In recent years, we’ve seen mounting pressures on our healthcare system and growing demands and challenges for healthcare professionals. In the face of this, nurses have stood by Canadians and continued to provide the care that we all rely on.

A key part of the nursing community in Canada are Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs). IENs put their knowledge, skill and experience into practice here every day.  IENs play an important role in Canada’s health care system.  We thank those IENs who have chosen or who are considering choosing Canada to pursue their careers in nursing.

At NNAS, we take our role seriously as being a first step for IENs in their journey to practice in Canada. We understand this path comes with challenges and that’s why we are taking steps to simplify and speed up the application process. As we continue to evolve as an organization, we want to play our part in removing barriers for IENs and helping make the process as quick and smooth as possible.

The theme of this year’s National Nursing Week is, “Our Nurses. Our Future.” At NNAS, we are committed to working in partnership with our regulatory body members and all those involved in the health system to effect positive change. We want to take this time to celebrate the commitment of all nurses to delivering exceptional care.

Sincerely,

Gayle Waxman

Executive Director

National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)

Effective February 9, 2023, NNAS will release Advisory Reports without requiring a curricular assessment to applicants who have written and passed the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) on or after April 1, 2013 and who will be applying for licensure or registration as a RN at CNO, NSCN and BCCNM.  This change is part of our efforts to streamline our processes for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs).

Already written and passed NCLEX-RN on or after April 1, 2013?

Applicants who have written and passed NCLEX-RN on or after April 1, 2013, can update their application with their NCLEX-RN information by going into the Examination Section (Part C) of their NNAS Application Form. A new section has been added where applicants can confirm they have written and passed NCLEX-RN on or after April 1, 2013. Applicants will also be asked to include their NCLEX-RN ID number. This will allow NNAS to verify results and include this information on the applicant’s Advisory Report. For applicants who do not know their NCLEX-RN ID number, please follow the instructions in the NNAS portal.

Have not written and passed NCLEX-RN on or after April 1, 2013?

Applicants who have not written and passed NCLEX-RN on or after April 1, 2013,
do not need to do anything. Those applications will continue in the process and the applicant’s nursing education curriculum will be assessed.

NNAS is the single point of entry for all IENs interested in becoming licensed or registered as a nurse in Canada, and your first stop in the application process. We are here to help you with a streamlined process to submit your documents and ensure a smooth review.

Applicants with questions about this change should contact Applicant Support at support@nnas.ca or by calling 1-855-977-1898, Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET.

Are you an Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN) that is thinking of completing, is in the process of completing, or has completed a NNAS application?

The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) is working with an independent research firm called Prairie Research Associates (PRA) to conduct a study to hear applicants’ opinions about information and resources IENs would like to see on the NNAS website. This research is part of NNAS’ efforts to improve our processes and make sure applicants can easily find important information about becoming licensed as a nurse in Canada.

To get started, please click on a link below to provide PRA with your contact information. PRA will contact you to collect additional information and then will invite you to participate in either a focus group, individual interview or survey.

English link:

https://survey.pra.ca/S2/1/NNAWS2022/?lang=en

French link:

https://survey.pra.ca/S2/1/NNAWS2022/?lang=fr

If you have any questions about this research project, please contact Paul Simpson, Senior Research Manager at PRA by email at simpson@pra.ca or by telephone at 1-888-877-6744 (toll-free), or Jennifer Wojcik, Director of Strategic Initiatives at NNAS by email at jwojcik@nnas.ca or by telephone at 1-647-264-9824.

Language Proficiency Requirement Deferred to Regulatory Process for All NNAS Applicants

Effective October 14, 2022, NNAS will no longer collect language proficiency test scores as part of NNAS’s process.   Instead, all applicants will submit proof of language proficiency directly to regulatory bodies as part the regulator’s review process. This change is part of NNAS’s initiative to streamline its processes.

This change will:

• Provide applicants with more time to meet the nursing regulator’s language proficiency requirement
• Align NNAS’s requirements across all NNAS Regulatory Body members
• Provide greater flexibility to nursing regulatory body members.

Applicants with questions about their application to NNAS should contact Applicant Support at support@nnas.ca or by calling 1-855-977-1898, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm ET. For additional information, please review the Frequently Asked Questions on the NNAS website at www.nnas.ca in the News and Events section.

Q. Why has NNAS removed the proof of language proficiency from its process?
A. NNAS removed the proof of language proficiency to streamline the NNAS requirements to all Regulatory Body members. Removing language proficiency will provide more time to applicants, and greater flexibility to Regulatory Body members to implement their own policies procedures.

Q. Does this change apply to all Nursing Regulatory Body members?
A. Yes. This change applies to all NNAS Regulatory Body members. Please check the website of the Regulatory Bodies to which you are applying to find out about their specific requirements.

Q. Does this mean I won’t have to have my language proficiency assessed?
A. No. You still need to have your language proficiency assessed and be required to meet the language proficiency requirement of the Regulatory Body member to which you are applying.

Q. Do I need to do anything in my NNAS application to defer the proof of language proficiency?
A. No. After October 15, 2022, NNAS will no longer be collecting proof of language proficiency test scores. Once you meet all the other NNAS requirements your application will proceed for review.

Q: I submitted successful proof of language proficiency test scores prior to October 15, 2022, will NNAS include that in my Advisory Report?
A: Yes. Any proof of language proficiency test score submitted to NNAS prior to October 15, 2022, will be included in your Advisory Report

National Newcomer Navigation Network – N4, has developed this new program to help Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) overcome barriers to finding healthcare jobs in Canada.

For more information please visit here

NNAS is seeking to fill a newly created role of Director, Strategic Initiatives.

Reporting to NNAS’ Executive Director, the Director of Strategic Initiatives provides strategic leadership, technical expertise, tactical direction and support to further the development and implementation of innovative strategies to strengthen and streamline NNAS’ processes and services. Serving as an advisor to and providing coverage for the Executive Director as required, you will provide leadership, supervision and guidance to a dedicated virtual team while playing a key role in ensuring NNAS delivers successfully on its operational goals and targets through planning, performance management, risk assessment, and the negotiation and management of contracts.

As the ideal candidate, you possess 5+ years of progressively responsible experience including at least two years of team leadership experience. NNAS will benefit from your expertise in strategic planning, project management and business development as well as your skill in contract risk analysis, negotiation, and execution. You have a proven track record of meeting operational and fiscal goals and a demonstrated ability to strategize, operationalize, prioritize, delegate, lead and manage change. Entrepreneurial, customer focused, forward thinking, creative, solutions and action oriented are all terms peers would use to describe you. Political acuity, excellent communication and relationship management skills will be key to your success in working effectively with a diverse board, membership, and stakeholder groups. Previous experience with regulatory bodies and/or an understanding of Canada’s nursing regulation model is an asset. Experience successfully leading and optimizing a geographically dispersed team working in a virtual office environment would be ideal.

For more information, please click here

To meet the increasing demand for nurses in British Columbia, the Province is making it easier for eligible internationally educated nurses (IENs) to enter the province’s health system so they can support British Columbians’ health-care needs sooner. Read more

As of January 12th, CARNA will be operating under a new name and brand – the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) .

This renewed single mandate will allow CRNA to focus on protecting the public through excellence in nursing regulation.

Their new website can be found here:  www.nurses.ab.ca

NNAS congratulates CRNA.

Applicant Letter, click here: Applicant Expiry Date Extension – Dec 20, 2021 – EN

Update for Applicants, click here: Update for Applicants – Dec 20, 2021 – EN

Q&A Expiry Date Extension, click here: Q&A Expiry Date Extension – Dec 20 2021 – EN