Updated 2024

Dear Friends,
Embarking on a journey as an Internationally Educated Health Professional (IEHP) is filled with both challenges and opportunities. It’s a path laden with hard facts, deep emotions, core values, vivid dreams, and decisive actions. Recently, I dove into the depths of the CELBAN (Canadian English Language Benchmark Assessment for Nurses), skill development programs, and online preparation courses, updating all related posts on my blog.
What struck me profoundly was a realization, a moment of truth that sparked an urgent need for change. Despite the wealth of information available, specific needs of IEHPs in different global locations like the USA and the UK seemed underserved. It’s more than just numbers; it’s about reaching each one of you, understanding your unique contexts, and tailoring our guidance to fit your dreams and aspirations.
Over a Quarter of a Million People have come to Kim @ CELBANPrep!
(Stats in 2021 when this was first written.)
Imagine that! A quarter of a million views, each representing a unique story of an IEN or IEHP striving to make a mark in a new land. Among these, thousands are from the USA and the UK. This incredible outreach has led to a profound realization β the need for more specialized content catering to you, our audience in these countries.
Internationally Educated Nurses in the USA, UK, and Australia
Your journey as an IEHP in English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, and Australia is unique. The education systems, the regulatory requirements, and the cultural nuances differ vastly when compared to other nations.
It’s crucial to understand that being in an English-speaking country doesn’t exempt you from specific processes designed for IEHPs in Canada.
Navigating the Process: Questions that Matter
From understanding the educational prerequisites in your country (be it the US, UK, or Australia) to discerning the nuances between being a Registered Nurse or a Licensed Nurse, each step is pivotal. The timing of applying for NNAS, the preparation for CELBAN while in the US, and the decision between choosing books or online courses β every decision shapes your journey.

CELBANPrep: Your Companion in this Journey
At CELBANPrep and CELBANPrep University, we offer an array of resources β from books to comprehensive online courses. Whether you seek basic information, skill development, or advanced professional preparation, we’ve tailored our offerings to meet your diverse needs.
Our resources are not just tools; they are bridges connecting your current reality to your aspirations.
A Call to Action: Embrace Your Journey
To all the Internationally Educated Nurses in the USA, UK, and Australia, remember that residing in an English-speaking nation doesn’t simplify your path; it simply alters it. The Canadian system, with its student-centred approach, mirrors the patient-centred care you will provide. Understanding this alignment is key to not only succeeding in the CELBAN but also in integrating into the Canadian healthcare system.
As we expand our horizons to include more tailored content for IEHPs in the USA, UK, and Australia, I invite you to join us in this journey of growth and learning. Let’s navigate these waters together, turning challenges into stepping stones for success.
Together, we can make your dream of nursing in Canada a vibrant reality.
Sincerely,
Kim
Let us continue by exploring some discerning questions!
There is a sorting-out process when it comes to your education.Β
Were you educated in the medical field in the US? (the UK? Australia?)
If you were educated in the medical field in the US (the UK or Australia) the process is different for you as compared to the nurses who are living in the US (the UK or Australia) but have been educated in the Philippines, India, or elsewhere.
That is important to know. Because the answer to this question determines whether or not you have to take the English proficiency exam: either the CELBAN or the IELTS.
- I have a friend who is a Labour and Delivery Nurse, living here in Canada. She is from Texas. She had to go through the entire IEN process, but she was not required to take the English exam.
- I was teaching a nurse, who lived in the US, who told me that even though she had passed the NCLEX, and was an RN, she still had to provide the results from her English proficiency exam.
- I have been teaching an IEN that was born in Canada, but her family left when she was 5 years old. She became an LPN in South America and returned to Canada as an Adult. She is required to provide the results of her English proficiency exam.
It is the provincial Colleges of Nursing, through the National Nursing Assessment Services, that determine whether or not you need to take the CELBAN or IELTS as an English test.

Are you a Registered Nurse or Licensed Nurse?
This is another discerning question.
If you are an RN or LPN practicing in the US (the UK or Australia) your process in applying for a license in Canada will be different as compared to an Internationally Educated Nurse from say India or the Philippines who like many IENs in Canada have not completed the licensure process, and are working as Health Care aids or some other unlicenced profession or field.
πΉ If you are looking for personal guidance and heartfelt advice on your CELBAN journey, then βDear Kimβ is a perfect choice. Follow Dear Kim for a wealth of insights and answers to your questions.
πΉ If you are aspiring to perfect your healthcare writing and speaking skills, particularly for the Canadian context, then βCELBANPrepβs Mastering HealthCare Writingβ βCELBANPrepβs Mastering HealthCare Speakingβ by Kim Kara is an indispensable resource. Dive into this guide at Amazon to enhance your writing proficiency in the healthcare field.
πΉIf are looking for specialized online courses to boost your skills, and youβre committed to excelling in your healthcare career in Canada, then head over to www.CELBANPrepUniversity.com. There, youβll find a wealth of information, resources, and courses specifically designed to meet the unique needs of healthcare professionals like you, ensuring your journey in Canadian healthcare is both successful and fulfilling.
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NOTE: The links listed above are to Amazon.ca. These English Language Mastery for Health Professionals books are also available in the following marketplaces:
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