ATTN- Alberta nurses

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 5, 2009

You are aware of the job situation in Alberta? If not then I suggest you read these threads

Fiona59 · Nov 6, 2009

CARNA has nothing to do with issuing practice permits for LPNs. There is also a backlog at the governing body for LPNs and those people also do a pretty through check of credentials.

There aren't jobs for either grade of nurse in Alberta for the foreseeable future.

Where do "friends" get this information?

itsmejuli · Nov 7, 2009

Judge Judy would call your "friend's" information hearsay. She doesn't like hearsay.

"I don't want to hear what your friend said, I want the truth."

RNdude77 · Nov 9, 2009

Thanks, which is why iam on here looking for the correct information, since this is "hearsay" what advice then do u have? That's really whats going to help me.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 9, 2009

Advice? If you're determined to come to Alberta, be prepared for a lot of headaches and heartaches. The truth is that unless you're a very highly specialized RN, it's unlikely that you'll be able to find a job anywhere here. In the Edmonton zone there are exactly three RN positions open to the public at the moment; all are ICU positions, one is a 0.8 FTE, one is a 0.5 and one is casual. Of the grand total of four LPN postings currently available, none are open to the public. The cost of living here is far too high for a single income earner to keep the wolf from the door. It's not likely to get better before it gets much worse here as our beknighted President and CEO of Alberta Health Services continues to plan for layoffs in the near future.

I'd really like to know where the notion of RNs registering as LPNs came from. The only way a person educated in a health care program that is NOT a practical/vocational nurse program can be registered as a practical nurse in Alberta is if they come from outside of North America, and even then it's not a slam-dunk. There are a number of assessments that have to be done and a lot of time and money involved. Oh and the Canadian exam still has to be written... unless you're a practical/vocational nurse who has passed the NCLEX-PN. This is the only exception to the "NCLEX-doesn't-count-for-anything-in Canada" rule.

Fiona59 · Nov 9, 2009

a practical/vocational nurse program can be registered as a practical nurse in Alberta is if they come from outside of North America, and even then it's not a slam-dunk. There are a number of assessments that have to be done and a lot of time and money involved. Oh and the Canadian exam still has to be written... unless you're a practical/vocational nurse who has passed the NCLEX-PN. This is the only exception to the "NCLEX-doesn't-count-for-anything-in Canada" rule.

And the rank and file LPNs are NOT at all happy about this. It's not the same education and skill set that arrives with the NCLEX passer. But then since when has CLPNA ever listened to the actual working LPN?

RNdude77 · Nov 9, 2009

Thank you so much, this is exactly the info i need to make an informed decision. What is the rest of Canada like? For example Saskatchewan, my situation is such that i need to leave the US soon, say maybe 6-8mths. I could try Australia, NZ, but i have no connections there, Canada seems a little similar to the US in terms of nurse functions.

Again thanx for your post.

dishes, BSN, RN · Nov 9, 2009

RNdude How long have you been a registered nurse? Saskatchewan has had BScN as entry to practice since 2000, see the entry to practice table on CNA's website

http://www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Entry_Practice_FAQ_e.pdf

You can try searching allnurses for other posts from iens who have applied to saskatchewan, it seems that those who applied waited many months before finding out their next steps. Also, there is a drop off in posts so it is difficult to know how many applicants actually make it through from applying to becoming registered and working in canada. All you can do is apply and be patient while waiting for answers.

dishes

linzz · Nov 9, 2009

I would also love to come to Alberta, as I have some family there and have heard good things about it. However, there is no way I would consider it after what I have heard on the news and on this board. I have also done searches and there really are very few jobs right now and that is such a change from even a year ago.

I am also very sad to hear that Stelmach got his 70% approval from his cronies.

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Nov 9, 2009

Saskatchewan may still be hiring but since the recent graduates from neighbouring Alberta have had to leave the province to find work, many of them have gone there. It's the next best thing, they are still close enough to come home for a visit and are able to make a decent living. BC is having economic and ideologic difficulties so they're not wide-open like they were a year or so ago either. This is especially true for the coastal area because of its temperate climate - that's where many IENs choose to go so that they don't have to contend with Prairie winters. Manitoba may still have vacancies, but they'll soon be stocked up with displaced nurses from other provinces. Ontario has a dearth of permanent full time positions and has a high number of struggling new graduates. Quebec has its own issues, notably l'Office de la Langue Francaise and its language laws and maybe even more important, deplorable working conditions and wages. The Maritime provinces have some vacancies but many of the nurses and other skilled workers being displaced HERE came from THERE so they're heading home. It's really a sad state of affairs.

RNDude77, there's perhaps a hint of desperation in your last post. "My situation is such that i need to leave the US soon, say maybe 6-8mths" doesn't give you a lot of time to tie up all the loose ends you'd need to in order to work in Canada. If you haven't already applied to more than just Alberta, I'd say you need to make some decisions and get on that. As I've said before, it's going to require a lot of hard work and money to get this rolling.

Linzz, you're not the only one in that boat!

RNdude77 · Nov 10, 2009

Thanks everyone for your posts, i've begun looking at Africa, Botswana & South Africa are relatively well developed & have good economies based on their gold & diamond wealth. The hospital systems are both private and govt run. SA has the best health care in the whole of the Southern African region.