Hi kim,
I am a registered nurse in the Philippines with a 4 years experience but its a long time ago (2010). I am currently in a live in caregiver program. I just registered in NNAS for my assessment for LPN but i read on some forums and even here that u can do both LPN and RN assessment at the same time but with additional payment. I was just wondering if its advisable to do it if i want to pursue LPN first then maybe eventually pursue my RN career. I really need your advice. Thanks for your time.
J
Dear J,
Thank you for your message.
It is true that you can apply, through NNAS, for both the LPN and RN route at the same time. In fact that is one of the reasons why the scores on the CELBAN and IELTS were increased for LPN’s: to make the documentation assessment process easier.
NNAS simply gathers all the documents, determines whether you have fulfilled the requirements, and creates a report. You get to choose who that report is sent to. You can choose both LPN and RN, and you can choose as many provinces as you would like: each with an additional fee.
But, the requirements for the LPN route and the requirements for the RN route are different. So, many IENs have chosen to become LPNs as part of the process to becoming an RN. Those who have worked with me as Writing Coaches and Speaking Mentors have told me that they feel a greater degree of accomplishment and hope as a result of becoming an LPN first. Also, they are less worried about the cost of becoming an RN because they are making a better wage. Being in a hospital boosts their morale and self-esteem. So they battle depression less than those that simply struggle through the RN route.
Others, who have chosen the RN route, look at their friends, who are LPNs with longing and yearning: because their friends are actually working as nurses. No, it is not the ideal, but, there is hope.
Hope, self confidence, self esteem are all valuable gifts when coping with the stress of life and the licensure process. There is no price for them, and they are not easy to come by.
So the question, J, needs to be less about the money and more about the self-care as a step towards wellness.
You are valuable as a person. The impact you will have on the world, as a nurse, is impactful. You, as a nurse, will serve our friends and our family members. Your mental health and wellness is paramount. Your ability to succeed on exams is based on your mental health and wellness. So, take care of yourself; choose a course of action that allows you to preserve the power of your mind, your heart and your spirit so that you remain strong enough to serve.
These are valuable life lessons, that when learned early and integrated into your life and career plans, will make all the difference in the world!
And that is my advice: to be your own best friend, making decisions on what is best for your body, heart, mind and spirit.
Sincerely,
Kim
Dear Kim 
Dear Kim,
Hi! Im Joewen from Abu Dhabi.
I just read your blog about what happened to your daughter and I feel so sad. I believe everything happens for a reason. I hope you will continue to guide and help others in reaching their dreams.
My wife would like to take the Celban exam but we cannot find online resources or reviewers. It would be a great help if you can give us an idea where to get the review materials for Celban. She is planning to review here in the UAE then fly to Canada just to take the exam. She already have an application in NNAS but she lacks the english proficiency exam which is Ielts(academic) or Celban. We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you and God bless
Dear Joewen,
I thank you for your kind and thoughtful message. I apologize for the delay in my response; which, you very well may understand. As you know, having a wife who is a nurse, those of us who are care takers, nurturers and healers must take time to heal and make ourselves well before we can uplift and assist others. Our individual recover rates depend on our emotional and spiritual resilience. Mine was pretty high for a long time, which allowed me to do what I was doing through CELBANPrep: uplifting and encouraging IENs many of whom who had lost hope. But the trauma I sustained took me a long time to recover. I am doing exceedingly well at the moment and an both excited and hopeful about what I will create fore IENs over the next few months. My hope is to release videos on youtube that are available worldwide. (I think that will help!)
My path is taking me in a different direction altogether, but I can never forget my nurses who have given me so much. I am where I am because of the courage, tenacity and sheer will that I witnessed on a daily basis by individual IENs who overcame so many personal and professional barriers/struggles/traumas. It is the loving prayers of people of so many nations that have carried me through. I have felt them at times of great weakness and I have been carried through this period of time on angels wings as a result. I am a true testiment that we as healers are required on this earth, and that God will do what is necessary to keep us in keeping with our life purposes of bringing healing light to the minds, hearts, bodies and spirits of those who cross our paths.
Joewen, your message came to me for a reason. I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking about Dear Kim. I have not written or even checked in in a while. I wanted to write, but had no inspiration. But here it is: my response to you.
I hope that others are as generous and kind, thoughtful and caring about my situation as you have been. I apologize for not being there, during my leave. But, I promised that when I was strong again, that I would begin creating resources once again. How I feel in reading the comments that have been written over the last while, on Dear Kim, tells me that the time is now and I am ready. And, God has provided a way; I have the time to do so. So, while I may not have replied to your comment earlier, please know God has used you in His timing to provide a gift for me to give to others in my reply. Be well, and all the best to you and your wife. Remember that our relationships is all that we take with us when we cross the veil and, as Wayne Dyer said, “Don’t die with your music still inside of you.” Shine on. KK
Joewen,
Thank you for inspiring me. Please check out https://dear-kim.com/2017/11/09/continuing-to-guide-and-help-others-in-reaching-their-dreams/.
Sincerely,
Kimber
Hi Kim. How are you! I got so interested with the conversation you have on this site. My wife used to work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia and she’s already here with me in Canada. She had already her Account for NNAS and she just missing to documents wich is the identity and English proficiency. After all the documents submitted how long it takes to get the evaluation results? Can you Please give us also an idea what are the things we need to do regarding this application.
Thanks for your question, it was such a great one I created a new post with the answer. Please see:
My CELBANPrep 2016 New Years Resolutions!!!!
Make CELBANPrep More Affordable
Make CELBANPrep More Accessible
HOW?
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NNAS: After all the documents submitted how long it takes to get the evaluation results?
Posted on April 6, 2016 . you can use the search function or checkout the UNDERSTANDING NNAS page.
Kim
Hi Kim!
How are you? I hope that you are doing very well. I just have a question. I am about to take my CELBAN exam this coming March 18 in Winnipeg. I have not really been able to study because of my current situation. I am taking my paternity leave and watching over our 9 month old baby. I asked a few of my friends who already took and passed the CELBAN for some notes but most of them gave me the same cd and as I go through it I think it would not be enough as my resource material. Is there any website or review materials that are sold online for me to use while I am on the process of reviewing?
I am hoping for a positive response regarding this matter.
Thanks a lot!
Alvin
Dear Alvin,
Oh I remember those days! When my daughter was 9 months old she did not take naps! My days were filled with taking care of her! I remember a friend saying, about her son and family, “I did the laundry. I changed diapers. I fed everyone. It has been a good day!”
It is for people like you that I created the tag https://dear-kim.com/tag/balancing-family-and-celban-prep/.
You can also use the search, on Dear Kim, for “busy Mom and Dad”.
They will all provide comfort knowing: you are not alone!
Yes, the resources your friends keep giving you are the official resources from celban.org. What I offer is different. There are four websites that will help:
1. http://www.celban.info.
2. http://www.celbanprep.info.
3. http://www.celbanprep.info/celbanprep-pricing-and-sale-policy (Check out Tier 3)
4. http://www.celbanprep.info/bundles.
If you get lost at any point, go to the IEPC Directory on the Cloud at http://www.iepc.ca.
EVERYTHING I do is available online. I would have it no other way, because I know what it is like to balance life and family!
I hope this has been a positive response!
Sincerely,
Kim
P.S. Thanks for writing, Alvin! KK
It’s actually easier to adjust if you do the LPN first because you can get to work at the hospital and start working as a nurse because if you choose RN it may take longer. It’s actually a balance of money, time and family.
Hello Ann!
It is so good to hear from you, and I take it from this message that things are going well for you! I am so very happy for you.
Thank you for taking the time to write this comment! I like your last statement: becoming an LPN is part of a wellness plan of balancing everything more easily and with less stress. Thank you so much for being willing to share. It is one thing for me to say it, but another thing for it to come from an IEN that is on track to her dreams of being a nurse in Canada!
All the best to you in the new year, and beyond!
Sincerely,
Kim