Hi! I moved to Calgary in June with my husband and daughter we are now settled and so I have finally decided to submit a CARNA application. Are there any British Nurses out there that have been through or are going through the process? I would love to email or chat. tanya

There are a few who have gone through the process but you are aware that currently Alberta has a hiring freeze so you may have problems finding a job?

The Alberta Health Services freeze is currently being lifted (or eased anyway), but jobs are still currently mostly being offered to internal candidates only ....
https://calgaryhealthregion.ats.hrsm...jobs_quick.cgi

We've been told (rehab) that if our current vacanacies are NOT filled with internal candidates (and they won't all be, cos that's just stoopid!) there is a good chance they will be opened to external candidates. I'd imagine it'd be the same with RNs.

i am aware of the hiring freeze and thankfully in no rush to find a job but I hate the thought of not having my registration here! I worked hard for my BSc in the UK and I would like to nurse again. How long did the process take? Did you have to do lots of additional training/courses?

I was talking to a lady on the phone at work this week - who was into her second year of waiting to hear back finally from CARNA

Surely that timeline is not normal?

Yup, I did it! Happily nursing here since Sept 2008. Along with another Brit, and 2 honorary Brits (born elsewhere but nursed for years in UK.)

The hiring freeze is a pain but won't (& can't) last forever! In the meantime you may as well try & get the paperwork sorted. CARNA takes 6 months on avaerage to sort itself out for IEN's & as there is not much on the recruitment front now they shouldn't be any slower! Note that around 6 weeks post every CRNE exam they are swamped with license applications from happy passers, so avoid those times!

Also don't be afraid to contact them, as chances are they're waiting for something or other & you will know how to get them that something quicker (it happened twice to me!)

AHS (contrary to poupar belief) are not the only nursing employers in Calgary, so you could look at the private clinics & LTC facilities to get your foot in the door of nursing, if needs be.

Two YEARS!!! That is crazy...pleased I am in no rush and don't need to work at the moment.

thanks for the info!