Calgary Canada, I have arrived

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I have arrived in Calgary today. So where to from here?

You know and I have always thought this. Canadians are very confident people. They way they speak and walk, is with confidence and conviction. I feel very unsure of myself now being in Calgary.

I need to do the SEC assessment at Mt Royal College and that still intimidates the pants off me. However, will be working as a Nursing Assistant hopefully at Foothills Medical. I feel i have forgotten how to study too?????

I really think I should give myself 3 months in Calgary and if it doesnt go to plan, than I will consider returning back to Australia.

Any advice you can share to a. give me hope in this country and b. make me start feeling confident with myself.

I have lived in Calgary before in year 2000/01 however the opportunities for employment were various in hospitality. Now, that I do have qualifications as an RN in Australia. It seems the mindset for me, is to be NURSE NURSE NURSE, as well feel that others around me want to be Registered Nurse. So already there is pressure. Where I want work in healthcare whether it be LPN or RN.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

Welcome back to Alberta, Kylie! Take a deep breath and pretend you're just like everybody you see around you. Nobody will ever know you're not unless you tell them. Fake it 'til you make it, baby! Oh, and give it more than three months!! That's not nearly long enough to see if things are going to sort themselves out. Cross one bridge at a time... pass your SEC assessment... repeat after me: I know this stuff... I know this stuff... I know this stuff! Find some fellow Aussies and build a support network. When you're homesick you can call them up and talk to someone who speaks the same language... PM me if you need to... remember what I told you before. Buy the most outrageous tuque you can find as a talisman that you'll be here for the winter. The lo-o-o-n-n-n-g-g-g-g winter. Keep your chin up and put one foot in front of the other and before you know it you'll be there.:icon_hug:

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Thanks JanFRN

I appreciate your advice. I will take on what you have said but it wont be easy.

Honestly, I like to take the bull by the horns and do the assessment. What is difficult is not knowing what to study for? I say to myself, give it a go who knows what will happen. I dont want to appear thinking I am too good for this assessment, I think the assessment is very intimidating that I feel like I am going to look like a moron doing a practical assessment in it. I dont know, I am assuming alot but it really is knowing what to study for and how to study again.

Very confused and concerned:uhoh3:

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

They can only be expecting the most basic knowledge from you. What would you be looking for when assessing a peds patient? What would you be looking for in an OB patient? When I think back to my OB rotation in nursing school I really knew nothing. I could tell you normals (I've had 4 babies after all), but abnormals? Not so much. Don't sweat it quite so much. You'll do fine if you just know the basics.

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

just want to wish you good luck

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I will be doing my SEC assessment March 20th 2008. Its nearly been 2 weeks for me in Alberta and still need to get started with work and getting settled. I have asked Mt Royal to allow me to do the assessment next year, so my new booking date is set and I will attempt it.

Nervous about it but hey I have nothing to lose. I just gotta get more confident in myself and positive.

So in the mean time I will be a Nursing attendant, which is cool with me. Wish for a birds eye view on where I work and get familiarised and gradually get to my goals in Canada.;)

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Specializes in ICU, med/surg.

Hey there! If you're looking for a Nursing Attendant job at the Foothills still, let me know and I can pass along my manager's email. As someone with nursing experience, I'm sure she'd be happy to see your application come across her desk!

Sean

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Hi Leos Rain

Thanks for that. What Unit are you on? As I have just got hired at Foothills on Unit 91 Cardiac Surgery, its a start as a Nursing Attendant to gain Temp Practice Permit.

Thanks once again ;)

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Specializes in ICU, med/surg.

I'm just upstairs from you on 102. General surgery/surgical oncology

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Farout

Well if you see me, you will know who I am. :lol2:

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