Attention IEN's: Things you should know to make your move to Canada much easier.

World Canada

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Hi all:

On behalf of my fellow IEN's, would someone who has gone through the process of immigrating to the different provinces in Canada, please share with us your experiences and the things we can do before actually getting there.

I know this much: I have everything so far except to be registered, and that won't happen until I get the work permit which I'll get when I land in Canada (to be issued by the Immigration Officer at the Airport). I'll then send a copy to CNO who will then review my application for general class registration. I know the process varies with each province. Please share your experiences.

Also, here are some other areas I'd like to be addressed please:

  • How long after you entering the country did you wait to finally be registered as a nurse? (I know it varies, I just need an estimated time or just share with me your experience-if you don't mind).
  • How did you go about apartment searching before arriving in Canada? Did you trust the rental agencies or did you have a family member or friend do the physical search for you? Some of us have neither, speak to this possibility as well please (that is doing it on your own).
  • What do we need to get started? Such as a social insurance number (SIN), is there anything else?
  • Where can we get the SIN and other?
  • What do we need to take in when applying for the SIN?
  • Do we need our social insurance number to transact every business, such as getting an apartment?
  • How long did you have to wait to get your SIN?
  • I know that to have been issued a work permit one would have needed to have a job offer, so while waiting to be registered, were you able to work as a nurses' aid or something so as to get paid in the mean time? Was that possible for you? Any other suggestions?
  • How did you manage to take care of expenses (living, utilities, msc.) while waiting to be registered and not being able to work as a nurse? (if that is too personal, forgive me, it doesn't have to be detailed, just suggestions)
  • How long did you wait before changing status from work permit to permanent resident?
  • If you have additional info, please feel free to post.

I really appreciate you all for your contribution. Thanks in advance.:yeah:

IEN.:nurse:

Thank you soo much! This was really helpful.

Do you happen to have any notes that I can borrow? or know any books apart from the one recommended by the CNA that have lots of information regarding psychosocial events (did you just use the CRNE prep book only to prepare for the exam?)

Are the lab levels and PH values same as USA?

Once more thank you!

Thank you soo much! This was really helpful.

Do you happen to have any notes that I can borrow? or know any books apart from the one recommended by the CNA that have lots of information regarding psychosocial events (did you just use the CRNE prep book only to prepare for the exam?)

Are the lab levels and PH values same as USA?

Once more thank you!

Yes, I used the Prep Guide as the main study tool. I used the book as opposed to the cd since it is a written exam. Unlike NCLEX where I used the cd.

Medicine is standard whereever you go, so yes the lab and hemodynamic values are based off an international standard (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). The difference is in the medications and the measurements used. USA has not converted to the metric system yet, so they still use feet, inches and pound, unlike Canada which uses meter, centimeter and kilogram (this is good to know when study or preparing for the exam). I am sure there maybe some cultural difference, but...

No I don't have notes, I just made a few jottings in the book. Any of your nursing books should have questions surrounding psychsocial events, again, I must remind you that you should however study as though you would for NCLEX: prioritizing, safety, delegation, labs...and like silverdragon said there are forums which focus on how people have prepared for the CRNE.

We'll figure it out.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
If you have already taken and passed CRNE then I think you are already registered and shouldn't have to take long to work.

clay07 is only registered in Ontario if the registration documents were filed and the registration fee paid. That's in addition to the cost of the exam. It might be a good idea to find out when the CNO's registration year starts and time initial registration so that you only have to pay once. When I moved to Alberta iin 2002, I started my job on September 9 and had to renew my license before I'd even started! I'd registered as soon as my paperwork was complete then found out that the license I got in August was only good until September 30. So I paid nearly $700 for licenses in that calendar year. And of course since then the fees have only increased. This year we're paying $472.

Medicine is standard whereever you go, so yes the lab and hemodynamic values are based off an international standard (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). The difference is in the medications and the measurements used. USA has not converted to the metric system yet, so they still use feet, inches and pound, unlike Canada which uses meter, centimeter and kilogram (this is good to know when study or preparing for the exam). I am sure there maybe some cultural difference, but...

Lab values are not exactly the same. For some things Canada uses SI units; for example, normal blood glucose levels in the US are 70-110 mg/dL and in Canada they're 3.3-5.8 mmol/L. Total bilirubin in the US = 0-1.0 mg/dL and in Canada 0-17 mmol/L. Desirable cholesterol: US =

We call some of our drugs different names here too. The generic omeprazole is Prilosec in the US and Losec here; pantoprazole is Protonix there and Pantaloc here, bumetanide is Bumex there and Burinex here. Again just a few examples.

clay07 is only registered in Ontario if the registration documents were filed and the registration fee paid. That's in addition to the cost of the exam. It might be a good idea to find out when the CNO's registration year starts and time initial registration so that you only have to pay once. When I moved to Alberta iin 2002, I started my job on September 9 and had to renew my license before I'd even started! I'd registered as soon as my paperwork was complete then found out that the license I got in August was only good until September 30. So I paid nearly $700 for licenses in that calendar year. And of course since then the fees have only increased. This year we're paying $472.

Lab values are not exactly the same. For some things Canada uses SI units; for example, normal blood glucose levels in the US are 70-110 mg/dL and in Canada they're 3.3-5.8 mmol/L. Total bilirubin in the US = 0-1.0 mg/dL and in Canada 0-17 mmol/L. Desirable cholesterol: US =

We call some of our drugs different names here too. The generic omeprazole is Prilosec in the US and Losec here; pantoprazole is Protonix there and Pantaloc here, bumetanide is Bumex there and Burinex here. Again just a few examples.

Gulp at registration fee...on that first thing in the morrow.

CLAY 07,

I called CNO yesterday and I was disappointed that a practice agent said that I should expect another 12 weeks till I get an assessment. Which I find it hard to believe to think I sent my application last March 31, 2009. Assessment period should have started since and counting.

Did you speak to a particular contact person? a Supervisor ? How did you made the processing so short?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I am referring to my CRNE eligibility application. As I read on your previous post, you had your assessment done in a month and a half.

How is it possible? please give me advise ^_-

CLAY 07,

I called CNO yesterday and I was disappointed that a practice agent said that I should expect another 12 weeks till I get an assessment. Which I find it hard to believe to think I sent my application last March 31, 2009. Assessment period should have started since and counting.

Did you speak to a particular contact person? a Supervisor ? How did you made the processing so short?

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I was told the same thing, 12 weeks. Just know different factors determine the process. I am not sure why mine took a month and half, it is strange that you haven't yet been assessed. Outside of what I have shared I haven't done anything differently. I wish I had an answer for you. I believe I spoke with a customer service rep.. Did you ask them if they had all the requirments you sent in to start the process?

I really don't know...since March? Well theystill have about 3 weeks left. Call back tomorrow. Maybe someone else will be able to clarify what we hope to be a misinformation about it taking another 12 weeks.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

The more time that passes by the more applications from IENs each of the Colleges of Nursing have to process. The more they have to process, the longer it takes to get to the top of the pile. Simple supply (assessors' time) and demand (applications on their desks).

clay07, Ontario does their registration a bit differently than the rest of Canada. The CNO charges $171.73 for registration which doesn't ever expire, but to remain a member you have to renew annually at a cost of $122.66; you cannot work as an RN in Ontario without CNO registration. BUT... all that money buys you is registration. In other provinces the fee includes membership in the Canadian Nurses' Association, Canadian Nurse Protective Service coverage, access to group insurance (car, home, disability) and two monthly nursing journals as well as discounted educational opportunities, access to scholarships and bursaries and representative lobbying efforts to maintain nursing standards and initiatives. In Ontario to get those same benefits you have to be a member of the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) at a cost of $265 a year. So the total for a new nurse in Ontario to have all the same benefits that the other Colleges porvide would be $436.73; renewal would cost $387.66. Not a huge difference.

Thats a quick reply! Thanks!

Yes i will definitely call them again and clarify my concern and hope I can get an assessment soon.

Maybe I think your application coming from United states were process speedily than my application coming from the Philippines. Just maybe, and your Nursing education doesnt require a lot of thinking or assessment compared to mine. With my case , I graduated BS in |Respiratory Therapy and BS in Nursing but still I don't know what will be their assessment.

Anyway thanks a lot for sharing... Take Care

:angryfire:angryfireSo, remind me why I chose Ontario again? Not a huge difference, but a difference indeed.

You know its all about not knowing what you should know, you know? As soon as I land in Canada, I will be mailing off all the rest of the necessary paper work to CNO: work permit.

:angryfire:angryfireSo, remind me why I chose Ontario again? Not a huge difference, but a difference indeed.

You know its all about not knowing what you should know, you know? As soon as I land in Canada, I will be mailing off all the rest of the necessary paper work to CNO: work permit.

Thanks Janfrn.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

rogue2578, you have to remember that until all the documentation the College requires has been received, they aren't even going to look at your application. They will just wait until all the boxes have been ticked, meaning that PRC has sent in your verification of registration, your nursing school has sent your transcripts, your employer has verified your employment, your IELTS scores are conveyed, etc. For some people everything is done very quickly because they have limited numbers of documents they have to submit and the responsible parties have been prompt in sending off the paperwork. Others have to wait because they've left out a piece of paper, or they didn't include their fees, or the school can't find their records. I promise you that the College doesn't just decide NOT to look at a person's application because they're having a bad day. They'll get to your application when they get to it.

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