channooks

Hi All,am new here,but from what i have seen it seems the best way to gain friendly and first hand experience on information concerning moving to Canada. I am a registered nurse who has become somewhat fed up with the UK way of life, so my family and i have decided to make the big step and attempt to move to Canada. It seem as i have read here and other sites that it will not be an easy journey,my biggest problem is where to begin. I have contacted CIC and am awaiting information from them,but is there something i could be doing in the meantime. Please forgive my naivety i am new to forums and moving abroad.I would love to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation...thanks.

christmasoompa

Hi there, and welcome to BE.

Not sure what info you will get from CIC tbh, they don't give immigration advice so it would be a miracle if they even respond to you!

But all the info you should need is in the Wiki (follow the link in my signature) or on the CIC website. Your first step is to figure out which visa route you are eligible for, and then you can come back and ask questions about it. Your most likely option is as a Federal Skilled Worker, but the quota for nurses has already been met for this year, so you'll need to wait and see if they are still on 'the list' of eligible occupations after 1st July. In the meantime you can be preparing everything ready to apply if they are, perhaps booking your IELTS exam and gathering paperwork etc. Last year the nurses quota had filled in less than 2 months, so you'll need to be quick if that is the route you go down!

I'd also suggest you check out the Nursing forum, as they'll be able to tell you what exams you'll need to sit to be able to work in Canada. And the Moving Back to the UK forum is also essential reading, to see why people return to the UK from Canada (the 'UK way of life' may be just as prevalent there, depending on what you class that as!).

HTH, best of luck with it all.

snowhugs

You need to have an idea of where it is you want to live, once you have established this you need to register with that province as a nurse . no point in going any further until you have registered . This can take a VERY long time , all your paper work will be assessed and then you will be /ornot be deemed eligible to sit the Canadaian RN exam.

Do not do anything else , as without registration you will not be able to work in Canada. some Provinces are harder to get into than other , but on the whole , they all want a degree, plenty of paediatrics and psychiatric experience.

Each registration body has its own and often very clear and extensive website. it gives you step by step what to do and expect.

My advise.... Its a long hard road , I have been working on it for 3 years , I passed by CRNE last October and currently waiting for my LMO , BE PATIENT !!

Deeny

Hi,

Do you have a degree or diploma? I ask as requirements for RN status varies within Provinces...many now require a degree and that you have general training ie paeds, mental health etc.
Check the requirements with the Board of Nursing for the Province you are interested in and start gathering the documents for registration with that board.
Again, it varies Provincially, but here in Ontario there is a large backlog of applications and it is taking the CNO over a year to assess your credentials.

I am an old school diploma RGN and therefore can't practise as a RN here in Toronto. I have to complete a Bridging Program and then a conversion for IENs which is going to take 3 yrs in total...the total time of my original training.
I knew this before applying though so I have to suck it up!
Diploma training may allow you to sit the exam and become a Registered Practical Nurse.

The exams are held throughout Canada three times a year. If you inclined, you could be really organised and combine a recce with an exam sitting...I obviously was nowhere near that efficient.

I know there is talk of making it easier for Internationally Educated Professionals to get assessed and ready to work prior to landing but I'm not sure when this will happen?

If you are interested in BC, apparently Healthmatch are good at guiding you through the process.

Talking to nurses here in Toronto, it is difficult to get a full time job; many have a couple of part time roles or one part time and some guaranteed overtime. Having specialist skills helps.

I'm not trying to put you off...honest! We have only been here a very short time but we love it so far.

Good luck.