Hello - calling all nurses! I have been instructed to undertake the SEC assessment in nova scotia (all 5 days - despite having over 13 years ICU experience in UK). Would really appreciate any advice re what exactly it entails, how difficult you found it, areas to focus on? Also would love to hear how you are finding work as a nurse in Canada? Thank-you so much

Hi Hellie
I am afraid I can't help you with the SEC question.

I am an RN working in Alberta. The biggest changes for me were (these are in no particular order, just my experiences):
* not having as much autonomy as I had in UK - I am a nurse of 20 year standing and had a G / Band 7 post.
* getting used to the seniority as per UNA and I believe other nursing unions.
* having to build up your A/L hours
* higher salary than the UK- cost of living can be comparable, but some things more expensive as you will read from other posts
* higher licencing fee to practice ($504.00 annually at the mon in Alberta)
*everyone weras scrubs, so no distinguising between nurses, domestics etc.

In all I am enjoying my time here. I worked in ICU here doing 12 hour shifts and my rotastion was 3 days and 2 nights or vice versa, all together then I had 4 - 6 days off between each stretch, I really liked that. I am now in a Mon - Fri post in Ortho (Ortho being my speciality in the UK also)

Good luck and I look forward to reading about your journey.
I realised this hasn't really helped, but it may give a wee snippet.

M

Have to agree with previous post

Seniority took a long time for me to get used to however here in NS seniority follows you as far as I can tell within NS as it appears to be the date you joined the union. Pay for me is OK and for most we manage on my pay for daily stuff and paying mortgage and a few other bills. Currently if in NSNU then RN and LPN wear a black and white scrub uniform which states on it whether you are RN or LPN. Took some time building AL up however where I work i get every 6th week off so didn't really bother me. From my understanding the nurses in hospitals work 2 days 2 nights and 5 off however you work more weekends. I work LTC and work 2 x 12 hour shifts one week and 5 x 12 hour shifts the other with every other weekend off.

Thankyou both so very much for your replies. With regard to seniority, does this mean that you become increasing considered senior automatically as time goes on? Also, how much Annual leave can you build each year? Also, any advise re study of pharmaceutical medications for the SEC/CRNE would be very much appreciated - do I just focus on the common ones...whatever they may be!

Finally can I ask a nova scotia weather question of you Silverdragon? I have read so many various posts re NS weather - some say it is not unlike UK, others (esp Sandy Hines realtor website) talk of storms, lots of snow and hurricanes!! How difficult is the winter...do you have to dress for an artic expedition when going on a night shift?!...I have visions of getting lost in the dark & fog :O

Many thanks to you both..if you discover anyone who would be willing to give a bit of advice re the SEC please let me know

This will give you an idea on working out AL and how working conditions are. May vary a little from Acute care to Long Term Care but you can look at both. http://www.nsnu.ca/index.php?id=6&sub=40&r=1 Currently the collective agreement is under review with the union and goes for discussion this week and voting will start soon after. Seniority changes and will vary but generally if someone joins the union and is brand new to the union and doesn't have anything to transfer they go to the bottom so depending where you work will depend on how it changes. Regarding meds a lot I have come across are similar to the UK. Glucose monitoring and other blood results are also similar to the UK. One book I have found good is the Canadian fundementals of nursing ought from Amazon

Weather.... every winter I have been here has been different however they are used to the winters and I know where I live the ploughs are good and never really a real problem. I always have a shovel and warm clothing as well as a change of work clothes in the care just in case but never had to use them and I travel approx 25 mins to work although when roads are poor it takes me an hour. We have had a few storms both rain or snow but generally I have managed but it can vary depending where in NS you are. I know I have traveled to Halifax which is 2 hours from me and I have had 2 foot of snow on the ground but get over the cobiquid pass approx 1 hour away and there is no snow.

Where about are you looking at in NS?

Hi
As Silverdragon says above.

I bought a couple of drug books '2010 Mosby's' and a 2009 Lippencott drug guide from Amazon.ca. Both helpful.
The drug names are the same for most.
There is also a CRNE practice and preparation book and CD. If you can get to classes on how to write the exam, then take the opportunity.

When I came over here in 2009, I negotiated pay at a level commesurate with my level in the UK, but in the hierarchy of A/L I was at the bottom and had to work my way up. It means that when you request A/L, the people with most seniority get it and you have switch some shifts. Might be an idea to mention booked time off at interview as a condition of hire. I must admit the swapping for me wasn't too bad, but it is a pain
I don't know anyone here now whgo had to do SEC, sorry.

Good luck on your journey and keep us informed.

M

Thanks both - I am ordering the Canadian fundamentals of nursing book & will get one of the drug guides....will also budget for a shovel

We are looking at Halifax at present mostly to optimise job oportunity for not only myself but my husband (who is a teacher - so job prospects difficult I gather), however he is willing to turn his hand to most anything!

Right better start blowing the cobwebs from any mental health, paeds & obstetrics that hopefully are lurking somewhere in the back of my brain???? Any main CRNE tips ladies?

If you can, go to some organised days on how to answer the CRNE would be a bonus.
I found it to be a bit woolly. Also as a nurse of 'so many years', you are apt to answer the questions by doing what a nurse of that time would do, instead of as a newly qualified nurse. The study days I attended were of enormous help.

M

These work along side CRNNS and do study days for International nurses worth checking http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/register...dc/programs-12

Thank-you both so much

When are you thinking on coming over to NS?

Planning to book my SEC assessment in Feb 2013 (5 days) and then complete any further studies necessary to undertake CRNE. I plan to then apply for jobs once registered with the CRNNS and hopefully obtain a visa that way - I considered submitted a SW visa for July 1st, but with the small CAP number thought it unlikely that it would get through...is it likely that I would get a temporary work visa and then convert to PR?

I keep checking the QEII jobs open to IENs and it is variable as to how many posts - positions available for ICU nurses last time I looked though

Any advice re getting a visa - is TWP a good idea or should I think of the SW/PNP route? Thought I might e-mail the QEII to enquire their usual practice for getting IENs over to NS..what do you think?

Personally would suggest PNP route. Can't say I have heard the hospitals go to TWP route for nurses so best ask them. I know a few LTC companies do TWP so you may need to rethink options if that is the route you want to take.

Thanks Silverdragon - forgive my ignorance but LTC stand refer to 'long term care'? Is LTC predominantly privately funded? Sorry for all these questions - I agree that PNP routs sounds like best idea...will contact the hospital to enquire.

yes LTC = Long Term Care and is privately funded. I work LTC and to be honest it isn't bad. My schedule as full time consists of 2 x 12 hour shifts one week and 5 x 12 hour shifts the other with a week off every 6 weeks and that doesn't include vac I do 10 nights and 9 days and is usually 3 weeks of nights and 2 weeks of days

If weather not too bad when you come over in Feb may meet up but I live 2 hours away from Halifax and you never know what the weather will be like. I go over the Cobequid pass and have known totally different weather either side. I have a CRNE prep book you can have