Obtaining CNA Certification
University Credits
In a move that should please many front-line nurses, 21 Canadian university nursing programs have confirmed they will recognize Canadian Nurses Association certification in certain specialties for university credit.
Prior learning assessment, a policy that encourages adult students to obtain credit for knowledge gained through their work and life experiences, has provided a useful framework within which universities are able to recognize, and grant credits for, CNA certification. The CNA credential, based on a national standard, allows nurses to demonstrate expertise and competency in a chosen nursing specialty.
Institutions that will offer credit for certification in at least some of the 18 specialties currently offered by CNA are:
- Athabasca University
- Brandon University
- Dalhousie University
- Lakehead University
- Laurentian University
- McMaster University
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Okanagan University College
- Ryerson University
- St. Francis Xavier University
- The University of Western Ontario
- Thompson Rivers University
- Université de Moncton
- University of Sherbrooke
- University of British Columbia
- University of Lethbridge
- University of Ottawa
- University of Northern British Columbia
- University of Saskatchewan
- University of Victoria
- University of Windsor
Other universities may move in this direction in the future. We will continue to update you on this issue.
