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:

I am happy for you! (Clay07)

Does anybody know of any upcoming job fair in Ontario or British Columbia.

Thanks in advance.

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Hi, i just joined all nurses.com today; waiting for my school to send transcripts to alberta wanted hours of clinical and hours of theory. I have a web site you can go to ;to buy there study guides it is a bite different. I have very special circumstances im u.s. And canadian citizen already; dual. Please keep in touch with me we can help each other. P.s. They are not crazy about americans here. Just keep quite. The nursing is very different here. I was an lpn here (canada) at one time.

Please reply and i will give you my email address. Orginally from michigan lived in ontario, windsor.how in alberta have my r.n. License for six different states.it is so beautiful in canada you may nerver want to leave !!!!!!!!!i have been here for 30 years!! Canadians are beautiful people. Very friendly.the best place to raise a family!!;)

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... . They are not crazy about americans here. Just keep quite. The nursing is very different here. I was an lpn here (canada) at one time.

Please reply and i will give you my email address. Orginally from michigan lived in ontario, windsor.how in alberta have my r.n. License for six different states.it is so beautiful in canada you may nerver want to leave !!!!!!!!!i have been here for 30 years!! Canadians are beautiful people. Very friendly.the best place to raise a family!!;)

Uhm, I've worked with several US educated RNs over the years. Can't say that I've loved all of them but that's because they are people. We judge people by how they interact with their co-workers not their nationality. If you work well with others and pull your share of the crap, we don't care if you are from Mars as long as your papers are in order and you've got a valid practice permit.

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I,M GLAD THAT YOU HAVE SAID THIS MAKES ME FEEL GOOD . I GUESS BECAUSE I,M A DUAL CITIZEN . I HEAR ALL THE CRAP AND IT MAKES ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE. I HEAR NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT AMERICANS AND I HEAR NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT CANADIANS ,BUT I TRY TO DO WHAT THE ROMANS DO WHEN I,M IN ROME ( SO TO SPEAK ).I DONT TELL ANYONE MY NATIONALITY WHILE I,M AT WORK IT SEEMS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS... I REALLY DO LIKE YOUR ATTITUDE I WISH MORE PEOPLE THOUGHT LIKE YOU. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KEEP IN TOUCH. WORKING ON GETTING MY LICENSE IN ALBERTA. I THINK IT,S SO BEAUTIFUL HERE!!!!:coollook:US educated RNs over the years. Can't say that I've loved all of them but that's because they are people. We judge people by how they interact with their co-workers not their nationality. If you work well with others and pull your share of the crap, we don't care if you are from Mars as long as your papers are in order and you've got a valid practice permit.

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I have started my duty on the floor for two weeks now,initially I felt I have so much to do,and learn,step up in terms of being an efficient nurse here in Canada. From communication,skills and knowledge in certain situation.It is indeed tough to work here.My coworkers are very good, some how

I asked those who are planning to work in Canada, to assess their motivation, it is no joke here!:twocents:

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I wrote you a big long note as to my experience but it disappeared. I know you will do well after 6 months I beleive it,s just all the changes!!! I,ll tell you about my experience sometime. Keep your chin up it truly will get easier.

Sandraann

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I have started my duty on the floor for two weeks now,initially I felt I have so much to do,and learn,step up in terms of being an efficient nurse here in Canada. From communication,skills and knowledge in certain situation.It is indeed tough to work here.My coworkers are very good, some how

I asked those who are planning to work in Canada, to assess their motivation, it is no joke here!:twocents:

Thanks for your honest evaluation of nursing here.

It just goes to show that what the Canadian nurses were posting here nearly two years ago was true. We work hard, deal with a lot of weird stuff from management and patients, and we are on the go all the time.

Perhaps now you understand our displeasure when we were told nurses were coming here to "save our hospitals" from the "land of nurses" because they were "the best nurses in the world."

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I understand I believe all nurses work hard and know where your coming from. I on the other hand am different!!!! I was educated in the u.s. because it was payed for. My mother was canadian and my father was american. I am dual ,that makes me a heinz 57 -lol. I,ve always been able to work in canada,but choose not to because of all the hassle I,m gonna go through. You should hear the things I go through from both sides! I catch hell !!!!

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Thanks for your honest evaluation of nursing here.

It just goes to show that what the Canadian nurses were posting here nearly two years ago was true. We work hard, deal with a lot of weird stuff from management and patients, and we are on the go all the time.

Perhaps now you understand our displeasure when we were told nurses were coming here to "save our hospitals" from the "land of nurses" because they were "the best nurses in the world."

When the Canadian employers when to our hometown, I would like to believe I was chosen by my experience,credentials,personality and even luck.I consider my self as an above average,compassionate and competent nurse,well in my humble opinion.hehe. I think regardless of nationality people can claim they are the best nurses,proving it is another thing.We are all nurses, we took our oath to serve and give the best nursing care possible,the problem is sometimes we make a big issue of our trainings.The best nurses are those who regardless of setting can be efficient and adjust through any changes and challenges.The best measurement will be patient satisfaction.

I think Canadian nurses are undervalued,IMO as compared to Americans.primarily because our( my country)nursing education and books are mostly/entirely base on american setting and we were made to believe that ameirica is the ultimate destination for nurses hehe!Some of the Canadian nurses that I've talked to ,told me that they are understaffed because their newly gradiuate nurses and some well experienced nurses are migrating to America.well everybody wants to go toAmerica I guess.

My previous working experience is quite different from Canada, although the principles remains the same.I may be having a hard time but it is not impossible to accomplish.3 months from now my views may be different.The same thing can be said that Canadian nurses may have a hard time adjusting if they will work in our setting, initially.

My Caucassian client told me "oh your one of the new ________ nurses,you are known to be caring...."did not get the whole statement, because you know why?..,I was busy analyzing on how to use a gadget to llift and transfer her up in the commode,infact she wasthe one who became my mentor and taught me how to use it, probably her views may now be different after our initial encounter,hehe.

Well I do not see any displeasure of the canadian nurses that I work with so far, infact I think they are glad that we are here for support. They can even take their breaks now, get better shift and probably have more time unwinding.:D

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Recap:

Ok, so I did the exam Feb 4, had job interview Feb 13th, went back home to Jamaica, did interview for work permit (can't remember date, some time in April), got approved, arrived on the 24th of June, got work permit. 25th faxed a copy to CNO, applied for SIN that same day, got it on Saturday, July 4th. Called CNO on Friday, July 3, told me they sent my letter of consent (letter which requires your consent to abide by the rules as stipulated on the work permit)-see previous post on work permit restrictions. It was mailed, so I asked the agent if she could send a copy via email or fax, she did. Signed that, was accepted for review for the end of the month, but official letter will be received in mail and still needs to be signed and sent for their records. After they have reviewed the work permit, if approved, I should hopefully be getting my license by early August. So, let's see, that took, since exam Feb. 4, six months!

Ok....I hope this info will help someone have an idea about the process in settling down in Canada.

I hope others will continue to share just that. The process in settling down in Canada and the experiences that will help us/or anyone to better adjust or transition here.

Doesn't have to be nurse related. Welcome experiences from all provincies: things we need, must haves etc., what never to leave at home, the most important thing we must know when moving here....

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I just want to know if you anyone out there wrote the canadian exam. I took the canadain sample test of 100 questions. I failed by three marks ,but what I didnt tell you is that I wrote it in the middle of the nite when I was exhausted. I cant say that was the smartest thing I,m ever done. I have not studied at all I just wanted to see where I was at. Perhaps I should have done this in the day time. International nurses out there do you have any advice for me? Greatly appreciated if you do ? Thank-you? How long did you have to wait for your results. Congratulations to those of you who did write.

sandra

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I just want to know if you anyone out there wrote the canadian exam. I took the canadain sample test of 100 questions. I failed by three marks ,but what I didnt tell you is that I wrote it in the middle of the nite when I was exhausted. I cant say that was the smartest thing I,m ever done. I have not studied at all I just wanted to see where I was at. Perhaps I should have done this in the day time. International nurses out there do you have any advice for me? Greatly appreciated if you do ? Thank-you? How long did you have to wait for your results. Congratulations to those of you who did write.

sandra

Hi Sandraann:

Check out crne feb 2009 as well as read previous posts on this blog regarding some of your questions.

Janfrn, Silverdragon, anyone???!!

How long after being here can I apply for PR? Can I begin the process right away or is there a specific guideline to follow?

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