Hi

Am new to the forum. Hope I am able to find out lots of valuable information regarding a move to Canada.

I am a UK registered diploma nurse with 8 years experience, in addition, degree in podiatry obtained last year.

Have been informed by migration companies that I do not meet the required skilled worker points system, due to my age of 47 years. It has been suggested that I apply for a Canadian student visa ASAP (due to age) to return to college/university for minimum of 1-2 years , however can select a course not related to my current profession, as long as I am able to cover student and living costs for myself and family.

Any help and advice would be welcome.

I would suggest reading the wiki on the different ways. I would say however if planning on registering as a RN then it will be a long drawn out process and for a lot of UK nurses some form of assessment will be required and top up courses. Make sure your transcripts include both clinical and theory hours in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. Also do a search for the various threads discussing nursing

Thanks. Yes a long process with NNAS undertaking assessment of my previous studies etc.
If approved would be required to undertake NCLEX exam in Canada. Have read that pass rate has fallen last year. Migration comments was to select something other than nursing, but do I stick with what I know or what I don't know? Do not want to undertake any course for another 3 years!

Once you have gone through process with NNAS then you apply to the province and they make the decision on whether you meet their requirements. All who want to work as a nurse in Canada must take and pass NCLEX. The rate fell last year because it was the first compete results on Canadians taking the NCLEX and for many provinces it did drop but expect figures to be back up this year as schools get more used to sitting the exam. Some provinces do have a bit of shortage on RN's but a lot will depend on which province you plan on living and working in. Alberta is hard for nurses at the moment with many struggling to find work

Oh dear that was my first choice and where I wanted to move. Do you know if internationally nurses are permitted to work as support workers or are they required to undergo exams etc?

Try this thread for starters, & also search for posts by Tirytory:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/canad...-nurse-869345/

(At least) One of the many threads about nursing discusses working as a support worker.

Also read the wiki about LMIAs (required for temporary work permits which also require a job offer).

To be blunt: your age is against you, on any of the possible routes to immigrate .

Yes I agree. Think that is why I have been advised to leave the nurse training alone, even though I am a qualified NHS nurse. Unsure how I feel about applying for a student visa and enrolling as a 'mature student' in a college/uni environment, is this common? Will email a couple of colleges with courses that may be of interest, if they say no, then it is what it is!

While that's a positive attitude, the study route, if you wish to immigrate permanently, will not overcome the age points deficit .

I'm not sure who is advising you (an immigration consultancy?), however I'd do my own research on the possible routes to immigrate if I were you. A study permit, followed by a PGWP, won't necessarily be of any greater use in the longer run. Have you done a mock calculation of the points you might gain (or not) for this route?

Yes the age barrier against us. Rough calc of scores combined and we are well under. Two different migration companies advising and talking about one year study then apply for work related residency for up to two years?. Am keeping my feet firmly on UK soil until all options explored. Think the agents were 'bigging up' my qualifications and expected IELTS results (9-10)...! Excuse my ignorance but what is PGWP?

Post-Graduate Work Permit. That's probably what the "migration companies" mean by "work related residency etc". This might give you some extra points for Canadian experience; &/or access to PNP (provincial nomination programs, which *could* net 600 pts if you were eligible). Would it be enough to to take the risk?

I hope you aren't paying for this "advice".

Big help from this forum and advice from other sources. I'm not paying out any cash...that can remain in my pocket. With regard to risk, I'm the risk taker and my hubby is not. I remain unsure that I want to remain in NHS nursing full stop so am happy to give that up. Am I happy to take the risk in another country... probably yes, as if didn't work, then would return probably skint!

Hi


1. The OP should note that 1 year's study at a Designated school would only give you 1 year's Post Graduate work permit, so getting 1 years experience for CEC would probably be impossible with a 1 year PGWP.

Thanks for pointing that out, I missed that not-so-little detail in my comment.

Thanks for all your valuable advice ( didn't need a migration peeps after all for all the free info) . Let's see how things pan out, whether that's in the UK or Canada.