Looking to move from the UK TO Canada

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Hi guys,

So have been trying to find a thread about this but not sure as often stuff is outdated.

So - basically I'm looking into moving to somewhere like Vancover from the UK.

I graduated in 2003 with an Advanced Diploma and work to then get my Degree in Nursing. I now work part time in an Emergency Department in the South West of the UK (about 26 hours a month).

In addition to that I teach in my full time role at a community college in the same City.

I'm basically trying to find out if it is possible for me to move to Canada. I'm an Adult Nurse and have spent most my career in Emergency Departments or healthcare teaching.

I basically would like to know what I have do to see if I can get a job - how much the pay is - what the holiday is like - and what process you need to go through.

I know that there are different levels of nursing - so what are the pro's and cons of the different levels. Also as a UK 'Adult RN' will I face any difficulties in working as a nurse in Canada.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Ash

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Canadian nurses are generalist trained. You need theory and clinical hours in adult, peds, OB and mental health nursing. Starting point would be applying to the National Nursing Assessment Services (NNAS) to have your education assessed for equivalency to a Canadian BSN. Once you receive the report from NNAS you can apply to the College of Registered Nurses of BC for further assessment.

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Hi,

thanks - so I've done the theory in those areas but not done any placement in those areas (apart from adult & my X 2 ED placements) so what would likely happen?

Thanks

ash

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Depends on province but most provinces will probably get you to go for some sort of assessment and most likely require you to do some course/s costing $$$$$$

clinical is required to go with theory and must show on transcript

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Are these the nursing refresh or bridging courses - the look stupidly expensive !

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

They would be bridging since they would have to give you the required theory and clinical hours in adult, paeds, OB/GYN and mental health.

Also Vancouver is a really tough job market.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It is expensive registering as a nurse especially as a IEN and then you pay annually for the privilege to work and that isn't cheap either. Have seen on another website of UK nurses posting on paying nearly $10,000 to complete courses required to meet college requirements.

This year in Nova Scotia I will have to pay nearly $600 for 1 year so I can still work as a RN. Something else to be aware of, you will have annual fees to pay so make sure to check out the College's website for fees

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I am not sure how comparable you education will be since the refresher courses in BC do not cover maternity etc. NNAS might give you a non-comparable assessment result but depending on the case they will still have you do the SEC assessment, which is roughly 1700 dollars right now and quite difficult to pass 100% for most people.

The Kwantlan refresher course for IENs (GNIE) is up to one full year just in medical surgical adult nursing areas. Most people I have seen do get jobs (casual at best) fairly well after they finish the GNIE refresher courses, and yes, casual/on-call is the best possible job you can get at Vancouver right now with the extreme competition. If you do bridge well, you could use your ED experience and get hired straight into ED (this is possible with specialty area since they accept your experience outside of the country and they are very short) and then you will have to do additional education for working in Emergency through BCIT.

You also need to figure out your Canadian status as well since refresher courses is really difficult to get into as a non-Canadian PR/citizen, and they don't give you visas for being a nurse or having a nursing license in Canada either. it's something you have to sort out on your own since they made immigration for nurses very difficult in Canada now. (most people end up doing the LPN program)

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Also, holiday leave is nowhere as generous as in the UK. Usually in the first year, it's ten days, then 3 weeks until around 15 years service. You can add on statutory holidays ie bank holidays to get a bit more. But remember you will be at the bottom of the seniority list and definitely not have prime vacation time.

Factor in the cost of living, housing and transportation, Vancouver is one the most expensive cities to live in, and you may be better off where you are.

is there a spouse to consider, employment wise?

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Oh, I've just read your moving to the USA post-- basically a copy and paste version of this thread.

you just want to move to the west coast of North America. Living here is very different from vacationing here.

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Hi Fiona,

yeah i I have posted in both as I'm interested in both - however it seems that the US is even harder to work than Canada. As yet I've not vacationed yet in Vancouver.

Im just suprised that leave is so poor - but in looking to move for more of a lifestyle change.

Im unsure however if it's worth it if I need to do a years course to prove I can work with OG, peads & mh patients ...

but it if I do this - would I be able to work in the states in the future?

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

You'd still have to go through a similar assessment in the US before you could work there. This is something you REALLY have to want, because it's getting harder and harder all the time.

Vancouver is one of the most desired locations and has the most expensive real estate in the country. Other costs of living are also high, as already mentioned. At the same time, employment statistics are pretty discouraging. A former coworker of mine who had several years of emergency room experience, several more of pediatric and adult ICU experience and some transport nursing experience wasn't able to find a job anywhere in the more rural areas of the southern mainland for more than a year. We're not trying to change your mind about what you want to do, but giving you a realistic picture of what you're up against.

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