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

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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:

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

SIN is easy to get and you get a copy of the number when you apply and a card is sent through the post. You do not need SIN to open bank account. Not sure on rentals as we bought our house

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/sin/index.shtml

You will not get work permit until you have been given the OK and that usually means medical and other requirements like LMO and if it is anything like what is on my husband's you can only work for the employer mentioned on the TWP in the capacity of the TWP.

I would suggest you save as much as you can as rent may require a bond. I know Nova Scotia power required us to put a deposit down with us being new customers, so may be something similar in other provinces.

Will post some more tomorrow when I have chance to look into it a bit more

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Thanks Silverdragon!

I have received the LMO and medical, plus letter of approval. The approval is issued by the embassy when they have found you eligible. You then give this letter of approval to the immigration officer upon your arrival in Canada and he/she will issue (at their discretion) the actual work permit. I don't know if this process varies with countries, I am Jamaican. Geesh... I just need to land in Canada (there are a lot of factors surrounding why I have not moved yet). I should start working in July, but I don't know if it will happen considering I haven't been registered yet, plus I have heard horror stories about how long it takes! I have heard it depends on when the board meets to review applications, so if they receive the application after they have met for that month, then that's another month lost.

Saving is definitely a part of the plan! I am glad to know the SIN is not necessary to open an account.

Thanks for your help in resourcing information.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

It is the same as far as I am aware for all countries. TWP or PR is sorted when you land. What visa are you actually getting? That will be the deciding factor on whether you can work or not. If TWP then you are restricted to employer that you signed a contract with. If PR then you can work anywhere

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It is the same as far as I am aware for all countries. TWP or PR is sorted when you land. What visa are you actually getting? That will be the deciding factor on whether you can work or not. If TWP then you are restricted to employer that you signed a contract with. If PR then you can work anywhere

Thanks Silverdragon:

My visa is a TWP (temporary work permit). I have been trying to find information on how long after arriving and working in Canada can I change my status and apply for PR (permanent residence).

Started the process in September 08, applied to do the CRNE, got assessed by November, did exam in Feb. and the interview at the hospital, got job offer and LMO in April, did interview at embassy also in April as well as medical, now waiting to make the move to Canada...process took ~8 months. I have not worked since June 08, life happened and I had to come home (suffered a loss...several losses). Money saved up slowly depleted because of the process and other expenses...which is why I was asking about alternatives on how to "get by" in the first few months upon waiting registration. Will have money to take care of first couple of months but if I don't get registered there after I...

I am also sure my situation is not unique, I am sure many have overcome similar circumstances, so I again implore those who have, to kindly share such experiences. Thank you.

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I just found this link regarding changing status from TWP to PR. Please note it is not the official website of the CIC, so any information provided is not generic and is restricted to the opinion or research of those mentioned on the site itself.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Fast_Track_PR_Application-Canada

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks Silverdragon:

My visa is a TWP (temporary work permit). I have been trying to find information on how long after arriving and working in Canada can I change my status and apply for PR (permanent residence).

Started the process in September 08, applied to do the CRNE, got assessed by November, did exam in Feb. and the interview at the hospital, got job offer and LMO in April, did interview at embassy also in April as well as medical, now waiting to make the move to Canada...process took ~8 months. I have not worked since June 08, life happened and I had to come home (suffered a loss...several losses). Money saved up slowly depleted because of the process and other expenses...which is why I was asking about alternatives on how to "get by" in the first few months upon waiting registration. Will have money to take care of first couple of months but if I don't get registered there after I...

I am also sure my situation is not unique, I am sure many have overcome similar circumstances, so I again implore those who have, to kindly share such experiences. Thank you.

If you have already taken and passed CRNE then I think you are already registered and shouldn't have to take long to work. Your TWP will be only specific to your employer and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't start working as a nurse straight away, well once you get sorted. I also think you should be able to start PR within a few months of working but may need a letter from employer confirming employment. I am here in Canada on husband's TWP and we are planning on starting the process in the next 2 months but it is a bit expensive and we have had other financial issues that took priority, otherwise we would have started the process last year

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Specializes in intensive care, recovery, anesthetics.

I asked the canadian embassy about that. They answered me that both applications are independent, as long as you qualify as a skilled worker you can apply at the same time, one after the other, it doesn't matter.

If you go the prp route, that depends on the province, in some you have to work there for 6 months before you can apply.

5cats

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If you have already taken and passed CRNE then I think you are already registered and shouldn't have to take long to work. Your TWP will be only specific to your employer and I can't see any reason why you wouldn't start working as a nurse straight away, well once you get sorted. I also think you should be able to start PR within a few months of working but may need a letter from employer confirming employment. I am here in Canada on husband's TWP and we are planning on starting the process in the next 2 months but it is a bit expensive and we have had other financial issues that took priority, otherwise we would have started the process last year

That's what I thought, but when I called CNO, the receptionist told me otherwise, I think it was a case of miscommunication because after talking to her I was still left clueless. WIll call them back tomorrow. Thanks for confirming my original thought/understanding though Silverdragon, because I honestly thought I would have had to wait another month or two before being registered. Whoo...that's a relief.

I think I'll leave before the beginning of next month so as to get the copy of the work permit to CNO in time to begin working in July.

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This is the first time I am posting....I was really touched by clay07 story (from since she was in the USA to when you did your CRNE).

I am in the exact same shoe she was in...worked in the USA as a nurse under OPT and now I am considering becoming a nurse in Canada but I have couple of questions that I need help with.

1.What can I do to get my applications processed ASAP?

2. Any tips on how you did your study towards the CRNA (did you use your American text books and NCLEX revision question)?

3.What is the difference between NCLEX questions and CRNA?

4.Plssss if somebody has notes to help study please email me so I can get started.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
This is the first time I am posting....I was really touched by clay07 story (from since she was in the USA to when you did your CRNE).

I am in the exact same shoe she was in...worked in the USA as a nurse under OPT and now I am considering becoming a nurse in Canada but I have couple of questions that I need help with.

1.What can I do to get my applications processed ASAP?

2. Any tips on how you did your study towards the CRNA (did you use your American text books and NCLEX revision question)?

3.What is the difference between NCLEX questions and CRNA?

4.Plssss if somebody has notes to help study please email me so I can get started.

1. Application takes time and that will vary depending on which province college of registered nurses you apply to.

2. CRNE is totally different to CRNA do you mean CRNE?

3. CRNE is different to NCLEX and needs to be prepared differently. Not many books available on CRNE

4. There are several threads discussing CRNE in the Canadian forum suggest a good read

You may not complete the process in time but a lot will depend on how much time you have left on OPT

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This is the first time I am posting....I was really touched by clay07 story (from since she was in the USA to when you did your CRNE).

I am in the exact same shoe she was in...worked in the USA as a nurse under OPT and now I am considering becoming a nurse in Canada but I have couple of questions that I need help with.

1.What can I do to get my applications processed ASAP?

2. Any tips on how you did your study towards the CRNA (did you use your American text books and NCLEX revision question)?

3.What is the difference between NCLEX questions and CRNA?

4.Plssss if somebody has notes to help study please email me so I can get started.

Hi mzee:

I am going to be as detailed as possible because I remember how clueless I felt, not knowing the right questions to ask....

Process:

There isn't anything you can do to get your application processed by the provincial board of choice ASAP. The only part you have control over is getting everything to CNO or whichever provincial board you chose.

I visited my sister in September last year. I had shown interest in applying to CNO earlier that year and had requested and already received a application package, I took it with me to Canada just in case I decided to start the process.

So, when I got there and made the decision I put a plan in action. It helps that you are prepared to spend some money to get the process out of your hand.

1. Filled out package.

2. Sent all I needed to send to my school in USA, board, and to my previous employer. (This is why it is so important to establish healthy relationships whereever you go and to not burn bridges) as well as same day mailing to CNO. I called all involved and asked them to treat the matter with urgency. With the board in the US, I called and asked how long it would take and how much it would require to verify my license. I believe it was $40 USD. There's nothing you can do where the board is concerned. You send a money order with the paper work required by CNO to your board of nursing (all these forms are in the application package) and just hope that they treat the matter with urgency.

3. I used FEDEX(free ad here:D) for everything

4.In package to CNO, I sent everything they expected, including my copies of my CGFNS, diploma, license, and certificate of license in the USA not your OPT work permit. Your license does have an expiration date, attach a letter explaining why it is not renewed, if at the time of the application it is not current. They will verify everything you send them from your licensure board, it just helps your case to clarify possible questions.

5.I waited. Made calls to the hospital and school to ask them to send everything back through FEDEX. I asked a friend to pick up the sealed form from my employer and send it through FEDEX. The school's administrator was pretty good in assisting me to get the package off ASAP.

6.Follow the instructions in the application package to the 'T' you can't lose. When in doubt CALL them (the provincial board of choice). I keep referring to CNO (College of Nurses of Ontario) because its my board of choice.

So, it was out my hands, now up to my school, my board of nursing in USA, previous place of employment, CNO and the mailing system. I waited. I started the process in September and heard from them (really, I was the one who called) in November (a month and a half of processing-not bad). Just in time to hear that I was assessed and found eligible to sit the CRNE (Canadian Registered Nurses Exam). They said I was sent a package in the mail but that the deadline to sit in February was two days later. Thank God for technology! I asked if there were alternatives, yes! They attached and sent the application to sit the CRNE to me via email and I was able to print off and send it back to them using you guess it, FEDEX.

Got confirmation that I was able to sit the exam in February.

Exam:

I purchased the book recommended by CNO-CRNE Prep Guide, I might have looked in an NCLEX book once or twice but not really. I looked at the type of questions and focused my attention on how to answer them. The questions on the CRNE are MOSTLY psychosocial as opposed to NCLEX where alot of clinical judgement, meds and their effects and...

So when studying think about what you learned in Mental Health.Therapeutic nursing...Not so much what you'd do first (although, please note these are important as well, you should still study as if you would for NCLEX) but just focus alot on psychosocial events. I recommend getting the book suggested by your provincial board of choice. This will help in focus studying. I also bought the practice exam a couple of weeks before the exam. Go to the website of the provincial board and read through thoroughly, again if you have questions, call them.

After the exam:

Come online and go through the waiting process with those on allnurses, great place to get support and vent anxieties!

I recommend that while in Canada for the exam, visit career fairs. If possible try and get an interview with a possible employer, they understand the process...remember to always have copies of everything with you including resume.

I hope I helped.

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