Hi hoping someone can help
I'm a registered nurse here in the UK. I've applied directly to hospitals and agencies for nursing roles but with no joy.
I'm hoping to move to either Toronto or Vancouver. Would it make it easier to apply to register there first? Would this make my resume more appealing?

Any help would be truly appreciated.

Have a read of this - http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Nursing-Canada

Also have a read of the Job Hunting section, it's basically a useless exercise applying for jobs while in the UK and without any kind of visa status... I'm assuming you are British and would need some kind of work permit?

Yes to both of those. Thanks for the info

Any particular reason you're not just applying for PR?

From what ive read and heard I would need to produce savings. As a single mom not quite there yet! So was going with visa route

Ah, I see. The only thing I would mention is that the amount required by CIC is what you'll have to spend anyway to get set up in Canada, regardless of your visa route. Actually by most it's considered to be very low and nowhere near enough! So you'd need to have that saved anyway, even if going on a TWP.

This thread may be useful reading to give you an idea of what others have spent on the move - http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=735341

Best of luck.

Are you actually registered to Nurse in Canada?

+1.

Most employers will not look at you unless you are eligible or have passed CRNE. Depending on your transcripts you are looking at a processing time of over 12 months with the college of RN and even then you will probably be asked to go through some form of assessment and further study.

Feel free to ask me any questions I'm an ICU RN and I've been here for almost 12 months on a temporary working permit and am just waiting for my permanent residency to come through under the provincial nominee program. Here are a few pointers to begin with:
1) you need to decide which province you want to live in and register with there board if nursing
2)when you've met whatever criteria they want then you can begin to apply for jobs
3) don't use an agency, just apply direct - I did and got the first job I went for
4) I came on a temporary working permit, which is value for 3 years. I've now applied for my per meant residency under the provincial nominee program which is quicker then the standard route and my application fee was paid for by the province.
Anything else you would like to know? Just ask and I will try to help you out

Just to say, for the sake of the OP, that TWP's can be valid for 3 years, but they can also be valid for 1 year or 2. There's no set time for them, it's down to the individual immi officer on the day.

And re: PR timings, FSW is 27 months and PNP 29 months currently according to the processing times section on the CIC website, so they're much of a muchness really.

Hi Bonnie
I too applied direct to a hospital, in Alberta, whilst my CARNA assessment was being 'done'.
I was offered a position and so the LMO (Labour Market Opinion) was applied for. Once I received this,
I then applied for a TWP.
You will need to have a medical prior to approval for the TWP.
My TWP was issued for 2 years, my LMO was valid for 3 years.
I now have PR. We have been here almost 5 years now.

As was said by a previous poster, don't use an agency, apply for positions whilst your credentials are being assessed and mention this in the covering letter. Also try to contact the 'International recruitment team' (Talent Aquisition Team) here in Alberta for Alberta Health Services. They should be able to support you through the recruitment process.

Good luck

M J

Thank you so much. Ive just applied with the Ontario nursing board. Ive put my resume on various hospital web sites but heard nothig as yet Im hoping if they see I have my license it may draw their attention.
As we have family in the area Im more interested (as are the children) in Ontario.
Did you have any issues fitting in on the wards?