Verification

• Submit two forms of identification to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS): Two copies of your identification forms must be confirmed, meaning, they must be signed and sealed by an authorized government official who certifies that they have seen the original papers, created the copies, and knows they are authentic.

           Proof of identification can be the following:

1. International Passport
2. Driver’s license, birth certificate, marriage certificate
3. Change of name affidavit

• Forward an Application for Nursing Education: Download the form from your online profile, fill it out, sign it, and then mail it back to the Nursing school in Nigeria. Also official copies of your academic records/transcript, nursing program curriculum/course descriptions, and/or course syllabi, this document must be provided directly from your school’s administration to NNAS through mail or courier.
• Submit your nursing registration form: Download, print, and sign this form, then it to any nursing licensing authorities outside of Canada where you were approved or registered. In the case where your nurse registration form does not come directly from your licensing authority, NNAS will reject it. If you have a diploma certification that permits you to work as a nurse in your nation, demand that the school that you obtained the diploma certification to submit an authentic copy of the diploma certificate in its original form to NNAS.
• Submit your nursing practice/employment form: Sign and send mail containing this form and references of every job you have had during the previous five years. Your nursing practice form should come directly from your employer through mail or courier to be acknowledged by NNAS.
• Submit your IELTS language testing result: You must undergo language tests and have get your recognized language testing provider send the results to NNAS. In the case where English or French is the predominant language where you live and work and your nursing education program is in English or French, you may have no need for the language tests.
•  Submit your application: Once NNAS has accepted all papers, you may submit your application and choose the provincial regulating authority and nursing group you want to apply.

3. Registration/Assessment By the Province Regulatory Body

After you have gotten a passing grade from NNAS, you become eligible to submit an application to the nursing medical board in the province or territory of your choice which makes you a registered nurse in Canada.

Again this can be done once you are resolute on the province or territory you wish to work in.

The NNAS score grade will become a yardstick by all nursing boards in order to compare the nursing knowledge, experience, and education of applicants from across the globe to the standard established by their respective nursing boards.

A candidate will be required to register for a bridging program or take the province’s final nursing exam, which is needed for full licensure and registration, this will further facilitate your application. However, either option is very much needed for full license and registration.

4. Choose an Immigration Method of your choice

One can take advantage of the many economic immigration programs that are available in Canada at both the federal and provincial levels.

Some of them are; The Express Entry system, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and the Skilled Worker program in Quebec, to get employment and eventually acquire permanent residency in the country if you are a Nigerian who has met the requirements to work as a nurse in Canada.

5. Be patient for the Invitation to Apply via the Express Entry Program

Once you have gotten have obtained a passing grade from NNAS, you are qualified to submit an application to the nursing medical board in the province or territory of your choice in order to become a registered nurse in Canada.

Assessors and Regulatory Bodies in the Provinces Once you have gotten a passing grade from NNAS, you are qualified to submit an application.

The NNAS score will be used as a yardstick by all nursing boards in order to compare the nursing knowledge, experience, and education of applicants from across the globe to the standard established by their respective nursing boards.

At this level, there are often one among two probable outcomes that may occur. A candidate will be encouraged to enroll in a bridging program or take part in the province’s final nursing exam, which is of high importance for full licensure and registration, in order to continue with an application.

6. How to Guarantee You are Selected to Receive an Invitation

The final step of your immigration to Canada is to wait patiently for an Invitation to Apply via the Express Entry Program.

7. The Procedures to Follow for Possible Selection for an Invitation

The candidates in the Express Entry pool who have garnered the maximum number of Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points are surely the ones to get an invitation to apply from the CIC.

In the past, the minimum number of CRS points needed for a nurse immigration draw to Canada was pegged at 449. A job offer is only worth 200 points in Canada, but a provincial nomination certificate is worth an awesome 600 points.

Again, on the Comprehensive Ranking, a score of 1200 is deemed totally perfect. Getting your nursing registration in one province, will immediately leave you qualified to work as a nurse in any other province in that country.

In addition, for a registered nurse who have an Express Entry CRS score of 449 or higher, you may be able to immigrate to Canada without a job offer or a provincial nomination.

However, in a case where your score is lesser, you will require a provincial nomination or a job offer in the nursing profession in Canada in order to come to Canada.

For a registered nurse who has an Express Entry CRS score below 449, you will not be granted immigration entry into Canada.

Conclusion on Working as a Nurse in Canada

In conclusion, It is of the utmost importance to do proper research and also have an in-depth understanding of the nursing regulatory organizations both in Nigeria and regulations in Canada, in addition to the immigration and visa processes.

Again, when searching for employment opportunities, it is important to have a network with other healthcare professionals and build harmonious connections with those individuals.

It is very much possible for Nigerian nurses to have a successful and satisfying career in Canada if they have all the necessary skills and drive, and as well follow the measures outlined above. All the best to you in your nursing career pursuit.