Exam

NCLEX-RN Exam Preparation FOR USA

Once you have been accepted into the USA Nursing Program, the first step is to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Nurses must pass the computerized, multiple-choice NCLEX exam in order to be eligible for American nursing employment. The NCLEX exam, which covers five areas of nursing (medicine, surgery, pediatrics, psychiatry and obstetrics) is designed to test your knowledge and ability to provide high-quality patient care. 

English Language Testing

For nurses who have not undertaken their professional training in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, Canada or the USA, the American immigration process requires you to take either the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) or the TOEFL/TSE (Test of English as a Foreign Language/Test of Spoken English) tests. 

These tests are internationally recognized English language examinations that meet the criteria set by the USCIS (United States Citizen and Immigration Services) and ICHP (International Commission for Healthcare Professionals). 

AUSTRALIA

There are three ways in which overseas Nurses can enter the Registration and profession in Australia.

·         By successfully completing overseas Nurses Pre Registration Course

·         By successfully completing Australian Registered Nurse Training Program

·         By enrolling an Australian University for a Nursing Degree where they may be granted some credit for previous study.

Overseas Nurses Pre-Registration Program [Jobs for B.Sc & Diploma Nurses with IELTS overall7]

This includes two steps, Initial Registration from the Nurses Board of Victoria and Overseas Nurses Pre Registration Program.

Initial Registration from the Nurses Board of VictoriaIt is an initial process to obtain Nurses Board Registration in Australia. Any overseas Nurse with a three year Diploma or Degree in nursing with 6 months or above experience with registration in any State Nursing Board in India with an IELTS Academic Seven band (Speaking-7, Writing-7, Reading-6.5 and Listening-6.5)

CANADA

 To be eligible to register as an Registered Nurse or Licenced/Registered Practical Nurse, an applicant will need to demonstrate competency to practice. To demonstrate this, an applicant will need to have their education credentials assessed. Once education credentials are deemed equivalent to nursing education programs in Canada, the nursing regulatory body will then address whether other application requirements are met. Additional application requirements generally include criteria such as work experience, good character, language proficiency, screening for criminal history and registration in the jurisdiction where the applicant currently practices.

Once a positive assessment of the application requirements has been met, Canadian provinces and territories, with the exception of Quebec, require that nurses write the Canadian Registered Nurse Examination (CRNE) or Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Exam (CPNRE) as part of the registration or licensure process (the province of Quebec maintains its own registration examination). At present, these exams can only be written in Canada. Once an applicant has successfully completed the required examination, the applicant may be eligible to work as a nurse in Canada.

How to register as a nurse in Canada:

Any nurse planning to work in Canada must be deemed as qualified to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed/Registered Practical Nurse (LPN/RPN). To qualify, an applicant must register with either the Canadian Nurses Association (CAN) or the Canadian Council for Practical Nurse Regulators (CCPNR).

In Canada registration requirements are established by individual provinces and territories. To register with the CNA or CCPNR, nurses must first apply to the nursing regulatory body of the province or territory where they wish to work:

IELTS may not be necessary for Canada Immigration

For Canada Immigration, the IELTS is sufficient but not necessary to establish proficiency in the English languageWarning! Note the date that is written. Laws and regulations are in a constant state of change. What follows is not offered as legal advice and the accuracy of this information is not guaranteed. If you wish to immigrate  to Canada and you do not wish to take the IELTS, you are urged to get legal advice.

One who wishes to immigrate to Canada must comply with the requirements of theImmigration and Refugee Protection Act. S. 14 of this Act allows for the government to make regulations .

IRELAND

Evidence of competence is required through completion of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Test. (Further information on the test may be obtained on http://www.ielts.org/

Applicant must achieve an overall band score of 7.0

Example Listening		Reading	Writing	Speaking	Overall Score
6.5		6.5	7.0	7.0	7.0

GCC COUNTRIES

DUBAI - DUBAI HEALTH AUTHORITY (DHA).

DHA exam documents requirement for Nurses and Midwives:

To complete the online application via the DHA online licensing system, scanned copies of the following documents must be uploaded along with the application form:

• Copy of high school certificate
• Evidence of successful completion of an approved nursing and/ or midwifery educational program. All Nursing and Midwifery qualifications must be obtained after High School Certificate (12 years) or its equivalent
• Nursing transcript - a full transcript clearly stating the breakdown of theoretical and clinical hours per subject of the nursing program. Note: Mark sheets are not acceptable.
• Official certificate of experience signed by an authorized person from Human Resources, Nursing or Medical Director. (Please note that no experience required for new graduates, but employment is permitted only in hospitals, day surgical centres and polyclinics under the direct supervision of a licensed Registered Nurse/Registered Midwife).
• Valid Registration/License to practice nursing/midwifery in country of graduation and/or country of last employment.
• Valid Good Standing certificate from previous licensing authorities testifying good conduct and not charged with a criminal act (if the licensing authority does not issue good standing certificates then a letter of good standing from previous employer).
• Passport copy.
• One (1) colored passport size photo.

Qualifications attestation by the UAE embassy and/or Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not required.

ABUDHABI - HEALTH AUTHORITY OF ABUDHABI (HAAD).
Registered Nurses who want to work in Emirate of Abu Dhabi must pass the HAAD exam and be licensed by the regulating body.

Recently, the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi has changed the process of applying for HAAD exam and licensure by requiring nurses to undergo credential verification first. Credentialing is done via Dataflow and exam administration is conducted by Pearsonvue Professional Testing.
Also: UAE unifies HAAD, DHA, MOH licenses. 
If you are interested to take the HAAD exam for nurses, here are the details:

Qualifications

These are the modified qualifications for Registered Nurses based on the latest Professional Qualification Requirements (PQR).
1. Bachelor degree in nursing or equivalent qualification of NLT 3 years study duration in “Nursing” from accredited program, 
OR
b. Associate Degree Nurses from North America. (Binding), with evidence of passing the National exam (USA: NCLEX - RN) - Canada: Licensing Exam.
2. AND valid/current national license. 
3. AND BLS
Preferred:
* ACLS, PALS relevant to area of specialty.
* NOTE: this excludes programs comprising 2 years nursing + 1 year Midwifery or Community Health. Holders of such programs qualify as Practical Nurses.
4. NLT 2 years clinical experience post qualification in appropriate setting 

HAAD application for exam and licensure steps

1. Submit the HAAD application and required documents online via DataFlow for verification (See Dataflow process below). Register here.
2. Receive an email with the payments methods for the Data Flow in addition to your application number. Fees: 600 AED
3. Once the verification process is complete, receive an email with a new username and password to complete your application through the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi website.
4. Register and pass the exam in Pearsonvue.com. Fees: $90
5. Pay the fees once the licensing request is approved. Fees: 300 AED
6. Receive the licence via courier.

Dataflow process

Applicants must complete the Primary Source Verification (PSV) process by filling up online forms and uploading required documents. Here are the common documents needed:

• Recent passport size photograph (white background)
• Passport copy, only pages showing personal details and expiry
• If the applicant is inside the country they need to submit a copy of the residence/visit visa for CID purposes.
• Experience Letters (to cover the minimal and most recent experience duration as required by the PQR title being applied to).
• Copy of license valid and current professional license(s) (to cover the minimal and most recent experience duration as required by the PQR title being applied to)
• Certificate(s) of Good Standing from the relevant regulatory authority
• Facility Declaration Form (applicable only to applicants with facility sponsorship, provided in the application)
• CID/staff data clearance form (provided in the application)
• Letter of Authorization (provided in the application)
• Educational qualifications (must provide the relevant qualifications as required by the PQR title being applied to).

After the PSV, Applicants will then be credentialed by Dataflow based on the PQR. 

Pearsonvue Registration for HAAD Exam

1. Register at http://www.pearsonvue.com/haad/capva/. Pay the fee of $90 via Credit Card.

2. Meet all of the eligibility criteria for nurses in order for your application to be accepted.

3. Wait for your username and password in the email within the next 48 hours. Check your junk/spam folders as Pearsonvue emails could go to these folders.

4. Schedule your HAAD exam via phone by calling Pearsonvue hotlines for HAAD exam.

5. Print your booking confirmation and bring it with you to the testing center together with 2 valid IDs. Candidates will receive a booking confirmation by email within 48 hours for the date and location that you will take the exam. If you do not receive the booking confirmation within 48 hours or if any of the information is erroneous, please contact Pearson VUE immediately thru phone or by email.

The exam is a 150-question test in multiple choice format. Results of HAAD exam is revealed after the test.

Good news to all nurses and other medical professionals who are practicing or intend to work in United ArabEmirates. Health authorities have signed an agreement on Wednesday, January 29 for the unification of HAAD, DHA and MOH licenses for health practitioners in the Emirates.
ArabNews reported that Dr. Maha Barakat, director-general of the Health Authority - Abu Dhabi (HAAD), Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed Al-Owais, minister of health, and Essa Al-Maidoor, director-general of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) signed the unificationagreement, giving way for doctors, nurses and others health professionals to practice anywhere in the UAE.

"It’s a new step on the right path in order to unify the regulations, laws and procedures governing this noble human profession," said Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum about the agreement that was signed on the sidelines of Arab Health Exhibition & Congress.

The new law would standardize several aspects of medical services in private and public sectors and also the format for hiring, and salaries for each job.

“This is a good step and now a plenty of medical professionals will be available in the market as they can practice in any emirate with any of MoH/DHA/HAAD licenses,” investors told Arab News.

The agreement will is a welcome development for Filipino nurses who's working in UAE as this will increase their employment chances in the Emirates. 

Source here. For more information and updates on nursing jobs in Dubai and elsewhere, 

Requirements and Considerations

Nurses Licensure Requirements

Nurses applying for licensure must fulfill the following requirements:

· Must be graduates from National and/ or International recognized Nursing college/University.

· For graduates from the UAE universities, the program and university must be accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR).

· Qualifications acquired through honorary nature, correspondence or distance learning are not counted towards the PQR requirements.

· All non-UAE national graduate nurses from UAE universities are required to successfully complete 6 months internship post- graduation.

· UAE National nurses are exempted from the experience and internship requirements for the basic entry level.

· Applicants must hold a valid License/ Registration to practice in their home country and/or country of last employment (where applicable).

· Assistant Nurses and Assistant Midwives cannot work independently and shall work under a registered nurse or midwife.

· All Nurses must hold a minimum of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification or others according to scope of practice.

Qualification and Experience Requirements for Nursing Licensure

Registered Nurse

ممرض مسجل

`Bachelor degree in Nursing

Minimum two (2) years clinical experience post qualification

Associate degree in Nursing from Canada or USA with minimum two (2) years course duration

And

Successful completion of the National exam:

USA: NCLEX - RN

Canada: Licensing Exam.

Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery of minimum three and half (3 ½ ) years course duration

Diploma in Nursing of minimum three (3) years course duration

Assistant Nurse

مساعد ممرض

Diploma of Nursing with less than three (3) years course duration

Minimum One (1) year clinical experience post qualification

Assistant nurse program with minimum 18 months course duration

Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery of 18 months to three (3) years course duration.

Specialty Nurse

ممرض مختص

Qualification as Registered Nurse

And

Post graduate certificate in one (1) of the nursing specialties with minimum one (1) year fulltime course duration

Minimum of One (1) year experience in the related specialty field post qualification.

SAUDI ARABIA - Southi Prometric:

Prometric Examination for Nurses is the popular name for Saudi Council Examination. For those foreign-educated nurses seeking better employment status in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, taking this examination is a priority requirement. This exam assesses how competent a nurse is since working in a different country demands different nursing needs of the international clients. Prometric Examination for Nurse is actually similar to the nursing licensure examination in the India and Philippines. It is the Saudi Commission that mandates the existence and efficacy of this type of examination.

QATAR (Qatar Prometric:

QATAR PROMETRIC (SCH)

  

Purpose:

By taking this exam, the SCH is able to assess your ability in your chosen scope of practice. If

you reach the required standard, you may be eligible to apply for a license to practice in the

State of Qatar.The purpose of the exam is for you to demonstrate that you have reached the standard as

required by the SCH

Practice available at Prometric test centres:

A complete list of exam offered by Prometric is available on this website. If the exam you wish

to take is not mentioned, please contact the SCH for further information at

http://www.sch.gov.qa/sch/En .

 Method and schedule of test:

The quickest and easiest way to make your registration is on-line as this will give you up to

the minute details of seat availability. You can also schedule by telephone by calling the

Prometric Regional Contact Centre. When registering for a test, you must enter the number

and issuing country of either your current Passport or Government Issued ID Card. SCH will

not accept candidates who have not completed this information and failure do so may result in

your result being withheld. This ID must also be taken to testing centre for verification at

Check-in.

The procedure to reschedule the exam:

Should you need to reschedule your exam, you can either call the Customer Service Team at

the Prometric Regional Contact Centre or you can visit www.prometric.com at least 3 full

calendar days before your appointme

To cancel a test and to get a refund:

Should you need to cancel your exam, you can either call the Prometric Regional

Contact Centre or visit www.prometric.com at least 3 full calendar days before your

appointment. If you paid Prometric directly with a credit card, please request a

refund and this will be arranged for you. If your registration was made for you, you need to

contact that party and arrange a refund directly with them.

To locate your nearest test centre:

To locate your nearest test centre, check on www.prometric.com. After requesting SCHQ,

click on “Locate a Testing Centre” and this will provide you with all the necessary information

You can quickly schedule an appointment:

The quickest way to schedule an appointment is booking online. This can be done 3 full

calendar days before the desired test date. You can also schedule via the Customer Service

Team, this must be done 5 full days before the desired test date. When registering for a test,

you must enter the number and issuing country of either your current Passport or Government

Issued ID Card. SCH will not accept candidates who have not completed this information and

failure do so may result in your result being withheld. This ID must also be taken to testing

centre for verification at Check-in.

Our aim is to provide you with a suitable appointment date for testing within the next 2 weeks.

In the unlikely event that you are unable to find a seat, please contact our Customer Service

Team at the Prometric Regional Contact Centre or by email (in English only).

OMAN                 -  Oman Prometric

KUWAIT            -  Kuwait Prometric