Work ideas?
 

I don't really want to focus on me.. More from others who have had to change career paths on immigration to Canada....

After a few discouraging conversations with the CNO.. I just don't see how my nursing career is going to continue. So I need to consider what else I can do. I'm young (ish) certainly have a lot of working years left and want to work. I hadn't or wouldn't have changed career but feel like I need to have some options...

Anybody had to do it and what did you change to? Did you go back to school? Open your own business?

Re: Work ideas?
 

Sorry to hear you will most likely have to change career path. I'm still waiting on PR before I can work, but looking to do the same. I'll be following this thread with interest!

It's going to be a case of seeing what is out there I think. I had a few interviews and job offers last year, before getting a LMIA became virtually impossible and they all fell through.

I'm going to try and focus to start with on work/life balance which was lacking in my last career. Getting used to how people do business here will be an adjustment too I think. Once I have more of a feel for working life here, I'll focus on what I want going forward as a career.

Good luck!

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When I left the UK I was a troubleshooter for a large worldwide manufacturing company. When I arrived in Canada I started working on heating and air conditioning. Now I work in entertainment.

God knows what I'll be doing in 10 years time:confused:

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I moved over some years ago, when the RN registration thing wasn't as difficult. I realised though that the closest job to my old one in the UK was as a Public Health Nurse here in BC. One huge problem, was that I needed a degree to apply. So I worked for non profit clinics, and studied for my BSN online through UVIC, it took me 2 years, and juggling working and 3 kids. I also had to pay for my courses myself. I feel it was worth it, I am now working full time as a PHN.

Another friend from the UK that moved over a couple of years after us (was a UK Midwife and RGN) decided against the fight and challenges of registering. She now works for a company doing events planning, completely different! It took a couple of years, and she did have to do a fair amount of volunteer work in the area before she managed to get a job being paid for it.

When I look back, it did take me years of working towards my goal, I certainly didn't move for my career! But I am glad I persisted and did it.

Good Luck with the next step in life.

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You could be a diplomat!;)

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Sign up with temp agency. Youll be exposed to different companies/ industries and roles

Then see what takes your fancy.

If you do need to go back to school at least then you'll have a focus

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Yes, she could. If only for not castigating Canada and Ontario in particular for being such a sink estate for foreign professionals.

Wales of laughter.

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I was a UK registered nurse, but before I moved here five years ago realized I wouldn't be able to work here as my speciality is a bit unique. I didn't even bother attempting to get registered here! After a few months I got a job in an insurance company which used a lot of my transferable skills. I now work for a bank using experience I gained in both sectors.
Good luck!

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Have sadly seen this scenario play out on many occasions. At least 3 of my friends have changed paths completely and studied as Realtors.They seem to be doing pretty well for themselves now.

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Now who is being "silly"? ;)

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That's for private mutterings of disgust:sneaky:

I really should edit my posts into one but it's late... Muttering is a good word.

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Go back to school do nursing program in Canada so you can keep the same career? Sucks for sure, but if you like nursing, wouldn't it be the easiest way to stay with it, based on the red tape there seems to be for foreign trained nurses to practice here.

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Study online for a Masters in Health Management, or public service management.

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It may be different in other Provinces, however my wife has found them to be completely useless in BC.

You're more likely to get a f*** off the Pope than get a job....(unless you want to work in a shop, picking fruit or sexing chicks!)

If your SIN starts with a '9', you're better off looking for a job yourself.

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What is the pay like?:rofl:

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Quite high if you're choir boy...

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Hmm finally a use for my lazy teenager- earn me some cash:thumbup:

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We should write scripts for Colin & Justin's show on Cottage Life! [Who the hell gave THEM a work permit? :blink:]

(Apologies to TiryTory for muckying up your thread 'a little') :thumbsup:

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Yes sorry Tirytory- we will butt-out (as it were..) ;)

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Ah you're good:lol: I can't believe they're so big here...

JS... I loved my job but I can't even contemplate retraining for it. I have heard that RN's aren't actually as good as back home as much as the province believes their training is superior. I don't know though really.

About the agency Zoe I live in a small town run on tourism... It does limit my job market and opportunities somewhat..

Bats... What could I do with that?

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Work for MSF.

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I'm not sure of your exact circumstances. Do you have PR? Would it help you or others if you did so?
Is it beneficial to have the nursing degree or would there still be more obstacles put in front of you by CNO? Is there no sector or similar role you could work in i.e. care homes, without / before gaining registration?
You say you live in a small town, do you drive?..

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Now you're doing it!

On a serious note, I've googled Muskoka. Not being familiar with that side of Canada at all (despite my employer's HO being in Mississauga - I've not been there!), I presume the travel time to Toronto/Mississauga/Brampton or Sudbury is too long?

Are there any major employers in Muskoka area - I see it is in 'Cottage Country'?

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Could be. From a patient perspective the nurses I had in Ontario seemed fine, but can't say anything past that.

For the amount of time a RN has go through school in BC anyhow, I'd hope they are good. Places in the US its still only a 2 year program vs 4 years in BC. (Not sure how long ON is for RN)

I know compared to what the training was in California, paramedics here in BC don't seem to get the same training depth or experience before being allowed to practice.



Tourism only pays well if your in management at a larger organization, otherwise its pretty bad pay for the most part and pretty dead end.

I have never had any luck with temp agencies, they seem to be more of resume collectors more then anything else, I have given up on them.

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I think it depends where you are situated. I temped quite a bit when I was in uni and was making between $25-$30 per hour plus overtime and that was back in the mid nineties. But it was in a major metropolitan area that had lots and lots of corporate head offices. But boy, talk about money for old rope. :rofl:

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I just don't think they are cut out for workers like me with basic office skills, no real education and limited work experience outside 2 industries.

I was using them in Vancouver trying to get a job when I was living there since the hotel industry is so competitive there it's hard to get your foot into the door. Vancouver hotels love interns which doesn't help either.

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Residence doesn't help with nursing since I have an open temp work permit anyway. PR app is in process. I do drive but with three young children I can't travel too far for work. The local country hospital is only advertising for RN and my application with CNO is only for RPN because I was only Diploma trained. Whilst I could apply to be assessed for RN now I would have to go through NNAS which can take up to a year, then the CNO then the OSCE assessment then the NCLEX exam that's too much for me I think.. I was or am a hospital nurse and that's where I want to be... Although I don't have the heart for it now. Even PSW have a specific certificate behind their name, and with childcare to think about I need to earn a certain amount for it to be worth while for me to work. It's frustrating.

Two hours away from Toronto... Further to Missisauga/ Brampton. Cottage country is where wealthy Toronto folks and Americans come to summer... Beautiful, lots of lakes and lacking in any real jobs or industry. Not a place to be poor that's for sure. May 24 weekend has signalled the flash cars to come out and about.

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Someone upthread suggested real estate. I think you might be good at that. Worth looking into?

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Oh I could definitely look around all those fancy multi million "cottages" ... In fact I would pay them to look:p Crazy money- they have these fancy houses that they use for maybe six weeks of the year. The mind boggles.

It's a thought... Other than I have been quite vocal about "those realtors doing nothing yadda yadda moan moan":o. Hmm was being told I might be good at that even a compliment?????

Perhaps teaching?:rofl:

Oh Canada...

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It was meant to be. ;)

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I knew before I came here that salary was way lower than I was used to in IT and was prepared for that. What I didn't expect was to get fired from my first 2 jobs because I wouldn't work between 80 and 108 hours a week every week. I got further job offers but the minimum expectation especially from US companies was 80 hours and no overtime pay. Canada actually promotes itself to other countries on the fact it can make IT workers work relentless hours and without pay so with that I consider I had to make the change. Wonder why that was only told to companies relocating here not people??

Now its fingers in all pies. We have renovated our own basement to cater for homestay students and this generates more than enough to pay all bills and other day to day stuff. We have kept our apartment in China where we both worked as an investment and let that out. I now provide some remote IT consultancy to UK and Chinese companies - at UK/Chinese rates which are much higher than Canada's. A little over a year since landing and instead of being stuck to a desk for up to 108 hours a week on a salary not that special we now put in average 40 hours a week and generate more.

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Do you think then that having the degree would enhance employment chances?

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I honestly don't know sorry... Until I'm out there looking I guess I won't know. I've been here nearly 18 months and no nearer to finding out than when I arrived. From the point of any country, I think having a degree helps and I would certainly have completed it if I had stayed in the UK. It was needed there for job promotion, evidence of further education but the UK doesn't have the two tier nursing strata that Canada does anymore.

Re: Work ideas?
 

What do you enjoy doing would be the first question? Any hobbies you could turn into work?
I'm changing career myself and one thing I'll say is that if you want to stick with nursing then 1 or 2 years of jumping through hoops is nothing. Apprenticeships are 4 year so are Canadian degrees. I find the education system here quite ridged and It's frustrating to not have experience and qualifications recognized but it's the way it is and you just have acknowledge that and get on with things.

I've had to move half way across the province( BC) and I'm having to take grade 12 math as I only have GCSE math and Science A levels but the jobs I'm looking at specifically ask for grade 12.
I found it hard to even find a place that would offer 12 math on its own as its normally part of the high school diploma package. I find it extremely frustration to be treated like I have no education due to no grades 12 math and grade 12 English even though I have A levels but its the way it is.

Have a think about what you really enjoy and go for it if you actually want to make a career change or if you want to stick with nursing.

I'm doing a trades introduction course myself to try and decide what trade I'd like to go into.
I'm female so the government is throwing money at me as they see an untapped labor pool and a large shortfall of skilled trades workers in the near future. My course is comply funded as is the foundation course after along with grants rather than loans and tool grants.
I've always enjoyed fixing things and more hands on work. I wish I'd considered trades sooner.

Good luck with what ever you decide

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Pretty much everything in the medical world in Canada has a specific course that is needed, even in admin stuff like unit clerks.

I am going back to try Mental health worker, personal support worker for mental health folks, apparently personal support worker is not enough so they brought in a new program.

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I worked in forensics as a fingerprint examiner back in Scotland. I knew that wasn't going to be an option when we got here (need to be a police officer and so on, far too convoluted a process plus I wasn't *that* interested in continuing in the profession) so when we got to Canada I became a partner in my OH's fitness business which he started up here, and I've also set up my own online craft supplies business which is growing slowly but steadily (if I could just work out marketing... :huh: ). I did some lecturing in forensics at a uni in Halifax but I don't think that's going to turn into very much. I've also just branched out into some web designing for local businesses, and also hope to make a little money with some crafting of some kind - what kind varies week to week at present; could be woodwork, could be sewing, could be jewellery, who knows lol.

When we got here I knew I didn't want the standard 9-5 office job, and I'd had enough bureaucracy in my previous job. So I decided I'd be happiest being in charge of my own career and doing a variey of things. Should one of them become very profitable I'd scale back the others, but I don't think I could ever go back to 'employment', I've been out of it too long! :lol:

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I'm afraid that increasing credentialism has become the practice in all western societies, especially in the professional sphere.

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As a UK RN (diploma and degree) with almost 25 years experience waiting for CNO assessment, I was unable to work in hospital or long term care without a PSW certificate! I managed to find a job as a PSW for an agency that did not pay mileage or travel time, I decided after three months of paying out of pocket for the opportunity to work (after childcare and gas) that it was not worth it.

I applied for so many jobs while waiting for registration - obviously only ones where I had transferable skills - but not one interview. I assume that they get so many resumes from people with the exact skills, employers can't be bothered to delve into the resume to see the skills.

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Its even happening in the hotel world with stupid hospitality certificates that schools offer, while smaller independent hotels don't really care as they pay poor, have a high turn over and so on, the larger hotels where you can potentially have a career can be nearly impossible to land a job at without some sort of certificate, its annoying, not sure what a 6-7 months certificate program will teach me about hotels that working in them for a decade hasn't.

I am going to try my luck with mental health community worker, if that doesn't lead to a better job and wage, I am going to throw to toss in the towel and just stay in a hotel.....

I don't have the time or money resources to go take multiple programs to get degrees and all that jazz.

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Clinic manager, government, VON manager retirement home manager etx