“As an international nurse, my recommendation is to explore. There is lots of opportunity out there! Especially if you’re thinking about moving to Manitoba. There are so many more job opportunities here compared to any other province. The compensation is good and you get to enjoy the outdoors. I enjoy working as a nurse here, you make a difference in people’s lives every day, and it’s very rewarding.” – Priya, Public Health Nurse, Dauphin
Are you an International Educated Nurse (IEN) seeking information on opportunities in Manitoba? As an IEN, an assessment and some additional training may be required before you can obtain registration with a regulatory nursing college in Manitoba.
Follow the steps below to apply for registration with one of the nursing colleges:
Step 1: If you are internationally trained, and already live in Manitoba, get on an accelerated path to licensure.
Take the first step by completing the Manitoba Internationally Educated Nurses Program Intake Form.
Step 2: Apply to the National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS)
The very first step for any IEN is to apply to the NNAS.
The NNAS will collect and verify documents required for you for you to be eligible to apply for registration as a nurse in Canada.
The NNAS Applicant Handbook will help guide you through this process.
There are three nursing professions in Manitoba. The difference between the nursing professions are (1) the type of education and training required and (2) the scope of practice. Review the information below to help you determine which profession closely matches your education, training and nursing experience.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN)
Step 3: Apply to a Regulatory Nursing College
The National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) will send an Advisory Report to you and the college(s) you selected on your application. Upon receiving your NNAS advisory report, you can apply to the selected college(s).
Click on one of the links below and follow the application process for IENs:
Step 4: English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, you will have to complete language testing. Below are the approved providers for English Language Proficiency testing for all nursing professions in Canada. Please see each regulatory body website for more specific information.
Click on the links below for more information about the accepted Language testing agencies:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) — Academic version
- The lowest acceptable scores are: listening 7.0, reading 6.5, writing 6.5 and speaking 7.0.
- Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses (CELBAN) — Official version
- The lowest acceptable scores are: listening 9, reading 8, writing 7 and speaking 8.
- Test d’évaluation de Français (TEF)- (CLPNM only)
- The lowest acceptable scores are Speaking 5, Listening 5, Reading 4, Writing 4, Vocabulary & Grammar 4.
Note: English is the primary language used in the health care system in Manitoba. In Manitoba, nurses use a professional language that requires proficiency levels that are higher than the English language requirement for immigration. It is strongly encouraged to start this process before you immigrate to Canada.
Step 5: Clinical Competency Assessment (CCA)
The college will review your application and inform you if a CCA is required. The CCA will provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills and judgment required of an entry level nurse in Manitoba.
Click on the link below for more information about CCAs:
Step 6: Bridging Program
The college will review your CAA results and inform you of any competency gaps identified. If required, the regulator will refer you to education which may include a full bridging program or a few select courses.
Click on the link below for more information about bridging programs:
Step 7: Examinations
The last step to practice as a nurse in Manitoba is to successfully complete the approved examination for registration in Manitoba. The college will inform you when you meet the requirements to apply to write the exam. At this point, you may be able to apply for graduate registration and start working.
Click on the link below for more information about each exam:
Other helpful resources:
Supervised Internationally Educated Nurse (SIEN) – Pilot Program
For internationally-educated nurses participating in a recognized “gap training” program and pursuing registration as a licensed practical nurse, Manitoba is introducing a new, paid, opportunity to gain supervised clinical practice.
Eligible participants are internationally educated nurses who are participating in the SIEN “gap training” program, are pursuing LPN registration in Manitoba, hold a Student Practical Nurse (SPN) registration for the purpose of completing bridging education, and have been deemed eligible by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Manitoba (CLPNM) to practice under supervision of an eligible employer.
Those eligible, will be identified and referred by CLPNM to practice with the supervision of an eligible employer (within the Employer Organization Structure). Successful candidates will be hired into casual roles, with the opportunity to gain a minimum of 360 hours of supervised clinical practice.
SIENs log working hours that can give them an advantage when apply for jobs after completion of their gap training program and registration with CLPNM.
Once CLPNM has determined that an individual has successfully completed the program, they will no longer be eligible to work as an SIEN and will be advised to pursue other opportunities.
For more information, and answers to frequently asked questions, please visit Supervised Internationally Educated Nurse Gap Training Program FAQs – CLPNM.
Supervised Internationally Educated Nurse (SIEN) International Recruitment Initiative
A similar opportunity exists for SPN (SIEN) candidates who have been recruited through an international recruitment initiative. These individuals will have been hired by a recruitment team and placed based on prior work experience to work as full-time employees in order to fulfill their immigration requirements.
At present, this classification applies only to those hired and placed through the Philippines Recruitment Initiative.
Immigration
Manitoba Internationally Educated Nurses Program
Are you an IEN living in Manitoba but not currently registered to work as a nurse? Help is available:
Manitoba Internationally Educated Nurses Program | Health| Province of Manitoba (gov.mb.ca)