just to introduce myself and say hi

My wife and I are beginning the serious road to Canada. We have been playing round the fringes for a while but we have decided to try and make it happen. Wife is an RN and is currently sending resumes to BC area organisations.

We have been reading here for a while and decided it was time to jump in

Thanks
Tom

Welcome to BE

Good luck on your journey, we are not heading to BC
But good luck

Gill

Hi and welcome, lots of information and advice to be found. Good luck!

Good luck and welcome
I am halfway there with my registration to nurse in Alberta with other half and kids. Exciting times

thanks fir the welcome all

Keefrto what route are you following and do you have a job offer?

thanks
Tom

Hi Tom, we are going through Geneva Health (international) and yes I have had my 45 minute telephone interview (cos I could not attend London Interviews) got me job offer, and awaiting registration before finalising my exact job. RN route. What you looking at yourself?
We chose Alberta after a long hard look at Vancouver, there seems more expensive and Alberta looks a great deal. Good package on offer from the agnecy as well.

we are just trying to figure out the best way to go. Whether PNP or temp work permit. We hadn't considered agency.

We have been to Toronto a couple of times and really enjoyed it but looking for a bit more open space. We have not been out west at all so we are open to the options.

BC seems to offer plenty of jobs for OH but I am not sure where I will stand work wise.

I presume you are happy with the agency approach so far? any downsides you'd care to share.

thanks
Tom

we decided on temp route as the agency advised. They felt the temp route would be quicker and to be honest we hope we will like it but.... so we felt cool with the 1 yr temp. However they also said around 8months in the contract would be renegotiated. Very happy with the agency approach and would recommend contacting Jackie in London (mention me if you wish). I can pm you the offer they gave me if you want? Downsides would be the length of time it takes to get registration with them however I sent my stuff off at the same time all alberta nurses are re-registering (they go Sept to October) so mine is in a pile. Interviewed 1st July and should get registration back beginning Nov. You should get yours through quicker if you looked at Geneva and Edmonton. Look up www.capitalhealth.com and look for international applicants bit, although http://www.genevahealth.co.uk

also here: http://www.genevahealth.co.uk/campaign-UK_PermCHA.html

Tom I don't know what you do but your meal ticket may be your other half with Canada experiencing the same difficulties as the UK in regards to up and coming nurse shortages.

thanks for those links i am checking them out.

we reckon it will be OH that gets us over as you say. I have a degree in surveying and have 18 years as building control officer and 2 years as a consultant and architectural technician but I reckon I might have to work quite hard to get a similiar type job.

OH is only 4 years qualified (career change after 10 years as a secretary) and doesnt work in one of the big specialities (eye hospital)so I am not sure how in demand she will be.

fingers crossed though

many thanks for the pointers

Hi

Me & the husband are Building Control Surveyors and we are struggling to get a post even though our occupation is on the job demand list. Skilled worker application in since Feb 06 so we are now applying for BC PNP.

Hi KJM

glad to hear I'm not the only one.

I figured it would be a tough slog getting a job in building control and tbh i dont really want one. I left LA work 2 years ago to work for a big architects firm I was basically CAD qualified before but I am now doing a good mix of design and consulting. Ideally I would like to work in a design office as a technician draftsman or whatever rather than building control but if thats whats available Ill take it.

If I had to look after house and kids for a while it wouldnt be a drag and I will work at anything as required to get established.

thanks
Tom

Tom,

A house husband sounds great until you get established.

We both have previous trades that work to our advantage ie: Hairdresser and Bricklayer , which are also on the job demand list so if thats what we have to do we will.

We are trying to find the quickest route to get there.