Finding an RN job in british columbia (IEN)

[dane_j]

Hi, my name is John. I'm a nurse from the Philippines who just passed the June 2011 CRNE. Based on the assessment of the CRNBC, I didn't have to go through clinicals so I was able to take the boards immediately. Now, it is time for me to find a job here in British Columbia. My question is, what is the best way to apply for jobs? especially that I am a male nurse and my entire experience is from the Philippines. Some people say it should online by making a profile with the different health authorities but I feel that my resumes sent through email are not being given priority. Wouldn't it be better to hand it to a nurse supervisor personally? or would they just tell you to do it online? And since I have no experience here in bc, would it be impossible for me to find a job? Can anyone out there help me find a job? thanks

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Unfortunately volunteering at a nursing home or hospital isn't going to count as Canadian experience. While it looks good on a resume in the sense that it shows you're a generous, community-minded person, it cannot be counted as experience in the employment sense. It will keep you busy and it may provide you with local character references but that's all.

[4_Sq]

Dear John,

Why don't you try getting in touch with the BCNU (British Columbia Nurse's Union)

The union has a mandate where they will try & help IEN's (Internationally educated nurses)

in their efforts to work in Canada.

If you google Internationally Educated Nurses - BC Nurses Union, you can read from there.

I hope you are successful in your job search in BC.

BOXRLUV

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

BCNU does not have a mandate to help IENs find work in BC. Their mandate is to provide support for and protection of their members, and those members are RNs and LPNs who are employed in unionized facilities across the province. Their mandate only comes into play for IENs once they are employed and are dues-paying members of BCNU. They do offer advice on their website about how to streamline the process of registering and finding work in BC, they help their IEN members become settled into their new lives and they provide supports to IEN members who are having difficulty in their workplaces, but they are not an employment service.

[4_Sq]

Oops, I will clarify.. If you go to the BCNU website, there is a process where, as a foreign nurse you can follow the links which spell out the requirements needed to gain access to employment in BC as a registered nurse.. This is "helpful" and hopefully makes it easier to follow. There is a direct link to the application package - (CRNBC) that a foreign nurse can fill in to assist in them in this regard.

I was at a BCNU Conference in the last few years where the topic was about IEN's, and BCNU is very helpful to foreign nurses when they come to Canada, many of the speakers were not educated in Canada, and they spoke of how BCNU had helped them with the process, ESL etc.

I AGREE 100% BCNU IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT SERVICE, AND I DON'T BELIEVE I SAID IT WAS.

Thanks for keeping things accurate.

BOXRLUVR

[dane_j]

Thanks to all you guys giving advice and support. Keep 'em coming! I really do hope I land a job soon.