Fully licensed IEN in Nova Scotia difficulty finding work

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Are there any IENs presently in Nova scotia trying to get a job in an Acute care facility and having difficulty? I travelled here in January with the purpose of taking the CRNE and at the same time to look for a job so I can apply for my work permit.I have since cleared the exam and got my new CRNNS license but so far no job offer.I have submitted numerous online applications thru capital health but no success so far.The thing is I have seen the same job being reposted 2-3 times and how come my application has not even progressed to the interview stage. I sent them few follow-up emails asking wether they consider IENs for the job and not just canadian trained nurses,their answer is,"It is their way of building a case to the HRDC that a position can not be filled-up by canadians".That is fine,but for a period of 3-4 months?I am now thinking that maybe they find my experience not suited even though my previous and most recent experience matched the job requirements being advertised. I am an old nurse 15+ years experience in Med-Surg,Orthopedics and neonatal nursing.Anybody out there,fellow IENs having the same predicament as mine? Or are there anybody who has the exact opposite to my story? please share..I am now nearing the end of my legal stay and thinking about the 5months just gone like that...no job & finance depleted.It is very disheartening.....

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

I think I would believe the HRDC argument. The federal government never moves quickly on anything and four or five months would be considered light-speed for them. Also I would expect HRDC to know what's going on in all the provinces, and the fact that there are graduates of Canadian nursing schools in Alberta, BC and Ontario who are not finding jobs after graduation can't have escaped their attention.

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If this is the case then it definitely is not the best time for IENs to make their move to Canada.. hard for me as I really come to love this place.Love the walks at pt.pleasant,the crabs and oh so yummy lobster at a very affordable cost.Still,not giving up hope that something might turn up at the last minute:)

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

You may want to consider other places not just acute. I am lucky that it is my dh that has the work permit and we have now (again) applied for PR (paperwork appears to have gone missing) and love it here and although I haven't seen many jobs advertised locally to where I live I met someone tonight who said where they work they are crying out for RN's so may be a case of actually popping in (if possible) and talking to someone.

However saying that the government can take a while to get sorted with LMO etc then before they will issue you one you need to get a medical sorted

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Thanks Janfrn/Siverdragon.I have attended an interview with an LTC and waiting for the result.May I know Silverdragon where is this facility crying out for nurses.I would be most eager to walk-in for a check if accessible for me.I live at central halifax .How long did you have to wait for your hubby's LMO to get approved then your work permit to be issued? I have a month and a half left and I am hoping I will have enough time to apply for my workpermit provided they offer me that job.

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Specializes in ED, L+D,.

AJ - I've applied for several positions in Emergency through Capital Health, and like you, am STILL waiting to progress through to the interview stage. and yes, it does get disheartening when you see the same job being readvertised! Hopefully it is just as you say - their way of building a case to show they can hire IENs because they can't fill the positions.

Bec - sitting here in sunny Australia, twiddling her thumbs, waiting, waiting, waiting...

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.
Thanks Janfrn/Siverdragon.I have attended an interview with an LTC and waiting for the result.May I know Silverdragon where is this facility crying out for nurses.I would be most eager to walk-in for a check if accessible for me.I live at central halifax .How long did you have to wait for your hubby's LMO to get approved then your work permit to be issued? I have a month and a half left and I am hoping I will have enough time to apply for my workpermit provided they offer me that job.

LMO can take anything from a couple of weeks to a few months, really does vary. I live about 2 hours from Halifax and I think the hospital is another 40 mins away from me. I currently do not have a work permit but we are hoping to have PR within the next 12 months. Busy getting sorted for CRNE. Be aware that they will not issue you a work permit without a medical and they as far as I am aware will send you the forms that need completing (There are a couple of recognised places in Halifax that can do the medicals and I used the one at the university for my student visa) May have to see if you can get an extension on your visa to stay otherwise you may have to leave. Where are you from?

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LMO can take anything from a couple of weeks to a few months, really does vary. I live about 2 hours from Halifax and I think the hospital is another 40 mins away from me. I currently do not have a work permit but we are hoping to have PR within the next 12 months. Busy getting sorted for CRNE. Be aware that they will not issue you a work permit without a medical and they as far as I am aware will send you the forms that need completing (There are a couple of recognised places in Halifax that can do the medicals and I used the one at the university for my student visa) May have to see if you can get an extension on your visa to stay otherwise you may have to leave. Where are you from?

Really that long for an LMO? the medical results, did it take long to come back as well?have you had any experience applying for an extension or has anybody reading this thread has an experience in applying for a visa extension and got approval or denial ? :confused:getting undecided now as the expense of going back to Australia might not be worth if an extension is forthcoming.

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For Bec, thanks for sharing yours,It is most likely then that Capital health is true to its words.Have you taken your CRNE yet? CRNNS does not even issue temporary registration anymore if you have not completed a criminal record check.I did the mistake of having the college do the checks for me and it took 3 long painful months to be completed(been to 3 countries plus 4 states in Australia).I didn't think it can be done otherwise before.Best to do it yourself and it will come way cheaper as well. Do not get impatient,sit and enjoy our nice summer in Australia.If you may want to learn from my experience,secure a job offer first, get your work permit then come over.good luck

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Specializes in ED, L+D,.

I haven't taken the CRNE yet - I only received my approval to sit from CRNNS a few weeks ago. I'm hoping to secure a job first before we come, and sit the exam when I get there. I'll be travelling with my family, so am trying to avoid having the expense of making two separate trips if I possibly can.

Where in Halifax are you? I'm looking at renting an apartment close to the city centre where the main hospitals are (well, if they give me the job of course!) so that we are central and can walk most places. Am feeling a bit nervous about the whole driving on the wrong side of the road issue! :eek:

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I haven't taken the CRNE yet - I only received my approval to sit from CRNNS a few weeks ago. I'm hoping to secure a job first before we come, and sit the exam when I get there. I'll be travelling with my family, so am trying to avoid having the expense of making two separate trips if I possibly can.

Where in Halifax are you? I'm looking at renting an apartment close to the city centre where the main hospitals are (well, if they give me the job of course!) so that we are central and can walk most places. Am feeling a bit nervous about the whole driving on the wrong side of the road issue! :eek:

I wish I would have been wiser back then .I got too excited when I received my eligibility for the exam.Thought since I saw jobs advertised,it will be easier and more appealing to an employer if one is licensed.I live close to IWK and QE II.Few minutes drive to Halifax Infirmary. Exactly the purpose of me targetting to live in this area because these are the main hospitals here in Halifax .I walk to the shops like Sobeys(Coles or safeway/woolworth back home) and shoppers drug mart( chemist/priceline)lots of apartments nearby depending on your budget.You will be okay with the driving.Dont forget to bring a statement from your car insurance,will make a lot of difference with your initial insurance premiums here.One company gave a quote of $8000:clown: which is really hilarious considering we bought our car for $850:lol2:.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.
I haven't taken the CRNE yet - I only received my approval to sit from CRNNS a few weeks ago. I'm hoping to secure a job first before we come, and sit the exam when I get there. I'll be travelling with my family, so am trying to avoid having the expense of making two separate trips if I possibly can.

That's really putting the cart before the horse. It's actually a Catch-22 in some ways. It's probably unrealistic to expect to be offered a job without proof that you're actually going to be able to start work right away. The earliest you'll be able to sit for the exam is October. (The deadline in Nova Scotia to apply for the June exam was April 2 for locally-educated nurses.) Is an employer going to wait 8 months (almost 6 until the exam then about 2 to get the results and finalize registration) to have someone to do a job they're trying to fill now? Probably not. And what happens if, God forbid, you fail the exam? Then what? I hate to rain on your parade, but there are some realities that can't be ignored.

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