Looking to Work in BC Canada

Moved to the International forum

You don't need to use an agency, the paperwork is easy to complete and you can contact employers once you have sorted application with the province college of Psychiatric nurse http://www.crpnbc.ca/

I know nothing in BC as I am in NS, if you have a work permit already you may find that it only applicable to the first employer. I know on my husband's TWP it states that he can only work for that employer and has other conditions.

I presently am applying for my canadian alberta license which is a different province from b.c. Where your looking for work. I am different from most people because im french american born...but have dual citizenship. I was educated in the u.s. And worked in the u.s......its a different process in canada.i do not think there is as many opportunites with perks there. I worked in u.s. 20 years, but living in canada sort of both of best world. I can say that you cant work in a canadian facility and pick your shift nor do they hand out big bonus checks. I became an r.n. Because a u.s. Hospital payed for it. I can say that if i was ill i would prefer an american facilty because i know the difference. Have both plans. Canada is socialized and its very slow...............to get medical care here. My daughter was told she needed to wait one year to see a specialist. I had a bad experience with ontario hospital involving my daughter. 24 years old...on her death bed... I watched them make a whole lot of mistakes..over the course of six months....but that can happen anywhere.......i believe the health care went down hill because the government made to many changes to quick. Most are spoiled and continue to want everything payed for free...but its not that way anymore....because of to much abuse by people.....in my opinion i prefer to work u.s. Side....but as far as family wise.........i would raise my family in canada....its so beautiful here....less crime....very,very...clean.......great education system.....one of the best countries you could live in.............good luck
give me a shout.......sandraann

Why don,t you try the U.S.A. I know that's not your choice ,but Seattle, Washington is 2 hours away from b.c. and Detroit is 20 minutes away from Windsor ,Canada. There is alot of border cities. Perhaps once you get your foot in the door you can go to Canada. I tell you that Canada makes it very difficult to get your license as a nurse. I have a friend from India whom is a Dr. they told her she could apply if she's willing to do FOUR years in geriatrics first ! She decided not to come. My friend is a Dr. in Michigan; living in Canada. I have been sent numerous material ( forms ) to fill out asking why I don't work in Canada as a nurse. I know you can even find a survey on it. Alot apply but don't finish the application. If its what you really want you have a long battle. I have applied and I'm still waiting for Canada to open up my transcripts for two or three weeks now. The exam in Canada is different too! I know its harder. The American exam ( I found ) to be so easy I thought it was a joke!! I might be smarter in some ways then I give myself credit for. I do know that they don,t use nurses aids in Canadian hospital, You do it all! The U.S.A uses nurses aids and you delegate . The nurse spents more time on paper work and less patient care. I also know you don't walk in and pick your shift. In Canada you have to rotate shift's in alot of places.It's so easy to find work in the US.A.. The U.S.A. pays to further your education. The hospitals in Canada don't do that. Some small courses yes. I had my whole R.N. course payed for by the hospital I worked for.I'm only trying to come to Canada because my husband is outwest. If I don't like it I'll go back to the U.S. I do have three sister in laws trained in Canada they all work in the U.S.A. I can say that you will have to find out for yourself. I asked about this thing with international nurses with Alberta the other day and they told me my application is going ahead. They did say they had 4000 applications !! Good Luck! YOU CAN ASK ME ANYTHING. I have had the experience of living on both sides of the border when ever I choose because of dual citizenship. I see the best and the worst of both side's! I have lived it! Most people on this site can't tell you that if they haven't had the experience of both.

The issue is it is very hard to get a work visa for the US unless you meet H1b requiremetns i.e BSN and specialist otherwise with immigrant visa you are looking at retrogression. I haven't seen many UK nurses post that they have many issues with Canada although some do have to do a assessment (SEC) but does vary from province to province. A lot will go on what transcripts state

Being dual citizen Canadian/US is easier for you but a lot harder if not from a country where there is a treaty i.e. NAFTA or E3 (Australia) and meeting requirements

Have you ever worked in Canada or are you just repeating what you heard?

Yes, nurses up here are responsible for their patient. Usually three patients on an acute ward. It's not that difficult to do. Nurses can delegate to the nursing assistant (yes we have them) but only basic hygiene and ADL's.

Yes, there is a huge number of nurses applying to work in every province (the country can't be that bad a place to want to live). But remember that each and every applicant's file is reviewed by a breathing human being, it's not a computer process. Heck, it took nearly six months for my practice permit to be approved moving between provinces.

The government has a right to ask incoming/overseas educated doctors to work in underserviced areas. Right now there are quite a few South Afrikan doctors working in the rural areas of Alberta and northern BC and loving it. Several admit they had never thought about working in these areas until recruited (and the signing bonuses they received didn't hurt either).

I don't claim to be an expert on anything, I've just lived here most of my life and know what I see happening around me.

I could recount horror stories from both sides of the 49th but I don't think that would be relevant to the OPs original question.

No, I,m not repeating what I heard . If you read my thread I,m a dual citizen and have worked on both sides of the border Have you ? I have lived on both sides as well. I would really like your help in being sucessful in Alberta. I was educated internationally in the U.S.A. because it was FREE payed for by the hospital I worked in. I have always ( until now ) lived in border towns. I have seen what goes on. I have worked in U.S.A. with alot of Canadian nurses. You would'nt want to know what they say about Ontario. I do know one thing for sure I would nerver raise my family in the U.S.A. what a beautiful place it was when I was growing up- TOO MANY GUNS. I can say that because a very close family member was robbed and murdered there for 75 dollars. So I do have a chip on my shoulder that way. I know I need to be thick skined ,but what does it take to for me to pass and work here. I have worked alot of places in the U.S.A. ... I want to pass the exam and fit in on the team . I truly wish in my heart to work in the rural community in home care northern ,Alberta. I have two daughter's in nursing in Canada, so I'm not against any countries way of doing things... If you want my personal opinion . I don't like the U.S. OR THE CANADIAN system. I prefer Frances health care. All your help in working toward my license here would be greatly appreciated. I will of course be working in the U.S. again while waiting! I would like to know your experiences here. Staffing , shift work, Politics etc. I'm sure women are women and their just as caddy here. I do read alot on lateral violence. We need to help and support each other all the way. I'm much older 50 .. I DON'T ALLOW ANYTHING TO BOTHER ME, I know who I am and don't feel threatened. Those are things I dealt with when I was younger. Your perspective changes with age. I greatly appreciate your responses. Being honest with each other helps us to learn and grow. All the best!
Sandraann