Hi Expats

Just looking for a bit of advice, I have been offered a job in Edmonton, which involves relocating from the UK.

However, my wife has completed the first year of her nursing degree in the UK and I was wondering if this can be transferred to Canada or will she have to start from scratch.

Has anyone done similar or at least advise what's best for her to become a qualified nurse.

Thanks
Swooty

Congratuilations on your job offer

Your wife will need a medical before she will get a TWP to work in healthcare.

I think that she may have to start again over here. The training is different.
She will have to pay for her own education as it is not the same funding as in the UK. I am not sure of the costs, but it is expensive for an international student.

Have her contact Grant McEwan University in Edmonton

(http://www.macewan.ca/wcm/SchoolsFac...sing/index.htm)

and also CARNA ( https://www.nurses.ab.ca/Carna/index.aspx)

hope this helps.

MJ

Also look at the University of Alberta Faculty of Nursing website.

Here's a link about international students.
http://www.nursing.ualberta.ca/Under...pplicants.aspx

I would agree in thinking that your wife may have to start her studies again, at best she may get some credits for some modules.

Will you be coming over with work permits or with permanent residency as that may have an impact on how much the degree would cost you here.

From newly graduated RN's that I work with I think their degrees cost them in the region of $40k - although don't quote me on that.

What branch of nursing is she studying?
In Canada, RN's are trained as general nurses and UK nurses are branch specific which can causes some complications when applying later.

I'm a UK trained RN working in Edmonton - let me know if I can be of any help

Good luck.

Many thanks for the feedback.

She is just coming to the end of her first year at UWE (University West of England) and my hope is that she can get some credits for the work she has completed already or it has been a waste.

I also notice the degree over there is 4 years, but the one here is 3 years, so not sure what the difference is.

I will be coming on a work permit so she would be classed as an international student, so yes it will cost a fair bit. We Have also looked at Australia and that comes out at about £18K a year a an international student. But its a price I dont mind paying to get out of England again. (went to Brisbane for 3 years).

Thanks again

My understand is 3 or 4 years roughly the same as here they appear to stop their studies over the summer and winter unlike the UK that doesn't stop for the summer?

She really needs to contact the university and see if they will accept her first year training. Also be aware from another website I am on, allnurses, there tends to be waiting lists and can take time getting on the nursing courses. So may not get on straight away

I did my training at UWE too!!

Let us know how you get on.

Yeah, that's the best option 'cause that commute would probably begin to take it's toll after a week or two.

Hey,

This is my experience, hope it gives some insight.

I began my nursing degree in Sept 2010 in UK, and I am due to graduate in 3 months. My Canadian husband had started my PR application when I started university with the view of moving and transferring my studies. However, after contacting U of Manitoba, it was apparent that I'd get NO CREDITS whatsoever for either 1 or 2 years of UK studies.

They would also have required me to do some University 1 courses in order to establish a GPA before allowing me to apply to the faculty of nursing.

Many of my Canadian friends are taking nursing and the degree is 4 years with Summer courses. (So 5 years in total with Uni 1)

I decided to remain in UK to finish my nursing and I am currently yo-yoing back and forth as hubby is in Winnipeg.

When I finish I have to submit my transcripts to the provincial college of registered nurses who will assess my qualifications and see if I need to take any further courses (I'm training as an adult nurse and Canada requires, Obstetrics, Mental Health and Paeds experience) however, due to working in a Prison, and having maternity experience hopefully the courses will be few, and then I shall be able to take the CRNE exam.

It's a long journey, but if your wife is anything like me, being a nurse will be worth the struggle.

Mrs L.

Do you have to pay back some of the cost of your education if you don't work in the UK for a certain period of time?

Nope I did some vigorous checking.

Doesn't that seem, at the very least, extremely unfair to the British taxpayer?

The NHS funded the course and if I was to stay in Uk I would be working in HMP service anyway. The university runs an international careers fair every year for graduating nurses and they estimate only 60% of graduates stay and work in the NHS.

Also the British taxpayer has had 3 years of unpaid work (placements that are 50% of the course) out of me, as I am not eligible for a bursary .

Therefore I would hasten to disagree with your uneducated point.

I think the system is at fault, not you for exploiting it.

I see you're still spreading the love Oink!

My wife is in the same boat (but she has a bursary) she will graduate next February. We could stay or go, nothing states you have to remain in the country (in this case Wales).

I was also under the impression that you would need a years experience prior to applying for PR?

We are now possibly not coming, financially it seems like a dead end, but good luck.