Assessing your application
When we assess your application for registration, we consider the following:
- Nursing education
- We review the NNAS advisory report, which provides information about the comparability of your nursing education to Canadian nursing education programs.
- Good character
- Good character refers to a combination of personal qualities and traits, such as
- moral or ethical strength
- Integrity, candour, empathy and honesty
- An appreciation of the difference between right and wrong
- The moral fibre to do that which is right and not to do that which is wrong
When determining whether you are of good character, we review:
- The circumstances around any previous criminal charges and/or convictions, the results of your criminal record check, and any other information you wish to have considered related to the same, if applicable.
- The completeness, correctness, and accuracy of the information you provided on the application form or in any communication with BCCNM.
- Current or previous regulatory history, including any past investigation, resolution, and/or discipline.
- Information related to current and/or previous employment.
- Information from an educational institution, if applicable.
- Any history of unethical or dishonest behaviour
- A self-reflection of the circumstances, learnings, and growth since the events, or actions taken, that indicate a possible lack of good character.
- Fitness to practice nursing
- Fitness to practice refers to the absence of any physical or mental ailment, emotional disturbance, or addiction that may impair your ability to practise. When determining whether you are fit to engage in nursing practice, we review:
- Self-disclosure of a physical or mental ailment, an emotional disturbance, or an addiction that could impair your ability to practise.
- Information from previous employer(s).
- Information regarding any previous registration cancellation or voluntary relinquishment of registration.
- Any current or past regulatory investigations.
- Information regarding any current or previous limits and/or conditions placed on your practice.
- Information from treating physician(s) or specialist(s) who can provide an opinion as to your current health status, any recommendations for safe entrance into the profession, and your fitness to practise nursing (we only request this information in certain circumstances).
- Competence
- When determining whether you are competent to practise as a nurse in B.C., we review:
- All relevant nursing practice experience
- Results of the NCAS assessment report
- Any other experience working in the Canadian health care system
- Continuing education in nursing
- Consolidation of knowledge
- Any periods of non-practice
- English language proficiency
- If English is not the primary language you use for reading, writing, listening, and speaking, you will be required to demonstrate your English language proficiency. If there is any indication during the assessment of your application your proficiency is not conducive to safe practice, we may require an English language test. When assessing your English language proficiency, BCCNM reviews:
- Your first language.
- Language test results (if taken).
- Information from your nursing education institution.
- Information from your employer(s).
- Additional evidence of English proficiency (i.e. references from regulated health professionals)