HELP!! Filipino Nurse migrated to Ontario. What to do to become a nurse here in Canad - page 2

hello silverdragon,

i've finally received my immigrant visa a couple days ago. i am still in the process of finishing my BET forms and also have decided to move to Canada in mid July. i understand it might take a while before I will earn my nursing license in Canada, especially that i still have to prepare for the exam (if i will be given an eligibility after the BET).

I am trying to look for jobs online and I would like to work as a PCW in Toronto. that way, i will earn more than just minimum wage so i can support myself better (I'm moving alone, with no family in the province, and obviously no job waiting for me). and also the advantage of still working in the medical field which would benefit me for my experience prior to becoming a RN in Canada.

before i read your post here, i was wondering if i have to earn a certain certificate before i can work as a PCW/PSW Toronto. how do i do this? what other healthcare jobs can you suggest that i can apply for that won't require me to go through trainings or additional courses as a temporary job while i work for my RN license?

are there any other jobs (not necessarily health care related) that you can advise i start with for my survival in Toronto?

thank you very much.

jay_j
The community colleges in Toronto offer 1 year personal support worker certificate programs, you can look at George Brown, Centennial a/o Seneca College's websites to see an overview of their PSW programs. After you look at the program content you will see that as a RN you already have the base education. You will not be granted acceptance into a recognized PSW program because you do not need any additional education.
Currently, the Toronto healthcare job market is saturated with applicants, employers have their choice to hire eligible applicants who have PSW certification and who plan to work as PSWs for years to come. Since you do not plan to work as a PSW for years, it is unlikely that a Toronto employer will hire you. If you think working a PSW is a good plan for you, I suggest you try looking at the job market outside of Toronto/GTA area.

dishes

oh, I see. so they basically filter applicant they grant certificates to? am I correct?

thank you for giving me an idea dishes.

jay_y
The community colleges filter applicants to the PSW programs based on the applicants prior education. The community colleges accept applicants who do not have the prerequisite high school marks required for acceptance into a diploma or degree program and/or applicants who do not have the financial or personal means to attend school for more than 1 year.
There are some private colleges that offer PSW programs to new immigrants. Do not believe anything these private schools claim!! You do not need a PSW certificate and the private PSW programs do not provide valid, recognized education and Toronto employers will not accept certification from a private program.
There are agencies, such as Integracare and Bayshore (you can google their websites) who do hire IENs to work as private personal support workers. A PSW certificate is not required because the IENs already have the knowledge from their basic training and are able to provide the basic care the client requires. The pay is minimum wage.

dishes

oh, I see.. I did not know any of these.

thank you very much for the help! if there's anything more you'd like to add to these pls feel free to do so. I can use all the tips and facts I can get