Alberta
Nurse (Registered)
Overview
Regulatory
The College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) is the governing body for all registered nurses working in the province.
Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) will need to be assessed by the CRNA before completing its registration exam. The CRNA requires applicants to meet the currency of practice, which includes at least 250 hours of direct work experience.
This Pathway
All Internationally Educated Nurses are expected to meet the CRNA's requirements for working legally in Alberta. This includes finding a suitable Currency of Practice to determine the best pathway to licensure.
As of October 1, 2024, the National Council Licensure Examination - Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) is no longer a valid requirement for CRNA applicants. Applicants are expected to meet one of five Currency of Practice options.
Work Now!
Unregulated roles, including Nursing Assistant and Aides, are jobs that are not governed by a regulatory body. These entry-level to intermediate roles provide support to nurses with opportunities for learning in a desired healthcare setting and mentorship.
View our interactive Road Map to help you learn how to be an RN in Alberta!
Bridging Programs
As of November 2022, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) accepts bridging programs outside of the province of Alberta. This applies to Internationally Educated Health Professionals (IEHPs) studying to fill gaps in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. You can view the official details from the CRNA here.
Please note the bridging programs are only one of several ways to meet the currency of practice for Registered Nurses.
Other methods approved by the CRNA include:
- Complete 250 supervised hours of nursing practice (this applies to RN and NP roles)
- Complete the Registered Nurses' Canadian Competence Assessment Program
- Complete one of the following Accepted Bridging Programs by the CRNA
- Complete one of the listed programs above which classify as a re-entry to nursing practice (refresher).
Bridge to Canadian Nursing Program
The Bridge Program for Internationally Educated Nurses (BIEN) allows Registered Nurses (RNs) to fill in competency gaps along the licensing process with a flexible program while learning about Canadian practices in its healthcare system.
The program is designed to fill the requirements from the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta or workplace. It includes an optional preparation course for the Next Generation NCLEX Prep.
The program spans one year.
Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Refresher - Certificate Program
This RN Refresher gives both Registered Nurses (RN) and Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) a chance to complete their competency gaps set by the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA) with the CNA Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.
Bridge to Canadian Nursing Program
This program is designed for Internationally Educated Nurses following the Registered Nurse stream (RN) outside of Canada looking to meet the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta expectations and employment opportunities within the province.
Students are expected to complete the program in two academic years.
How Achēv will help
The step-by-step incentives
2-week Employment & Essential Skills training
- Resume- Cover Letter- Interview preparation
- Networking Techniques
- Pathways to licensure planning & supports
- Relocation planning & supports
- Labour Market Information
- Training on Adaptability, Initiative and Teamwork
- Workplace Culture & Intercultural Communication
- Employment Rights in Ontario and Alberta
- Employer Connections in rural areas of Ontario and Alberta
Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) can also use other Achēv in-house services, such as the Newcomer Information Centre, the Accelerated Career Advancement Program (ACA), and language services, such as the CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no cost.
The Newcomer Information Centre (NIC) is a great place to start if you have recently arrived in Canada. The NIC offers a wide range of immigrant services to help newcomers settle smoothly in Canada; they provide information and referrals on education and training, immigration, health, housing, legal, financial, social, and recreational needs of newcomers.
The Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) program provides financial loans to internationally trained individuals looking to return to their chosen profession. Receive free ongoing one-on-one financial counseling.
Internationally Educated Healthcare Professionals (IEHPs) can access its CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no additional cost to test their proficiency before taking the official CLB exam. The tool serves as a handy practice ahead of enhancing language skills with additional Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) home study training.
Financial Aid
Funded by the Government of Canada, Achēv’s Accelerating Career Advancement (ACA) program provides financial loans, accreditation support, and career counselling to Internationally Trained Individuals (ITIs) who are looking to return to their chosen profession.
You can learn more about their services here.
Language Proficiency Support
Clients with EPIC-HC connecting to various pathways will be required to meet CLB Level 7 to pass most language related requirements.
Clients can access its CLB Online Self-Assessment (CLB-OSA) at no additional cost to test their proficiency prior to taking the official CLB exam. The tool serves as a handy practice ahead of enhancing language skills with additional Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) home study training.
Settlement
The step-by-step incentives
The EPIC-HC program covers a variety of targeted communities in need of Lab technicians, pharmacists and nurses to address a growing concern for healthcare workers.
Achēv's ACA program will also provide loan supports for IEHPs embarking on their professional journeys across Canada with partnering employers in healthcare.