Communication to Applicants

BCCNM Language Requirements

(EFFECTIVE JULY 8, 2021, AT NOON ET)

 

Dear Applicant,

 

According to our records, you have selected the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCCNM) as one of the recipients of your Advisory Report.  I am writing to inform you of a recent change BCCNM has made to its process for assessing English language proficiency. This change comes into effect on July 8, 2021, at noon ET.  The changes are detailed on BCCNM’s website at www.bccnm.ca.

 

Effective July 8, 2021, applicants to BCCNM will be able to demonstrate English language proficiency in two ways.  The first way is by achieving benchmark scores on an approved English language proficiency test.  This remains the most efficient way of demonstrating language proficiency. The scores can be submitted as part of the NNAS Advisory Report or deferred until after the NNAS process is complete and an application for registration has been submitted to BCCNM.

 

The second way for applicants to BCCNM to demonstrate English language proficiency is to provide evidence for BCCNM to consider during the application process to BCCNM.  BCCNM will consider all relevant information that could inform their decision that the English language proficiency requirement is met, including:

 

• Language of education instruction,
• Language in practice settings,
• Likelihood of language attrition,
• Language of additional and transitional education,
• Approved English language proficiency test results that achieve the benchmark scores,
• Any other relevant details specific to the applicant.

When BCCNM completes their assessment, BCCNM will determine if the English language requirement is met or if the applicant must take an approved English language proficiency test and achieve the benchmark scores.

 

Because your application to NNAS is in process, you can defer the language requirement for BCCNM until after the NNAS process.  This can be done at any time while your application is open, and your review is in process.

 

To defer the language requirement, go into the Dashboard section of your online portal and then go to the Application Status link for your BCCNM order.  The Passing Language Score requirement will include a selectable option that indicates that BCCNM allows for passing of language requirements to occur after the Advisory Report is issued.  Once you have selected this option you will then be asked to click on a box if you wish to defer the English language requirement for BCCNM until after you complete the NNAS process.

 

If you have any questions or require assistance, please feel free to contact Applicant Support at support@nnas.ca or by calling 855-977-1898, Monday to Friday from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm ET.  You can also review the Frequently Asked Questions on the NNAS website at www.nnas.ca in the News and Events section.

 

I wish you all the best.

 

Yours sincerely,

Gayle Waxman

Executive Director, NNAS

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

BCCNM Language Requirements

(EFFECTIVE JULY 8, 2021 AT NOON ET)

 

Q1.  How is BCCNM changing it process for assessing English language proficiency?

 

A1.  Effective July 8, 2021, at noon ET, applicants to BCCNM will be able to demonstrate English language proficiency in two ways.  The first way is by achieving benchmark scores on an approved English language proficiency test.  This remains the most efficient way of demonstrating language proficiency. The scores can be submitted as part of the NNAS Advisory Report or deferred until after the NNAS process is complete and an application for registration has been submitted to BCCNM.

 

The second way for applicants to BCCNM to demonstrate English language proficiency is to provide evidence for BCCNM to consider during the application process to BCCNM.  BCCNM will consider all relevant information that could inform their decision that the English language proficiency requirement is met, including:

 

• Language of education instruction,
• Language in practice settings,
• Likelihood of language attrition,
• Language of additional and transitional education,
• Approved English language proficiency test results that achieve the benchmark scores,
• Any other relevant details specific to the applicant.

When BCCNM completes their assessment, BCCNM will determine if the English language requirement is met or if the applicant must take an approved English language proficiency test and achieve the benchmark scores.

 

Q2.  Does this mean I won’t have to have my language proficiency assessed?

 

A2.  No.  You still need to have your language proficiency assessed and meet the language proficiency requirement.

 

Q3.  Do these changes apply to any other Nursing Regulatory Bodies?

 

A3.  This change applies only to BCCNM.  Please check the website of the Regulatory Bodies you are considering applying to for registration or licensure to find out about their specific requirements.

 

Q4.  I have an application currently open with NNAS.  I identified BCCNM as one the recipients of my Advisory Reports.   I want to defer my language requirement until after the NNAS process.  Can I do so? 

 

A4.   Yes.  You can defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process at any time while your application is open, and your review is in process.

 

Q5.  How do I defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process if I am applying to BCCNM?

 

A5.   To defer the language requirement, go into the Dashboard section of your online portal and then go to the Application Status link for your BCCNM order.  The Passing Language Score requirement will include a selectable option that indicates that BCCNM allows for passing of language requirements to occur after the Advisory Report is issued.  Once you have selected this option you will then be asked to click on a box if you wish to defer the language requirement for BCCNM until after you complete the NNAS process.

 

Q6.  I have applied to several Regulatory Bodies including BCCNM.  If I defer my language requirement for BCCNM, will this impact my application to other Regulatory Bodies?

 

A6.  You will need to meet the requirements of all Regulatory Bodies you are applying to before your Advisory Report can issued.  If you have identified other Regulatory Bodies as the recipient of your Advisory Report, your Report will not be issued to those Regulatory Bodies until you meet all their requirements.

 

Q7.  Can I port my Advisory Report to another Regulatory Body if I defer the language requirement for BCCNM?

 

A7.  Yes, you can.  However, you will be required to meet the language requirement along with all other policies and requirements of each Regulatory Body to which you are applying.

Q8.  Can I still submit language test scores to NNAS even if I am applying to BCCNM?

 

A8.  Yes.  You can still submit language test scores and BCCNM will accept them as proof that you have met the language requirement.   This remains the most efficient way to meet the language requirement.

 

 

 

Technical Difficulties at CNO – Update

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Frequently Asked Questions

NANB Language Requirements

(EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 17, 2021 AT 9:00 am ET)

 

 

Q1.  What are NANB’s new language requirements?

 

A1.  Under NANB’s previous rules, applicants had to demonstrate language proficiency in either English or French by achieving benchmark scores on an approved language proficiency test. This remains the most efficient way of demonstrating language proficiency. That being said, IENs applying for registration with NANB may prove language proficiency in one of the four following ways.

 

1. by achieving benchmark scores on an approved language proficiency test;
2. by holding current registration in another Canadian Jurisdiction;
3. by completing a nursing program in either English or French;
4. by providing other evidence of language proficiency for review by the Registrar.

 

If you are not able to demonstrate language proficiency through your nursing program, registration status, or your results on a language proficiency test, then the following types of evidence may also be considered by NANB:

 

1. completion of an educational program at a college or university level in either English or French, in the last two years; or
2. work or volunteer experience in English or French, in the last two years.

 

As well as providing the types of evidence listed above, NANB may also require that applicants participate in an oral proficiency interview by telephone, with a member of NANB’s staff, to assess the applicant’s proficiency in listening and speaking, in either English or French.

 

Q2.  Does this mean I won’t have to have my language proficiency assessed?

 

A2.  No.  You still need to have your language proficiency assessed and meet the language proficiency requirement.

 

Q3.  Do these changes apply to any other Nursing Regulatory Bodies?

 

A3.  This change applies only to NANB.  Please check the website of the Regulatory Bodies you are considering applying to for registration or licensure to find out about their specific requirements.

 

Q4.  I have an application currently open with NNAS.  I identified NANB as one the recipients of my Advisory Reports.   I want to defer my language requirement until after the NNAS process.  Can I do so? 

 

A4.   Yes.  You can defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process at any time while your application is open, and your review is in process.

 

Q5.  How do I defer the language requirement until after the NNAS process if I am applying to NANB?

 

A5.   To defer the language requirement, go into the Dashboard section of your online portal and then go to the Application Status link for your NANB order.  The Passing Language Score requirement will include a selectable option that indicates that NANB allows for passing of language requirements to occur after the advisory report is issued.  Once you have selected this option you will then be asked to click on a box if you wish to defer the language requirement for NANB until after you complete the NNAS process.

 

Q6.  I have applied to several Regulatory Bodies including NANB.  If I defer my language requirement for NANB, will this impact my application to other Regulatory Bodies?

 

A6.  You will need to meet the requirements of all Regulatory Bodies you are applying to before your Advisory Report can issued.  If you have identified other Regulatory Bodies as the recipient of your Advisory Report, your Report will not be issued to those Regulatory Bodies until you meet all their requirements.

 

Q7.  Can I port my Advisory Report to another Regulatory Body if I waived the language requirement for NANB?

 

A7.  Yes, you can.  However, you will be required to meet the language requirement along with all other policies and requirements of each Regulatory Body to which you are applying.

Q8.  Can I still submit language test scores to NNAS even if I am applying to NANB?

 

A8.  Yes.  You can still submit language test scores and NANB will accept them as proof that you have met the language requirement.   This remains the most efficient way to meet the language requirement.

 

 

 

As of Sept. 1, 2020, the BC College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP) and the College o​f Midwives of BC (CMBC) amalgamated to become the BC College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). The new BCCNM website is under construction and will be launched in late Fall 2020. In the interim, visitors can still retrieve information about nursing regulation from the BCCNP website or midwifery regulation from the CMBC website. Although the content on both websites may refer to BCCNP or CMBC respectively, it is the most current information on nursing and midwifery regulation. We appreciate your patience while we work towards launching the new BCCNM website and updating all our documents to reflect our new BCCNM name and brand.​​

NNAS has engaged a user research company named FoxGroove to interview applicants who have recently applied to NNAS about their experience with our service. If you are an applicant, you may have received an email from Gayle Waxman, NNAS Executive Director inviting you to participate in a research study.  The email will explain the study in detail and provide applicants with instructions that explains how to participate.   Of course, participation in the study is completely voluntary.

By participating, applicants will help us to improve NNAS’ web page, the application portal, and the overall experience for our applicants. The interviews are confidential.  Participation in the study will not impact participants’ NNAS Advisory Report or review in any way.   If you wish to participate, the email contains a link that will take you to a sign-up form. We value our applicant’s opinion and encourage applicants to consider participating.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Effective immediately, NNAS is accepting applications from Cameroon. However, we are unable to predict the timelines for processing applications from Cameroon and anticipate that delays will continue. Please note that we will be waiving the reactivation fee for all applications that were active at the time the suspension of applications from Cameroon came into effect (July 2018). Applicants with questions about their application should contact the NNAS support team at support@nnas.ca or toll free on (855) 977-1898.

News release/announcement

New Vision for Assessment Service of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs)

June 14, 2019 – The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) launched its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan, following a 12-month engagement process. Readying itself for the next phase of its development, the Nursing Assessment Service organization’s strategic plan redefined its mission and vision, while maintaining its commitment to protecting the public and the safety of the health care system.

The NNAS mission is to start Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) on their journey to nursing practice in Canada with the vision be recognized around the world as the gold standard for assessing nurses.

“I am pleased to introduce the NNAS Strategic Plan for 2019-2021. It marks an important new phase of development and operation of the NNAS as we re-commit ourselves to serving IENs, regulatory bodies, governments and other stakeholders”, stated Lynn Power, NNAS Board Chair. “We re-commit ourselves to support a diverse and safe nursing workforce in Canada”, she went on to say.

“This is an exciting time for NNAS, I feel fortunate to be joining NNAS as we launch our focused and forward-thinking strategic plan”, added Gayle Waxman, Executive Director, NNAS. “I am looking forward to working with the board and our stakeholder to operationalize the plan and help NNAS reach its full potential,” she concluded.

The 2019-2021 Strategic Plan focuses on four key priority areas of action:

1.     Improving the effectiveness of NNAS nursing assessment process

2.     Strengthening NNAS organizational capacity

3.     Transforming the organization

4.     Strengthening its relationships with key stakeholders (IENs, regulatory bodies, governments,  immigration stakeholders)

Since 2014, the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) has provided a single process for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to be assessed for Canadian nursing registration in the three nursing professions: Registered Nurses (RN), Licenced Practical Nurses (LPN) and Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPN).

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Contact: Gayle Waxman, Executive Director, NNAS

Phone: (647) 957-7521