Nursing in Quebec

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Hello Fellow Canadian Nurses;

I am a new grad nurse who graduated from a university program in Ontario. I initially became registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario and I decided to work in Quebec. My experience in obtaining a Quebec license by equivalence has been horrifying. I submitted my application at the beginning of August and it's still being processed 6 weeks later. No wonder there is a nursing shortage in Quebec. The nurses are there and willing to work but the regulating body puts obstacles in our way.

I'm wondering if there are more people out there who have had problems dealing with the Order of Nurses of Quebec. If so, please let me know because I'm interested in hearing your experiences.

Thanks,

Noon

"A very reliable source told us the building has been bombed. That tells you something about the people that run the place and the way they do business."

As Winston Churchill remarked about civil servants: "Neither civil nor servant."

Sounds like he was speaking of Quebec when he made the comment.

As a Quebecer, born and bred, I find that last post insulting.

Specializes in CCU.

OUF! I am so glad that everyone is happy! :cheers: :yelclap:

I am trying desperately to find out few things from working in Québec's hospitals.

What is your pay per hour? When do you have overtime pay? How is the pension calculated? How many patients do you take care in medical, ICU, telemetry units? Shifts differentials to anyone? Extra for week-ends? Do you do your own BGT (blood glucose testings), breathing tx? Is there MD doing rounds at night? Do you feel independent at your workplace?

I am trying to make my decision still to come back to Québec (Gaspé region) or not.

Thanks for your comments and advice!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Gen Med.
As a Quebecer, born and bred, I find that last post insulting.

Hi Clemmm,

I grew up in Edmundston, NB and went to French parochial schools. I am currently living in Arizona and would eventually like to return to Canada as a Nurse. I will be studying Nursing these next 3 years and hope it is not as difficult as some posters seem to insinuate to work in Montreal.

Any advice?

Marguerite

Hi Clemmm,

I grew up in Edmundston, NB and went to French parochial schools. I am currently living in Arizona and would eventually like to return to Canada as a Nurse. I will be studying Nursing these next 3 years and hope it is not as difficult as some posters seem to insinuate to work in Montreal.

Any advice?

Marguerite

Hi Marguerite,

Did you keep your french up? You don't have to be completely fluent in French to pass the French exams, but you do need a working knowledge. Understandable since many of our patients are French, even in the so-called English hospitals.

Also, the Order of Nurses of Quebec have established a new type of licensing exam. It's funny because I see many new nurses criticizing the old-fashioned sit-at-a-desk-and-answer-hundreds-of-questions licensing exam, but when the ONQ came out with this new type of exam, there was nothing but wide spread condemnation at it being so different.

What our exam involves is some theory but also practical. Stations are set up with various scenarios and you are supposed to react with your nursing skills. Most new nurses I know passed on the first attempt, the others passed on the second.

Once you are licensed, there is absolutely no problem finding work. All hospitals are hiring and almost in every department.

Good luck and I hope you follow through with your dream. We need good nurses here, just as they do everywhere else.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Gen Med.
Hi Marguerite,

Did you keep your french up? You don't have to be completely fluent in French to pass the French exams, but you do need a working knowledge. Understandable since many of our patients are French, even in the so-called English hospitals.

Also, the Order of Nurses of Quebec have established a new type of licensing exam. It's funny because I see many new nurses criticizing the old-fashioned sit-at-a-desk-and-answer-hundreds-of-questions licensing exam, but when the ONQ came out with this new type of exam, there was nothing but wide spread condemnation at it being so different.

What our exam involves is some theory but also practical. Stations are set up with various scenarios and you are supposed to react with your nursing skills. Most new nurses I know passed on the first attempt, the others passed on the second.

Once you are licensed, there is absolutely no problem finding work. All hospitals are hiring and almost in every department.

Good luck and I hope you follow through with your dream. We need good nurses here, just as they do everywhere else.

Thank you so much for your answer:flowersfo... ça m'encourage beaucoup! I love my French heritage and culture and truly look forward to being "home" again, and anywhere in Canada is home... but more so Québec and N.B. : )

My grammar is a little rusty, but I understand very well when it is in spoken or writen form. I did learn to read and write in French before doing so in English, and since all but my core nursing courses are complete, I will have the opportunity to do a grammar review class or 2 before finishing.

Again, thank you for the note!

Marguerite

Specializes in medical/surgical.

Hi,

I'm from the U.S., sorry to hear about your dilemma. Here in the U.S. especially where I'm working, we try to recruit nurses when they are in their senior year enticing them to apply to our hospital after graduation. I think we have been very successful. I have a new grad in our unit that graduated last year.

good luck!!!

Specializes in CCU.

Dear arita2, we should join our effort into studying for the OIIQ exam! I am slowly preparing to move back, may be in 2 or 3 years. How about you?

Marie (à Buffalo, NY pour la gaspésie bientôt).

Nous sommes de vrais voisins!

Specializes in Geriatrics, Gen Med.
Dear arita2, we should join our effort into studying for the OIIQ exam! I am slowly preparing to move back, may be in 2 or 3 years. How about you?

Marie (à Buffalo, NY pour la gaspésie bientôt).

Nous sommes de vrais voisins!

Allo Marie!

It will about then for me to, if not a little longer. I would love to study for the OIIQ exam with you, even from a distance when it is time. For now, Nursing core and French refresher courses at NAU will be "mon voyage". :smilecoffeecup:

I hope we stay in touch to encourage each other along. With proper motivation, we can do ANYTHING! :pumpiron:

Bon courage!

Marguerite (à Tucson, AZ poour Montréal bientôt!)

Specializes in Surgical,Maternity, A & E..

Hi Noon, I'm Mariam....after reading your email, I just wondering as to whether I will be able to register myself here in Quebec....Quebec is part of Canada and you are graduated inCanada even though it is not in Quebec and you have been experiencing this kind of difficulties......oh gosh...just imagine as it to me......As you said they are short of nurses and yet it took so long for them to process your application...now I'm just wondering whether I should go through the hassels.....anyway thanks for sharing your difficulities at least I have a n idea of the process.Thanks again andhave a nice dayMariam

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

To register as a nurse in Quebec you have to be fluent in French. No ifs, ands or buts. And instead of passing the CRNE, you have to pass the exam administered by FIQ which is written entirely in French and pass a clinical assessment. There are even more hurdles to obtaining registration in Quebec than there is in any other province. Their nursing shortage isn't going to shrink any time soon...

Specializes in Surgical,Maternity, A & E..

Dear Janfn,

Thank you for your kind information, actually I'm ok even though I am not working.......that's why I only wanted to work as a part timer just to keep myself update and in contact with clinical skills......

I am not going to make myself like a fool just to work here in Quebec....afterall I don't think any nurses should make themselves a fool, there are so many other countries who are much better.

Well I don't think God will do that......plans are plans and not necessary to be working here and I guess God will bless whatever we do and I believe that God will always there for us for help.....

So my plan is to be a full housewife.....

Mariam

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