Tirytory

Hi,

Briefly, we're moving over to Ontario on my husbands twp as a family physician. I am a qualified nurse, and although I don't intend to work initially, would want to after a few months for social reasons, keeping up with practice. I know what I need to do in terms of application to the College of Nursing and examination in Ontario, but I'm going to need a medical as well presumably.

Can I sort this all out once I'm over there including the medical? I know the exam is sat in Ontario, just all the rest of it. I'm kind of presuming that I will be able to work under my husbands work permit, although don't know this for sure either. Will it tell us when his work permit actually comes through?

Thanks

Vicki.

Siouxie

You have two options:

1) Have an up-front medical in the UK and provided CIC Medical Division has clearance by the time you arrive in Canada (at the airport) you could apply for a Spouse Open Work Permit (on the back of your husbands TWP) without restrictions (or)

2) Apply for a SOWP when you arrive in Canada (at the airport) which will have restrictions on it, get your medical done in Canada and then apply for the restrictions to be lifted.

Former Lancastrian

You won't be able to work in a medical field until you have the Immigration medical exam. On the SOWP you could work in other jobs but if really wanting to carry on in the medical field then get the medical exam done.
Depending on the skill level of your OHs occupation NOC skill level 0 A or B then you are eligible for the SOWP but not a job in a medical setting.

Novocastrian

I think the OP is planning on arriving in January, so that should leave time for option 1 I'd think? Might as well do it and get that out of the way.

Novocastrian

The OH is a doctor, I would hope that that is skill level A. If not he must be a pretty dodgy doctor.

Silverdragon102

Yes you can sort things out once in Canada

Tirytory

Depending on the skill level of your OHs occupation NOC skill level 0 A or B then you are eligible for the SOWP but not a job in a medical setting.

Hmm, is this true? I have tried to look for classification of his job but with little success. When looking at this on CIC website, I didn't see limitations on spouse's job. Can anybody point me in the right direction? How would I go about getting a nurses job in my own right whilst in the country if so?

I wasn't sure if I wanted to work as a nurse initially so have taken my time sorting my side out, I am in a specialist department in the UK, and in the area that we're going to (most of you remember all the specifics- brilliant recall) it's done, but mixed in with a lot of day surgery/minor ops that I don't have any experience in. The doctors in the area, said that they're so keen for new doctors to stay in the community, that they would assist me as much required in getting my own job. If your family/spouse is settled, you're more likely to stay, sort of theory.

Thanks again for answers and if you can come up with any more that would be great

Vic.

How do I bold on the iPad?!

Siouxie

What was meant was, without having a medical prior to the work permit being issued you would not be allowed to work in a medical environment. SOWP's normally have a restriction that you cannot work with children or in healthcare. You need to have a medical in order to receive one without restrictions.

If you go and have the up front medical done in the next month, there should be ample time for CIC to receive your results and give clearance prior to you making an application at the port of entry (airport) for a Spouse Open Work Permit (SOWP) without restrictions, on arrival in Canada.

SOWP's are only issued to those people who's spouses are classed as skilled (with a couple of Provincial exceptions). Your husband, as a doctor, would be classed as "A" - skilled, so you will be fine.

It sounds as though they are hoping you might train as a nurse practitioner. I believe you have already looked into how to get the Ontario College of Nurses approval, you may also want to look at http://npao.org/ and http://np-education.ca/ if that is the way they are hoping you will go.

Tirytory

Thank you. Font of all Canadian knowledge. Another expensive upfront medical coming up.

Vicki.

Silverdragon102

I did this. Lived in Canada 2 years before started work as a nurse however took the college a while to check my application out ( they misplaced it originally) however I was not in a great rush to work. As mentioned medical will be required and depending on college and province will depend on whether some form of assessment is required before permission is granted to sit CRNE. Once you have this permission you can work with a limited license until you have sat and passed CRNE, usually under the direction of another RN

Tirytory

Thanks Silverdragon. That's good to know!!

Vicki