Bow Valley College and Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC) are proud to launch Path2Practice for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs).
Our program will prepare you for a career as a nurse, ensuring you are fully employment-ready. It features job readiness training, mentorship, Registered Nurse Pathway to Canadian Practice Bridging Program and opportunities to engage with employers.
The Foreign Credential Recognition Program is Funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.
The Path2Practice team works on a hybrid schedule; please contact us by email to arrange an in-person meeting at IEHP@criec.ca.
Residency Status: Canadian Citizens, Temporary residents, Permanent Residents, Persons granted refugee status in Canada who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
Educational Requirements: Must hold a degree equivalent to the Canadian standard.
Currency of Practice: Practiced nursing within the last 7 years.
NCLEX Certification OR CRNA Assessment:
Language Requirements:
Participants holding an open or closed work permit with the condition: “Unless authorized, prohibited from attending any education institution, or taking any academic, professional or vocational training course” are not eligible for this educational training program. For further guidance, please contact IRCC regarding options such as removal of conditions or other available pathways.
LPNs who are IENs with current clinical practice*
Licensed Practical Nurse(LPN) in Canada are eligible for this program if they have an active LPN license, meaning that they have clinical experience or currency of practice. LPNs who have only completed the LPN program without any practice will not be considered to have clinical experience or currency of practice. In addition, the LPN must have a Bachelor Nursing degree/Diploma (equivalent to BSc Nursing in Canada) from their home country as this program is exclusively for IENs.
The Path2Practice for IENs (P2P for IENs) program has been officially recognized by the Alberta Ministry of Advance Education, ensuring the program meets national standards for quality and credibility. This means the program is fully recognized within Canada’s post-secondary education system.
Students who successfully complete the program will earn a certificate of achievement with academic credit, that strengthens your professional profile and supports your career pathway in Canada.
The P2P for IENs project, delivered by Bow Valley College in partnership with the Calgary Region Immigrant Employment Council (CRIEC), is a funded initiative of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Offered to eligible participants under the public-facing name Registered Nurse Pathway to Canadian Practice (RNPCP), the program supports internationally educated nurses on their pathway to practice in Canada.
Please click on the icons below to download the pathways.
Participants who meet all the eligible for the program, and have already got their NCLEX, will take this pathway through the program.
Participants who meet all of the eligibility criteria for the program but do not have their NCLEX will follow this pathway.
We encourage you to continue improving your English until you reach the required score, and then you are welcome to re-apply.
Eligible participants may receive financial support, which can include a living allowance, childcare assistance, and coverage for transit fees.
Additional details about these benefits will be provided during the Information and Orientation session.
After you apply through the Together platform, you will be invited to book a session with our intake coordinators. During this Information & Orientation (I&O) session, we will determine your eligibility and guide you to the appropriate pathway within the program.
iehp@criec.ca
Path2Practice team works at the hybrid schedule. Please send us an email to set up an in-person meeting.
Path2Practice for IENs aims to help internationally educated nurses develop the competencies, support, and cultural understanding they need to succeed as they start their nursing careers in Alberta. We help our clients align their skills and experience with Alberta’s healthcare standards.
Program Length: This program consists of 8–9 weekly online workshops delivered over two months, typically held from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
The curriculum is designed to support Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and will include topics such as the RN licensing process in Alberta, available support systems, RN scope of practice and competencies in Canada, resume development, interview preparation, nursing specialties, rural nursing opportunities, “Meet the Employer” sessions, and mock interviews.
Please note that specific topics may vary based on participant needs and program updates.
Program Length: This mentorship program runs for two months.
Mentorship includes a minimum of four online meetings with an experienced nurse in a small group setting (typically 1–2 mentees per mentor). These sessions focus on developing your career plan, improving your resume, enhancing communication skills, and navigating the Canadian healthcare system.
Please note that while mentors provide guidance and support, they cannot guarantee job placement.
This in-person program runs for four months at the downtown Calgary campus, with sessions scheduled from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Path2Practice for IENs is officially recognized as a bridging program in Alberta by the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA).
Recognizing the unique demands of the Canadian healthcare system is critical for IENs to integrate into the Canadian healthcare landscape seamlessly. These include:
Participants will gain practical experience through dynamic simulations, refining clinical skills and developing essential communication, collaboration, and cultural competency.
They will earn CRNA-aligned micro-credentials, including:
Job Fairs provide program participants the opportunity to connect with leading employers, recruiters, and hiring managers. Attendees can explore diverse job opportunities, engage with potential employers, and network with industry professionals, all of which contribute to enhancing career prospects and fostering diversity in the healthcare sector.
Speed mentoring events, facilitated by CRIEC, bring staff from local healthcare establishments together with program participants. These sessions provide program participants with a chance to practice interview questions, review resumes, and answer burning questions about the workforce.
Join CRIEC and BVC along with program mentors, community partners, employers, and the community for networking events throughout the program duration. Networking events provide opportunities to build participants networks and practice their Canadian culture learnings.
1.How do I sign in or join the P2P for IENs program?
Participants will access the program through the Together Platform, which supports mentorship, communication, and scheduling.
Upon acceptance into the program, you will receive a welcome email containing instructions to log into the platform, along with information about your orientation, schedule, and upcoming workshops. If you do not receive this email or encounter issues logging in, please contact the program coordinator for assistance.
2. Is the BVC Path2Practice for IENs (P2P) course a bridging program?
Yes. The BVC Path2Practice for Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) program has been approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education. In addition, it is recognized as an approved bridging program by the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA). This program is specifically designed to support internationally educated nurses in meeting licensure requirements and successfully transitioning into nursing practice in Alberta.
3. Where do I get my nursing documents assessed?
Internationally educated nurses must have their qualifications assessed through one of the CRNA-approved credential evaluation services, including:
After your report is received, it will be reviewed by the CRNA as part of your registration pathway.
4. What is the BVC Path2Practice for IENs (P2P) program?
This is a bridging program offered in partnership with Bow Valley College, providing simulation-based learning, NCLEX preparation, and professional development, all tailored to support your success as you work toward licensure and employment in Alberta.
5. Is there any financial support available for this program?
Yes. Eligible participants may receive funding covering:
These supports are in place to help reduce barriers. Eligibility is determined at intake and further elaborated during orientation.
6. What is the duration of the program?
The P2P program typically runs for 6 months, depending on cohort scheduling. This duration includes components such as job readiness training, mentorship, and the Bow Valley College bridging program.
7. Do I need CRNA approval before challenging the NCLEX exam?
Yes. You must first obtain CRNA approval to register for the NCLEX-RN exam, which follows the completion of your credential evaluation and review by the CRNA.
8. Is there employment support after completing the program?
While there is no formal job placement, participants receive robust employment readiness support, including:
These services aim to equip you for success in Canada’s healthcare job market.
9. Is there a clinical practicum included in this program?
No, there isn’t a formal clinical practicum. However, BVC offers simulation-based training, enabling you to practice and develop clinical judgement and skills in a supportive environment
10. How will I know if I have been accepted into the program?
Once the screening process is complete, you will receive a welcome email from CRIEC. This will be followed by a confirmation email from BVC closer to the Micro credential course start date.
For more information, please contact, IEHP@criec.ca.
Bow Valley College is the largest college in the Calgary area, with over 15,000 students. We open doors to in-demand jobs across Canada. Our graduates contribute to the economy and community through careers in business, entertainment arts, technology, healthcare, social services, and more. We are proud to be named one of Alberta’s Top 80 employers and one of Canada’s Top 50 research colleges. Our innovative applied research, focused on health and health technology, educational technology, and social innovation, is shaping the future of college education. Learn more about the opportunities we create for our students, employees, and province at bowvalleycollege.ca.
CRIEC is a robust not-for-profit organization that seeks to effectively and efficiently connect newcomer professionals with strategies designed to lead to successful employment outcomes. We design, develop and implement numerous initiatives and strategies, such as mentoring programs, employment counselling sessions and competency (cultural and skill) workshops for both newcomer professionals and stakeholders, resulting in 80% of our clients finding gainful employment in their chosen fields within 3-6 months of completing our programs.
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