National Nursing Assessment Service
August 12, 2014 – The Launch of a New National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) in Canada
Last week on August 12, the new National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) began accepting applications from Internationally-Educated Nurses interested in becoming licensed in Canada.
Previously, IENs interested in becoming licensed in Canada would apply for registration directly to the province of their choice – through the applicable nursing regulatory body of that province and according to the specific requirements and assessment process of that body. With the new NNAS, an IEN’s interest, education and credentials will initially be assessed by the NNAS before their file can be sent to the provincial regulatory body.
The NNAS website states:
“National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) coordinates a consistent national approach for internationally educated nurses (IENs) seeking registration/licensure to practise in Canadian jurisdictions. This includes:
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs)
- Registered Practical Nurses (RPNs) in Ontario
- Registered Psychiatric Nurses (RPNs)”
“NNAS is a partnership of Canadian nursing regulatory bodies (except Quebec and the Territories). It offers an easy, direct and secure way for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to submit their documents for Canadian nursing registration.
NNAS has a contract with the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CFGNS International) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Their role is to:
- receive, review and store all documents the internationally educated nurses submit;
- ensure the documents are authentic;
- evaluate the documents against Canadian standards;
- ensure that each nurse’s file contains all the documents that the regulatory body requires;
- send the completed file to the regulatory body or bodies, for Canadian nursing registration.”
As of August 12, 2014, prospective and current IEN students of OMNI College who have not yet submitted their application for registration to the provincial regulatory body must now first be assessed by the NNAS. Following the NNAS’ assessment, their file may be sent to the provincial regulatory body, who will determine (not the NNAS) whether the applicant is eligible to register, or whether they need additional courses or assessments.
In order to minimize possible delays, OMNI College students will be required to create an account with the NNAS on the first day of classes of the Canadian Nursing Review Program modules Nursing 1000/1001. This will help ensure they have the best possible chance of completing their process to become licensed as a nurse in Canada within a reasonable time frame.
Please note that once the NNAS has completed the student’s file and it is sent to the provincial regulatory body, should that body determine that additional assessments or courses are required for a particular student, that student’s ability to achieve their nurse registration (and graduation from OMNI) may be delayed. All applicants to OMNI are interviewed by an OMNI Advisor, so we encourage all applicants to discuss their personal timing plan during their interview.
For more information regarding the NNAS, please see their website and FAQ section by following the links below: