A registered nurse (CRS 450, no Canadian experience, job offer or relatives) asked what her realistic chances were through PNP or FSW. Fellow nurses who'd been through it offered this:
- Provinces do target nurses — be patient and stay in the pool. One member received a Notice of Interest for the RN occupation the previous year; another received an Expression of Interest invitation from Nova Scotia. Draws targeting nursing occupations come irregularly, so 'wait and watch' while keeping the profile active.
- Start your NNAS assessment now, before any nomination. The National Nursing Assessment Service review of your nursing credentials is cumbersome, slow and expensive — the strong consensus was to begin it immediately rather than waiting for a nomination, since it gates your ability to practise. One member's framing: if your heart is set on Canada, treat the cost as an investment.
- Accept the uncertainty trade-off. The poster worried about paying for NNAS without a guaranteed PR outcome; members acknowledged the risk but felt starting early was still the right call given how long the process runs.
Historical note: the thread is from 2021 under the old NOC 4012 code and that era's draw patterns; check current category-based draws (healthcare draws now exist federally) and provincial streams for nurses.