update
Update
Thank you everyone for the answers posted. I took the OIIQ exam (available in english and french) I think it was a little bit harder than the Nclex only because I was not used to the format of the OIIQ exam. The OIIQ board test is devided in two day 1st day short answer questions and 2nd day Objectively Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE) clinical test, in other words, practice test, and the NCLEX is computarized multiple choice questions.
Here is my experience with the OIIQ test and hopefully it will help others.
What I did to study? As mentioned earlier I bought the test guide that the OIIQ sells (available in English) I studied, twice. Also, I studied exactly as if I was taking the NCLEX. I went to all the bookstores here in Montreal thinking that I would find other preparation nursing books for the this test only to found out that the bookstore have nothing for the OIIQ exam and a bunch for the NCLEX exam. So, my plan was to brush up on my weaknesses, and then review, at the end, my strengths. I used the same books and CD's that I used, to study for the NCLEX.
For the OSCE, I used the same book, "Professional examination preparation guide" that I bought from the OIIQ (available in English) and acted it out. the OSCE makes you feel that you are in the real world. They are actors and they act as patients and you act as their nurse. It was that simple, is just like taking a lab exam. You perform the skill.
I passed the exam, I AM A NURSE IN QUEBEC NOW, all I need to do now is pass the french exam.
As for finding work here in Quebec, I contacted the nursing recruiter at the hospital were I wanted to work via email, then made an appoitment showed my resume, I had and interview and I was hired within 2 weeks. I'm so excited because after a long process I'm part of the work force again.
Note: you don't need to pass the board exam, to find a job because the OIIQ gives you a letter stating that you have been recognized as a "candidate of nursing". And you start working as a "GPL." It is just like in Texas where you start working as a "graduate nurse", until you pass the board exam.
As for the french exam, the "Office de la langue francaise" has pass a law article 35 that they give up to a year to pass the french exam, renewable yearly, up to 3 times. So, you get a temporarly permit for 4 full years. You have to sit the french exam yearly but if you don't pass it it is renewable.
Also, I want to add that I started this process while I was in Texas, all the process was done by mail. Once, I moved to Montreal I changed the address with them and received my results without a problem in my new home address in Montreal.
Thank you again for all the helped received.
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