Nov. 2, 2022
Applicants who have never worked in a Canadian jurisdiction may need to take a bridging education program before they can receive a permit. These assigned courses help fill any potential education gaps that may be identified.
Three universities offer these courses in Alberta: MacEwan University (nursing specialty courses), Mount Royal University (Bridge to Canadian nursing program), and the University of Alberta (Bridging workshop pilot project). The seats on these programs can be limited, and steps are being taken to expand access.
As part of our efforts to transform the application process, the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta now recognizes bridging programs approved in other jurisdictions by their regulatory authorities. Internationally educated applicants who have never been registered in Canada before can now take and use these courses and programs to meet their assigned education outcomes.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Langara College
Thompson Rivers University
Red River College Polytechnic
New Brunswick Community College
Eastern Health
Nova Scotia Health Learning Institute for Health Care Providers
St. Francis Xavier University
Conestoga College
Fanshawe College
Ontario Internationally Educated Nurses Course Consortium
York University
Saskatchewan Polytechnic School of Nursing
The CRNA recently extended how long registrants can use their bridging education to meet their currency requirement during permit renewals. They can be used for five years, rather than two years. This is in addition to the other currency changes.