I am a Filipino Nurse and wanted to become an RN in Canada. I have read a lot of posts from this site regarding how hard and hassle the process if you are an internationally educated nurse. In most posts, an internationally educated nurse needs to apply first in NNAS. NNAS has several requirements and very expensive. Included in the requirements is that applicants need to pass the IELTS exam because their primary language is not English. I got discouraged because some applicants waited for about 2 years for the approval from the board of nursing in the province where they planned to work. I also found out that if your previous education is not comparable to the standard of education in Canada, applicants need to study again for some nursing courses or apply for a bridging program. There is also an assessment for skills just like a simulation of nursing procedures. After that, you also have to apply for CRNE. This for me is a long process and too way more expensive. And so I am already confused on what to do after knowing all these issues. I need you guys to help me decide. I really need to pursue my nursing career in Canada but I need a wise decision. Please help me by answering the following questions:
1. If I decide not to apply for NNAS and study nursing again in Canada. Is it a wiser one to do?How many years to finish nursing in Canada? Will they credit some of the courses you had taken back in the other country?
* I am sorry but I need to clarify this because I have read some old posts that it is more wiser to go to a nursing school in Canada and earn a degree so that you will no longer apply in NNAS. Some say, it is as expensive as the process in NNAS because when you are an internationally educated nurse processing of documents from your country, taking IELTS, CRNE, etc., cost you a fortune plus it takes long to process. What are your suggestions?
2. I'm planning to work as a nurse in Manitoba. Does anyone here also experienced this kind of struggle as mine? May I know your experience and maybe your advice for us who are in dilemma at this point in time?