lydiaparr

Just wondering if any uk Paediatric nurses are now successfully working in Canada.?
What extra training did you need to do.?
I qualified on project 2000 Diploma I did 18m common foundation and then 18m specialising in Paeds.
Just about to apply to Carna to get my qualifications assessed but would love to hear from anyone else in the same boat or who has been through it. X

Many thanks.

Silverdragon102

nursing in Canada is general trained so your transcripts will be required to show hours both clinical and theory in Paeds, Mental Health, Obstetrics and Adult. After that it is just a case of passing CRNE and getting a job in that area.

rebecca1986

Hi,

Just thought I'd let you know my situation.
I'm a paediatric nurse from the UK, I trained post project 2000 though so did 12 months common foundation and 24 months paeds speciality.
I was told it was an easy process to get here, just get my transcripts sent over and assessed and then sit the CRNE exam.
But they assessed my transcripts and then required me to do what is known as the SEC assessment because my transcripts were obviously mostly paeds.
Sat the SEC assessment and was then told I needed to a do a years conversion course to general nursing, as my answers and thoughts were too "paediatric focused". Funny for a paediatric nurse! Have to admit, I did study but found the assessment tough as it was all adult focused, not something that has ever applied to a paediatric nurses role as you well know!

So, I'm currently on the one years conversion course to general nursing with other internationally trained nurses. Following passing this (fingers crossed!), I can finally sit the CRNE and hopefully start working again.
However, be aware that this is all in BC! But I do know that Alberta also does the SEC assessment, so just be aware. You may be ok since you did 18 months common foundation, but I'm not sure.

I also learnt last week that in BC, following your general nursing training, you have to pay to go on a course to specialise in paeds. I swear I better not have to do this or I'm going to freak out!

Best of luck with it, it's all a long drawn out process. If you need any advice, feel free to PM me

scribe123

LOL! I would hope not, but you never know with government and red tape.

alcat2010

Hi,

Is this years course in Canada or the UK? College / home study?

Thanks

lydiaparr

Thanks very much for the info Rebecca. Good to hear from another paediatric nurse as a lot of the posts on here are from adult trained nurses.
I am also interested in the course you are doing. Is it full time or part time and have you had to wait to do it till you moved out or are there opportunities to train in the Uk.?
Also, did you have to pay much to do the course.? I have a feeling Carna will want me to do something similar and just wondering how feasible it is bearing in mind I won't be earning for a year, will have child care costs for my 3 kids for a possibly full time course and may have course fees to pay.

rebecca1986

I know! Knowing the way it all seems to work over here, I'll start applying for jobs to be told that I still need further education!


This course is a year, full time, and it has to be done here in Canada. No options for UK studying or online, as the practical placements have to be done in a Canadian health care setting.

I have to be honest, it's not been cheap. It's costing me close to $10,000, and I have had to take out student loans to pay for this, as well as working part time. There is a lot of work to do at home aswell, so finding time to fit it all in is hard. But hopefully if you have to do something similar, it may be cheaper in AB. As well all know, BC is well known for meaning 'Bring Cash'!!

scribe123

Just out of curiosity, when you're on practical placement, do you get paid like you do in the UK?

rebecca1986

Nope, not a chance! It's all self funded, which means having to work part time at the same time!

jennyj83

Hi, I'm a student nurse in the UK (child branch) so I'm very interested in this thread. I was born in Canada and hope to return to BC (Vernon/Kelowna area) once I graduate. If I need to do a 1 year programme to register (which I am banking on having to do), is there more than one place that offers the course? I.e, will I have to live in Vancouver for that year or will there be a uni/college in the Okanagan that I could do the course at?

Many thanks!!

Silverdragon102

Depends where there are approvals on doing the course/s

rebecca1986

They only hold the courses in Kwantlen University in Langley and Thompson Rivers University in Kamploops!

nads2184

ahhhhhh just the thread i have been searching for, for a very long time lol..

Just a few questions on my side I am a Adult trained nurse and wanted to look into Ontario would you know if the SEC assessment is availble there aswell or is is just BC?

also would I need to have a degree, I have only just graduated feb 2012 with a Diploma and been working since may 2012, so would some experience be helpful?

I have a one 5 year old son, which i couldnt take with me if i had to do the conversion course, but luckily I think I could persuade his dad to take care of him

Nad

Silverdragon102

Most provinces these days seem to do some form of assessment.

Airborne_Dan

Ive contacted most of the Provinces's Nurse Registration body's. For Ontario you must have a degree. You'll also need some experience, either 1 or 2 years.