any filipino nurse working for Apex Corporation-Agency for Pinoy Excellence?

pichipichi · Aug 7, 2008

Four days ago I posted something with so much errors particularly in grammar, I must admit that was kinda shameful and I said sorry for it.

After that single distinct event, a lot of topics were brought up in the forum and one of these was how newly hired nurses in CH are behaving and practicing their profession. I understand that everyone has the right to post anything in this forum but I feel guilty, and with that I want to extend my apology to those people connected with mercan and those who are working in CH because if I was more careful and if I didn’t post something with terrible lapses that topic could have been prevented. :banghead:

But we could still change their perception about the new breed of Filipino nurses, right? :up: Let us love and appreciate one another

ninanurse · Aug 8, 2008

It has been a long struggle for me and I am not there yet but knowing that I will be in the company of a great health region and people from this forum reassures me. I have been getting my strength from this forum, my family and my agency. Back then, it was just me and the agency and a handful of APEX nurses. Even my family thought it was a scam because they have not yet heard of any one leaving as a nurse in Canada. They thought when I go to Canada, I will be a caregiver. My friends doubted the opportunity because who is this agency anyway. I guess that it how it is when we are starting something.

We are pioneering something and how our performance will be will determine if getting us Filipino nurses is a good idea. More than anything, I like to prove to our employers that they did not make a mistake in getting me or the nurses during the day they hired us from the Philippines. I do not want to disappoint the Regina Health Region, my employer. I promised myself to also be a support to those other nurses who are finding it difficult to move on. I wanted to tell my future co-workers that I am not using this as a stepping stone and that when the US opens again, I will stay on until the Canadian hospital and the patients need me. Then I will return to the Philippines in my twilight years to pay it forward. I never knew that this year will change me.

When we get there it does not really matter which agency we come from but I will not forget this agency. They believed in me before I believed them. They are not perfect sometimes I get frustrated. I thought I will be leaving in June. I left my job and then this nagging feeling of, ‘will I really leave?’ is eating me. That’s why I do not post here, I said to myself once I will only post again when I am there in Canada. But then, I also promised myself to be more supportive because it will not be easy for any of us- for those who have been hired and will be hired in the future. So to everyone, just keep the faith. Good luck to the nurses leaving for Sunrise Health Region next week…

yoo jin · Aug 8, 2008

Thank you for sharing your opinion about Mercan. But please remember the main subject of this thread.
Let us avoid any more debates.
Thanks:heartbeat

Peace loving. I like that

essirrahc · Aug 8, 2008

I was already expecting to be place in Parkridge together with clueless and essirrach but I received a text message this morning telling me that my jobsite will be at SPH. I’m still waiting for Ma’am A to confirm this matter because the person who texted me is not “really” connected with the agency but somehow I know he’s reliable. Actually, there are a lot of things that I want to clarify regarding my pending job in Saskatoon but unfortunately due to the bad weather which is almost a week now, it’s very hard to get to the city coming from the province. :smackingf
My whole experience with this application to Canada taught me two important things. First, always expect the unexpected because things may change from time to time. Second, do not be so fretful in case there are delays in the application or departure date, instead practice being more patient and understanding. Everything will depend on the decision of the employers and the embassy as well.:wshgrt:

I was saddened by the news (in case it’s true) but as of now, my real concern is where to get all the materials that I need so I could start reading to help myself prepare for CRNE.:grn:

Don't worry, I'll try to look for you in SPH! =) :wink2:

With regard to the CRNE review materials you will be needing, the SRNE pack you will receive (which ofcourse contains your eligibility letter) includes guidelines on where you may be able to secure review materials. There is, I think, a list of reading materials on one of the pages or the pamphlets included in the packet.

Also, I will be bringing some of my books (Saunders, etc.)

We'll see you soon, gurl. Cheer up! =)))

cilinyt · Aug 9, 2008

do you think it's practical to buy a second hand slightly used crne prep guide 2005 4th edition for p2,800?

please share your opinion. thanks!

libie · Aug 9, 2008

do you think it's practical to buy a second hand slightly used crne prep guide 2005 4th edition for p2,800?
please share your opinion. thanks!

hello! when will you sit crne and what province? if i were you, i'll try to buy the latest edition. anyway, let's wait for others to comment on this one. those who had taken the exam will have more inputs.

just dropped by actually to tell you best of luck on your exam and bless you! :saint:

Pediatric Critical Care Columnist · Aug 9, 2008

The 4th edition might be outdated enough not to be of much help. The exam is constantly evolving and the older book might just be too old. On the other hand, it might be just enough to allow you to squeak through. Remember that the CRNE isn't a clinical and pathophys type exam like the NCLEX, it deals with a lot more nebulous stuff. I'd suggest either the 2007 edition of Mosby's or the 2008 version of Lippincott's.

chinky · Aug 9, 2008

Ninanurse,

is it true that sunrise health region will leave next week? I have not received my visa yet (which is really depresing me now since most of my colleagues have theirs already, and we have the same time lines!):crying2:

but she said she has not recieved any info's from our agency regarding the deployment (I'm neither from merc** or Ap*x, Im from E*i staffbuilders).

The agency said she had to go to manila for the PDO's but considering that we are in the province and there is no specific deployment date still, she told the agency she'll take the PDO's if there has been a specific date of leaving...anyways...its hard knowing that visa's are raining from all health regions, even from sunrise health where Im employed, but I haven't got mine yet...the anxiety and anticipation is killing me....Congrats and god bless to those who have their visa's already....

I'm still waiting for mine....... :sniff: :sniff:

thistle23 · Aug 9, 2008

hi everyone!

just wanna ask something to jencra081128 or to anyone who might also know the answer.

1.) What are the problems that you encountered with regards to your application for SRNA employment verification. I am also in the process of applying for SRNA and also worried about the employment verification thing, because I have this feeling that the hospital where I work has never done employment verification for any of their employees before. In addition to that, I am also worried that the mail will get lost to other departments (the hospital where I work is a very big government hospital with I must admit, a very poor mail delivery system). Where do SRNA addresses the employment verification letter? To the unit where you are assigned so that your head nurse will be the one to accomplish it? to the HRD of your hospital to be accomplished by the head of Human Resource Dept? or to the Nursing Service Department to be accomplished by the chief nurse? In your case where did the employment verification letter end up?

2.) Have you encoutered any problem regarding the number of years spent for your elementary and high school education? Mine is 11 years (7 years for elementary, 4 for high school). I was just thinking will it satisfy canadian standards for education? Because I think in Canada they spend 12 years of studying before going to college.

Thanks in advance!

chinky · Aug 10, 2008

!.) In my case I was working in a review center as a nursing lecturer and since it is just a small building with few staffs (20maximum) there was no problem and it immediately went to the hands of my Boss. It helped that I primed him weeks before that he might receive the employment checklist anytime soon. Don't despair that your hospital has no prior experience with employment re verification since the form is just a simple checklist with clear questions answerable by a 5,4,3,2,1 type boxes where they just tick it off. I think it will help if you enlist the help of your supervisor in the unit since she might be the one grading you/or ask favors from front desk personnel in your HR's office,NSO office etc to call your attention if they will receive a mail from SRNA with the official SRNA logo outside the envelope so you will be aware that it has arrived.

2.) NO there was no problem with regards to elementary and highschool education in sasktachewan, they are more concerned with your nursing education and Miss Janet Shafer from SRNA said when I met her in Manila, if you came from a good school that they have previously assessed then it will be a bit easier for your application..

thistle23 · Aug 10, 2008

thank you chinky for your advice. I will do just what you said. just another thing, were you the one who sent the letter back to SRNA after it was accomplished by your employer? because I doubt that my employer will be willing to spend money for the postage of sending it back to SRNA so I might as well shoulder the expenses and send it back thru a courier to save a lot of time. Will that be appropriate?

I'm pretty sure that I am not the first one from my nursing school that will be assessed by SRNA because some of my bacthmates are already RN's in Saskatchewan. I really hope it does help.

thanks again! :heartbeat:redbeathe:heartbeat

chinky · Aug 10, 2008

Supposedly and ideally they are the ones to mail that, but yes it was I who mailed it via express in our postal office. But the envelope was sealed when they gave it to me, so I could not tamper with it. Just make sure the sender you write is the hospital's name and not your own since they might cause delay for your papers...Sad to say but I have encountered such that employers, schools,hospitals do not mail by themselves. So we have to do it on our own..make sure the envelope is sealed though and do not tamper with it....