filipino to migrate in Canada.... what to do to become a RN?

auricRN · Apr 29, 2009

Hi everyone. I am just new here. I've been reading this post for so many days from now. Still, I can't go with the flow for what you guys are talking about? hehe (I'm sorry for being slow, it's just because, there are so many posts already that's why I can't go through it.

I have just some queries. I am a RN last 2007, still unemployed. But I undergone training in a hospital.

- Is it ok for me to apply in Canada without experience? How am I going to apply as a Nurse in Canada?

- What will you suggest me to have a visa? Is it working? Immigrant or what? I really don't have an idea.

Thanks in advance

quami · Apr 29, 2009

Hi! Well first of all you have to determine from what province are you going to apply as a nurse in Canada and you'll have to check their requirements.

As for the visa, the common path people take is to first find an employer and apply for permanent resident visa.

Hope this helps

Silverdragon102, BSN · Apr 29, 2009

You need to apply to the province college first and meet requiremetns for IEN and then look for a employer. You can then go either route PNP or TWP a lot will depend on what you agree with with your employer. They may also expect experience especially with the current climate and some provinces having employment issues

wahine888, LPN, LVN · May 13, 2009

Hello! I have just received an email from CRNBC stating that my application for the CRNE is already in progress.

I learned about CRNBC through a Canadian "Health Care Services" (HCS) which is offering me an employment and referred an agency that they said will assist me in getting the required visa to sit for the exam and eventually work. The "health care services" also said they offer "further educational services to meet Canadian RN exam standards which passing is required. Tutorials can be done abroad through distance learning where a purchased package will be sent to you for those who are eager to begin preparation for the RN exam and may not have an established working visa yet". This distance learning package, the HCS said, is considered as Candian education and will earn me points and increase my chances of acceptance if I apply for the immigrant status. They also said that I can even verify their company's credentials with CRNBC. HOWEVER, I inquired with CRNBC regarding this and they said that they have NO knowledge of such company and that CRNBC is NOT affiliated with that company as what they have claimed. I told the HCS that I will not use the agency they recommend and that I will not purchase the distance learning package but they said they are still offering me a job and will help me thru the process of getting TWP and signing the Interim License.

So, here are my questions:

1. Have you guys encountered a "Health Care Services" before? I'm wondering how they can offer me an employment and distance learning program if they are not a hospital or home care or clinic or an academic institution.

2. Any idea about this distance learning package? I mean, I already threw the idea of getting it since CRNBC said they are not affiliated with them but I just want to know where that company got that idea. They are really convincing me to purchase this package. BTW, it costs $450 (CAN).

3. Does anybody know where I can verify the company's legitimacy, whether they legally running their business in Canada? I just want to be sure that they can really sponsor me or if they are qualified to sign my interim license if I am eligible.

4. The company said that I can work on getting the appropriate visa alone or get assistance from the agency that they are tied up with. Which option is better?

I really appreciate hearing your thoughts regarding my case!

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 13, 2009

I would say a lot of things you can do yourself without the aid of an agency. You can apply to the province college and get assessed. You can look for a employer yourself (most ideally would like nurse experience), get LMO from employer, Paperwork for work visa and or PNP (depending on route you take) is easy and straightforward to complete and submit. Once submitted the embassy will inform you you need a medical and where to go for it. Once everything meets requirements and embassy gives OK you can sort your move across.

Most employers will be used to dealing with IEN's so should be able to guide you

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 13, 2009

I would be VERY suspicious of this group, Wahine888. There are a few things that set off alarm bells for me. The first is that by far the majority of RNs in any province in Canada who work in acute care are essentially employees of the province by virtue of the fact that most provinces have a regional health authority model. It's extremely unlikely that all or even some of the health regions in a province would be employing an agency like this to do their legwork. They'd need to have more control. Second, if CRNBC doesn't know anything about them or have had any dealings with them, that suggests they're a fly-by-night, take-advantage-of-the-unwary-foreigner type of group. Third, this course they're offering you for $540... did they mention which educational institution it was being provided through? If it's something they've created on their own, ding-ding-ding... it's not legitimate. There would have to be some government regulation and CRNBC accreditation of any kind of programme like that and it would be offered through a reputable educational institution. (That means you should be able to access it without the agency's "help".) Fourth, only CRNBC can 'sign" your license. Here there is no requirement for an employer's input into licensing matters. Many nurses have no employer when they receive their first license (I didn't!) and others have multiple employers, for example one of my friends works at both the Royal Alex and the Stollery Hospitals in Alberta and another works for public health and the Stollery. Fifth, as silverdragon102 said, you really don't need much help in getting a visa, other than that of an immigration office list of things that have to be done.

My advice is to never let your fervent desire to improve your lot in life overrule your common sense. If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS! And if it involves large sums of money with little tangible goods provided then it's a scam. If you want to investigate this group, contact CRNBC again and also the British Columbia Nurses' Union, asking them what they know about them. You could even contact some of the health regions and ask their human resources people if they're making use of this group. My gut tells me this isn't on the up-and-up.

wahine888, LPN, LVN · May 14, 2009

Thank you so much, Silverdragon102 and janfr! Yes, I do believe that I can process the visa by myself but I just somehow need the opinions of people who are knowledgeable on this stuff because I'm just a newbie. Like you janfr, I smell something fishy with this company and the agency they keep on promoting and the distance learning package they made up. I will try to check their status with the organizations that you suggested, janfrn. Will keep you posted.

Silverdragon102, BSN · May 14, 2009

Believe me it is easy to do yourself. There may be some running around on your part but the forms are easy to complete and very straight forward. There are several members that have done it themselves without using a agency with no problems

wahine888, LPN, LVN · May 15, 2009

Believe me it is easy to do yourself. There may be some running around on your part but the forms are easy to complete and very straight forward. There are several members that have done it themselves without using a agency with no problems

I want to do it by myself but it's just that they are really trying to sell the agency to me. I have a strong feeling it's a scam. Thanks silverdragon!

wahine888, LPN, LVN · May 15, 2009

Um..this is out of topic but how do I send PMs? Someone sent me one but I can't reply. Is it that my account have limited features?

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · May 15, 2009

I want to do it by myself but it's just that they are really trying to sell the agency to me. I have a strong feeling it's a scam. Thanks silverdragon!

How would they stay in business if they weren't able to convince people like you (but without your connections :imbar) to pay them to do things that are easily enough accomplished without them?

Um..this is out of topic but how do I send PMs? Someone sent me one but I can't reply. Is it that my account have limited features?

You can't send PMs until you have 15 legitimate posts. You're only short 3, so find a couple of threads that interest you then make some well-considered and appropriate posts that contribute to the discussion and you'll be all fixed up.

dasha1111 · May 21, 2009

Hi ! I got an email giving me a file number. Its been "2 months/8weeks" from the time i applied for it. "That" shows in the CRNBC website (when you want to check your file status) I know that they have an approximate time as to the next step which is reviewing all my papers. My question is thrown to those who have already went thru this, how long did it take for them to send you another notice saying that papers is all received? And yes, i sent all my documents already. Papers direct from PRC, papers direct from IELTS, and papers direct from School too.

Can anybody pls share some of their experience?:) Would truly appreciate it. Btw, i also hold a Permanent Resident card for several years now. In that area, i have no problems with working permits etc...