Hi there,
We are planning on moving to Nova Scotia from Ayrshire, is there anyone out there already that can give us an insight into general life. I am a nurse, so hopefully going on the strength of that. We're looking for somewhere near hospital or clinic, but semi rural. Any suggestions anybody, it all looks so beautiful!!!
Linda

Hello, Linda, and welcome to BE.

I've never been to Nova Scotia, but I've heard it's beautiful. There are some Canadian city rankings that list Halifax the second best city in Canada from a quality of life point of view.

I saw in another thread that you were under the impression you would be going to Canada via the skilled worker route. I don't think you want to do that. These days it's taking 5+ years.

It's faster to go on a temporary work permit and then, with an offer of permanent employment, fast-track your permanent residence visa application.

If you've already submitted your PR-skilled worker application, it's okay. You can still move to Canada on a work permit and get your PR application fast-tracked.

A number of the BE forum's members are British nurses who have moved to various Canadian provinces, including NS. All the ones of whom I am aware have written an exam in the relevant province. From what I've read, you typically have 6 months in which to pass the exam. Anyway, I'm sure the other nurses will tell you about that.

Near the top of the screen, in the middle of the blue horizontal band, there is a link to the BE Wiki. If you go there, you will find several articles on Canadian Immigration and on Job Hunting in Canada. I highly recommend that you read them.

Hi,
I am a nurse too I am hoping to move out next summer. I have just passed my CRNE. Next obstacle is sell the house.

You might want to look at http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/ or http://www.ssdha.nshealth.ca/ for potential employers.

Rural in NS is often more remote than rural in the UK so I would advise a trip over to get a feel for it before you do anything else.

If I can help in any way please let me know.

Here in Bridgewater (South Shore) they are very short of nurses as you can see from this job site > http://www.careerbeacon.com/search/en/-1/3/62/173

Bridgewater has a lot of rural areas around it and it's only 1hr 20min from Halifax... highly recommendable!

Thanks for the web site addresses and congratulations on passing your CRNE. I have been totally bambarded with information, I thought that you had to be a permanent resident before they would allow you to sit the CRNE Am I wrong??? From what you say it sounds like I am wrong - I hope so. We are planning a trip next year to Nova Scotia, and it would be great if I could tie it in with being able to sit the exam whilst I am there. Can you clarify for me. How long before you sat the exam did you have to apply? Where are you thinking of moving to in Nova Scotia?
I used to live in Ontario and still have family there, who are also doing a bit of ground work for me, but obviously every province is different. Thanks for the offer of help, I think we need all we can get!!!
Linda

You need to get your training accredited by the CRNNS (Nova Scotias version of the NMC). Have a look on their website and ask if you need to know any more. http://www.crnns.ca/

It took me a couple of months to get permission to take the exam but that depends upon how efficient your nursing school and employer are in filling out the forms. Some peoples have taken months.

The exam takes place in Jan.July.Oct each year.

Thanks for the web site address. Would love to hear more about Bridgewater. Feel free to brag...

Thanks for the info, I will try the websites

well, I am not into bragging... but what can I say FOR Bridgewater?
- close to coast and beaches
- close to Lunenburg, Mahone Bay (beautiful, quaint old towns)
- not tooooo far from Halifax (1 hr. 20 min)
- decent size (pop. 8000 ) with most amenities, good schools, movie theatre, a good variety of shops, a "mall" , (however nothing fancy)
- nurses jobs available
- beautiful surrounding, be it inland on lakes, on the coast..., farmland etc..
- land is generally cheaper than in Halifax area

maybe Corky could help out a little with the bragging , she's been here much longer than me and from her posts I take it that she loves it here too..
Corky , did I forget something???

If you are going over on a reccie and fancy the Bridgewater area, get in touch with the HR dept at Bridgewater (the SSDHA link I gave you) as this is Bridgewater Hospital.

I did this without there being any jobs advertised and they agreed to see me whilst I was there and offered me a post there and then. I don't think that I will be taking that one up though as it is a bit far from where I want to live.

If you want to apply for jobs with Capital Health (the other link) they have an e-recruit system where you apply online. It is still worth going to see them if you are over though. I met with HR in Halifax but they gave me info about all their hospitals, City and Rural.

They are generally impressed if you have made inroad getting your training recognized as this is often a cause of delay for them.

Gee Woodworm I think you did a splendid job of bragging about it....The Beaches alone would draw most people. The people are quite laid back and really friendly. Its close to everything and lots of new stores....what else could you want. Quite a few Brits have moved to Bridgewater recently also. Nice to know people are looking at it as a place to live.

Nice beach up here too just outside New Glasgow.

Pop around 20,000 if you include the immediate surrounding area. Decent sized hospital here too - Aberdeen Hospital. Lots of shops and facilities. 15 minutes from the PEI ferry terminal. 45 minutes to Truro and a further 45 minutes to Halifax.

We are in Malagash on the North Shore and the hospital in Tatamagouche is desparate for staff and they are linked with the large hospital in Truro. We are also close to New Glasgow and Amherst where there are hospitals too.

We love it here. The North SHore has NO FOG and is upper 20's/low 30s in the summer and is so warm they make wine here. Beautiful beaches and scenery. There is some great information in the links and gallery of www.oysterlodge.com

Have fun choosing where to live!

Hey, we are practically neighbours

Tatamagouche is a very pretty area. Went to the Sunrise Merchantile a couple of times this summer - nice cafe with great views. Also sells foods from around the world.

We headed over to the Balmoral grist mill. I have yet to visit the village of Pugwash which is not far from you but intend to do so next summer.

Next time you are over maybe we could meet up for a drink at Northumberland Links golf course n your way to Pugwash! www.northumberlandlinks.com