Nursing

To practice as a nurse in Canada, you will need to:

• Complete a university, college or other approved accredited nursing program.

• Additional training or experience may be needed if you wish to specialize.

• Become certified by the appropriate regulatory body for your province/territory. Requirements for certification can vary.

• Pass the Regulatory Exam – Practical Nurse (REx-PN) if you are pursuing a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) designation or pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) if you’re pursuing a Registered Nurse (RN) designation.

What if I want to study abroad and return to Canada to work?

It is possible to pursue a nursing degree abroad and return to Canada to practice. To achieve a license to practice in Canada, you will need to:

• Provide your academic credentials and any previous work history to be assessed and verified by the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS).

• Complete the REx-PN exam if you’re pursuing an RPN designation or the NCLEX-RN exam if you’re pursuing an RN designation.

• Register with the appropriate provincial or territorial regulatory body and complete additional requirements as mandated by the regulatory body.

To apply to a nursing program, you may apply through:

• Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) for Ontario college programs.

• Ontario Universities Application Centre (OUAC) for Ontario university programs.

• Individual program websites for other Canadian programs.

• NursingCAS for U.S. programs.

How do I learn more about the nursing profession?

• Book an appointment with the Centre for Career Development or attend a workshop or event to explore your options further.

• Review the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO), Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) and Ontario’s Learn and Stay Grant for further information.

• Get involved with the University of Waterloo’s Campus Response Team (CRT).

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Canadian Council of Registered Nurse Regulators. (2024). What you need to know about the NCLEX-RN. https://www.ccrnr.ca/nclex.html

Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. (2024). Registered nurses (Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses) (3012.1). Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. https://www.cicic.ca/938/registered_nurses_(registered_nurses_and_registered_psychiatric_nurses).canada?id=56

Government of Canada. (2024, July 23). Registered Nurse (R.N.) in Canada. https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/requirements/993/ca