surgical nurse




OCCUPATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Who is the licensing body responsible for Surgical Nurses in Alberta?

In Alberta, you must be registered with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of (CARNA) to practice as a Surgical Nurse. Surgical Nurses must be Registered Nurse�s first before they can use the title Surgical Nurse. There is no special accreditation for Surgical Nurses � only Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. 

Surgical Nurses specialize in intensive care: monitor and care for surgeons patients, provide bedside and acute care.

What are the licensure requirements for internationally educated Surgical Nurses? 

Internationally educated Surgical Nurses must:

  1. Have held Registered Nurse status in the country where education was completed.
  2. Provide verification of registration as a Registered Nurse in another country. 
  3. Have registration in good standing from other jurisdictions where nursing was practiced in the last 5 years.
  4. Have 1125 hours of registered nursing practice or successful completion of a nursing program satisfactory to the registrar or successful completion of a nursing refresher program satisfactory to the CARNA Provincial Council.
  5. Be fit to practice - have no health problems that would hinder the ability to practice.
  6. Have good character based on employer references and no criminal record.
  7. Provide evidence of competence to practice equivalent to the competencies of all Alberta nurses.
  8. Provide evidence of English language proficiency.
  9. Write and successfully achieve the required passing score on the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE).

  • Internationally educated Surgical Nurses must fill out the application forms listed under the International Applicants link on the CARNA website.
  • The Education Transcript Form, Verification of Registration form, Employer Reference Form, Documentation of Nursing Experience Form as well as the result one of the approved English Language Proficiency Test�s (see approved tests and testing locations below) must be directly submitted to CARNA from the source.
  • Be aware of application fees and, application turnaround time.



What are the accepted English language proficiency tests and where can I be tested?

Applicants must successfully achieve the required passing score on one of the CARNA approved English proficiency tests. This includes: CELBAN, TOEFL, TOEIC, CAEL, MELAB, and IELTS. To learn more about where to take an English language proficiency test in Alberta, visit English Language Proficiency Tests and Locations.

What is the Substantially Equivalent Competence (SEC) Assessment for Clinical Nurse Specialists?

If CARNA requires further information in order to be able to determine competence to practice, a Substantially Equivalent Competence (SEC) assessment will be required. The type of assessment(s) is determined by CARNA. Applicants are tested at Mount Royal College Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN�s) assessment centre. 

In Calgary: 

 School of Nursing Mount Royal College
4825 Mount Royal Gate SW
Calgary, AB T3E 6K6
Phone: 1-403-440-5000
Toll free: 1-877-440-5001

In Edmonton:

 Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Assessment Centre
1400 10235 101 St.
Edmonton, AB T5J 3G1
Phone: 1-780-944-4160
Toll Free: 1-866-275-5818

Applicants will undergo a Prior Learning Assessment Readiness (PLAR) which essentially is the SEC. This assessment has been established under the Health Professions Act for those not educated in Alberta to test their competence compared to an Alberta educated nurse.

Applicants are encouraged to review: the Standards of Practice document found on the CARNA website as well as the Canadian Nurses Association Canadian Nursing Competencies document. Applicants are also encouraged to read Canadian or American nursing textbooks in medical-surgical nursing. Any current textbook in psychiatric, obstetric, or pediatric nursing would also be helpful.

Based on the results of the assessment (the turnaround time is usually 6 to 8 weeks), CARNA suggests the next steps, i.e. refresher program, bridging program or will assign coursework for example, assignments, university courses etc.  

Temporary Permit:

When competency is assured, applicants can apply for a Temporary Permit (with conditions) to practice in Alberta as a Graduate Nurse while waiting to write the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE). The conditions include successfully achieving the required passing score on the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE) and the submittal of a satisfactory Canadian employer reference. Under the temporary Alberta work permit, applicants must achieve 255 hours of work experience. Upon completion of both requirements, applicants can apply for Registered Nurse status.

Examination Information

Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE) http://www.cna-nurses.ca

The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) collaborates with regulatory authorities to develop and maintain the CRNE. CARNA administers the CRNE and determines the eligibility to write it. Applicants must meet all requirements in order to write the CRNE. CARNA provides candidates with the required application forms and information about the application process. The CRNE exam writing is available three times per year. Applicants are encouraged to be aware of registration deadlines and the turnaround time for exam results.

How can I prepare for the CRNE?

Directions for Immigrants offers Study Groups to help you prepare for the CRNE. Visit the Study Groups page for more information on this service and

What are the educational requirements for Surgical Nurses in Alberta?

Surgical Nurses start their careers as Registered Nurses (Registered Nurses have basic education in all health areas). Surgical Nurses specialize upon experience and training. Sometimes Surgical Nurses can have a master's degree

In Alberta, the following post-secondary institutions


What training programs or services are available for internationally educated Clinical Nurses?

In order to be admitted into a refresher or bridging program, applicants must meet application criteria and, show proof of verification of eligibility with the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA). Applicants also need to be aware of registration deadlines and other potential costs including preparation materials, travel etc.

Refresher Programs

The Refresher Program provides nurses trained in another country with an overview in all aspects of Canadian nursing. Nursing refresher courses and clinical experiences prepare nurses to write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination. Grant MacEwan College in Edmonton provides the Nursing Refresher Program and brokers the program to other educational institutions throughout the province.

Columbia College Nursing Refresher Program (in Calgary)
http://www.columbia.ab.ca/

Grant MacEwan College Nursing Refresher Program (in Edmonton)
http://www.macewan.ca

Grand Prairie Regional College Nursing Refresher Program
http://www.gprc.ab.ca/

Red Deer College Nursing Refresher Program
http://www.rdc.ab.ca

Lethbridge College Nursing Refresher Program 
 http://www.lethbridgecollege.ab.ca/

Bridging Programs

Mount Royal University Bridge to Canadian Nursing Program (in Calgary)
http://www.mtroyal.ca/ProgramsCourses/FacultiesSchoolsCentres/HealthCommunityStudies/Programs/BridgetoCanadianNursing/index.htm

Bridge to Canadian Nursing program is designed for nurses who are educated outside of Canada. The program introduces nursing practice in Canada and combines professional communication skills for nurses, professional terminology, clinical judgment skills, and an understanding of human responses in health and illness.

What information resources are available for Surgical Nurses in Alberta?

Operating Room Nurses of Alberta Association
website: http://ornaa.org/

United Nurses of Alberta (UNA)
www.una.ab.ca

Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses
website: http://www.caccn.ca/new/

National Emergency Nurses Affiliation
website: http://www.highbeam.com

Canadian Intravenous Nurses Association
website: http://www.cina.ca/

Canadian Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
website: http://www.canac.org/

Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU)
website: www.nursesunions.ca

Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
www.cna-nurses.ca

Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses
website: http://cann.ca

                                                                                                                                         Updated: July 2009